Vladimir Kalajdzic collected a first-team all-Sooner Athletic Conference nod last year.

Men's Soccer 8/28/2015 4:30:00 PM

OCU builds around veteran defense

New Stars look to bolster team

The 2015 Oklahoma City University men's soccer team contains many new faces and the task of defending the Sooner Athletic Conference title.
Last year, the Stars finished with a 10-5-2 record, earning a top seed into the SAC Tournament, but fell 2-0 to USAO in the final.
OCU coach Brian Harvey will try for college career win No. 725 on Saturday at Stars Field when OCU faces Lyon (Ark.). The women's match takes place 4 p.m., followed by the men's match 6 p.m. Harvey enters the season with a 392-178-38 men's record and a 723-274-60 combined men's and women's record in 29 years at OCU.
Harvey expects an adjustment with adding 13 new faces.
"It is very challenging, there is very little continuity," Harvey said. "It is important that everyone buys in now."
Of those nine newcomers, six are coming from overseas. "They are transforming from not only a different culture but different climate and style in a hurry," Harvey said.
Vladimir Kalajdzic aims to build on a fine freshman performance in goal last year. Kalajdzic started all 17 games as a freshman. Kalajdzic, of Novi Sad, Serbia, made 108 saves and allowed 26 goals while recording two shutouts last season.
When asked if there was something Kalajdzic has improved on over the offseason, Harvey said, "His aerial game needed improvement and I think he's made the adjustments." Kalajdzic has also been named team captain.
Now a position-by-position look at the Stars:

Forwards

Harvey believes Logan Stewart has a chance to lead OCU's offense. Stewart, a sophomore from Denton, Texas, produced a goal and seven assists while employing an explosive flip throw last season.
"Logan Stewart had a really good year as a freshman last year," Harvey said. "He has tremendous speed. We just have to get the other players around him knowing how to use his speed to break down and get behind defenses."
Sophomore Jeff Matthews will also be seeing action in the forward slot. Matthews appeared in 11 games, scoring two goals and handing out two assists.
Other players that are vying for time at the forward position are Fabian Henningsen, Juan Ocampo, and Petar Djurdjevic.
Ocampo is a transfer from Neosho County (Kan.), where he appeared in 15 games, 10 of which he started, scoring three goals and notching four assists. Henningsen is a junior transfer from St. Andrews (N.C.). In 2014, he recorded four goals and five assists. Djurdjevic, a freshman from Belgrade, Serbia, will battle for playing time at the forward position.

Midfield

Returning starter, Alexandre Taiar appears to have an increased responsibility in the midfield this season. Taiar, a sophomore from Sao Paulo, Brazil, posted two goals and three assists last fall.
"Alex is a good player and has a very, very solid left foot." Harvey says, "He strikes the ball very well. Probably will be playing him a deeper role this season. I expect him to still be involved in restarts, free kicks and using his very good left foot on those plays."
Senior, Volney Richardson brings the most experience to the team as he has started 20 games in his Stars career. Judah Maxwell, a junior from Noble, Okla., will challenge for playing time and add depth to the midfield.
Lucas Ribeiro is a junior transfer, started nine games last year with four shots at Cowley County (Kan.).
Djordje Djordjevic, a 6-foot-2 freshman from Smederevska Palanka, Serbia, adds size and height at the midfield position.
Freshmen, Callum Sweeney and Henrik Verolet will also be battling for playing time. The 6-1 Sweeney comes from Darlington, County Durham, England, while Verolet is native of Schliengen, Germany.

Defense

Coach Harvey believes the defense will be the strong suit for the Stars squad in 2015. Aron Chapman, a junior from Sutton Coldfield, England, will anchor the defense. Chapman started all 17 games last season and scored one goal.
Alex Buckley of Warrington, England, has an opportunity to make an immediate impact as a freshman. Harvey said on the defensive outlook, "I definitely look for Chapman to be in a leadership position. I think Buckley, a young man from England might be able to make the adjustment quickly so hopefully he can accelerate his learning and be a starter also."
Incoming freshmen Chase Soper, Kevin Chissoe, and Quent Wheeler will be battling for playing time.
Entering his junior year, Nic Rhodes provides experience as he appeared in six games last year.
Scott Sewell enters OCU as a sophomore and will contribute depth.
Jay Cox, a senior from Paris, Texas, who has previously played on OCU's golf team, will be a defensive backup.

Goalkeeper

Past Kalajdzic, Daniel Paugh, of Edmond, Okla., will serve as the backup goalkeeper in his sophomore year.

The preseason SAC polls have the Stars projected to finish second place in the SAC behind USAO.
"I think that is a bit generous to be honest with you," Harvey said. "We have so many new faces and a young team."

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Players Mentioned

#5 Aron Chapman: D; 6' 1"; Junior

#1 Vladimir Kalajdzic: GK; 6' 3"; Sophomore

#17 Judah Maxwell: D; 5' 9"; Junior

#0 Daniel Paugh: GK; 6' 0"; Sophomore

#16 Nic Rhodes: MF; 5' 6"; Junior

#11 Volney Richardson: MF; 5' 8"; Senior

#6 Logan Stewart: F; 5' 9"; Sophomore

#3 Alexandre Taiar: MF; 5' 6"; Sophomore

#21 Scott Sewell: MF; 5' 11"; Sophomore

#19 Quent Wheeler: D; 6' 3"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

#5 Aron Chapman
: 6' 1"; Junior
: D

#1 Vladimir Kalajdzic
: 6' 3"; Sophomore
: GK

#17 Judah Maxwell
: 5' 9"; Junior
: D

#0 Daniel Paugh
: 6' 0"; Sophomore
: GK

#16 Nic Rhodes
: 5' 6"; Junior
: MF

#11 Volney Richardson
: 5' 8"; Senior
: MF

#6 Logan Stewart
: 5' 9"; Sophomore
: F

#3 Alexandre Taiar
: 5' 6"; Sophomore
: MF

#21 Scott Sewell
: 5' 11"; Sophomore
: MF

#19 Quent Wheeler
: 6' 3"; Freshman
: D