2017 MEN’S SOCCER
MEN’S SOCCER PREVIEW 2017
SSpring Hill College (SHC) men’s soccer head coach Steve Wieczorek begins his third season at the helm of the Badgers with a new group of talented youngsters.
“The key to this year will be how well we can jell together as a team,” he says. “There was a great deal of turnover this year and as coaches we have to be conscious of that fact, but the boys are really getting along on and off the field. We have scheduled more team outings and we’ve been playing bigger numbers at practice with that goal in mind. They are really becoming a close knit group given the perimeters of our situation.”
While still a believer that defense is where the Badger future lies, Wieczorek looks for the SHC offense to be more high-powered in 2017.
“In sophomore Donte Oliver (New Orleans, La.), we have the best returning freshman in the Gulf South Conference (GSC) if you look at his production in 2016,” he says. “We also return our leading goal scorer in senior Ibrahima Ndaw (Mobile, Ala.), so if you add in junior Alaye Brito (Minas Gerais, Brazil) it makes for a very nice front line that becomes even more formidable when you consider that we have freshman Timo Schabetsberger (Gurten, Austria) who is an explosive player joining us from the Under-18 Austrian national team.”
The Badgers will feature a new midfield line-up this year as Viktor Kvarnlof of Norrtalje, Sweden and junior Tilman Schober of Schriesheim, Germany, move to the outside while sophomore transfer Alexander Lipinski of Krefeld, Germany, joins freshman Callum Porter from Cardiff, Wales, graduate student Morgan Gauthier of Paris, France, and the surprising freshman Matthew Moreno of Northplainfield, N.J., to bring a stabilizing presence to the center. “We are very excited about our midfield play this year,” Wieczorek says. “With the experience and ability we have added to the depth of freshman Zach Witt (Kitchener, Ontario) and the personality that Michael Ness (Fife, Scotland) brings to the team, we have a very strong transition game.”
Freshman Oscar Hellberg carries many seasons of international experience while freshman Gabe Louis from New Orleans, La., will contribute to the weapons from which Wieczorek will have to choose.
On the back line, the SHC defense will be led by junior Jack LaForge of New Orleans who has proven himself to be a reliable defender on numerous occasions. Pablo Delgado of Valencia, Spain, will combine with LaForge and freshman Benedikt Kraemling of Ergolding, Germany, along with freshman Eirikur Eiriksson of Reykjavik, Iceland, freshman Vassil Kokali of Rome, Italy, and junior Haukur Bjornsson of Hafnarfjordur, Iceland, to form a solid defensive wall. The quiet workhorse of Tapfuma Dimairo from Wellington, New Zealand, as well as experienced senior Andres Alfonso of Miami, Fla., will team together with freshmen John Putnam and Jackson Bell both from Dallas, Texas, to make an already stalwart defense that much stronger.
At the center of it all, sophomore Geraldo Bina of Paris appears to have won the starting goalkeeping position during a spirited preseason competition. “We had the most returners at keeper of any position,” said Wieczorek. “It was a tough fight for the job this year and Bina has it for now.” Sophomore Otto Candies of River Ridge, La., Barou Ndaw of Mobile and Jackson Hoesley of Dallas will all be eagerly awaiting their opportunities.
Wieczorek knows that his new crop of faces will be tested early with Flagler College and 8thranked University of Tampa visiting Library Field to open the year followed by a trip to Florida Southern College and Rollins. “If you combine those games with the 11 GSC contests and the unknown factors of Louisiana College and Pensacola Christian College, it’s going to be a battle every match this year.”
“Overall, we are seeing the subtle differences between our first, second and third seasons that build an exciting program,” said Wieczorek. “The long term vision of this plan is starting to pay off. This program is a journey and the first steps are behind us.”
“We have to stick to our One Step at a Time philosophy,” she says. “If we stick to that then a lot of good things will happen. It’s a brand new group and everyone has enthusiasm for what SHC and can do over the next four years and beginning NCAA Division II play. If we weather the storms as players and coaches then it will be exciting to watch these great ladies put their best foot forward out there.”
COACHING STAFF
Steve Wieczorek – Head Coach
Steve Wieczorek came to the Badgers on New Year’s Eve of 2014 after spending the 2014 season as an assistant coach with the Oregon State University (OSU) Beavers. Wieczorek has seven years of NCAA Division I coaching experience at Duquesne University, Siena College and OSU. At OSU, the Beavers enjoyed a historic year in 2014 as they advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament by securing the first ever NCAA tournament victory in program history.
At Duquesne in 2013, Wieczorek was responsible for assisting the head coach in all aspects of the program, specifically coordinating student athlete recruitment. The Dukes won nine games and advanced to the Atlantic 10 Championship Quarterfinals while posting their best overall record since 2009 and best conference record since 2006. Prior to arriving in Pittsburgh, Pa., Wieczorek spent five years at Siena in Loudonville, N.Y., serving the last two seasons as the Saints’ top assistant. During his tenure, the Saints enjoyed the best stretch of success in school history.
A 2004 graduate of Fairfield University, Wieczorek was a four-year letterman at goalkeeper for the Stags and led the team to four MAAC Tournament appearances and two MAAC finals. Following graduation, he began his collegiate coaching career that fall at his alma mater as the goalkeepers coach.
James Beeston – Assistant Coach
James Beeston joined the Badger staff as an assistant coach in 2015, rejoining Wieczorek after playing for him at Siena College from 2010-2013. Beeston serves as the Badgers’ recruiting coordinator, supervising all aspects of player recruitment. He monitors the program’s academic progress including study hall and academic advising, as well as overseeing NCAA compliance. He assists the head coach in team training and preparation, scouting opponents as well as managing all of the marketing and social media for the program.
Beeston, a native of Newcastle-Under-Lyme, England has the UEFA “B” coaching license and has served as a youth coach for the Port Vale Football Club in Staffordshire, England. Beeston is currently pursuing his Master of Arts from Spring Hill College in Leadership.
Ben Fredrickson – Graduate Assistant Coach
Ben Fredrickson joined the Badger family in 2015. He coordinates team travel, supervises equipment distribution and maintenance, and leads community service efforts. He has significant player recruitment responsibilities as well as performs video analysis and scouting. Fredrickson serves as the Director of the Badger Soccer Academy and assists the head coach in the implementation of team and individual training.
Fredrickson earned his bachelor’s degree in Health and Exercise Science from Regis in May 2014 with merit. In 2016, Fredrickson completed his NSCAA Advanced National Coaching Diploma. He is currently pursuing his Master of Arts from Spring Hill College in Leadership.
GENERAL FACTS:
Institution: Spring Hill College
City/State/Zip: Mobile, AL 36608
Founded: 1830
Enrollment: 1,500
Nickname: Badgers
School Colors: Purple, white
Home Facility: Library Field
Capacity: 500
Affiliation: NCAA Division II
President: Christopher Puto, Ph.D.
Athletic Director: Jim Hall
Alma Mater: Grinnell College, 1995
Compliance: Chad LeBlanc
Faculty Athletic Representative: Steven Almquist, Ph.D.
Athletic Department Phone: 251-380-3485
Athletic Department Fax: 251-460-2196
Sports Information Director: Jim Stennett
Alma Mater: Mississippi State, 1990
SID Phone: 251-380-4468
SID Email: jstennett@shc.edu
Athletic Web Site: www.shcbadgers.com
Twitter: SHCBADGERS
Facebook: SHCBADGERS
Instagram: SHCBADGERS
COACHING STAFF:
Head Coach: Steve Wieczorek
Alma Mater: Fairfield, 2004
Record at school: 6-27-1 (2 years)
Career record: 6-27-1 (2 years)
Office Phone: 251-380-4475
Best time/day to reach: 10 a.m.
Assistant Coaches: James Beeston; Ben Frederickson
Head Athletic Trainer: Dani Ellis, ATC Trainer’s Phone: 251-380-3493
TEAM INFORMATION:
Overall Record Last Year: 3-13-1
Conference/Finish: GSC 1-8 (10th of 10)
Players Return/Lost/New: 12/8/16
Starters Return/Lost: 4/7
Returning Lettermen: 9
2017 ROSTER
Gynasium Krefeld
Viktor Kvarnlof FWD R-Jr. 5-10 2L Norrtalje, Sweden/Rodengymnasiet
Michael Ness MF Gr. 5-11
Fife, Scotland/St. Andrews RC HS/University of Edinburgh
Otto Candies GK R-So. 6-0 1L River Ridge, La./Jesuit HS
14 Vassil Kokali DEF Fr. 6-3 HS Rome, Italy/Convitto Nazionale/Vittorio Emanuelle II
16 Donte Oliver FWD So. 5-11 1L New Orleans, La./Benjamin Franklin HS
18 Morgan Gauthier DEF Gr. 5-9 TR Paris, France/Marguerite de Valois/Paris Descartes University
19 Ibrahima Ndaw FWD R-Sr. 6-2 2L Mobile, Ala./St. Paul’s Episcopal
20 Timo Schabetsberger MF Fr. 5-7 HS Gurten, Austria/Bundesgymnasium Ried im Innkreis
21 Zach Witt MF Fr. 5-6 HS Kitchener, Ontario, Canada/Waterloo Oxford District Secondary
22 Eirikur Eiriksson DEF Fr. 6-1 HS Reykjavik, Iceland/Menntaskolinn vio Sund
23 Oscar Hellberg MF Fr. 5-9 HS Vasteras, Sweden/John Bauer Gymnasiet
26 Matthew Moreno DEF Fr. 5-11 HS Northplainfield, NJ/St. Benedict’s Prep
27 Geraldo Bina GK So 6-1 TR Paris, France/Lycee Jean Lurcat/University of Haute-Alsace
28 Haukur Bjornsson MF Jr 5-11 2L Hafnarfjordur, Iceland/Flensborgarskolinn
29 Gabe Louis MF Fr. 5-10 HS New Orleans, La./Lusher Charter School
30 John Putnam DEF Fr. 5-9 HS Dallas, Texas/John Paul II HS
31 Jackson Hoesley GK R-So. 6-1 RS Hoover, Ala./Hoover HS
32 Jackson Bell DEF Fr. 5-10 HS Dallas, Texas/Woodrow Wilson HS
2016 RESULTS
Date Opponent Site
Sept. 2 Missouri S&T Library Field T; 1-1 (2ot)
Sept. 4 at University of Tampa Tampa, Fla. L; 2-1
Sept. 9 at Lynn University Boca Raton, Fla. L; 0-2
Sept. 11 vs. Palm Beach Atlantic University Boca Raton, Fla. L; 1-4
Sept. 16 *Christian Brothers University Library Field W; 3-2
Sept. 18 *Union University Library Field L; 1-3
Sept. 23 *at Delta State University Cleveland, Miss. L; 1-2 (ot)
Sept. 25 *at Mississippi College Clinton, Miss. L; 1-2 (ot)
Oct. 7 *at Lee University Cleveland, Tenn. L; 1-3
Oct. 9 *at Shorter University Rome, Ga. L; 2-3
Oct. 12 at Auburn University at Montgomery Montgomery, Ala. W; 3-1
Oct. 16 *at University of West Florida Pensacola, Fla. L; 0-2
Oct. 21 *University of West Alabama Library Field L; 3-4
Oct. 23 *University of Alabama in Huntsville Library Field L; 2-7
Oct. 29 *University of West Florida Library Field L; 1-5
Nov. 4 at Embry-Riddle University
Daytona Beach, Fla. L; 2-4
Nov. 5 vs. Auburn University at Montgomery Daytona Beach, Fla. W; 3-2
* GSC matches
2016 GSC FINAL STANDINGS
College 7-1-1 10-4-2 Shorter 6-1-2 7-6-2 West Florida 5-1-2 10-5-3 West Alabama 5-3-1 11-6-2 Lee 4-3-2 9-7-2 UAH 4-4-1 6-10-1 Christian Bros. 3-5 8-8 Union 3-6 5-12
Delta State 1-7-1 5-11-1 Spring Hill* 1-8 3-13-1
*Not eligible for the GSC Tournament during reclassification process
2017 SCHEDULE
Date Opponent
Sept. 1 Flagler Colleger Library Field 3:30 p.m.
Sept. 3 University of Tampa Library Field 3:30 p.m.
Sept. 8 at Florida Southern College Lakeland, Fla. 7 p.m. (EST)
Sept. 10 at Rollins College Winter Park, Fla. 1 p.m. (EST)
Sept. 15 *at Unversity of Alabama Huntsville Huntsville, Ala. 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 17 *at University of West Alabama Livingston, Ala. 3:30 p.m.
Sept. 20 at Georgia Southwestern State Americus, Ga. 3 p.m. (EST)
Sept. 22 *Delta State University Library Field 3:30 p.m.
Sept. 24 *Mississippi College Library Field 3:30 p.m.
Sept. 30 Georgia Southwestern State University Library Field 1 p.m.
Oct. 5 *Lee University Library Field 3:30 p.m.
Oct. 8 *at Shorter Univeristy Rome, Ga. 3:30 p.m. (EST)
Oct. 10 Pensacola Christian College Library Field 3:30 p.m.
Oct. 13 Louisiana College Library Field 3:30 p.m.
Oct. 15 *at University of West Florida Pensacola, Fla. 3 p.m.
Oct. 20 *at Union University Jackson, Tenn. 7:15 p.m.
Oct. 22 *at Christian Brothers University Memphis, Tenn. 3 p.m.
Oct. 26 University of Montevallo Library Field 1 p.m.
Oct. 28 Auburn University Montgomery Library Field 1 p.m.
*GSC matches
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