Men’s Soccer 2005 Season Wrap-Up

The University of the Cumberlands (formerly Cumberland College) Men’s Soccer Team had a very successful season with a record of 14-5-0 with a record of 3-3 against Top 25 teams and 1-1 against Top 5 teams. The season looked very promising for the Patriots with a new coach, returning starters, and new additions to the team. Full of wins and heartbreaking losses the Patriots season ended short of their ultimate goal but plan to overcome all obstacles in 2006 to reach the NAIA National Tournament.

The men’s soccer team started the year defeating UNC-Pembroke and winning the Subway Classic at Lees McRae University. Pembroke was the #4 team in the nation that week in the NCAA Division II rankings. In terms of quality play there were two stellar performances when the team defeated #15 King College by a score of 4-0 and #17 Mid-Continent College 3-1.

The Patriots were awarded many honors at the Conference Tournament with three players on the First Team, five on the Second Team, two with Honorable Mention, and five with Academic Honors. The First Team players were senior goalkeeper Todd Petzold ( Owensboro, KY), junior defender Russell Stewart (Forestfield Scotland), and sophomore midfielder Bosko Cupac ( Somerset, KY). On the Second Team was junior forward Shawn Picou (Houma, LA), sophomore forward Gino Ray (Slidell, LA), Junior defender Ashleigh Townsend (Halifax, England), Senior defender Gerry Brennan (Dublin, Ireland), and freshman midfielder John Mills (Derby, England). Adding to the list with Honorable Mention was sophomore forward Chris Waters ( Grove City, OH) and midfielder Joe Townsend ( Halifax, England). Academic Honors went to senior goalkeeper Charlie Pait ( Louisville, KY), Petzold, junior defender Stephen Reddy ( Frisco, TX), senior midfielder Jonathan Strange ( Hendersonville, TN), and junior Tyler Sweeny ( Chesapeake, VA).

Coach Paulo Neto said, “Our biggest strength was our team unity. For different reasons we were unable to have the same starting line-up twice in a row this year, but the team always responded well maintaining a level of consistency that was the determinant to our success.”

This season, the men also had two players named MSC Player of the Week. Cupac was named player of the week for his performance against Georgetown College and King College. Picou was also named Player of the Week for the NAIA and MSC. Picou led the conference with 23 points and 10 goals overall.

“I am positive that we are going to be a much better team next year simply because 90% of our players are back and they will all be used to playing my style of the game. That coupled with the high caliber of players we are bringing to complete this group, certainly makes me look forward to next year. I think we finished the season with a very positive balance and with the confidence that our best years are still to come, said Neto.”

2004 Season Wrap-Up