Men's Soccer 9/1/2010 12:48:36 AM Trey Reed/Sports Information Director

Mustangs must learn the MSU Way to win in 2010

WICHITA FALLS, Texas - The faces are changing at Midwestern State, but Doug Elder knows the secret for continued success.

"We have to get our guys to understand why and how we win soccer games at Midwestern," the 11th-year head coach said. "It takes consistency and you have to win the games you're supposed to win."

The Mustangs have done just that over the past four seasons claiming results in 67 matches on the way to four-straight NCAA Division II postseason appearances including trips to the Final Four in 2007 and to the Elite Eight in 2008 after starting the run with a regional finals appearance in 2006.

The remnants of that run are now gone as the Mustangs return just four starters after the early defections of All-America center back Allen Thomson for a pro contract in South Africa and the transfer of Craig Sutherland, who led the NCAA in tallies by a freshman in 2008, to North Carolina State.

But quality does return in the form of our returning starters including a pair of All Americans in the back in goalkeeper Raul Herrera and center back Ryan Spence, while top returning scorer Paulo Teixeira and the experienced Casey Hibbs in the midfield.

"We'll have to gain experience quickly and establish a chemistry and get on the same page," Elder said. "We're not quite there yet, but our success will be defined by how well we can put the ball in the net."

That begins up front where junior Tex McCullough, a transfer from Michigan three seasons ago, led the charge with five goals last season.

"Tex likes to play the ball to feet and is very scrappy around the goal," Elder said.

The Mustangs will have to look to newcomers for striker help in a pair of unproven speedsters in Chad Caldwell and David Freeland.

"We need to learn to play together up front," Elder said. "We probably won't create the chances we have in the past but we need to convert the one we do get. We'll have to rely more on the midfield to score goals this season."

Teixeira proved that lift with five goals and three assists while adjusting to the Mustangs' system last season after scoring 21 goals as a sophomore junior college All American at Massasoit Community College in 2008.

"Paulo knows the system now and I expect more out of him," Elder said. "He's very quick and good with the ball. He's definitely our most dangerous attacking mid."

Junior Nathan Fitzgerald adds help at the central mid gaining experiencing in 18 matches last season after transferring from Valparaiso.

The Mustangs are manned solidly at the outside as senior Bryce Taylor has enjoyed a solid preseason after gaining confidence this summer while redshirt junior Sam Broadbent has shown the most consistency on the right side.

Hibbs holds down the left side after enjoying a good spring season, while transfer Francisco Espinoza will push for playing time after moving in from Newberry (S.C.).

Elder also expects significant contributions from Chris Dwyer, who earned NJCAA All-America honors last season at Western Texas, and fellow transfer Daniel Vieira, while B.A. Catney and Mahmoud Ihmeidan add quality depth.

"We'll have to use that depth, but we are very solid in the midfield," Elder said.

The strength of the Mustangs resides in the defense fortified by the return of Herrera who led NCAA Division II with a 0.304 goals against average and was fourth in the nation with an 86.5 save percentage.

"We have solid, good size in front of Raul," Elder said. "They've been playing very organized, but need to be more vocal to become more consistent."

The group has shined the preseason which included a 2-0 setback at Tulsa, who was ranked No. 6 in the NSCAA NCAA Division I preseason poll, as the Golden Hurricane tacked on a goal on a penalty kick late in the second half before rebounding for a 2-0 shutout of NAIA University of the Science and Arts of Oklahoma.

Spence, a 2009 Daktronics second-team All-America pick, thrived in his first season as a starter.

"He's doing a great job as our only captain," Elder said. "He's handled the leadership really well. He knows what we need to do to win."

Junior transfer Kelly Gill joins Spence at the other center back position, but might move to the outside.

"He's done a nice job filling in for Allen Thomson and is really strong defender," Elder said.

Freshman Kyle Knott has impressed with his quickness and fitness while showing the versatility to play all the position on the back line or moving to outside mid.

Senior Landon Fruge' and sophomore Dean Lovegrove are ticketed for significant time at outside back in front of solid reserves Kyle Cornwell and Jack Robertson.

The four-time defending conference champions open the 2010 campaign Thursday night against Texas A&M International at the MSU Soccer Field. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.

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Players Mentioned

#12 Sam Broadbent: MF; 5' 8"; Senior

#16 Chad Caldwell: F; 6' 2"; Freshman

#20 B.A. Catney: MF; 5' 11"; Redshirt Freshman

#5 Kyle Cornwell: D; 6' 1"; Sophomore

#2 Chris Dwyer: MF/F; 6' 2"; Junior

#6 Nathan Fitzgerald: MF; 6' 0"; Junior

#7 David Freeland: MF; 5' 7"; Junior

#24 Landon Fruge': D/MF; 6' 0"; Senior

#1 Raul Herrera: GK; 6' 2"; Senior

#11 Casey Hibbs: MF; 6' 2"; Junior

#13 Mahmoud Ihmeidan: MF; 6' 0"; Sophomore

#8 Dean Lovegrove: MF; 5' 10"; Junior

Players Mentioned

#12 Sam Broadbent
: 5' 8"; Senior
: MF

#16 Chad Caldwell
: 6' 2"; Freshman
: F

#20 B.A. Catney
: 5' 11"; Redshirt Freshman
: MF

#5 Kyle Cornwell
: 6' 1"; Sophomore
: D

#2 Chris Dwyer
: 6' 2"; Junior
: MF/F

#6 Nathan Fitzgerald
: 6' 0"; Junior
: MF

#7 David Freeland
: 5' 7"; Junior
: MF

#24 Landon Fruge'
: 6' 0"; Senior
: D/MF

#1 Raul Herrera
: 6' 2"; Senior
: GK

#11 Casey Hibbs
: 6' 2"; Junior
: MF

#13 Mahmoud Ihmeidan
: 6' 0"; Sophomore
: MF

#8 Dean Lovegrove
: 5' 10"; Junior
: MF