Had to go to work… and class, but now lets dive in! Coach Alf Bilbao brings in his first recruiting class, eight strong and pictured at left, including two local products. Steve Wilczewski (Glendale) and Bryan Simpson (Kickapoo) are coming off a strong Spring season playing for Bilbao’s club team, SpringHigh Select, and like many of the new boys on the squad should expect to get playing time. With five starting positions opening up due to graduation and and a sixth due to the possible loss of Scott Deal, there will be a lot of opportunity this season.
Like the Bears, the Panthers will begin the season with a goalkeeper lacking experience at this level. Cesar Cereijo is the incumbent, a junior from Plano TX who has the advantage of a year of training with the squad. Michael Lassen (Kickapoo 2004) has been enticed to return to the team after skipping his sophomore season and Logan Hoffman returns as a redshirt freshman.
The Panthers have three seniors they will rely on this season with Spencer Smith and Kyle Hogge anticipated to carry the load in the center while Austin Hill will be looking for significant time at forward after playing in all 19 games last season. Junior Cody Reinberg, with six goals, was the 2nd leading scorer last year while Nick Washam is the top returning defender where he provided very strong two way play from the right side.
Three of last years recruits made a strong impression and I would expect will earn starting positions. Steven Nabers played in 18 games and showed well as an outside defender. Tyson Bramley, as a defender and a holding midfielder, knows how to destroy an attack and also got off seven shots in his seventeen games, making him the second most active shooter among returning players behind Reinberg. Forward Eric Anderson scored one goal last year, as did defender Ben Williams, which puts them second on the returning scorers list.
The possible loss of Scott Deal will be a large blow. Scott earned 2nd Team GLVC Conference recognition last year and as I have noted previously, was the most entertaining player in Springfield. He is not listed on either the 2006 Prospectus, and is in fact listed as Lost To Graduation. Scott played one year at Southern Methodist before transfering to Drury where he had to sit out a season when Drury was still D1. He played two years at Drury so there should be one year of eligibility remaining. I know from my conversations with him late last year about his summer plans, he was planning on returning. Here’s hoping it happens.
In the meantime, the Panthers first home game with be August 25th against Harding (AR) at Harrison Stadium. 5:00 pm, followed by the Women’s game at 7:30 pm. See you there!
2006 soccer recruits include (Front row, L to R): Connor McClellan, Jacob Gain (Ft Zumwalt West), Chris Anzalone (Ft Zumwalt South), Bryan Simpson (Kickapoo), Steve Wilczewski (Glendale), Andrew Bordelon (Bedford El Paso TX) and (back row, L to R): Neal Covington (Desmet), Matt Kummer (Ft Zumwalt West), Jake Allison (Olathe South), Michael Lassen (Kickapoo)
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I enjoyed reading your write up on the Drury Men’s Soccer team and look forward to following them through your web site. My son, Andrew Bordelon is one of the recruits. I plan on attending as many games as possible, but will have to miss many, at least most of the road games. Please note that Andrew is from Bedford, Texas, not El Paso. Thanks again and keep the updates coming.
Donny – I hope all is well and I wish Andrew and the rest of the panthers the best of luck in their 2006 season. And to Steve O. if you see Leamy tell him we love Jimmy Kunclrs out here in the thin air. Well I must be off now but Steve keep the updates coming as I do truely miss the SWMO soccer scene.