Volume 3, No. 41 October 24, 2003
Men’s soccer remains optimistic By Michael MacEachern The 1-11 record doesn’t tell the story for the Savannah College of Art and Design men’s soccer team. The Bees once again are playing one of the tougher schedules this season as 11 of the 16 teams currently have winning records. The cumulative overall record of the Bees’ opposition is 129-73-21, good for a .626 winning percentage. “The schedule has been difficult,” said head coach Bryan Thorp. “We’re in the infancy of building a tradition at SCAD. In order to do that, we need to expose our young players to national-level talent.” Seven opponents — Johns Hopkins University, Rowan University, Richard Stockton College, Emory University, Greensboro College, Clayton College & State University and Piedmont College — are currently ranked regionally in NCAA Division II, NCAA Division III or the NAIA, including two who are ranked nationally. Five matches have been decided by one goal this season, including a 2-1 double overtime loss to Greensboro, which is ranked No. 10 in NCAA Division III, Oct. 12. “This year has really been a challenge for everyone and our team has pulled together well to come up with some big showings against some really good teams,” said freshman Jason Smith. “Our record doesn’t really reflect how good the team is and the people who come out and support us can bear witness to that. This tough schedule is the best thing for us as a young team … In a few short years we will be one of the top contenders in the NAIA.” The 2003 edition of the men’s soccer team is small and very young as the Bees have only four upperclassmen (two juniors and two seniors) on the 14-person squad. Plus they have been bitten with the injury bug. One of the team leaders — senior Adam Woodruff — has missed the entire season after suffering a season-ending injury in the preseason. A pair of freshmen have stepped up for the Bees as they have accounted for seven of the eight goals scored and four of the six assists this season. Zach Behrmann leads the team with four goals and two assists while Justin Wolocko has scored three goals and assisted on two others. According to Thorp, their preseason goals were to score seven goals each this season. “The objective of this year is to expose the college game to the young players,” said Thorp. “Our objective next year is to reach that potential. Next year’s schedule has been set and it will require a higher demand on the players and coaching staff.” MacEachern is the SCAD sports information director.
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