The Shawnee State University Men’s Soccer Team returns 14 players from last year’s 1-18 squad.  However, six of those fourteen players represent 86% of the Bears’ offensive output from 2003.  “We didn’t expect miracles last year, but we were hoping for better,” said SSU coach Ron Goodson.  “We worked even harder in the off season this year, and we have added some quality players on both ends of the field.  Our schedule is a bit less demanding as well.  Hopefully, this is the year we can get moving in the right direction.” 

The Bears have an experienced defense returning starters Steven Rogers (Carlisle, OH) and Joey Hammond (Portsmouth, OH).  However, the Bears will look to freshman Blake Shelton (Athens, OH) as their stopper this season.  “Blake is extremely talented,” said Coach Goodson.  “He has all the tools to be a very, very good player in our league.”  Also returning on defense are Phillip Hammond (Portsmouth, OH), Michael Glass (Curtice, OH), and Josh Burkhart (Batavia, OH).  New to the backfield is freshman Ross Frantz (Portsmouth, OH).  Isaac Wooten (Albany, OH) gets the nod in goal after splitting time with Rob Appell as a red-shirt freshman last season.  Freshmen Josh Pascal (Wheelersburg, OH) and Jonathon Venters (Xenia, OH) will each get chances in goal as well.  “Overall, I expect our defense to be stronger,” said Goodson.  “We are pretty experienced and have added talent.  That should help take some of the pressure off of our young keepers.” 

Seniors Joel Gross (Carlisle, OH) and Conrad Rinto (Winona, OH), juniors Kirk Crow (Albany, OH), Chris Shaffer (Ramsey, NJ), and Christian Helfrich (Findlay, OH), and sophomores Kevin Hay (Minford, OH) and Clayton Cahall (Georgetown, OH) all return at the midfield position.  “We have a lot of experience at midfield,” said Goodson.  With the addition of the newcomers, it is probably the strongest midfield we’ve had in a long time.”  Freshmen Jeremy Dickston (Sardinia, OH), Chris Robinson (Portsmouth, OH), and Graham Purdy (Georgetown, OH) should all get significant minutes. 

American Mideast Conference honoree Josh Keeney (Lucasville, OH) returns to lead the SSU offense.  Keeney, a junior, led SSU with 9 goals and 2 assists as a sophomore.  He has 10 goals and 3 assists for his career.  Joining Keeney at the forward position will be freshmen Josh Judge (Olney, IL), Kurt Rininger (Copley, OH), and Chase Hibbler (Grove City, OH).  

“We play in one of the toughest NAIA conferences in the country,” said Goodson.  “Six of the nine teams in the AMC South had .500 or better records and Rio Grande won the National Championship.  So, we will obviously have our work cut out for us in conference play, but I certainly expect us to be much more competitive.” 

Shawnee State opens the season on September 1 versus Baldwin Wallace.  Game time is 5:30 p.m. at Shawnee State Field.