2007 Men's Soccer Outlook

Jeff Bateson enters his second year as Guilford’s head men’s soccer coach after a rebuilding season of 2-7 in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) and 5-11-1 overall. He returns 16 letter winners and adds five newcomers from his first recruiting class. Bateson looks forward to the upcoming year after a productive spring season where the Quakers showcased a new ability to compete well together. He believes the team gained confidence and focus, which should prepare them for a difficult fall schedule that features three teams ranked in the final 2006 NSCAA Top 25 Poll and seven regionally ranked opponents. Bateson has four seniors and 10 juniors to provide leadership in this challenging year. He plans to strengthen the offense by taking more opportunities and improving the defense by working harder against the opponent’s top scorers.

Guilford returns almost all of its top performers from 2006, including junior forward Scott Meguid. The First Team All-ODAC and all-region selection led the Quakers with 24 points on 10 goals and four assists. Classmate Joe Rigert, who had 14 points on five goals and four assists last season, also returns as one of Guilford’s forwards. Bateson expects him to become even more of an offensive threat with his excellent shooting ability. Junior Tim Berke plays either up top or on the back line.

Junior Bryce Hunsucker ranked third on the team in points and could be this year’s best playmaker in the midfield. One of Guilford’s best overall players, senior Mike McCaffrey could be the key to anchoring this year’s midfield. Technically skilled athletes Robbie Fisher and Jeff Floyd round out the returning midfielders.

A key loss for the Quakers will be four-year starter and honorable mention All-ODAC goalie Zane Campbell. Bateson plans on using sophomore Patrick Childs to guard the twine. Childs, who helped Naperville (Ill.) North to a state sectional title, did not play soccer as a freshman, but did play tennis for the Quakers. With a young goalie protecting the goal, Guilford’s veteran back line must be especially sharp.

Seniors Mark Jarvis (29 career games) and Neil Meguid (32 career games) will use their experience and ball skills to anchor the Quakers’ defense. Junior Peter Deng is an ideal player who has battled injuries in his first two years. Bateson hopes he stays healthy and provides communication in the back. Classmate Dan Etter will prove to be one of the best athletes in the backfield with his in-shape physique and leadership and Sam Huff adds depth as a gritty outside defender. Kellan Schollaert and Bram Crowe-Getty round out the team’s defensive core.

Bateson’s goal is to go through the season one week at a time and work towards making the eight-team ODAC tournament for the first time since 2004. The Quakers open the season with a pair of challenging tournaments starting in Delaware, Ohio, Aug. 31 against nationally-ranked Ohio Wesleyan. The following weekend Guilford will face off against regionally-ranked Salisbury and Emory in Raleigh at the Espirit DIII Tournament. The Quakers open their home schedule against Methodist September 12 at Haworth Field.