Melton Named 2nd Team All-SCAC

Austin College men’s soccer player Chris Melton has been named 2nd Team All-Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference, the league office announced today.

Melton, a junior forward from Sherman, finished the season tied for third in the SCAC with 12 goals and sixth in points with a total of 25. Melton scored eight of his 12 goals against SCAC competition this season, and accounted for over a third of the team’s scores this year. He also had one game winning goal this season for the ‘Roos.

2010 Senior Day

On Sunday November 7, prior to the Roo's game against Hendrix College, 6 seniors were recognized prior to kick-off. Below is are the write-ups on each senior from our Sports Information Director Jeff Kelly.


Our first senior is a four year starter from Red Oak with a dual major in Business and Political Science. During the course of his career he played in 63 games and has scored eight goals and added five assists for a total of 21 points and has one game winner to his credit. Here today with his father Roger, his mother Lyn and his stepmother Karen, #3 Garrett Evans.


Our next senior is a four year letter winner from Sherman who has appeared in 18 career games. A strong leader on and off the field, he is one of the team’s captains this season and is an SCAC Academic Honor Roll member. A Business major with a minor in ESS, he is here today with his parents Diane and Harold. #15 Matt Rogers.



Our next senior is a four year letter winner from Denton who has appeared in 62 career games, starting 16. He has a Business major with a minor in History and is a member of the SCAC Academic Honor Roll, and in his career he has one goal and four assists. Here today with his parents Mark and Gina, #6 Jason Replogle.


Our next senior is a three year letter winner who has appeared in 34 career games including 28 starts. A native of St. Louis, Missouri, he is an Environmental Studies major with a minor in Political Science. This season he tallied his first career goal and has added two assists from his defensive position. Here with his parents Chris and Melanie, #9 Conrad Osborn.


Our next senior is a three year letter winner who has appeared in 45 games with 11 starts. A native of Kingston, Jamaica, he is a dual major in Economics and Mathematics and is a member of the SCAC Academic Honor Roll. He has tallied two goals and six assists in his career, and is the son of Sandra Crooks and Floyd Campbell. Here with him today are Roddy and Laura Stein (parents of Junior Midfielder Chris Stein), #14 Jason Campbell.


Our final senior is a three year letter winner from Paris with a major in Business Administration and a minor in Spanish. A hard worker both on and off the field, he is a SCAC Academic Honor Roll member and is on course to graduate in just three years. Here with his parents John and Jae and his brother Matt, #19 Ben Dickinson.


A great group that has certainly put their stamp on the program and will be missed.

AC 2 - University of Dallas 1 OT

What a game. We came into this game against the University of Dallas after a 13 day break due to our cancelled game with Colorado College. That a significant amount of down time and so there was a concern that we would come out flat and not perform to the level we had reached in the prevous couple of games. That happened.

AC would come out sluggish and would settle back into our old ways by allowing our opponent to make the most of simple mistakes. Dallas would go up 1-0 in the 12th minute to put us in the hole early. We had been there before, but this would not be our day as we could never muster the energy and level that we needed...at least for 89:50 of the game.

With 10 second to play Chris Melton(Sherman, TX) would take a feed from junior Stephen Crisco(Weatherford, TX) and senior Garrett Evans(Duncanville, TX) and find the back of the net for the equalizer. It was Melton's team leading 10th goal of the season and would send the Roo's to overtime for the 5th time this season.

The momentum would definitely swing and any energy that we lacked for nearly all of the game was there for the overtime period. While AC would control most of the play, our energy to get forward for the game winner certianly allowed Dallas some opportunities. Junior keeper Grant Gosselin(Phoenix, AZ) had to come up big twice in OT to keep the game level. It would seem that we would be headed to the second OT period when Garrett Evans would take a throw in from junior Robert Lamilla(Coppell, TX) and feed sophomore Guillermo Allande(El Paso, TX) for the game winner. Allande would take his first touch around the defender and hit upper right for his second goal of the season.

An incredible way to finish the game after what was not our day for nearly most of the game. AC would outshoot Dallas 28-12 with Gosselin having to make 2 saves on the day.

Next up...our final two games of the season. Rhodes College on Friday and Hendrix College on Sunday. Both major SCAC games that will directly affect where we finish.

WEEKEND NOTES

Austin College is set to break ground on an new academic building, The IDEA Center, that is being built where the old tennis complex used to be. This will affect access to the soccer facility for our last 3 games. A release was sent out today by Austin College describing this impact:

...spectators should now use the gate located at the northwest corner of the soccer field on Richards Street or the gate located on the west side of the field directly behind the baseball stadium on Porter Street.

It should be noted that persons should use parking areas and not park on streets designated as “No Parking” areas. Parking areas are available to the east of the Russell Tennis Complex and also north of Abell Library, in addition to areas on the south and southeast parts of campus.

Colorado College Game Update

Our game with Colorado College that was cancelled last weekend due to severe weather will NOT be made up. It was originally rescheduled for this Friday October 29, however due to several circumstances that game will not be played.

Game against Colorado Rescheduled

Due to severe weather in the area, the Roo's game against Colorado College has been tentatively rescheduled for Friday October 29 at 4:00pm. The game will still be played in Sherman. More info to follow...

Melton Named SCAC Player of the Week

Austin College junior men’s soccer player Chris Melton has been named the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Week for matches played from Monday, October 11 through Sunday, October 17.

Melton, a junior forward from Sherman, scored three goals over the weekend as the ‘Roos split with DePauw and Centre, notching one tally against the Tigers before scoring twice in the first half, including the game winner, against the Colonels. Melton has now scored a team-best nine goals this season. He is the second Austin College player to earn the honor this season.

AC 3 - Centre 1 - KOMEN GAME IV

Austin College and Centre have since 2007 played this game to benefit Susan G Komen for the Cure. This year, both teams combined to raise over $5,000 with money still coming in for the cause. A wonderful event and a special day.

The weather and atmosphere for the game was perfect and with the boys decked out in their pink Nike kits, it was a great day to play. The energy would be there from the start as AC took advantage of Centre coming off the second leg of what is a tough trip in SCAC play. From the get-go, AC made Centre work for every opportunity and limited any real attack that they tried to create. This was a great thing to see as we have not been on our game to begin with on several occassions this fall.

It would only take 11 minutes into the game for AC to notch one on the scoreboard as junior Chris Melton(Sherman, TX) took a feed from senior Jason Campbell(Kingston, Jamaica) and finished for his second goal of the weekend. This would be the spark that we needed as our pressure and possession on grew from there. Centre, who came into the game as one of the better offensive teams in the SCAC, could not get any real chances to equalize. AC took advantage of having the better of possesion and Melton would continue his scoring ways with a beautiful header in the 36th minute off a service from fellow junior Chris Stein(Allen, TX) to take the lead to 2-0. This is how the first half would, AC leading 2-0.

The second half would start with Centre wanting to make a push and having a bit better of the possession. However AC would manage this very well and remain calm in the circumstance where Centre did not. This would sway in AC's favor as senior defender Conrad Osborn(St. Louis, MO) would take a feed from Campbell on the swing about 35 out and hit a bomb that carried over Centre's keeper to extend the lead to 3-0. An amazing strike that took any wind out of Centre's sails and allowed AC to play with a bit more composure the remainder of the way. Centre would begin to press in the final 12 minutes and get one to make it 3-1, but it would get no closer as AC got a well earned 3 points in conference and ended Centre's chances at going undefeated in SCAC play.

As good of a group effort as we have had all season and now we have to carry that over to Homecoming with a visiting Colorado College side here on Saturday. They currently are ranked just ahead in SCAC standings so this is an important game to keep improving our finish in conference play.

Thanks to all who supported both teams in giving towards Susan G Komen as well as those that were there for the game.

GO ROOS!

AC 2 - DePauw 3

After what was a difficult trip to south Texas the weekend prior, the group came into this weekend looking to redeem themselves. This would have to be done against the top two teams in the SCAC, however. No small feat.

DePauw came into the game on Friday ranked #14 in the country and sitting atop the SCAC standings. They had only conceded 3 goals all year and were one of the best defenses in the nation.

The game would be very back and forth from the start as they play a very direct style of play. However AC would do a good job of settling and staying patient with DU's attack. This would crumble just under 5 minutes in as AC would do what they had all year, and spot the opposition a goal early. 1-0 DU. As it always has, this would be a spark for this group and would begin to possess and put pressure on DePauw's very organized and stingy defense. Junior Chris Melton(Sherman, TX) would break through in the 29th minute off a service from senior Jason Campbell(Kingston, Jamaica). Melton would settle his first touch just near the near post and turn to hit a strike by DU's keeper to notch the game at 1-1. It would be Melton's team tying 8th goal of the season. This would open things up as both sides would push for the go-ahead goal before half with both recording 5 shots before the break.

The second half would see the Roo's return the favor on the early goal when freshman Joey Alcocer(Galveston, TX) would put his corner kick service directly in just past the near post for his 3rd goal of the season, his second from a set-piece. 2-1 AC with 40 to play.

This is where things would get difficult for the Roo's as would not be able to settle and control the lead. We are not very good when we play on our heals and we would not be able to get things to go our way. DU would notch the equalizer in the 70th minute and the ultimate game-winner just 1:55 later. DU would hold on for a 3-2win.

While there are many positives from the game, our defensive issues have hindered us all year and they are more mental than anything. If we can get a hold of what we need to do on the defensive end, things will certainly go our way.

We would now have to move on to the team ranked second in the SCAC, Centre College for the KOMEN GAME IV.

MOVING FORWARD

AC continues with its season as we are set to host DePauw University on Friday at 2:00pm and Centre College on Sunday at 2:00pm in the KOMEN GAME IV. Both teams come to Sherman at the top of the standings in the SCAC and both with unblemished records in SCAC play.

DePauw comes in with an 11-1-1 record and has only conceded 3 goals all year. A defensive power, DU will test AC's ability to finish on Friday. Centre will first play Colorado College on Friday in Colorado Springs, and then move on to Sherman for the game on Sunday. As of now, Centre is 10-2-1 and has scored 29 goals while conceding only 9. Centre will be a major test of AC defensively, as we currently sit near the bottom of the conference in goals against.

In addition to the SCAC match-up on Sunday, it is also the fourth installment of our game to benefit Susan G. Komen for the Cure. KOMEN GAME IV continues Austin and Centre's battle to raise money for the Cure. Both teams have combined to raise just over $20,000 in three years. Should you like to donate, please contact Coach Hudson at mhudson@austincollege.edu or 903-813-2412. Help us beat Centre and benefit an amazing cause! Finally, all fans attending the game are encouraged to wear pink. The Austin College team will be in special pink uniforms for the game.

GO 'ROOS!!

KOMEN GAME IV

Below is the release from AC on our game with Centre to benefit Susan G Komen for the cure. If you would be interested in donating, please send me an email at mhudson@austincollege.edu.


Austin College and Centre College Team Up with Komen Foundation

SHERMAN, Texas – When the Austin College men’s soccer team takes the field against Centre College on October 17, the ’Roos and Colonels will write the next chapter in a burgeoning rivalry within the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference. Unlike most rivalries, however, this one did not grow out of on-field competition, but through a united effort to raise awareness of breast cancer in conjunction with Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

In 2007, Mark Hudson was named the head coach at Austin College after having played and served as an assistant coach at Centre. He and Centre coach Jeb Burch decided to have a friendly wager that year in support of a tremendous cause when their teams took the field for their annual conference matchup.

During the summer of that year, rising Centre senior Robby Crump’s mother Sue Hauck was fighting breast cancer. Sadly, she lost her life to the disease as the team reported to preseason camp that August. Hudson shared a similar experience, as longtime family friend Elizabeth Walter also lost her life to breast cancer in 2007.

With the two coaches and friends having seen firsthand the tragedy of breast cancer, they decided to join forces with Susan G. Komen for the Cure. Susan G. Komen for the Cure is the largest grassroots network of breast cancer survivors and activists working together to save lives, empower people, ensure quality care for al, and energize science to find the cures for breast cancer.

“Breast cancer is a disease that will affect each of my players, directly or indirectly, in their lifetimes,” said Hudson. “This is a cause that is very easy for us to get behind and one of the more important events the team takes part in. Add the friendly competition with Centre and it really makes for a special event.”

The inaugural Komen Game between Austin College and Centre took place on October 27, 2007, in Danville, Kentucky, with the two teams raising more than $5,700 for the Komen Foundation in the names of Hauck and Walter. The game itself provided an incredible Hollywood-ending, as Crump, who had never scored a goal in his career, hit the golden goal five minutes into overtime.

The following season Komen Game II came to Sherman, where the teams again combined to raise more than $5,200 for the Komen Foundation. The Colonels went on to win the match 1-0. Last season, the two teams returned to Danville for Komen Game III, with Centre again winning 3-1. Most importantly, however, the ’Roos and Colonels combined to raise an incredible $9,200 for breast cancer awareness.

This season Komen Game IV comes to Sherman at 2 p.m. on October 17, and once again the two teams will engage in a friendly competition to see which side can raise the most money for breast cancer research. As part of the event, the ’Roos will be wearing pink uniforms and all who attend are encouraged to wear pink in support of Susan G. Komen for the Cure and Breast Cancer Awareness Month, which lasts the entire month of October.

AC 0 - Oglethorpe University 3

This was simply, not our day. OU came with it, and we could not match on the day. While the OT game on Friday could have played a small part, we, plain and simple, got beat by a well organized and technical OU team. Not many bright spots for hte 'Roos on the day.

We now move forward to another tough road trip with Southwestern on Friday and Trinity on Sunday.

AC 2 - Sewanee 2

We travelled to Nashville, TN and then on to Sewanee on Thursday, staying just south of the mountain in Kimball. The boys were excited to get away and were looking forwar to what would be two tough road trips. It is hard to win on the road in this conference.

We got a light session in on Friday morning on Sewanee's campus and took the team to an overlook just up from the soccer field. Always a good photo opportunity.

The game would take place at 7pm on Friday evening with a what was a great family weekend crowd. We love that type of atmosphere. The game would begin in a hurry and both teams would try and settle the play to their advantage. I felt that we did a good job initially of this this and had some opportunities early to get the early goal. It would be Sewanee however that would get on the board first off a rebound from a free kick that Grant Gossellin(Pheonix, AZ) nearly got a tip on. However, again, we would concede the first goal and have to play out of the hole. Junior Chris Melton(Sherman, TX) would get us level with a free kick of his own that he sent over the wall and into the top left corner. A great strike that would get us back in the game.

The second half began as the first did with both teams creating opportunities. AC started to control the match midway through the half with Senior Jason Campbell(Kingston, Jamaica) doing a great job of creating from his forward position. He would draw a second yellow on a Sewanee defender and AC would be able to play a man up the remainder of the game. It would be Sewanee however that would take advantage of this and would actually captilize with just under 10 minutes to play.

AC would regroup and again begin to press, with Melton again getting the tying goal off a feed from Senior Conrad Osborn(St. Louis, MO) to get the game to 2-2. Both teams pressed well in the extra times with Gosselin having to make a big save and AC hitting the crossbar. However it would end with a draw.

While we certainly wanted and expected the 3 points on the road, we would settle with a point in what is a tough place to play. Still undefeated after 3 games of conference play.

Now would would have to move on to Atlanta and face a tough Oglethorpe team at their place. Another tough task

AC goes 1-0-1 to Open SCAC Play

We got off to a solid start in SCAC play last weekend with a 2-2 tie against Birmingham-Southern here in Sherman onf Friday, and then a 1-0 win against a relentless Millsaps side on Sunday. We now stand at 4-2-2 on the year.

We travel to Tennessee today for a game tomorrow night against Sewanee and then will move to Atlanta on Saturday for a Sunday match-up against Oglethorpe on Sunday.

More to come on both...

Follow me on twitter...www.twitter.com/acsoccer

Temple Named SCAC Offensive Player of the Week

Release from Confernence Office...



TEMPLE NAMED SCAC OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Temple, a forward from Paris, scored five goals including a first half hat trick despite playing less than half the game in a 6-0 win over Dallas Christian in the team’s only game of the week. Temple leads both Austin College and the SCAC with eight goals through six games this season.

Temple now leads the SCAC in goals(8) and points(16).

AC 6 - Dallas Christian 0

This game was needed on many levels and the boys responded with a great performance. After having 3 of our first 5 games against ranked opponents, dealing with injuries and overcoming sluggish performances, it was good to return home and get a dominating win.

Dallas Christian was a bit of an unknown coming into the game as their opponents had been a mix of DII and NAIA programs. Our focus was completely on ourselves and the need to put together the things we can control, and do this effectively. We did that.

The game would start with AC controlling all facets, but with DCC still creating some opportunities of counters that we handled well. They were a team with little depth, but solid players at key positions. The game remained deadlocked at 0-0 despite opportunities on both ends, until junior forward Sam Temple(Paris, TX) entered the game around the 20th minute. It didn't take him long to put his mark on the game. Recieving two through balls from Sophomore defender Mason Waddell(Austin, TX) would be all Sam would need to get on the board. Two shots, two goals. In just a little over 12 minutes of action, Temple would net his third goal and first natural hat trick for the program in several years. Temple would recieve a superb cross from Sophomore Shedrick Davis(Rockwall, TX) and finish one-time to extend the lead to 3-0. Sam would take a break and the game would go to half with the 'Roos holding a decisive advantage.

The second half would again start in a hurry as our focus all week had been on AC establishing the tempo from the get-go. We did this well and just over 8 minutes in the half Junior forward Chris Melton(Sherman, TX) would net his third goal of the season off a double assist from Junior Chris Stein(Allen, TX) and Sophomore Andy Johnosn(Tulsa, OK) to push the lead to 4-0.

Temple would enter the game again in the 60th minute and would again make his mark earning his first PK in the 66th minute and then adding another just over a minute later to tally his 5th goal of the game. He would then return to the bench. AC's reserves would take over from here and add several opportunities while preserving the shut-out that was shared by Junior keeper Grant Gosselin(Phoenix, AZ) and Sophomore Russell Pompea(Colorado Springs, CO).

The game would finish with AC holding a decisive advantage in shots 24-8 while a total of 26 players saw action on the day.

Temple would accomplish a feat that will be tough for anyone to repeat. Temple would score a natural hat-trick in just over 15 minutes of action in the first half and then add two more in the second, totalling just under 30 miutes of play. Temple currently leads the team and SCAC with 8 goals on the season.

AC starts SCAC play this weekend as they fact Birmingham Southern and Millsaps, both at home. Thanks for everyone's support! Go 'Roos!!

AC 0 - UMHB 2

We traveled to Round Rock on Friday evening where we would be staying for the weekend. Our first game would be back up in Belton and then in Austin on Sunday.

Saturday morning we had a pregame meal at the hotel and then headed to Belton for our Noon kick-off. We knew that Mary Hardin-Baylor would be a challenge as they had just swept Southwestern and Trinity the previous weekend...not easy feat. They would enter the game undefeated and ranked #11 nationally.

This AC team has all the elements to be a very good team, we are in the process of working out the kinks. With injuries to some key players to start the season, it is a work in progress. One of those elements is how we start games. We have given up the first goal in every game we have played. Not ideal. A focus that we will carry into this week of training.

The game would open with both teams feeling each other out. UMHB had the better part of play the firt part of the first half. AC couldn't gather much possession and forced that issue too much at times. Substitutes would make the difference for the Roo's in the first half as senior Garrett Evans(Duncanville, TX), coming off injury, would make his first appearance for the Roo's this season. Evans helped settle the offense and simplify our attack. In addition, senior Jason Campbell(Kingston, Jamaica) would do the same and create our best chances in the first period. Neither team would find the net however, and the half would end 0-0.

The second half would prove to be better for AC in terms of possession, but it would be our defensive presence that would struggle. UMHB would notch the first goal of the game just under 10 minutes into the second half. Poor decisions on our defensive end would lead to an unassisted goal for UMHB and put AC once again in a hole. AC would create some chances with junior Chris Stein(Allen, TX) getting off a couple solid opportunities as well as junior Sam Temple(Paris, TX). UMHB would outshoot AC 14-12, however AC would register 7 shots on goal as compared to UMHB's 6, forcing their keeper to make 7 saves. None would find the net however and UMHB would add a second in the 78th minute to go 2-0. An easily avoidable goal off a major error on our part. Nonetheless, this would be how the game would finish and give UMHB credit, they are doing what it takes to win. A solid team that will win a lot of games this year.

The loss would put our record at 1-2-1 on the year but we would be able to rebound the next day with a match against another American Southwest opponent, Concordia University.

Weekend Games

This weekend Austin College travels to south Texas to take on two American Southwest Schools in University of Mary Hardin Baylor and Concordia University.

Mary Hardin Baylor enters Saturdays game (NOON) with a 2-0 record. The Crusaders beat Southwestern University 2-0 and Trinity University 1-0 last weekend. UMHB will enter tomorrow's game ranked 2nd in the West Region and #11 Nationally.

Concordia University enters Sunday's game (4:00) 1-1 after winning their opening game against Houston-Victoria 1-0 and then falling to Our Lady of the Lake(TX) 1-0.

THE GAME AGAINST CONCORDIA WILL BE PLAYED OFF CAMPUS.

ST. Stephens Episcopal School. 6500 Saint Stephens Dr. Austin, TX 78746

North of Austin (I-35):
1. Take I-35 South towards Austin
2. Take the TX-45-TOLL exit, EXIT 250B, toward TX-1-TOLL.
3. Take the TX-45-TOLL W exit toward TX-1-TOLL S.
4. Merge onto TX-45 TOLL W (Portions toll).
5. Take the TX-1-TOLL S exit.
6. Merge onto TX-1 LOOP S (Portions toll).
7. Take the exit toward TX-360-LOOP S/US-183 N.
8. Stay STRAIGHT to go onto N MO-PAC EXPY.
9. Turn RIGHT onto N CAPITAL OF TEXAS HWY.
10. Turn RIGHT onto WESTLAKE DR.
11. Turn RIGHT onto ROYAL APPROACH DR.
12. Turn LEFT onto BUNNY RUN.
13. 6500 SAINT STEPHENS DR.

Update

After the first three games of the season, it is important to updated where we stand moving forward.

All three games were hard fought and great learning experiences for the guys. U Dallas is a difficult place to play and always a hard working team...so to get the win there to open the season was a great start.

Then to play at UT-Dallas, again a difficult environment to play. The guys came to play that night and gave a great effort start to finish. They should a tremendous amount of heart to recover from two goals down (good goals on UTD's part, but defending errors on our part) to equalize and take the game to OT. Always tough to lose a game in that manner, but again one we will learn from.

Finally, our opening home game against a well coached Puget Sound team. They are a young team of considerable talent. They came to play and we matched that the entire game. We were playing with a depleted bench (injuries...) and our third match in 4 days. To, again, come back from a deficit speaks loads and was another great opportunity for our young guys to learn.

So now we stand at 1-1-1 heading into a tough couple of road games. Mary Hardin Baylor are currently in great form having just swept Southwestern and Trinity this past weekend. And then we play a revamped Concordia squad on Sunday who is with a new coach and new outlook. We are excited to get on the road and play.

Thanks to everyone's support.

FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER! www.twitter.com/acsoccer

AC 1 - Puget Sound 1

I will touch on this game tomorrow, but for now here is the write-up from AC...

Roo Men’s Soccer Battles to 1-1 Draw

SHERMAN, Texas – The Austin College men’s soccer team needed a late goal to force overtime for the second straight day and battled the University of Puget Sound to a 1-1 draw in double overtime. The ’Roos, who went to overtime last night at the University of Texas-Dallas, are now 1-1-1 on the year.

After playing a scoreless first half with each team managing only six shots, the intensity picked up in the second frame with Austin College getting multiple chances early on coming out of the break. However, it would be Puget Sound that would strike first when Carson Swope ripped a 40 yard shot into the lower right hand corner to make it a 1-0 game in the 65th minute.

The Loggers looked to have the victory in hand when Conrad Osborn played a ball to Sam Temple inside the six yard box and Temple was able to punch it past Puget Sound keeper Chris McDonald to knot things up at the 85:05 mark and force overtime.

Both teams had chances in the two overtime periods and the ’Roos had a chance to grab a dramatic victory in the final seconds, but Andy Johnson’s shot ricocheted off the post with less than 10 seconds remaining.

Grant Gosselin made 10 stops in the net for Austin College and McDonald finished with six saves between the pipes.

Austin College heads out on the road next weekend for a pair of games starting with a match with the University of Mary-Hardin Baylor on September 11 at 12:00 p.m.

AC 2 - UTD 3 OT

More on this game later, but a well fought game on both sides. Tough result. You can see the write-up from UTD's website here...

http://cometsports.utdallas.edu/news/2010/9/4/MSOC_0904104742.aspx?path=msoc

Hear Coach Hudson on SCAC Media Days

As part of the SCAC Media Days, Coach Hudson was interviewed by the SCAC Office on his thoughts of the upcoming season. Hear that interview here...

http://static.psbin.com/a/y/5adn2t35gejbv6/MarkHudson-ACMSOC.mp3

AC 2 - Univ. of Dallas 1

Well, the season got here in a hurry after what was a very productive preseason. The guys came in well conditioned and ready to go. We opened up the 2010 campaign with a road trip down the way to the University of Dallas. Always a tough opponent, we knew we would have our hands full as we got the season underway.

This years team is a veteran team that has high expectations as to what we are capable of. They expect to win...every match. This is a great mindset to have, but it can also be detrimental if we put too much pressure on ourselves. This was the case as we opened the first half of play very shaky. The desire was there, but the execution was not. Despite getting chances, we never really controlled the run of play. As very poor mistake and lack of communication led to us conceding the first goal of the season. With only two shots by UD in the first half, one of them being a goal, are not the odds we expect.

We regrouped at the break and came out with a bit more of a relaxed focus. It showed was things settled and we began to play our game more consistently. Just over 10 minutes into the second half, senior midfielder Jason Replogle(Denton, TX), let loose a canon from 20 yards out that the goalkeeper couldn't hold and fellow senor Jason Campbell (Kingston, Jamaica) finished for the first goal of the season.

A slight change in the system of play and the goal gave us the boost we needed. Just over two minutes from Jason's goal, junior forward Chris Melton (Sherman, TX) took a pass from Chris Stein (Allen, TX) at the top of the box, turned on his defender and hit a near post shot that the keeper never touched. 2-1 AC. A great finish from Chris who, despite missing the spring due to injury, has carried over his goal scoring ways from 2009.

The team would fight through some close chances by both sides, with Austin College's best chance to put the game away coming when freshman midfield Joey Alcocer(Galveston, TX) rocketed a one-time shot off the crossbar for what would have been his first career goal as a Roo. That goal will come soon.

The game would finish 2-1 and we would take away many things we can improve on, but we do it with a mark in the win column.

We now travel to play the University of Texas-Dallas on Saturday night with the game time set for 7:00pm. We then close out the weekend hosting the University of Puget Sound for our home opener on Sunday. Game time is set for 5:00pm.

More to come as things settle in for the season. Spread the word about the blog as well as the twitter feed. I hope to add many more followers for the season.

Go ROO's!

2010 Season...

Here we go.

The boys reported on August 18 with our first full session first thing Thursday morning. 31 total reported, with 6 newcomers in the group.

Nearly 3 full days in and things are settling in nicely.

The team faces youth club national power Andromeda Soccer Club's U-18 Academy team tomorrow afternoon here at Austin College. Game time is set for 5:00pm CST.

More to come...