CU in 2010

Could Carroll's men's soccer program be in for hard times? You might think so if you look at the recent graduates

2008 -

Dona Lado - Three time all conference, school leader in assists
Derek Marie - Four year starter, two year all region, four time all conference
Nate Lembke-Windler - Four year starter, two years all conference
Alex Goranson - Four year starter two year all conference
Bram Dahlemans - Two year starter, played on the best defense in school history
2009 -

Stanislaw Miaskowski - Two year starter, academic All-American, gave up the fewest amount of goals in a single season
Andy Prentice - Three year starter, 2 year all conference, 2009 player of the year
Craig Carlson - Three year starter, three time all conference, 2008 player of the year, two time all region

How do these players get replaced? If you are a fan of the Midwest Conference you have to assume other teams are licking their chops in hopes of getting a shot to supplant the regular season champions. Teams like Grinnell and Beloit already know they can play with and beat Carroll, taking away a lot of the mistique around the squad.

If the Pioneers have one thing going for them, it's that they haven't always won with the best talent. After a dissapointing 2003 season, in which they were picked to win conference in a land slide but ended up missing the tournament entirely, the 2004 team was supposed to be a part of a rebuilding process. As it turns out, the 2004 team gave up the fewest conference goals in a season (until 2008) on their way to a conference crown.

It will be interesting to see how the 2010 squad responds with their youth and largely unknown talent but if I had to guess; the Pioneers will be in the race until the end.

Let's all hope for a great season and no injuries. Good luck to the Midwest Conference.

Ollie Octagon wrote:The link doesn't show the blog. So I did a little research, Iowa style. The blog is set up here.

I have to say though, it is moderately difficult to navigate with a drop down menu coming down where you actually want someone to click. I figured it out because of pure brain power but with a bunch of Carroll students and graduate lurking; I just don't know if they would be able to handle this.