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2004 Commodore Season Preview 8/25/2004
2004 Commodore Season Preview A year ago, the Vanderbilt Men’s Soccer program was young. This year Coach Tim McClements is hoping to build on his young team and turn youth into experience with 13 players returning as sophomores. Joining them will be the No. 38-ranked recruiting class, which will help improve on last year’s 3-10-5 (0-7-2 MVC) record. “I am very excited about the potential of this young group,” McClements said. “Our junior and senior classes provide us with great leadership and experience. Our sophomore class has one year of experience under their belt and our newcomers all have the ability to make an immediate contribution. I feel that we have a great foundation to build upon.” The Commodores return three seniors, including Brendan Matthews, Jamie Burns and Ryan Paugh. Matthews (5-7, midfielder) played in every game last year. Burns played in eight games last season, while starting in seven. He came off the bench in VU’s eighth game of the season to hold cross-town rival Belmont University scoreless. He then started the following game to shutout East Carolina and earned MVC Player of the Week honors in Vanderbilt’s back-to-back wins. Senior Ryan Paugh, who as a defender scored three goals and had one assist to finish second on the team in both goals and points (7) last season, will redshirt this year after undergoing off-season knee surgery. A total of 13 sophomores dominate the roster, including MVC All-Freshman team selections Justin “JP” Moreland and Jamie Gilbert who anchor the midfield. They are two of seven players returning who played in every game last season. Moreland also earned MVC Honorable Mention honors. The Commodores welcome six new players, including four freshman and two transfers. John Krause came from Boston College and Patrick Ryan played two seasons at Hartwick College before transferring to Vanderbilt. Joe Germanese, the St. Louis High School Player of the Year, Josh Fallin, and Jerry Yirenkyi will see their first action for the Commodores this seson. Jason Le will sit out this season as a medical redshirt (knee). Other Commodores returning who played in every game last season include sophomore forward Casey Steen, junior captain Brent Richard, sophomore defender Ryan McGrath, and junior defender Brady Hyde. The Commodores 17-game schedule features three road dates against teams who were in the 2003 NCAA Tournament. |
