Kansas Wesleyan Soccer announces 2008 recruiting class
By: David Toelle, KWU Sports Information

After a year which saw the best combined men’s and women’s soccer seasons in school history, the Kansas Wesleyan soccer programs are ready to continue their rise among the nation's elite and make their case as a national powerhouse with another strong recruiting class for the upcoming 2008 season.

“We have a very strong group of returning players for both men's and women's teams,” said Wesleyan Coach Mike Dibbini. “Add to that the tremendous talent we have coming in, and we are definitely one of the teams to beat in conference.”

The Lady Coyotes have one of the strongest returning lineups ever, with our offensive and defensive units virtually intact. Several returning All-Conference, All-Region, and All-Americans, Heather Muilenburg, Eliana Parada, Kelli Beatty, Marisa Brownell, and Kat Benton will be leading a talent laden returning group featuring an offense and defense that led the NAIA in several categories.

Among the newcomers will be a powerful group of incoming transfers featuring versatile defender/midfielder Sarah Macy and forward/midfielder Brittnie Bernardino. Also joining the Coyotes are Courtney Eargle, Teresa Candelario, and Anna Flores. Ashley DeWitt, a transfer from Butler CC will also bring good experience playing another versatile role on the team on the outside.

“We were looking to bulk up our midfield,” Dibbini said, “But we ended up gaining depth at all our skill positions and gaining a number of blue collar role players who are going to make us deeper and even stronger than last year.”

Stephanie Cottam, a junior college transfer at goalkeeper, is an exceptional talent. She will challenge returning All-American Kelli Beatty for a spot in goal next season.

Next season’s recruiting class features one of the strongest freshman classes in program history.

“Our incoming freshman class is definitely deep with talent,” Dibbini said. “Several of the players will be challenging for starting positions and all will have an immediate impact.”

Leading the charge for the freshman is area product Lindsay Geddes, from Valley Center, She is a speedy forward whose style of play is similar to two-time All-American and current Wesleyan player Heather Muilenberg. Kyra Helin from Anchorage, Alaska brings strong target play and plays well with her back to the goal and standout keeper Kjersten Stupey from Seattle Wash., will fight for a spot in net. Other freshmen who look to contribute immediately are Rachelle Medina, a heady, skillful midfielder from Ventura, Calif.; Imaan Issa, a red shirt freshman transfer from UC-Riverside. Hannah Kern is another of the talented Kansas products this year that will bring high skill and discipline in the middle from Maize. Darine Villanueva, from Arcadia, Calif., is a strong holding midfielder who has the ability to make a huge difference.

Last year’s men’s team got off to a rocky start, losing five projected impact players to various reasons. Despite the early setbacks, the Coyotes rebounded and made a strong late season push, culminating with an appearance in the regional final match. Key returnees for the Coyotes will be All-Americans Juan Mundo, Mario Rodriguez, and All-Region and All Conference player Jose Garay.

Wesleyan has a lot of holes to fill due to graduation, and 2008 may be more of a rebuilding year according to Dibbini.

“We lost a lot of great players to graduation this year, so we were afraid that it might be a rebuilding year,” he said. “But we are very pleased with our recruiting class that has filled all of our holes along with the pure depth of returnees.”

Among the transfer class, Wesleyan has a very talented group coming in starting with Aldo Luna, from Mt. San Antonio College. Also joining Luna, are impact players from Moorpark College in Robert Hector, Jon McCormick, and Daniel Lopez. Wesleyan also turned to the Kansas junior college ranks and raked in some outstanding talent.

“We have some tremendous talent also coming from Johnson County,” Dibbini said. “Marlon Beach and Nathan Taylor look to make an impact immediately and should challenge for a starting spot. Both bring a high work rate and size to the team.”

Rounding out the transfer class is Arthur Guizar, a talented midfielder/forward from Long Beach City College, who has the ability to generate an attack, along Ivan Mercado and Hector Quezada from Cerritos College.

Amadeo Garay, brother of current Coyote Jose Garay, leads one of the most talent rich freshman groups KWU has seen in a long time. Goal keeper Kyle Martin looks to break into a deep keeper corps, while Logan Smith and Alex Chiakmakis, both from Mesa, Ariz., bring pace and athleticism to the table. Spencer Jones has the speed, technical skill and tenacious ability to compete right away. KWU brings in a solid and strong defender that will close up any gaps in the back in Josh Van Sloten. He brings size and great defensive one-on-one ability along with strong experience.

Wesleyan’s 2008 schedule is no walk in the park. Three nationally ranked teams at the end of last season dot both the men’s and women’s schedules. Both teams open the season on September 1 at Concordia (Neb.), before two home contests against Baker on September 3 and Missouri Baptist on September 6. Baker received votes in the final NAIA men’s poll last season. Wesleyan then will head to California for a pair of games on September 11 and 13. First up is nationally ranked Point Loma Nazarene. PLNU finished the 2007 season ranked no.11 on the women’s side and no.12 on the men’s. The Coyotes wrap up the west coast trip with a doubleheader with Cal State – San Marcos.

Once back in the Midwest, Wesleyan travels to Lamoni, Iowa, to face nationally ranked Graceland on September 19. The Yellowjackets finished 2007 ranked seventh on the men’s side and no.17 on the women’s side. The Coyotes then take on William Jewell (Mo.) in Liberty the next day. Jewell’s women finished 2007 ranked no.10 in the country.

After a seven day break, the Coyotes host Oklahoma Christian on September 27. Wesleyan will then wrap up its 2008 non-conference schedule on October 1 in Parkville, Mo., against Park University. The Pirate men finished the 2007 season ranked no.16 in the country, and knocked off the Coyotes in last year’s regional final match. The women’s match features a rematch of last year’s regional championship when Wesleyan knocked off the Pirates 3-0 to advance to the NAIA National Tournament for the first time in school history.

The Coyotes then open the KCAC season on October 4 at Sterling. Wesleyan is then home for back-to-back contests against Bethel on October 8 and McPherson on October 11. Other home contests for the Coyotes feature Saint Mary on October 18 and Tabor on October 29. Road conference contests feature a trip to Wichita to play Friends on October 15, a trip to Ottawa on October 22, a short trip to Lindsborg to take on Bethany on October 25 and the season finale match on November 1 at Southwestern.