The rebuilding of
Guilford’s soccer program under head coach Liam Behrens enters its third season with
12 letter winners back from last season’s 3-15 club. After attracting 14 new players
in 1998, Behrens’ second recruiting class yielded 10 newcomers, many of whom should
challenge for starting positions. He expects the influx of new players to raise the
team’s skill level and make Guilford more competitive, not only in practice, but in
the rugged ODAC as well. The steady improvement in athleticism, the maturation of the
team’s seven sophomores and the return of three-time All-Old Dominion Athletic
Conference (ODAC) midfielder Dax Baker, give Quakers’ fans cause for
optimism headed into1999.
Behrens plans to start the year with the same 4-4-2 formation he employed in 1998. The forward pairing of sophomore Ray King and senior Owen Finberg combined for 19 of the Quakers’ 24 goals last season and should benefit from Baker’s return after a year’s absence. Look for Guilford’s eighth all-time leading scorer in an attacking midfield role to attract opposing defenses away from King and Finberg. Baker’s presence should allow King more goal-scoring opportunities after he netted a squad-high 13 goals from a central midfield position in 1998.
Baker will need to adjust to a new team as well as a new role. Only Finberg and senior Dan Neville were on the 1997 team with Baker. Rookie Noam Sorek takes over the job of primary distributor in the middle of the park while Baker looks to attack from the central midfield. The outside midfield positions are up for grabs with senior Jon Baker and sophomore Russell Fergusson as leading candidates headed into preseason. Sophomores Victor Cardenas, Adam Brownold and Chris Giles provide the Quakers some newfound depth in the midfield.
Guilford’s defense will have a new look, as Behrens anticipates three new defenders on the field and perhaps another in the goal. The Quakers’ lack of size in the back hurt the team a year ago and as a result sophomore Brandon Costilow (6-1, 185), a transfer from Greensboro College, and freshman Steve Harrison (6-2, 185) are penciled in as preseason starters at sweeper and stopper, respectively. Speedy sophomore Kwame Darko shifted from forward to back during the off season and could be paired with freshman Damien Levy on the flanks. Neville, one of Guilford’s most experienced players, has played a number of positions in his three seasons and could see time in the back or up front.
A taller back line will aid the Quakers’ goaltender. Sophomore Adrian Sperka started the last seven games of his freshman season in goal and notched two wins and a shutout. Expect rookie John Watson of New Bern, NC, to challenge the veteran for starting honors during preseason workouts.
Only Guilford’s four seniors have more than one season of collegiate playing experience, which make inexperience a concern. The preseason workouts and scrimmages with Louisburg Junior College (August 26) and Division I Elon College (August 29) will be extremely important in the development of the team’s identity. The Quakers open the season September 7 at Methodist College before hosting Division II St. Andrews two days later in the home opener.