2008 Woodie Awards
Hounds face stiff competition in Orlando tournament
Dave Lomonico
Issue date: 11/13/07 Section: Sports
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By Dave Lomonico
Sports Editor
The achievements are many for the Loyola men's soccer team. There's the 15-3 record, including an 8-1 record in the MAAC, which earned them the conference title. There's the No. 1 seed heading into the MAAC Tournament in Orlando, Fla. There's the 12 shutouts pitched by sophomore keeper Milos Kocic and the defense. There's the perfect 9-0 record at home. There's the six game-winning goals by freshman Phil Bannister.
What does it all mean? In a do-or-die, win-or-go-home tournament beginning on Nov. 14, all those accomplishments mean squat.
"It's a completely new season," head coach Mark Mettrick said. "The regular season was good for confidence, but now, having to beat these teams twice, we need to completely refocus ourselves."
The Hounds, however, have an advantage, a perk for finishing tops in the MAAC: a first-round bye in the tournament and a favorable second round match against either No. 8 Siena or No. 9 Rider.
That being said, every team in this conference has the ability to knock off the top dogs (even lowly Manhattan almost upset the Hounds earlier this year), so expect to see some shockers.
"Of all the years I've been coaching, this is as strong as the MAAC has ever been, top to bottom," Mettrick said. "There will be some upsets … but let's just hope it doesn't happen in our games."
Here's a glance at the other nine teams who will be gunning for an NCAA tournament berth and trying to unseat the favored Greyhounds.
Saint Peter's
The Peacocks battered the Hounds up in Jersey City earlier this year, handing Loyola their only conference loss of the season. They're a quick and athletic group, led by Herman Trophy candidates Juan Gaviria and Murphy Wiredu, who led the conference in scoring with 13 goals and 31 points.
Saint Peter's also boasted the most points in the MAAC (97) and the most goals scored (34). The Peacocks are a veteran squad, and they'll be a major contender and a serious threat to the Hounds' bid for a tournament championship.
Sports Editor
The achievements are many for the Loyola men's soccer team. There's the 15-3 record, including an 8-1 record in the MAAC, which earned them the conference title. There's the No. 1 seed heading into the MAAC Tournament in Orlando, Fla. There's the 12 shutouts pitched by sophomore keeper Milos Kocic and the defense. There's the perfect 9-0 record at home. There's the six game-winning goals by freshman Phil Bannister.
What does it all mean? In a do-or-die, win-or-go-home tournament beginning on Nov. 14, all those accomplishments mean squat.
"It's a completely new season," head coach Mark Mettrick said. "The regular season was good for confidence, but now, having to beat these teams twice, we need to completely refocus ourselves."
The Hounds, however, have an advantage, a perk for finishing tops in the MAAC: a first-round bye in the tournament and a favorable second round match against either No. 8 Siena or No. 9 Rider.
That being said, every team in this conference has the ability to knock off the top dogs (even lowly Manhattan almost upset the Hounds earlier this year), so expect to see some shockers.
"Of all the years I've been coaching, this is as strong as the MAAC has ever been, top to bottom," Mettrick said. "There will be some upsets … but let's just hope it doesn't happen in our games."
Here's a glance at the other nine teams who will be gunning for an NCAA tournament berth and trying to unseat the favored Greyhounds.
Saint Peter's
The Peacocks battered the Hounds up in Jersey City earlier this year, handing Loyola their only conference loss of the season. They're a quick and athletic group, led by Herman Trophy candidates Juan Gaviria and Murphy Wiredu, who led the conference in scoring with 13 goals and 31 points.
Saint Peter's also boasted the most points in the MAAC (97) and the most goals scored (34). The Peacocks are a veteran squad, and they'll be a major contender and a serious threat to the Hounds' bid for a tournament championship.
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