Men's Soccer 8/28/2017 4:37:00 PM Chris Myers

Youthful Cardinals Set for Postseason Men’s Soccer Return

WHEELING, W.Va. – With talent up-and-down the lineup, a youthful Wheeling Jesuit men's soccer team is set for a return to the Mountain East Conference postseason run and battle for more in the 2017 season.

The Cardinals come off a tough 6-12 mark a year ago and aim to replace some fire power in the front line and backline support for more fall success. The WJU men are only a year removed from its two upsets of

"We have a young team which is eager to prove that it is capable of getting back in to the MEC tournament," said WJU head coach Jim Regan. "The key to success will be to stay healthy and stay focused on team goals."

Regan's 35^th Cardinals team has to first replace four key starters – goalie Matt McCormick, midfielder Aitor De Heredia, forward Brent Pedlow and defender Shaan Stuart – from a year ago. All four players earned All-MEC and/or All-Atlantic Region honors at one time in each of the four former Cardinals careers.

The young WJU squad will have to mature very quickly behind senior co-captains and defenders Owain Hawkins and Matt Vogt. The two veteran players will have to keep the 2017 team focused with four matches, two against each, versus National Runner-up and No. 2 University of Charleston and No. 12 Urbana University. The WJU docket also includes NCAA playoff team Notre Dame College along with the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference's Millersville, California (Pa.), Pitt-Johnstown, Seton Hill and Slippery Rock.

In the opening week, WJU makes the short trip to Greensburg, Pa., at Seton Hill for a Thursday night, Aug. 31, match starting at 5 p.m. The Cardinals round out their first week at the Vulcans of California (Pa.) next Saturday, Sept. 2, with kick-off at 5:30 p.m.

Returning back Hawkins is joined on the defense by his co-captain Vogt, who played midfield his first three seasons. Despite playing on defense, Hawkins returns as the top WJU scorer of eight points, two goals and four assists, to the lineup. After not posting a point last season, Vogt had two goals and assist his 2015 sophomore season.

The two senior defenders will have company in two Venezuela natives – junior Martin Minuzzi, who found the net one time last year, and sophomore Andres Da Silva. Junior keeper Tyler Shotwell moves into the inside track to replacing the departed McCormick, while freshman Josh Zimmerman will challenge for time. Shotwell logged 495 minutes in six matches where he registered a 2.18 goals against average with 20 saves. Zimmerman comes from Pittsburgh's Franklin Regional High's team.

With the WJU frontline needing replaced, the team's offense will be boosted by two injured redshirts of senior Yafeu Rougier and sophomore Nicolas Bauza set to lead the play. Rougier produced a goal and an assist two years ago, while Bauza takes the pitch for his first year playing on the Wheeling campus.

The Cardinals midfield will be an interesting mix of veterans and freshman, who will have to develop quickly. Seniors Micah Tatebe and Manuel Del Rio, and juniors Trey Tucker and Jordan Simpson will mix with newcomers Sullian Saouzanet and other upcoming freshmen.

-GoCards-

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