2012 'Roo Men's Soccer Season Preview

With several big changes happening within the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference over the past year, the Austin College men's soccer team finds itself in a unique scenario heading into the 2012 season as the conference will be guaranteeing a spot for all members this upcoming season, giving the 'Roos an automatic shot at a SCAC championship this fall. 

The 'Roos, coming off a 5-10-2 overall record, got off to a hot start last season before faltering down the stretch, going 2-8 in conference play, but the SCAC landscape is much different than it was a year ago, with the 'Roos being joined by surviving conference members Trinity, Southwestern, Colorado College and the University of Dallas along with SCAC newcomer Centenary College. 

Head coach Mark Hudson will be forced to replace several important pieces from last year's team, most notably leading goal-scorer and All-SCAC selection Chris Melton along with Grant Gosselin, a four year starter in goal. Last season Melton accounted for 10 of the team's 18 goals, but Hudson has high hopes that sophomore Caleb Sherer will be able to step up for a potential breakout year from his midfield position. 

Last season Sherer scored three goals, tied for second on the team, and along with senior Memo Allande and sophomore Daniel Graham will be looked to for offense this upcoming season. Along with Allande and Graham, Joey Alcocer returns after missing last season, and Andrew Parides joins the squad as a transfer in the midfield and will be looked to as a creator on offense. 

Providing leadership this season will be senior Andy Johnson, who transitions from the midfield to center back for his final campaign. A hard nosed and dynamic player, Johnson scored a goal and had two assists last season and will be called upon to anchor the team's defense along with returning defender Mason Waddell, a rangy player with a nose for the ball and the ability to mark opposing goal scorers. 

One of the keys to the season will be replacing Gosselin, who played every minute in goal last season and made 99 saves for the year with three shutouts. A trio of sophomores will be vying for the starting job, as Ian Allison, Mitchell Camp and Andrew Celio all return for their second year in the program with the hopes of taking over between the pipes. 

The changes within the SCAC also provide a unique scheduling model for the upcoming season, as for the first time the 'Roos will square off against all of their conference opponents both in Sherman and on the road, and will be facing one team a third time when the conference tournament rolls around, lending unprecedented familiarity between all conference members during the postseason. 

While the 'Roos face a tall order in replacing nearly 78% of their goal scoring from a year, coach Hudson returns a strong core and adds four talented freshman along with transfer Parides, and will be looking to make a run deep into the SCAC Tournament in 2012.