Lancers Look For Strong Season

BY SCOTT MORRISON

Despite coming off a difficult season and having only seven returners back this year, the Lancers are optimistic about what could materialize into a strong 2008 season.

There’s no doubt that they are a young team, but with youth the Lancers have the fire to have a successful season.

The Lancers (2-14-1(0-12 GPAC)) have three seniors that plan to lead the Lancers throughout the year.

Of these seniors brothers Angel and Rogelio Duran are the only two have been with the team for their entire four year careers.

Angel Duran is an outside midfielder/defender who has earned team captainship status through his examples.

“Angel is a team captain and a four year starter who knows how to play. We are really looking forward to his experience this year,” Second year coach Dan Hendricks said.

The other Lancer senior is forward Josh Christenson. Christenson, how had never played soccer before last season, hopes to be a big part of the Lancer offense.

Christensen’s work in the off-season has helped to motivate other players for the oncoming season. He hopes it can make a difference on the field.

Redshirt Junior Mario Briseno, who played for the Lancers in both his freshman and sophomore year, is expected to make a solid difference for the Lancers.

“Mario is one of the most experienced and talented players on the team. We hope that he can step up and be a leader for the team,” Hendricks said.

He is joined by redshirt freshman and team captain Dave Mueller. Mueller’s strength comes with his leadership and his defensive play.

“Dave is a positive leader. The fact that he was voted as a team captain without playing a minute on the field says a lot about him. I can’t say enough about Mueller,” Hendricks said.

Junior Moises Vasques and sophomore Chris Sullivan also return.

The Lancers have a host of incoming players including a new goaltender and numerous quality athletes.

Junior College transfer Derek Oten takes over as the team’s goaltender. Coach Hendricks expects him to make a difference in net.

“Derek is an amazing talent who fits the goalie mold. He is confident and demands 100% out of his teammates,” Hendricks said.
The Lancers have eight incoming freshman this year. These players should also make a difference for the Lancers.

This starts with John Lillie, Nick Karnes, Jose Briseno, Santos Gonzales, Angel De Lao, Zach Walsh, Chandler Olmo, and Brandon Fry.

With over half of the Lancers being freshman, it may be difficult for them in the beginning part of the season.

Once these players start to learn their way around NAIA soccer, they have a solid approach.

“We have a lot of young players, and sometimes that is very evident. We are a talented team, but we still need to learn,” Hendricks said.

“We are going to have to learn how to win. We may win a game or to because we don’t know any better, but it will be a learning process.”

Nearing the end of the year, the Lancers would like to be in position to earn a spot in the Great Plains Athletic Conference tournament.

To make this a reality, the Lancers are going to have to finish in the top nine at the very least.

“This is a very achievable goal. If we stay healthy and positive we should do well,” Hendricks added.