With only four wins in the past two seasons, Coach Ron Goodson is looking to a crop of young players to turn the fortunes of the Shawnee State University Men’s Soccer Team.  A strong recruiting class and a lighter conference schedule could put a winning season within the Bears’ grasp.  It would be the first in the history of Shawnee State Soccer. 

The Bears return only five sophomores and five juniors from last year’s squad.  New to the squad are ten freshmen and three transfers.  Despite their youth, Coach Goodson is optimistic about his squad.  “We are going to be stronger and deeper at every position.  We are young, but we should show great improvement as the season progresses.  It should be a very exciting year.” 

The top returning players for the Bears are Jeremiah Roediger, B. J. Lyon, and Robert Appell.  Roediger (Athens, OH) a junior midfielder, scored two goals and dished out three assists on his way to earning honorable mention All-AMC honors last season.  Lyon (Wheelersburg, OH) is two-year starter and returning captain.  He has five career-goals and one assist.  Appell (Blacklick, OH) has started in goal for the Bears the last two seasons.  He recorded 209 total saves and had two shutouts as a sophomore. 

Four of the newcomers which Coach Goodson sees making a considerable and immediate impact are Joel Gross, Steven Rogers, Kirk Crow, and Josh Keeney.  “Joel and Steven are transferring from Wright State,” said Goodson.  “Joel has excellent ball skills and can score goals.  Steven has great size and plays very aggressive soccer.  He should really strengthen our defense.”  Crow is a freshmen defensive player from Albany, OH.  “He is strong and very fundamentally sound.  I expect he will start at the stopper position.”  Keeney, a freshman from Lucasville, OH will likely start at the forward position.  “Josh has great goal-scoring ability.  He and Joel up front will provide us with some offensive punch we have been lacking the past couple of seasons.” 

In addition to the revamped lineup, the Bears will play just six games against the very strong American Mideast Conference, compared to sixteen games versus the AMC last season.  “I expect us to be much more competitive in our conference games this season,” explained Goodson.  “However, we play in the toughest NAIA conference in the country.  I think we will surprise a few of our non-conference foes as well as our AMC opponents.  It is going to be a very exciting year.” 

Shawnee State opens the season on September 21 against Capital.  Game time is 2:00 p.m. at the Shawnee State University Soccer Field.