The Shawnee State University Men’s Soccer Team returns 16 players from last year’s 3-15-1 squad, including 9 regular starters.  The Bears return 95% of the offensive output from the 2004 season.  Rounding out the roster are seven quality freshmen. 

The Bears should be solid on the net returning Ike Wooten (Albany, OH) and Jonathon Venters (Xenia, OH).  Wooten, a senior, played in all but one game and recorded 140 saves as a junior.  Freshmen, Joey Dixon (Jackson, OH) will contend with Wooten and Venters for a starting spot this season.       

“Our midfield should be stronger than it has ever been with seven returners at that position,” said Coach Goodson.  Veteran midfielders include Gonzalo Perez-Beck (Athens, OH) and Kevin Hay (Minford, OH).  Both received Honorable Mention All-American Mideast Conference recognition last year.  Hay, a junior, led the 2004 squad with six assists.  Newcomers to the midfield, include Ryan Appell (Columbus, OH), Markus Holtz (Springfield, OH), Robbie Lyon (Wheelersburg, OH), and Brock Volio (Salem, OH).

The defense returns two starters from last year’s squad.  Returning are three year captains Kirk Crow (Albany, OH) and Chris Shaffer (Ramsey, OH).  Coach Goodson will look to several freshmen to round out the backfield.

On the offensive end, the Bears return Josh Keeney, and Kurt Rinninger.  Keeney, as a junior, led the team with eight goals and five assists. “Josh has led us in scoring for three years, and we look for him to have his best year,” said Goodson.  Joining Keeney and Rinninger up front is freshmen Bryan Craft (Wheelersburg, OH).   

“I really believe we could have the best record in the history of Shawnee soccer," said Goodson.  "This is the most excited I've been coming into a season in a very long time.”   

Shawnee State opens the season on August 27 at West Virginia Wesleyan.  Game time is 3:00 p.m.  The Bears first home match is on August 31 versus Kenyon.  Game time is 4:00 p.m. at Shawnee State Field.