Men's Soccer 8/27/2014 2:21:00 PM

OCU aims for improvement in men's soccer

Stars have two preseason top 25-ranked teams on schedule

Michael Shanahan and the Stars posted two shutouts last year.

Oklahoma City University looks to leave behind inconsistencies of the past and surprise this season.
In 2013, the Stars went 8-8-2 overall and 4-4-2 in the Sooner Athletic Conference, losing to Texas Wesleyan in the SAC men's soccer tournament. Oklahoma City picked up fifth in the conference preseason coaches poll.
The new season kicks off against Houston-Victoria at 3 p.m. Friday in San Antonio.
"We need to focus," OCU coach Brian Harvey said. "It was an up-and-down season for us last year."
Harvey collected his 700th career college soccer victory in a 2-1 men's win over Southern Nazarene on Oct. 19 in Bethany, Okla. His men's record is 382-173-34 in his 27th year, while his overall college coaching record is 708-260-55.
The Stars are returning forward Ruy Vaz and defender Danny Frid for their senior seasons.
Vaz, from Sao Paulo, Brazil, was the team's second leading scorer a season ago and found the back of the net nine times – three being game winners – and handed out four assists. He started 17 games for the Stars and earned a league offensive player of the week award.
"He's a quality player," Harvey said. "He's someone who is going to score goals. I felt he was hampered by injuries last season. He got hurt early but played through it. If he is injury free this year, I believe he will be one of the better goal scorers in the SAC."
Frid, of Raunds, England, scored four goals, one game winner, and dished out two assists last season. He started 16 games for the Stars and is an offensive threat pushing up from the backfield.
"He's a top player," Harvey said. "In my opinion he could go on to play in the pros. He has a great attitude. He covers a lot of ground, he can break a play and he can build a play. He's an extremely good leader on the field, an excellent captain."
A position-by-position look for OCU:

Goalkeeper

Goalkeeper looks to be up for grabs this year. The Stars are returning senior keeper Luca De Piccoli. Although De Piccoli, from Milan, Italy, is entering his senior season, he has not seen any game action. Vladimir Kalajdzic, a freshman from Nova Sad, Serbia, joins the OCU roster this season and looks to push De Piccoli for the job. Daniel Paugh, a freshman from Edmond, Okla., adds depth to the goalkeepers.
"Vladimir has great size and range," Harvey said. "I think he will be a real good asset for us."

Defense

Anchoring the backline with Frid is senior Michael Shanahan and junior A.J. Dodson. Shanahan, from Edmond, Okla., is a three-year starter entering his last season with the Stars and has played in 53 games in his career. Dodson, from Broken Arrow, Okla., is a two-year starter entering his third year and has played 35 games for the Stars. Judah Maxwell, a sophomore from Noble, Okla., and Aron Chapman, a sophomore from Sutton Coldfield, England, add depth to the back line. Maxwell started two games for the Stars last season. Chapman is a transfer from Anoka-Ramsey (Minn.), where he was the defensive most valuable player.

Midfield

Midfield looks to be the strength for the Stars this season. Kieran McLachlan, a senior from Airdrie, Scotland, is a three-year starter for OCU. He has played 53 games, scored seven goals and nine assists in his career. Ethan Berney, a senior from Oklahoma City, has played in 33 games, scored one goal and handed out one assist. Volney Richardson, a junior from Flower Mound, Texas, has played in 35 games, scored one goal and one assist. Junior Daniel Yeom, from Tongyeong, South Korea, looks to step up as an upperclassman this season. Yeom has started all 37 games, scored one goal and dished four assists. Nic Rhodes, a sophomore from Hurst, Texas, adds depth in the midfield. Rhodes made four appearances for the Stars last season. Newcomers to the midfield are freshmen Marlon DeLeon and Alexandre Taiar.
"I am expecting an excellent season from Yeom," Harvey said. "I feel he will have an excellent year."

Forward

Joining Vaz up top will be newcomers Jeffrey Matthews and Logan Stewart, both of whom were Texas prep standouts.
"Stewart has great speed and will impact the game," Harvey said. "He will be an impact player."

The Stars are returning six seniors, three juniors and will be adding seven newcomers to the roster. OCU expects to face another rugged slate this season that includes two preseason top-25 teams and a third receiving votes.
"We played six teams that were nationally ranked and lost in the last couple minutes," Harvey said of his 2013 team. "It was one goal here or one goal there. We just need better focus, better concentration and realizing the game is played for 90 minutes."

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