Wittenberg University Athletics -- Men's Soccer 2003 News Releases

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2003 News Releases

All Releases Written by: Ryan Maurer
Director of Sports Information
E-Mail: rmaurer@wittenberg.edu

November 25, 2003

Thirty-Four Wittenberg Student-Athletes Earn 2003 Fall Sport Postseason Awards
SPRINGFIELD, Ohio - Another banner fall sports season has reaped tangible rewards for 34 Wittenberg University athletes who were selected to All-North Coast Athletic Conference teams. In addition, several Tiger athletes received regional and national recognition from various organizations, including two All-America selections to date. Read More ...

November 20, 2003

Sebastian Missura, Matt Berry, Steve Doring, Tim Fogler Earn All-NCAC Honors - pdf file
CLEVELAND --Wooster's Adam Milligan (Orrville, OH/Orrville) and Allegheny's Ben Montgomery (McMurray, PA/Peter's Township) have been named co-Offensive Players of the Year and Ohio Wesleyan's Jeff Krigbaum (Canal Winchester, OH/Canal Winchester) has been named Defensive Player of the Year to highlight the 2003 All-North Coast Athletic Conference men's soccer selections. Read More ...

November 6, 2003

Sebastian Missura

The Wittenberg men's soccer team rounded out its 2003 season with a 2-1 double overtime road victory over Oberlin on Saturday. The win gave Wittenberg eight on the season, and it extended to 21 the number of consecutive seasons that the Tiger men's soccer program has registered at least seven wins.

The Tigers wrapped up the season with goals by sophomore Matt Berry (Tipp City, Ohio/Tippecanoe) in the first half and freshman Sebastian Missura (Quito, Ecuador/American School) in the second overtime. Senior goalkeeper Matt Sharp (Mainville, Ohio/Middletown Fenwick) recorded seven saves in the game. Assists were awarded to freshmen Nick Hauff (Delaware, Ohio/Hayes) and Jason Sucher (Lousville, Ky./duPont).

Missura was named NCAC Player of the Week for his heroics, the first such honor of his career and the first such honor for a Wittenberg player in 2003. He finished the year with nine goals and one assist for a team-high 19 total points. That total ranked ninth in the NCAC as well.

Berry finished with 14 total points on six goals and two assists, while sophomore Andy Stewart (Huber Heights, Ohio/Wayne) added 10 total points on three goals and four assists. Nine freshmen saw significant action in 2003, including Adam Horrocks (Delaware, Ohio/Hayes), the team's primary goalkeeper. The team loses just four seniors, including four-year letterwinners Greg Zeller (Springfield, Ohio/North), Steve Doring (Dayton, Ohio/Wayne) and Tim Fogler (Chagrin Falls, Ohio/Kenston).

Next: Season Complete

October 30, 2003

Greg Zeller

The Wittenberg men's soccer team has one game left in a rebuilding 2003 season that has yielded some high points and provided great promise for the future. The team's latest outing resulted in a 1-0 home loss on Saturday to nationally ranked Denison.

After the Big Red, who are one of four teams qualified for the NCAC Tournament next week, scored late in the first half, the Tigers controlled much of the action in the final 45 minutes but couldn't push across the equalizer. Perhaps summing up the team's close-but-no-cigar season, a shot from inside the penalty box after a corner kick hit the Denison goal post and trickled across the goal mouth before the Big Red keeper pounced on it to preserve the shutout with just 16 seconds left in the game.

The youthful Tigers wrap up the 2003 season on Saturday with a road game at Oberlin. Playing their final home game against Denison were four seniors - Matt Sharp (Mainville, Ohio/Middletown Fenwick), Greg Zeller (Springfield, Ohio/North), Steve Doring (Dayton, Ohio/Wayne) and Tim Fogler (Chagrin Falls, Ohio/Kenston).

Next: 11/1 at Oberlin, 1 p.m.

October 23, 2003

Jason Sucher

The Wittenberg men's soccer team has had an up-and-down season, and unfortunately things moved back in the downward direction over the last week. On Saturday, the Tigers were shut out 4-0 by visiting Allegheny, one of the top 10 teams in the region, and then on Wednesday, Wittenberg was upended on the road by Wabash in double overtime by a 2-1 count.

Against Allegheny, the shot totals were relatively even, but the Gators were more opportunistic. Against Wabash, the Tigers were against outshot, but the game went deep into a second overtime before the Little Giants scored the game-winning goal with just 17 seconds left. Freshman goalkeeper Adam Horrocks (Delaware, Ohio/Hayes) recorded 11 saves and freshman Sebastian Missura (Quito, Ecuador/American School) scored the lone Tiger goal off an assist from freshman Jason Sucher (Louisville, Ky./duPont Manual). That goal staked the Tigers to a 1-0 lead that stood up for 12 minutes in the second half before Wabash scored the equalizer.

Missura ranks among the NCAC leaders in goals and total points per game. He leads the Tigers with eight goals, one assist and 17 total points. Despite playing just five games due to injury this season, Sucher has three assists to rank second on the team.

Next up is a difficult test against perennial powerhouse Denison at home on Saturday for Homecoming and a difficult road trip to Oberlin on Nov. 1. The Tigers must win both games and hope for help from other teams in the conference race to have a shot at the NCAC Tournament, which includes only the top four teams in the final regular season standings.

Next: 10/25 vs. Denison, 3 p.m.

October 16, 2003

Steve Doring

The Wittenberg men's soccer team is riding a three-game win streak at just the right time. With several key conference games coming up in the next two weeks, Head Coach Steve Dawson and his team will find out if the momentum garnered from beating three teams in the lower portion of the NCAC standings can carry over against teams ranked among the best in the nation.

The recent win streak started Oct. 4 at home against Kenyon, a game the Tigers won 5-3. Since then, Wittenberg defeated Earlham 2-0 at home on Oct. 8 and then hit the road to defeat Hiram on Oct. 11 by a 5-1 score.

In the win over Hiram, senior Steve Doring (Dayton, Ohio/Wayne) opened the scoring in the ninth minute. Sophomores Matt Berry (Tipp City, Ohio/Tippecanoe) and Isaac Boye-Arthur (Tema, Ghana/St. Peter's) also scored goals, and freshman Sebastian Missura (Quito, Ecuador/American School) found the back of the net twice. Assists were provided by sophomore Andy Stewart (Huber Heights, Ohio/Wayne), Berry, freshman Eduardo Missura (Quito, Ecuador/American School), freshman Jason Sucher (Louisville, Ky./duPont Manual) and freshman Nick Hauff (Delaware, Ohio/Hayes), who finished with a pair.

It is now make-it or break-it time for the young Tigers, who have won six of their last eight games after a 1-5 start. Next up is a home game against nationally ranked Allegheny on Oct. 18. Next week, the Tigers travel to Wabash on Wednesday and play a home game against Denison on Oct. 25 before wrapping up the regular season on the road against Oberlin. The Tigers are currently in a logjam near the top of the NCAC standings, and only the top four teams will advance to the conference tournament, which is slated to be contested Nov. 7-8.

Next: 10/18 vs. Allegheny, 1:30 p.m.

October 15,2003

Jay Freund and Jonas Osterberg Named to 20th Anniversary NCAC All-Decade Team - pdf file
CLEVELAND -- Kenyon?s Kelsey Olds and Ohio Wesleyan?s Philip Hoffman head an impressive list of past standouts named to the North Coast Athletic Conference?s 20th Anniversary men?s soccer team. Olds and Hoffman are two of the 13 former NCAC Players of the Year represented on the 18-person squad. Read More ...

October 9, 2003

Matt Berry

The Wittenberg men's soccer team is back on a two-game win streak and is also back in the NCAC race heading into the home stretch of the 2003 season.

Last week, the Tigers upended Kenyon 5-3 at home on Saturday and Earlham 2-0 at home on Wednesday. The wins leveled the Tigers conference record at 2-2 and improved the team's NCAC point total to seven, based on three points for each win and another point earned for an overtime loss at Ohio Wesleyan on Oct. 1.

In the win over Kenyon, sophomore Jesse King (Loveland, Ohio/Loveland) opened the scoring off an assist from freshman Nick Hauff (Delaware, Ohio/Hayes). Sophomore Matt Berry (Tipp City, Ohio/Tippecanoe) scored the second goal of the game off a touch by freshman David Ross (Columbus, Ohio/Upper Arlington). But Kenyon rallied to score twice before the end of the half to tie things up.

In the second half, the Tigers took control as freshman Sebastian Missura (Quito, Ecuador/American School), Ross and senior Steve Doring (Dayton, Ohio/Wayne) scored the goals and sophomore Andy Stewart (Huber Heights, Ohio/Wayne) and freshman Josh Richards (Milford, Ohio/McNicholas) had the assists.

Against Earlham, freshman goalkeeper Adam Horrocks (Delaware, Ohio/Hayes) posted his second shutout in support of goals by Berry and Ross. Assists were recorded by Doring, Missura and freshman Jason Sucher (Louisville, Ky./duPont Manual).

The Tigers next travel to Hiram on Saturday for another important NCAC game before returning home to square off with nationally ranked Allegheny on Oct. 18. Wittenberg is part of a very crowded conference title chase currently, with the top four teams at season's end slated to participate in the NCAC Men's Soccer Tournament. The Tigers have been on the outside looking in at that tournament in each of the three years of its existence.

Next: 10/11 at Hiram, 2 p.m.

October 2, 2003

Adam Horrocks

The Wittenberg men's soccer team appeared to have turned the corner, winning three straight games heading into the NCAC schedule. But when the conference includes four teams ranked in the top 10 in the region and three ranked among the top 20 in the nation, nothing is ever as it appears.

On Saturday, the Tigers were defeated 5-2 by visiting Wooster in their NCAC opener. Sophomore Jesse King (Loveland, Ohio/Loveland) got the Tigers on the board in the first half to knot the score at 1-1 and then freshman Sebastian Missura (Quito, Ecuador/American School) did the same in the second half to get things square at 2-2. But Wooster pulled away with three goals late in the game, despite 10 saves by freshman goalkeeper Adam Horrocks (Delaware, Ohio/Hayes).

On Wednesday, the Tigers were back to playing tense, one-goal games, but this time the score went against them as the 12th-ranked Ohio Wesleyan Bishops scored a 1-0 overtime win at home. Horrocks made five saves in the game, but the Tigers couldn't generate enough offense against the 2002 NCAA Division III semifinalists and five-time defending NCAC tournament champions.

The Tigers will have a chance to regroup over the next week as some of the other top challengers in the conference square off against one another and Wittenberg takes on Kenyon on Saturday, Earlham next Wednesday and Hiram next Saturday. The first two games are scheduled to be played at Bill Edwards Field, with the Hiram contest to be played on the road.

Next: 10/4 vs. Kenyon, 2 p.m.

September 25, 2003

Sebastian Missura

The Wittenberg men's soccer team got off to a tough start with a young roster and a difficult nonconference schedule. But in the last week, the Tigers have put together three straight one-goal victories to work their way back to 4-5 overall heading into the NCAC schedule.

After losing back-to-back 3-2 decisions to NAIA scholarship programs Cedarville and Mount Vernon Nazarene, the Tigers rebounded to defeat Muskingum 2-1 in overtime on Sept. 17, Urbana 1-0 on Sept. 21 and Wilmington 3-2 in overtime on Sept. 24. Wittenberg has played nine games in 2003, eight of which have been decided by one goal. The Tigers are 4-4 in those games. In overtime games, Wittenberg is 2-2.

In the win over Muskingum, sophomore Andy Stewart (Huber Heights, Ohio/Wayne) scored the overtime game-winning goal after freshman David Ross (Columbus, Ohio/Upper Arlington) had earlier given the Tigers' their lone tally in regulation. Freshman Adam Horrocks (Delaware, Ohio/Hayes) recorded his first collegiate shutout against Urbana in support of an offense that recorded a game-winning second-half goal by freshman Sebastian Missura (Quito, Ecuador/American School). And against Wilmington, a traditional regional power, the Tigers got a first-half goal from sophomore Matt Berry (Tipp City, Ohio/Tippecanoe), a second-half, game-tying tally from senior Steve Doring (Dayton, Ohio/Wayne) and the overtime game-winner from Missura.

Next up for the Tigers is the most important stretch of games to date. Games against conference contenders Wooster and Ohio Wesleyan, on Saturday and Wednesday respectively, figure to test whether the Tigers are going to be in the race for the NCAC. Wittenberg has completed the nonconference portion of the 2003 schedule.

Next: 9/27 vs. Wooster, 3:30 p.m.

September 19, 2003

Andy Stewart

A young team in search of an offense after heavy graduation losses continues to grow and find itself against a very challenging nonconference schedule. The Tiger men's soccer team has competed well and has now won two of its last four games and has hopefully found its offensive stride.

Of Wittenberg's five losses in the early going, four have been by one goal and the other was by a 2-0 margin. The Tigers opened the campaign with a pair of narrow defeats against NAIA scholarship programs in the Wittenberg Invitational Aug. 30-31. In the opener, Wittenberg lost 2-1 to Walsh, despite a game-tying second-half goal by freshman David Caputo (Springboro, Ohio/Springboro) off a pass from sophomore Andy Stewart (Huber Heights, Ohio/Wayne). In the second game of the weekend, the Tigers lost 2-0 to Ohio Dominican.

The next weekend featured two more home games and the results were mixed once again. On Saturday, against perennial national power DePauw, the Tigers fell 2-1 despite a game-tying second-half goal by freshman Sebastian Missura (Quito, Ecuador/American School) off an assist from freshman Ian Acker (Worthington, Ohio/Thomas Worthington). On Sunday, Wittenberg finally got into the win colum with a 1-0 shutout of Rose-Hulman as sophomore Isaac Boye-Arthur (Tema, Ghana/St. Peter's Secondary) had the goal and senior Matt Sharp (Mainville, Ohio/Middletown Fenwick) recorded six saves for the shutout.

On Sept. 9, the Tigers dropped a 3-2 overtime decision to neighboring rival Cedarville and on Sept. 13, Wittenberg fell again by a 3-2 margin, this time to Mount Vernon Nazarene. Both programs are members of NAIA and offer athletic grants-in-aid.

Hopefully, the season's momentum turned in a Sept. 17 win at Muskingum. In the 2-1 victory, the Tigers scored the first goal of the game for just the second time this year as freshman David Ross (Columbus, Ohio/Upper Arlington) scored off a feed from sophomore Matt Berry (Tipp City, Ohio/Tippecanoe). The game-winner was scored late in the game by Stewart off an assist from Caputo.

Wittenberg plays its fifth game of the season against NAIA competition on Sunday when the Tigers visit Urbana. After a Wednesday game against perennial powerhouse Wilmington at home, the Tigers head into NCAC action. The conference features a host of strong programs again this year, including nationally ranked outfits at Ohio Wesleyan, Allegheny and Denison.

Next: 9/21 at Urbana, 2 p.m.

August 20, 2003

2003 NCAC Preseason Polls - pdf file
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Defending champion Ohio Wesleyan University emerged as the preseason favorite in balloting by North Coast Athletic Conference men's soccer coaches conducted via email. The Bishops, who earned their fourth consecutive NCAC championship and won their third straight league tournament last fall, earned nine first-place votes from league coaches for 99 points. Allegheny, which was runner-up and reached the championship game of the NCAC tournament last season, received the remaining first-place vote and was picked second with 84 points. Read More ...

April 29, 2003

Wittenberg University Men's Soccer to Host Annual Invitational
SPRINGFIELD, Ohio - The Wittenberg University men's soccer program kicks off its 2003 season by hosting the Wittenberg Men's Soccer Invitational this weekend at Bill Edwards Field. This will be the 15th Wittenberg Men's Soccer Invitational since 1987. Read More ...

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