Haney joins Coventry City FC

Senior Tommy Haney will travel to England in January as part of Austin College's Jan Term program. Haney was awarded an internship with the Championship side Coventry City Football Club. Haney will spend the better part of January working with the club in all facets, with a focus on commercial and marketing with the club. Haney is a History major with a minor in Religion. More to come on this later.

Tommy is the second player in a year to gain an internship with a professional side. Junior Alex Dawson, Spring, TX, spent the summer with FC Dallas of the MLS.

Castillo Named SCAC Newcomer of the Year

Castillo Named Newcomer of the Year

SHERMAN, Texas – Austin College men’s soccer player Luis Castillo has been named the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference Newcomer of the Year in addition to being selected as a Second Team All-SCAC performer, the conference office announced today.

Castillo, a freshman midfielder from Kingwood, led Austin College and all first year players in the SCAC with seven goals and 18 total points, and led the conference in total shots with 77 and shots-per-game with 4.53 on his way to being tabbed as the SCAC’s top newcomer. Three of Castillo’s goals were game-winners.

Castillo played in 17 games this season, starting 15 and established himself early as one of the team’s top scoring threats and displayed superior control with the ball in the midfield. Castillo put a team high 36 shots on goal and scored an overtime game-winner during the course of the season.

Castillo either scored or assisted on a goal in nine of the team’s 18 games on the year, including getting a goal and an assist in a huge 3-2 win over conference rival DePauw University. Castillo is a graduate of Kingwood High School and played club soccer for Texas Heat.

Austin College athletic teams participate as a member of the NCAA Division III and the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference.


About Austin College

Austin College is a leading national independent liberal arts college located just north of Dallas in Sherman, Texas. Founded in 1849, making it the oldest institution of higher education in Texas operating under original charter and name, the college is related by covenant to the Presbyterian Church (USA). Recognized nationally for academic excellence in the areas of international education, pre-professional training, and leadership studies, Austin College is one of 40 schools profiled in Loren Pope’s influential book Colleges That Change Lives.


Jeff Kelly
Sports Information Coordinator
Austin College Kangaroos
P: 903 813 2275
F: 903 813 3196
www.austincollege.edu

Our Seniors

This fall we lose 6 seniors from the Austin College Soccer family. Each one has had an impact on this program over their time with the program. Each embraced my tenure with Austin College Soccer and has been essential in the transition. I owe each of them an enormous amount of thanks for their dedication to what this program is aiming to achieve. No doubt they have helped towards the right direction.

Ian Keeble, Grapevine, TX, had to endure what no senior should have to in their final year of collegiate soccer. Ian had knee surgery over the summer with the plan of being 100% in early September. However complications ensued and despite playing in two games to start the season, Ian had to have season ending surgery in mid-september. Despite this he was at all of our training sessions supporting the boys. Ian was a 3-year starter for the Roo's spending time in the midfield and defense. Thanks Ian.



Matt Dickinson, Paris, TX, is the type of worker and personality that every coach wants on his team. In the summer before his junior season I called Matt up to tell him that he was moving from part-time goalkeeper to full-time. He took it in stride and instantly became one of our hardest workers in training. By mid-season he was a part-time starter and had earned the confidence of his teammates. As a senior, Matt was challenged by Grant Gosselin for playing time. Yet he continued to push in training and 6 games in had earned a starting spot. Finishing the fall with 8 games played on the season. Thanks Matt.



Miguel Lopez, Sherman, TX, came out for the team this fall as a walk-on in his final year at Austin College. Miguel immediately had an impact on training with is work-ethic. We wish him all the best. Thanks Miguel.



Nico Ayala, Dallas, TX, is another player that came out for the team this past spring after playing as a freshman. Nico brought a needed flair to the team as well as exceptional ability. Nico, despite the layoff, earned himself a starting role on the team this fall as an outside midfielder. Nico finished the season playing in 14 games, starting 4. Thanks Nico.



Miles Vaughn, Grapevine, TX, is one of those players that keeps the team running. He has a work-ethic that never stops and an attitude to win...every time. Miles was a four-year starter for the Roo's...starting all 18 games from his center midfield position as a senior. Miles spent last spring studying abroad in Spain for the semester and came into the fall with a focus to get this team over the hump...he did. Thanks Miles.



Tommy Haney, Wylie, TX, has been as influential has anyone in making my transition as good as possible. He embraced my vision and was, without a doubt, our off-the-field leader over the past year. Tommy, a four year starter, started 16 of the 18 games played this fall in leading our defense from his centerback and left back positions. Tommy was named to the All-SCAC Sportsmanship Team for 2008. Thanks Tommy.

Oglethorpe 4 - AC 1/ AC 1 - Sewanee 0

We flew out of DFW to Atlanta on Thursday morning after a very positive week of practice. This was an important week for us, as we knew how important it would be to end the season on a high note. Once we arrived in Atlanta we went directly to Oglethorpe's campus for a light practice session and to get acquainted with the field. After this we checked into our hotel, went out for dinner, and then turned in early after a long day of travel.

Our kick-off for Friday with OU was scheduled 12:30EST. OU has had a bit of a down year due to some injuries throughout the fall, however they are a well coached team and we knew this would not be an easy game. It wasn't. Our mindset for the week after the Rhodes game, was to battle tooth and nail for everything...back to our blue collar work ethic. That didn't happen in the first half. OU came out in a hurry, high pressured everything, and we didn't match that. OU would control the possession the entire first half, and we never attempted to settle things on our end. This has been our issue all fall. OU would strike first in the 29th minute, and then score two more in the next 10 minutes to go up 3-0. Senior Miles Vaughn (Grapevine, TX) would keep us from being shut-out in the first half scoring off an assist from freshman Robert Lamilla (Coppell, TX). We would be down 3-1 at the half...and a man down. Junior Grant Gibson (Clinton, MS) would be shown a straight red with 9 seconds to play when the official determined he took a man down going to goal.

Our halftime talk was reminiscent of several others we have had this year. I won't give details, but I wasn't pleased. We came out to start the second 45 much better and controlled much of the possession, despite being a man down. We had several good opportunities to add to the score, but didn't finish our chances. OU would capitalize on our numbers late in the half, to end the game 4-1. Not how we wanted to do it. I give OU credit, they did what they needed to do, and would end their season with another upset on Sunday beating Colorado College 3-1. We now had to travel to Sewanee for an early match on Sunday morning.

We left Atlanta on Saturday after getting a good meal on Friday night at the Cheesecake Factory. It was about a two and a half hour bus ride to Sewanee, which sits on a mountain outside of Chattanooga, TN. It was beautiful that time of year, with the leaves changing. We checked into our hotel and then went to campus for a light practice, had a good meal that night, and then in early as our game on Sunday was scheduled for 10am. This had to be done so both our game and the women's game could be played and ensure that we make it to Nashville to catch our flight home.

Sunday morning we had the boys meet in a pavilion by the hotel for a light breakfast...bagels, bananas, etc. Too early of a game for a heavier breakfast. We then headed to campus.

Our game started in a flurry, with neither team wanting to concede anything to start. Both programs were battling for an 8th place finish in conference, and to end the season on a good note. AC did control much of the possession in the first half and having the edge on shots as well. Despite that, we would go into the half tied at 0-0.

To start the half, we pressed to get a goal early, and we did. Junior captain Alex Dawson (Spring, TX), would find freshmen Luis Castillo (Kingwood, TX) for his team leading 7th goal of the season and the eventual game winner. Sewanee would definitely put us on our heels at times, but the boys played like we have wanted all year, pure blue collar, and conceded nothing to finish. This would be freshmen GK Grant Gosselin's (Phoenix, TX) 4th shutout for the year, and the teams 5th. A great way to finish, getting 3 points on the road, and ensuring our 8th place finish in conference.

Austin College 3 - 5 Rhodes

Yes, we scored 3 goals and lost. Very disappointing way to finish up at home, but we battled. Rhodes is a quality team with some strong players.

Our defense was caught taking a break on a cross, only 5 minutes into the game. We were down 1-0. It was back and forth until Grant Gibson (Clinton, MS) assisted Jason Replogle (Denton, TX) for his first collegiate goal in the 29th minute. Replogle had great composure in front of the goal, settling the ball down and keeping his shot low and on target. Despite some great, open opportunities inside the box, we were unable to score and put them away. Rhodes capitalized and put 2 goals away, both on crosses, before the end of the first half. 3-1 half time.

Miles Vaughn (Grapevine, TX) continued to be "Mr. Consistent" for us, assisting freshman Luis Castillo (Kingwood, TX) for a great goal early in the second half. Castillo showed great technical touch and chipped the GK from the corner of the box. Miles has been awesome for us all year in midfield, and Luis has shown his strengths in midfield and up top. Castillo found the back of the net shortly after his goal, but it was called back for a very controversial offside call. We had 3 goals called back for offside during the game. Very Questionable offside calls.

Our defense was lacking again after the offside call, and they scored off another cross with a header. 4-2. Garrett Evans (Red Oak, TX) when Alex Dawson (Spring, TX) assisted him. 4-3. Yet, our defensive effort was not there again, and Rhodes scored 2 minutes later. 5-3.

We were very disappointed with the result of the game. We should never score 3 goals and lose a game by 2. With a little more defensive effort, things could have been different. But we will look at the positives and see that we scored 3 goals, and should have scored more. We are creating good chances, now we just have to gain composure and finish under pressure.

We will be flying into Atlanta on Thursday to play Oglethorpe on Friday. Thanks for supporting us at home this season, wish us luck on the road next weekend. Go Roos!

Austin College 2 - 0 Hendrix

All week we focused on finishing the season strong and getting results. We realize we're playing for pride and ourselves, as a young program with a new direction.

We had a great win Friday against a pretty good Hendrix team. We knew they would come out and play us hard. We opened up the first 30 minutes with control of the game. We were going against a strong wind, but Miles Vaughn (Grapevine, TX) was able to control the midfield and keep the ball moving on the ground for us. We had several good opportunities, creating chances with dynamic runs along the defensive line. Chris Stein (Allen, TX) and Alex Dawson (Spring, TX) got the double assist after a cross was sent into the box and ended up on the foot of Garrett Evans (Red Oak, TX). Evans took a great touch to settle and blasted it past the GK.

Newcomer Jason Campbell (Kingston, Jamaica) and freshman Michael Sumrow (Weatherford, TX) came in and contributed good minutes up top, and continued our play at a high level. We went into half-time up 1-0.

Hendrix came out harder in the second half. Grant Gosselin (Phoenix, AZ) was big in goal and kept the shut out. Our defense had to earn the shut out. After saving a goal by clearing the ball off the line on a corner, we finally woke up and got into the game. We found the net again when Evans went on a breakaway and waited for Stein back post. Stein came through and tucked it home for the dagger.

It was a great win for us, and we wanted it to give us momentum for our game on Sunday against Rhodes.

Video

Here are video clips from our last win. I want to put more of these up, boys!
Luis Castillo (Kingwood, TX) assisting Garrett Evans (Red Oak, TX) for his first goal of the season.

Miles Vaughn (Grapevine, TX) passes to Luis Castillo (Kingwood, TX). Luis does the rest.

Nico Ayala (Dallas, TX) finds the top corner, but was controversially called offside.

Austin College 0 - 4 Colorado College

We had a great turnout for our Homecoming. We appreciate the support from all our alumni, parents, and fans. It didn't go our way on Saturday, but we had our opportunities.

Alex Dawson (Spring, TX) had an early impact with a shot that went over the bar. Our pressure was good early, but Colorado is a good team and was able to deal. They came back with a serve into our box. There was a big mix in front of the goal, but Matt Dickinson (Paris, TX) wasn't able to come down with it, and they capitalized.

Our defense continued to play strong, but Colorado kept coming. Grant Gibson (Clinton, MS) was leading our backs from center, with Raif Smith (Houston, TX) and Johnny Lara (El Paso, TX) on the wings, but there was just a barrage of shots. Dickinson made 7 saves on the day.

This coming weekend will be our last home weekend of the year. Senior Day will be Sunday, with a cookout by David Norman and the parents. So come out and support us for one last home weekend! Go Roos.

Austin College 3 - 2 DePauw

Winning feels so good. After the loss against Centre, we knew we needed to come out strong against DePauw, who was undefeated in conference play this year. We were looking for our first conference win, and we came out and grinded out 3 points.

DePauw came out aggressive with 6 shots in the first 15 minutes of the game. Matt Dickinson (Paris, TX) kept them at bay and was big all game, making 8 saves on the day. After the first 15 minutes, our offense started becoming a threat. We had a number of fast counter attacks that were promising. Sophomore Garrett Evans (Red Oak, TX) found the net for the first time this year. Evans received a pass at the top of the box from Freshman Luis Castillo (Kingwood, TX) and with a man on his back, Evans put the ball by the keeper to make it 1-0. Garrett has been looking for that first goal all season, and with that pressure now off, we look forward to seeing what he will do.

Our defense struggled to get comfortable in the first half. DePauw hit the far post on a shot in the 34th minute, but they settled down and tightened up the defending. Freshman Stephen Crisco (Weatherford, TX) played a great game as our holding midfielder for the full 90 minutes. His strength and simple play makes his presence felt in the middle.

After providing an assist earlier in the first half, Castillo wasn't done. With just over a minute left in the first half, Luis got possession in traffic. After beating one man, Luis turned from 30 yards out and hit a bomb to beat the keeper in the top corner far post. It was an amazing goal that lifted our bench and gave us good momentum into the half.

We started the second half with good energy, and 10 minutes in Evans would put more pressure on their defense. We got another goal when DePauw gave up an OG off a cross to Evans, making the score 3-0.

After some close calls and help from the crossbar, we would see that score all the way up to the 85th minute when the referee gave DePauw a PK. 3-1. The last 5 minutes of the game was a circus. DePauw kept fighting and the barrage of shots was too much. We gave up another goal with 01:30 left in the game. After an unchallenged 50/50 ball in the midfield, DePauw took the ball down the field and got a corner with :45 seconds left. The GK ran the length of the field to get in. We won the header and looked to get forward. Matt Rogers (Sherman, TX) had the ball on a dead sprint toward their goal, but missed the shot to chip the keeper. We kept possession and Castillo found Senior Nicolas Ayala (Dallas, TX) with seconds left in the game. Nico took a touch and blasted it upper 90. Our bench, fans, Coach Hudson went crazy, but the goal was called back by a VERY questionable offside decision. We cleaned up the free kick and won the game 3-2.

It was an exciting game, close game, but a win is a win. We needed the 3 points and got them. Thanks for the support, the guys love a good crowd out there. Now we look forward to an exciting Homecoming Weekend on Saturday against Colorado College. Go ROOS!!!

Austin College 0 - 1 Centre College

It was a great atmosphere on Friday with the Susan G Komen Game II. We presented over $5000 to the foundation, and the support shown by the fans in the pink shirts was amazing.

This was a hard game to lose. We have never defeated Centre in conference play, but we felt we had a good chance. With just 4 minutes of the game played, Centre had a throw in deep into our half. We knew that they had a long throw, but struggled to defend it all game. The ball was thrown into the box and just went off Matt Dickinson's (Paris, TX) fingertips and into the goal. It was a deflating goal, but we kept fighting.

Although we were out-shot 28-10 in the game, we had a number of good chances. Alex Dawson (Spring, TX) had a couple of good chances and got 3 shots off, despite being tightly marked all game. Miles Vaughn (Grapevine, TX) was consistently good for us in the midfield and helped us hold much of the possession at times in the second half.

Centre defended their corner kicks with 11 in the box. To counter that, we came back with a quick pass to the top of the box with Grant Gibson (Clinton, MS) running on from 30 yards out. Grant unloaded with a cannon shot on goal, but was deflected at the last second for another corner.

Just as the game was winding down, Alex Dawson blocked a drop kick by Centre's goalkeeper. It was a great heads up play by Alex, but the referee didn't think so and gave Dawson his second yellow card of the game, sending him off the field and ineligible to play against DePauw.

It was a tough lose, but we had to put it behind us. We needed to use the same passion we had against Centre and play the same way against DePauw.

Susan G Komen for the Cure - Austin College vs. Centre College Komen Game II

For the second year in a row, Austin College and Centre College are teaming up to raise money and awareness for Susan G. Komen for the Cure and their fight against breast cancer. Both teams are competing this week to see who can raise the most money with the competition ending just prior to the game. Last year Austin College won this contest and both teams combined to raise nearly $7,000.

This is a special event and we are extremely pleased to be involved. Centre College is donating their money in memory of Sue Hauck, the mother of a former Centre player that passed last fall from breast cancer. Austin College is donating their money in honor of all members of the Austin College family that have been affected by breast cancer.

This year, in association with Roo's against cancer, we are encouraging everyone to wear pink to our game tomorrow. Game time is 4:00pm with our Komen ceremony just prior. We hope to see you there and if you would like to make a donation, please feel free to email me at mhudson@austincollege.edu and we will add it to our total! Go ROO's!

Below is a picture from last years game at Centre College.

Austin College 2 - LeTourneau 1 2OT

We travelled to Longview on Friday afternoon and got a light training session in at LeTourneau on Friday night. We then took the team out to get a nice meal that evening. Our game was scheduled for 3:00pm on Saturday.

LeTourneau is a solid team that has done well this fall, getting some good results against some good teams. They beat Centre 1-0 earlier this fall, and recently beat Mary Hardin Baylor in OT. Two quality opponents, so we knew LeTourneau could play.

We went into the game with a renewed focus after, what we felt, were some sub par performances. This focus showed as we came out strong and took it to LU from the start. First year player Jason Campbell (Kingston, Jamaica) made his first start of the season at forward and did a superb job. He created several opportunities and did well running the attack. In addition, freshmen Sam Temple (Paris, TX) would come off the bench 10 minutes into the game and bring another added element up top.

Senior Miles Vaughn (Grapevine, TX) was quality as usual in the middle of the field and would ultimately link up with Sam just 15 minutes into the game. Miles would send a great through ball off a counter attack and Sam would use his speed to beat the defender and slot home a far post shot that would give the Roo's a 1-0 lead early. We would hold onto that out shooting LU 12-7 on the half and go into halftime 1-0.

We discussed the need to pick it up early in the second half, and we did, however we never could find the back of the net and this would continue to give LU life. They would ultimately tie the game with just seconds to go off a scramble in the box and we would half to go to OT.

The boys never waivered and pressed in the OT to get the game winner. We would ultimately outshoot LU 9-1 in the OT. Senior GK Matt Dickinson (Paris, TX) would make a game-saving save in the first OT to keep the game level. Just minutes into the second OT, sophomore Garrett Evans (Duncanville, TX) would link up with freshmen Luis Castillo (Kingwood, TX) for the game winner. Evans would lay a ball of his chest and Luis would one-time for his 4th goal of the season.

A nice win that the boys needed and what we hope will propel us into the last part of the season. We now have 7 conference games to go...

Next we face Centre on Friday October 17 at 4:00pm. This game will be played to benefit Susan G Komen for the cure. More on this later, however you can read more about it on the AC website here... http://www.austincollege.edu/NewsDetail.asp?NewsID=1644&ItemID=6319.

Thanks for all the support.

Austin College 0 - Univ. of Dallas 4

This was a tough day for the Roo's. Coming off a tough weekend in San Antonio, and having the required day off on Monday, we only had two days to prepare for a rejuvenated UD team. Rejuvenated is something we were not on the day.

The boys came out completely flat and didn't do the simple things that are necessary to win. These are things that have been a point for us the past few weeks, and today we did not take care of them. The day didn't start well, and it never got better.

I give Dallas full credit as they came out strong from the opening whistle, and played with a persistence to take it do us...they did. The score would end at 4-0 and, to be honest, was well deserved buy Dallas based on our play.

These details were a major focus following the game and into the day on Friday. Being fall break we didn't have class so the boys ran a coach less training session at 10:00am that morning, followed be a couple of team meetings. We need to get things sorted out. I think we got things on track.

As a young team, part of building a team is understanding the importance of paying attention to the details...and maintaining those details throughout the game, and our life. We will slowly figure that out.

Up next...LeTourneau in Longview on Saturday. A solid team that has some good wins over Centre and Mary Hardin Baylor.

Austin College 1 - 4 Southwestern

It was a tough weekend for the team. It is very difficult to come out of the TU/SU weekend with points, but we were confident. Southwestern was a good team and finished their opportunities. We never backed down, and Luis Castillo (Kingwood, TX) was able to find Sam Temple (Paris, TX) in the box. Sam had a great shot into the top corner to tie the game up at 1-1. SU capitalized on a corner kick, and we went into half time down 2-1.

The second half looked hopeful, when Chris Stein (Allen, TX) became a threat. Chris made two great opportunities, one hitting the far post, and another nearly chipping the keeper. We continued to press, but could not find the net again. Our defense was constantly tested. Freshman Johnny Lara (El Paso, TX) played well in the back with Juniors Raif Smith (Houston, TX) and Grant Gibson (Clinton, MS).

We never let the inconsistent officiating affect us during the game. We often find officiating questionable, but Austin College Soccer will always model class whenever we are representing the school, and we are proud of that.

We have a big game against University of Dallas on Thursday, October 9. We will play at UD at 4 00 pm. Hope to see all you fans in support of the team! Go Roos. -Nathan

Austin College 1 - 5 Trinity

Miles Vaughn (Grapevine, TX) and Alex Dawson (Spring, TX) combined during a corner kick and served a ball across to Luis Castillo (Kingwood, TX) back post. Luis won the ball between two players and beat the keeper over his head to tie the game 1-1. We went into half time tied.

Trinity scored 11 seconds into the 2nd half, but we kept playing. Dawson had a good shot from the corner of the box that went just past the post. Trinity's GK had a great save on Garrett Evans (Red Oak, TX) on a close range shot. We had opportunities, and that is very encouraging. Matt Dickinson (Paris, TX) had a great game in goal, making 12 big saves in the game. It was a learning experience for the team, and we will build on the successes we had.

Austin College 1 - 0 Birmingham Southern

The team was looking to bounce back after the game Friday. We came out focused and ready to play. It took us the first few minutes to get into the game, but we soon found the net. After a scramble back and forth in the box, freshman Chris Stein found the ball and tucked a goal away into the far post. Chris has really come on strong in creating offense production.

We played well in the first half, with a mixture of possessing and playing direct. Senior Matt Dickinson made a big time save when he came out on a 1v1 at the top of the box. He kept us in the lead going into the half.

The first ten minutes of the second half would be crucial for us. We came out strong and won a corner kick within a minute, and would continue to press for those ten minutes. Our defense was tested today, but we earned the shutout. Junior Nate Noel came into the second half in goal, and kept us in the game when he stopped a shot from close range. He blocked it with his foot and covered it up. Our boys were very positive on the sidelines and their encouragement helped bring in the win.

We will be working this week for a couple of big games next weekend...starting with Trinity on a Friday night. Congrats on the win boys, lets get some more. Go Roos.

Austin College 2 - 4 Millsaps

We had a tough game on Friday. We went up early when Chris Stein found Alex Dawson on a corner kick. Millsaps answered with two goals, but Tommy Haney sent a through ball to Sam Temple for the equalizer into half-time. We saw some good things in the second half, but Millsaps came out a little stronger and put in 2 more. We were very upset with the game, but we knew what needed to be fixed for our next game.

Austin College 2 - 2 ETBU

Tuesday was a long day for all of us. We left campus and headed for the 3 hour bus ride around 3 pm. Game time was set for 7:30, and we were ready to finally play a match.

We started the game strong and played well in the first half. Captain and Senior, Miles Vaughn put a goal away from beyond the 18 to give us a 1-0 lead into half time. The second half proved to be a test for us. ETBU scored 2 goals on us in the second half. The game ended in a 2-2 tie. We thought we should have won that game, but ETBU played well and was a good opponent.

Our freshman have proven to be a great class. Chris Stein served a corner and found Kyle Fitzpatrick for the game tying header. The goal went into the statistics as :07 seconds after ETBU scored on us. Coach Hudson checked the NCAA D-III records, and that goal puts us into the record books!!! Austin College and ETBU will go into the books as second fastest consecutive goals scored by opposing teams. Awesome.

We open Conference play this weekend with Millsaps on Friday at 2pm. Go Roos.

Austin College 0 - 5 UT Dallas

Tough game. We drove down to UTD yesterday after the players got out of class. Training was good this week leading up to the game, and we felt confident in what we could do.

We went down early in the first half when UTD hit a good free kick around our wall. A few minutes later one of their midfielders dribbled through our defense and put one away in the corner. Although we went into the half down by 3 goals, we came out fighting. The resilience of our team is something to be proud of. We came out hard and never gave up. The final score was 5-0, but we walked away knowing what we need to work on. We played a good opponent in UTD, but we know we can play better.

We will take this and put it behind us and move forward to training this week. Our match against ETBU has been scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 23rd. We are 2-2 this year, and in a better spot than we were a year ago today. We thank those of you for coming out to support us, it helps us stay positive and look at the coming potential in the team.

GAME POSTPONED!

Due to the threat of Hurricane Ike, the game at ETBU has been postponed to a date yet to be determined. It is disappointing news, but the conditions would definitely not be ideal for soccer. We wish for the safety of all in the path.

The team will continue to practice this weekend and prepare for a strong UTD squad on Tuesday.

-Nathan

Austin College 1 - 2 Texas Lutheran

We experienced a loss for the first time this season. It's difficult to write this blog about a loss. We knew coming in, that it would be a tough game. Although we could have played better, TLU is a good team and has shown good results the last couple seasons.

The first half was a struggle for us. We went down early when a foul was called in the penalty area. After the PK, we were down 1-0. Towards the middle of the half, a TLU forward turned and beat 3 of our players to put another goal in, and put us down 2-0. We never found good momentum offensively, and only had 3 shots the first half, with 0 corner kicks.

We played much better in the second half and picked up the intensity. Our defense held strong and GK Gosselin made some saves to keep us in the game. Offensively, we were better and we finally got a couple corner kicks. Senior Ian Keeble took a short corner and got it back to find Freshman Luis Castillo's feet in front of the goal. 2-1. We controlled the last 10 minutes of the game, pressing and trying to tie it up, but the final whistle blew.

We look to take what we learned and move forward in training this week to prepare for East Texas Baptist on Saturday.

Austin College 1 - 0 Condordia

We arrived in Austin last night after a nice drive from Sherman. We were able to get a light practice in at school, eat a good dinner, and avoided Friday night traffic through Dallas. It is good to get away and go on the road here. We expected a tough game against Condordia, and that's exactly what we got.

Since Condordia is in transition and building a new campus, we played at the Cedar Park High School in NW Austin. We were on a new turf football field, which was literally 58 yards wide...quite short of the 65 yard minimum. We knew the narrow field would make the game a battle, and it was.

We started the game with a goal in the 3rd minute, by Alex Dawson. He received the ball off a throw in near the corner of the box, settled and turned, and tucked it away far post. The team used that moment to pick up the level and controlled the game for most of the 1st half. The second half proved to be a test. Concordia never let down, field conditions were not ideal, and with some inconsistent officiating, we had to overcome all of it. Freshman defender Landon Bowersock cleared a ball off the line late in the second half and showed great composure as a center back. GK Grant Gosselin came up big again this game, coming out for a 1v1 and just touching the shot past the post. We were able to avoid some close calls, got the clean sheet, and the result we wanted.

Concordia Game

Just trying to clarify things about the game on Saturday, Sept. 6. The new Concordia Campus is in NW Austin, near the intersection of 620 and 183. We will be staying in the Comfort Suites off 183 on Friday night. The game will be played near there at Cedar Park HS, off Cypress Creek Rd. at 1 PM. So for all you fans coming out to support us...Be loud, Be proud.
-Nathan

Austin College 1 - 0 University of Dallas

We started things off on a good note Sunday. The team had breakfast as a team and walked the field in the morning. The players were focused and ready to do work. Coach Hudson reminded the team of the preparation they had put out during camp and how that effort would pay off.

From the National Anthem, to the end of the game, the energy at the game was high. Five freshman started their first collegiate game yesterday and performed at a high level. From the opening whistle, we dominated possession the first 15 minutes of the half. Although Dallas out shot us in the first half, freshman Goalkeeper Grant Gosselin was able to hold strong with senior defender Tommy Haney leading the defense. We went into half time 0-0.

We came out strong the second half with two quick corners, and things looked good. The game went back and forth until the 81st minute when Chris Stein assisted fellow freshman midfielder Luis Castillo on a corner kick. Castillo beat two defenders in the air to finish a header in the top corner, back post. With big time saves from Gosselin, we were able to hold and keep the clean sheet.

It was a long time coming for this team, and we look forward to next weekend in Austin to continue our success.
Congratulations to seniors Tommy Haney - Miles Vaughn - and junior Alex Dawson. They were voted Captains by their teammates for their leadership on and off the field.

Fall Camp Underway

Preseason training has started for the team. The boys got settled in and were ready to go. The Texas weather has thrown us some curves, but the team has stayed positive and worked hard everyday. Coach Hudson is excited as today we will get an 11v11 scrimmage against UTD, and get a glimpse of the potential this upcoming season. Everyday we move forward with improvement, in preparation for our opener against University of Dallas on August 31.

Here of some pictures I took of the team during training this week.

Fall '08 Soon to Begin

The coaching staff eagerly awaits the start of a new season. We will have a strong incoming freshman class joining a quality core of returners this fall. The players are scheduled to move onto campus Sunday, August 17 for fall camp. It will be a hot preseason this year with temps reaching the high 90s, but we're Austin College Soccer - we can handle it. We'll be updating this blog more often now as the season nears and gets underway.
-Nathan

Athletic Honors Convocation

Austin College Athletics held the 2008 Athletic Convocation this month. Many players were recognized for their accomplishments during the season and career as an Austin College student athlete. The members of the soccer team recognized two players by vote:
Austin Newman (senior) - Most Outstanding Player
Nathan Spradlin (senior) - Clayton Hustle Award.



In addition, many members of the Men's Soccer team were named to the SCAC Student-Athlete Academic Honor Roll. To qualify, these athletes maintained a 3.25 GPA and was a regular member of a SCAC sponsored varsity sport:
Michael Cline (JR), Alex Dawson (SO), Lance Frank (SR), Tommy Haney (JR), John Martinez (SR), Austin Newman (SR), Josh Pollock (SO), Jason Replogle (FR), Raif Smith (SO), Nathan Spradlin (SR), Miles Vaughn (JR).

Videos

This is a clip from Senior Day 2007.  There will be more clips in the future from games and other team activities.

Alumni Game Spring '08

After a positive spring training season, the team finished up with a friendly against the players of old.  Age and experience proved to be too much for our youth and speed.  It was all in good fun and it was a great experience for the men of the program.  Now we look to prepare for the upcoming fall season with a good returning core, and over 15 incoming freshman.

As the Graduate Assistant for the 2008 season, Coach Hudson has put the blog in my hands.  I will try to update it weekly, or as new events arise.  We wish our student athletes the best with upcoming finals, study hard.

-Nathan Spradlin

Austin College Men's Soccer GA