A mixture of 15 returning players and 14 freshmen have come together in a short period of time to bring a new level of excitement to the 2008 Wabash College soccer program.
"There is a noticeable change in the attitude and energy of this team," head coach Roberto Giannini said. "We are only a few days into our practices, but the freshmen have pushed and challenged our upperclassmen every day. I am very pleased with the way they have created a friendly competition within their ranks but have also developed a team atmosphere."
The players have recognized the change, as well.
"This is a very talented group of freshmen," senior Thomas Hanewald said. A three-year letterwinner for the Little Giant soccer team, Hanewald started in nine of his 15 appearances last season for Wabash.
"They have really pushed us to play our best in team scrimmages and in practices," Hanewald added. "In exchange, we've been able to help them get adjusted to life at Wabash and all the differences of playing collegiate soccer."
Those changes have been significant and the assistance has been appreciated by the freshmen.
"The upperclassmen have been a great help," newcomer Allan Swan said. A native of Glasgow, Scotland, Swan played at Carmel High School last season after moving to the United States with his family. "I'm a smaller guy, so I've had get used to the physical play of the college game. The older players have taught me a lot in these first few days.
"They have also been very welcoming. Even though we're all challenging for positions on the team, the returning players have assisted us at every step. They have accepted us as teammates from day one and have made this transition an easy one for all of us."
Thirteen other freshmen have joined Swan on the pitch for the Little Giants this season. They are:
Dylan Andrew (Forward; Columbus, IN/Columbus North High School)
Bob Cassady (Defender/Midfielder; South Bend, IN/Mishawaka Marian High School)
Lucas Evans (Defender; Urbandale, IA/Urbandale High School)
Mike Hegeman (Defender; Zionsville, IN/Zionsville High School)
Austin Jennings (Forward; Noblesville, IN/Noblesville High School)
Ian Kelly (Defender; Delphi, IN/Harrison High School)
Femi Oluyedun (Midfielder/Forward; Westfield, IN/International School of Indiana)
Andrew Pearcy (Midfielder; Westfield, IN/Ben Davis High School)
Tommy Pecar (Midfielder; Whitby, Ontario, Canada/Henry Street High School)
Josh Pedersen (Defender; Carol Stream, IL/Wheaton North High School)
Phil Rosborough (Goalkeeper; Loveland, OH/Loveland)
Patrick West (Goalkeeper; Danville, IL/Brownsburg High School)
Jake Woloshin (Midfielder; Noblesville, IN/Noblesville High School)
The unity developed in the opening days of practice is the first step toward a team goal of earning a berth as one of four teams in the North Coast Athletic Conference Tournament in November. Wabash has yet to make the tournament in nine years as a member of the league.
"Our goal as a team is to make the conference tournament," senior Mike Kaster said. Kaster played in all 18 games for Wabash in 2007, earning 15 starts. "We have other goals as well, but it would be a special way to end my college career to be part of a squad that made the four-team tournament."
The Little Giants open the 2008 campaign Saturday afternoon at 1 p.m. at Mud Hollow Field against Holy Cross College. Drew Kapsalis is the top returning scorer from last season for Wabash. He tallied three goals . Honorable Mention All-NCAC selection Mark Babcock started every game for the Little Giants as a freshman in 2007, scoring a goal and an assist. Junior Diego Aliaga also earned All-NCAC Honorable Mention honors after adding a goal and an assist last year.
Senior Devin Moss provides the most experience in the net for the Little Giants. Moss started two games and played a total of five times last year, recording 17 saves and one win. His focus, however, is also toward team success.
"I want to know that when I take off my jersey for the final time as a Wabash player this year that I've proven to be worthy of wearing it," Moss said. "I want to work as hard as I can in practice and help where ever I can to make certain we have team success. And I just want to make sure I'll have a smile on my face on the final day as a player on the Wabash soccer team."
Photos - (top right) A good slide tackle sends the soccer ball away during a practice session by the Little Giants.
(Bottom left) Mike Kastor is one of three seniors on the 2008 Wabash soccer team.