SFU Clan Soccer 2005

[Hands of Stone]

Men’s Soccer Clan Opens Season
Senior Andrew Corazza nine points from tying all-time SFU scoring record entering season.

A year removed from an appearance in the NAIA’s Elite Eight, the revamped 2005 edition of the Simon Fraser University Clan men’s soccer program will require a number of athletes to fill roles if they are to propel the team back to the NAIA Championship.

“Overall I am very pleased with (the 2005 team),” says men’s soccer head coach Dave Elligott, entering his fifth season as head coach of the team. “But we’ve lost some key players from last year’s squad, so we will need to work exceptionally hard from game to game.”

The 2004 team finished with a 12-6-1 record in 2004, its season ending Nov. 20, with a 2-0 loss against Auburn Montgomery in the NAIA Championship Quarterfinals. Elligott improved his coaching record to 44-25-2, as the team was able to win ten of its first 12 games of the season.

Forwards

Clan all-time leading goal scorer and senior captain Andrew Corazza (Coquitlam, BC) returns for his senior year with the team, needing only nine points to tie Doug Cooper for SFU’s all-time career scoring record. Corazza currently sits with 60 goals and nine assists in 52 career games. Second-year forward Justin Carvery (Surrey, BC) worked himself into the starting lineup during his first season, accounting for seven points and will be expected to increase his point production this season. Ljubomir Acimovic (Burnaby, BC), in his third year, has the ability to change the complexion of the game and is expected to challenge for a more regular starting role. First-year forward Lucas Barrett (Richmond, BC) has succeeded at every level to this point in his career and should make an impact in his first season with the team.

Midfielders

After an outstanding junior campaign, John Chou (Vancouver, BC) will be asked once again to handle a significant workload in the midfield. Having started all 19 games in his third year, Chou will be the workhorse of this talented group. Chou will be joined by Under-20 National Team member Vince Stewart (Delta, BC) who competed with the Under-20 squad at the FIFA World Youth Championships this past July. Stewart will be making an adjustment, as he played the majority of last season at fullback. Brendan Stabeno (Beaverton, OR) has been a regular contributor for the past three seasons, and will be expected to increase his productivity during the 2005 campaign. Senior Jordan Rosenlund (Langley, BC) is a utility athlete who can play at almost any position and newcomers Gary Badesha (Surrey, BC) and transfer Joaquin Escoto (Oakland, CA) are expected to perform. Freshmen Gio Valente (Burnaby, BC), and Michael Beck (Goshen, IND.) round out the midfield for the Clan.

Defenders

In defence, Leigh Sembaluk (Regina, SK) returns at the left back position, a spot he has held for the past two seasons. Luca Bellisomo (Coquitlam, BC), despite only entering his sophomore year, will be asked to step into a leadership role as central defender, while Rory Fogarty (Squamish, BC) returns from sitting out 2004 with a broken leg. Two transfers, Scott Mceachern (Langley, BC) a freshman from UNLV and Nathan Quan (Burnaby, BC) a junior from Oregon State, will both be expected to make an immediate impact. Todd Lucyk (Surrey, BC), Drew Jardine (Delta, BC), and Alan Chivers (Vancouver, BC) round out the unit.

Keepers

With Raegyn Hall graduating and Tyler Laing taking a year off from school, this position has been an open competition for three perspective keepers. National Team program member Thomas Lindley (Seabright, NS) as well as Aaron Young (North Vancouver, BC) and Marco Durante (Coquitlam, BC) will all be expected to see time in nets this season, and coach Elligott expects a claer starter to emerge from this competition.

The 2005 season officially kicks off Tuesday, August 23, at 3:00 pm with a game against the University College of the Fraser Valley, at SFU Field 2. The team will then host Warner Pacific College August 26, before starting a two game road swing versus Biola August 29 in Portland. A highlight of the season will be October 18, at 7 pm when the Clan host the University of British Columbia at Swangard Stadium.

“This season will require some new leaders to emerge. We must have a solid commitment to the team ethic, and must be prepared to give 100% every match this season if we are to be successful” says Elligott. “We have lost a large group of key players to graduation, but this group has the experience and ability to be highly competitive throughout this season.”


Men’s Soccer 2005 Schedule (Home Games in BOLD)


Aug 23 Tue 3:30PM University College of the Fraser Valley @ SFU (4-1 Victory)
Aug 26 Fri 12:00PM Warner Pacific College SFU
Aug 29 Mon 3:30PM Biola University Portland, OR.
Aug 31 Wed 3:00PM Concordia University Portland, OR.
Sept 8 Thur 2:00PM University of Calgary SFU
Sept 10 Sat 2:30PM Pacific Lutheran University Spokane, WA.
Sept 11 Sun 12:00PM Whitworth College Spokane, WA.
Sept 18 Sun 1:30PM Dominican University of California Arcata, CA.
Sept 20 Tue 12:00PM Humboldt State University Arcata, CA.
Sept 28 Wed 7:00PM Trinity Western University Langley, BC.
Oct 1 Sat 7:00PM Seattle Pacific University Seattle, WA.
Oct 7 Fri 2:30PM Humboldt State University @ SFU
Oct 12 Wed 7:00PM Western Washington University Bellingham, WA.
Oct 18 Tues 7:00PM University of British Columbia @ Swanguard Stadium
Oct 24 Mon 3:00PM Evergreen State University @ SFU
Oct 29 Sat 2:00PM Seattle University Seattle, WA.
Nov 4 & 5 TBA Region 1 Tournament TBA
Nov 16 - 22 TBA NAIA National Championship Daytona Beach, FL

Good Luck to the team and Coach Elli.

 

[Skip]

Defenders....Todd Lucyk (Surrey, BC), Drew Jardine (Delta, BC), and Alan Chivers (Vancouver, BC) round out the unit.

Ahhh yessss.......nice to see PAU represented in the Illustrious Clan roster. Although we will certainly miss him in our lineup, we're extremely pleased that he will actually be able to play along side some 'real' players for a change, and perhaps come back to us better for it.

And he's all grownsup and he's all grownsup........atta boy Tall Tower!

~Proud Papa Skip

 

[Hands of Stone]

SFU Soccer Climbing the Charts


The first NAIA in-season soccer rankings have been released, and both Simon Fraser University's men’s and women’s soccer programs are climbing the charts. Both programs are currently undefeated in 2005, and both are in action at home this week.

Ranked third in preseason polling, the SFU women’s soccer team is currently ranked second in the poll, receiving one first place vote. The team's record stands at 2-0-1, with the Clan's only tie of the season coming against number seven ranked Biola. The team is back in action tomorrow, when they travel to Langley, BC to face Trinity Western. Game time is set for 5 pm. Their next home game is Saturday, September 10, when they host the University of Victoria. Game time is set for 2 pm.

Climbing five spots in the poll, the SFU men’s soccer program is now ranked seventh in the NAIA poll. The team sits at 4-0 on the season, and was the fastest team to four victories in the NAIA. The Clan’s next home game is tomorrow, September 8, when the team hosts the University of Calgary at SFU’s Fox Field. Game time is set for 2 pm. Andrew Corazza, who currently sits tied for the all-time career scoring record at SFU, will be trying to collect the point(s) necessary to claim the record outright. Corazza sits atop the list along side Doug Cooper ('84-'87) with 138 career points.

 

[Hands of Stone]

Clan Regular Season Wraps Up...Regional Tournament This Weekend

The SFU Men's Varsity soccer team has concluded it's 2005 regular season with an outstanding record of 13-2-1. The team finishes the season ranked #1 in NAIA Region I, and #5 in the final NAIA National Poll.

SFU enters the Regional Tournament this weekend as the #1 seed, and will face #4 seed Westminster College from Salt Lake City in the semi-final match.

Due to poor weather, the tournament has been moved from Concordia University in Portland, Ore to Camas High School's Doc Harris Stadium in Camas, Washington.


Regional Semi-Final
SFU v. Westmintster College of Salt Lake City
6:30 pm Friday, November 4, 2005
Camas High School's Doc Harris Stadium in Camas, Washington.

Regional Final
Winner of Semi-Final #1 vs. Winner of Semi-Final #2
1:00 pm Sunday, November 6, 2005

Good Luck Boys

 

[Hands of Stone]

Daytona Dream a Reality


Burnaby, B.C. – The wait is over, and it’s good news for the Simon Fraser University men’s soccer team. The Clan, 14-3-1 in 2005, have qualified as an at-large team for the 2005 NAIA National Championships, held this year in Daytona Beach, Fla. The Clan are the six seed in the tournament, and will face #11 seed Notre Dame College (Ohio) in their opening game on Friday, Nov. 18, at 1:30 pm.

“It’s been an emotional week, not knowing your fate, and it is a very difficult situation to be in,” said SFU head coach Dave Elligott after he heard the good news. “But we are very grateful to have the opportunity to continue our season, and we are hoping to go down there and have a good showing at Nationals.”

The Clan lost their Region I final against Concordia (OR) by a score of 3-1. The Clan were the number one seed in the region and finished fifth in the final NAIA National rankings. In 2004, SFU qualified as an at-large under similar circumstances, when the team was upset in their 2004 Region I semifinal 1-0 by Warner Pacific. SFU has won three NAIA National Championships, the last coming in 1983. SFU finished in fifth place at the Nationals in 2004.

Good Luck Boys

 

[nutmegs]

Don't forget to wish good luck to the girls as well

SFU Advances to National Championships

For the second time in as many years, the Simon Fraser University Clan women’s soccer team has shutout Carroll College to advance to the NAIA National Championships. Audree Dionne (Coquitlam, B.C.) scored her first goal of 2005 when it mattered most, as the Clan braved cold and wet weather to beat Carroll 1-0 to advance.

Carlen Oates (North Vancouver, B.C.) set up Dionne in the 30th minute, while Michele Gademans (Surrey, B.C.) earned the victory in goal for the Clan, making four saves to preserve the victory for SFU.

“It was a good battle, a hard fought game,” said head coach Shelley Howieson after the game. “And [Dionne] scored a very nice goal to put us up and through to the National Championships.”

This marks the third consecutive year that the women’s soccer team will make their way to the National Championships. The team last won a National Title in 2000.
AND they won their first in 1996

 

[Hands of Stone]

Whitecaps Select SFU Senior Andrew Corazza in First Round of USL Div. 1 Draft



Burnaby, B.C. – Simon Fraser University Clan senior forward Andrew Corazza (Coquitlam, B.C.) has been selected tenth overall by the Vancouver Whitecaps in the 2006 United Soccer League (USL) draft. Corazza was named the Region I Player of the Year after his senior season with the Clan, and is the Clan’s all-time goals (81) and points (179) record holder.

“Playing professionally has always been one of my goals, I always wanted to play somewhere after SFU,” said Corazza from his home. “[Whitecaps Director of Soccer Operations] Bob Lenarduzzi gave me a call and told me that they had drafted me tenth overall. [The Whitecaps] had told me that they were interested, but the opportunity of getting drafted is just such an honour.”

Over 40 SFU men’s soccer players have gone on to play in professional leagues. Former SFU players Steve Kindel and Jeff Clarke are currently suiting up for the Whitecaps. SFU head coach Dave Elligott says that he knows Corazza is excited to play for his hometown team.

“I know Andrew will feel very honored and excited to be drafted by the Vancouver Whitecaps,” says Elligott. “He has indicated to me on several occasions that he would love to pull on the Whitecap jersey and play professionally in his hometown. His being drafted today will take him one step closer to that goal. It is also a great honor for the SFU Men's Soccer Program that one of our graduating players would be recognized in this fashion by one of the leading franchises in USL Division 1.”

Corazza’s selection comes in the same week that construction has begun on the second artificial turf field as part of a partnership between SFU and the Whitecaps. SFU Field 4 is already turfed, and was used last semester for practice and SFU home games. The Whitecaps have also announced plans on a new waterfront stadium in Gastown.

“Anytime you can join an organization that is moving in such a positive direction, it’s just an honour,” says Corazza. “And when you have impressed someone in that club and they are willing to take a chance on you, it’s quite a feeling.”

 

[Dude]

Isn't Corazza, or hasn't he, played in the VWSL? For Metro-Ford, wasn't it? How did he fair, as far as scorring pace?

 

[Bronco]

Plays for Inter now. I know he hasn't scored against us!! Particularly in the Imperial Cup final!!!

 

[Dude]

Cool, because all I cared about was his production against Croatia, and only Croatia.

My bet is he doesn't want to get too close to the keeper, on account of BO.

 

[Hands of Stone]

Its not Croatia but their ugly cousin from Slurrey that hates the kid.

"PLAYER OF THE WEEK: ICSF Inter’s forward ANDREW CORAZZA for his superb performance in his team’s 3-2 victory over Surrey United. Corazza scored one goal and set up the other two with his impeccable skills and calmness. "

hos

 

[Zaurrini]

Its not Croatia but their ugly cousin from Slurrey that hates the kid.

"PLAYER OF THE WEEK: ICSF Inter’s forward ANDREW CORAZZA for his superb performance in his team’s 3-2 victory over Surrey United. Corazza scored one goal and set up the other two with his impeccable skills and calmness. "

hos

He still isnt a young veteran?

 

[striker14]

Any news on the SFU Clan team this year?

Anyone know anything on Matthew Besuschko? He's my cousin...and he doesn't gimme details, and I hear he is a starter?
Anyone follow the Clan?

striker14

 

[Regs]

This year as in 2005, the topic of this thread, or this year as in this year?

 

[striker14]

This year as in 2005, the topic of this thread, or this year as in this year?

This year...I wasn't sure if I should start a new thread