University of Texas at Dallas Athletics

11.04.07
Comets Slip Past Ozarks In OT To Claim 2007 ASC Men's Soccer Championship
UTD To Face No. 1 Trinity In NCAA Opener Wednesday

CLARKSVILLE, AR - UT-Dallas junior forward Kevin White scored 3:16 into the first overtime period to give the Comets the 2007 American Southwest Conference Tournament Championship and send them to the NCAA Division III Tournament after a 2-1 overtime victory over the University of the Ozarks on Sunday afternoon.
White, who was named Tournament Most Valuable Player, slipped one past Ozarks (17-5-0) goalkeeper Brian Sarber in the first overtime to continue post-season play for the Comets (15-3-2). It was White’s 18th goal of the season.
UTD will meet undefeated Trinity University, the nation's No. 1 team, in the NCAA Tournament's opening round at 6 pm Wednesday in San Antonio. The two teams met earlier this season with Trinity posting a 5-0 victory over the Comets.
In the ASC title game, White was able to slip in from the left side of the goal after Bruno Alonso and launched an attack on the right side. The ball caromed toward White, who quickly redirected the ball past a diving Sarber.
The victory could be credited as equally to the Comet defense, which withstood over 70 minutes of offensive pressure from Ozarks, which came to life offensively after UTD took an early 1-0 lead off a Rory Rahn goal 21:49 in. Even playing a man down for the final 10 minutes of regulation after Dylan Evans picked up two yellow cards, Ozarks kept constant pressure on Comet goalkeeper Jake Brandon, who made seven saves and withstood numerous other rushes.
Ozarks' Matt Engelman hit a rocket shot from 20 yards out in the 83rd minute that forced UT-Dallas keeper Jake Brandon to make a diving stop. Engleman followed with another quality shot four minutes later that Brandon needed again to save. In the final eight minutes of the second half, the Eagles had four shots, three of which were on goal - but Brandon stopped them all.
UTD got on the board first just 21:49 into the game when Rahn almost assisted on his own shot. Rahn headed an Alonso corner kick toward the net that Sarber failed to wrap up. Rahn was able to follow his shot and then boot the rebound in to give UTD an early 1-0 lead. The Comets held a 1-0 lead until the 73rd minute when Ozarks forward Darren Clark beat Brandon in the open field. It was Clark’s 13th goal of the season and his eighth goal in the last seven matches. Brandon VanCleave received the assist.
Ozarks had had another apparent game-tying goal disallowed midway through the second half when officials ruled an Ozark attacker who beat Brandon one-on-one was offsides.
Ozarks finished the match with a 13-7 shots advantage, including a 7-4 edge in the second half.
Sarber ended the match with five saves.
In addition to White's MVP recognition, UTD's Rory Rahn, Coleman Cochran and Bruno Alonso were named to the All-Tournament team.

SEMIFINALS: UTD def. UT-TYLER IN SHOOTOUT, 3-2

CLARKSVILLE, AR - UTD freshman Mazi Rabiee converted on the sixth kick in a penalty kick shootout to give the Comets a 3-2 edge in the tiebreaker after UTD and UT-Tyler had struggled to a double-overtime 1-1 tie in a semifinal match at the American Southwest Conference Championship Tournament.
The second-seeded Comets (14-3-2 overall) and Patriots (11-7-0) had each scored twice in the first four attempts, but UTD's Jake Brandon made a stop on a Todd Burke attempt, the Rabiee slipped a shot past UTT goalie Geoff Sherman for the win.
The match had been a defensive struggle up until that point with Tyler scoring its only goal just 12 minutes in on a Michael Kendall penalty kick, then UTD avoiding the shutout when sophomore defender Coleman Cochran found the back of the net with less than six minutes left in regulation. Cochran used a one touch volley to score on a free kick pass from junior midfielder Bruno Alonso to tie the game at 1-1.
“We did well with our offensive attacks today,” said Peel. “Coleman (Cochran) is a central defender and he just got in at the right time. I was glad he got it and tied it up.”
The Comets recorded 17 total shots, including 13 on target and were awarded eight corner kicks. The Patriots posted 19 total shots, including nine on goal. UT Tyler received six corner kicks. Brandon recorded eight saves in net for the Comets while Sherman stopped UTD 11 times
“Jake (Brandon) is very athletic,” said Peel. “He had a great day today. He didn’t have to do too much during the course of the game, but he came up big in the shootout.” UT Dallas will take on the top seed, Ozarks, in the championship Sunday at 1:00 p.m. The winner of the ASC championship will receive an automatic berth in the NCAA Division III Men’s Soccer Championship.


11.07.07
No. 1 Trinity Too Much For ASC Champs
Undefeated Tigers Make Comets' Trip To NCAA Playoffs Short-Lived

SAN ANTONIO, TX - Just three days after winning the American Southwest Conference championship and automatic berth in the NCAA Division III national tournament, the 2007 season came to a screeching halt for the UTD men's soccer team.
Trinity University (19-0), which the Comets drew for their first-round opponent, remained undefeated and ranked at the top of two seperate national polls after posting a dominating 3-0 win over UTD Wednesday night.
The Comets ' season ends with a 14-4-3 overall record while Trinity moves on to host a regional tournament this weekend with hopes of winning its second national title in the last four seasons.
The Tigers left little doubt of the outcome of this match by scoring twice in the first 14:34 of the contest, then keeping the pressure on the Comets offensively the rest of the way. After giving up the two early goals, UTD was able to hold off an attack that included 30 shots (14 on goal). The Comet backline of senior Rory Rahn, Coleman Cochran, Nate Danko and others held up well under the pressure, but were constantly called upon to quash Trinity attacks.
Trinity finally broke through with a third goal 15 minutes into the second period. At that point, the Comets had been able to muster only four total shots and had not put a single shot on goal. UTD was able to mount a bit of a threat late as leading scorer Kevin White had a pair of chances to get the Comets on the board (and break UTD's alltime single season scoring record), but backup goalkeeper Patrick Johnson deflecting one shot away with a diving save and the other went wide to the left. The Comets ended with just six total shots.


>>2007 ASC ALL-CONFERENCE TEAM
White Named Offensive Player of Year
Rahn, Lindley Also Earn First-Team All-ASC Honors

RICHARDSON, TX - Junior forward Kevin White has been named the American Southwest Conference men's soccer Offensive Player of the Year as part of the ASC's All-Conference squad announced Tuesday.
White, a junior from Sugar Land, Texas, tied a school record with 18 goals in the season to lead UTD to a 14-3-3 record, an American Southwest Conference championship, and a berth in the NCAA Division III national playoffs. White led the team in points with 44 after adding 8 assists through the first 20 games.
White was one of three Comets who earned first-team All-ASC recognition. Joining him on the 17-member first-team squad were senior defender Rory Rahn from Katy, Texas and senior midfielder Zac Lindley from Owasso, Oklahoma. Rahn anchored a UTD defense that surrendered just 1.34 goals per game and finished the season with a goal and two assists. Lindley had four goals and two assists from the midfield.
In addition to UTD, the University of the Ozarks and Mississippi College each had three first-team selections.
The Comets also placed four other players on the all-conference teams. Junior midfielder Bruno Alonso and freshman midefielder Mazi Rabiee were third-team selections. Sophmore goalkeeper Jake Brandon and junior forward Mihai Cotet received honorable mention recognition.


12.17.07
White First-Team NSCAA All-Region
ASC Champs Have Three On All-South Central Region Team

RICHARDSON, TX - UTD junior forward Kevin White, who tied a school record with 18 goals in helping lead the Comets to the 2007 American Southwest Conference champinship, has been named a first-team selection to the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) All-South Central All-Region team.
White, a junior from Sugar Land (Dulles HS), was one of three first-team forwards selected from teams in the region.
Senior defender/midfielder Zac Lindley was an All-Region second-team selection. The senior from Owasso, Oklahoma was also recognized last year.
Midfielder Bruno Alonso, a first-year junior transfer from Mendoza, Argentina, was selected on the third-team squad.


10.27.07
Comets Clinch XXXXXX At ASC Tourney
White Moves Up To Second On Season Scoring Record List

MARSHALL/LONGVIEW, TX - The UTD men's soccer team finished up the 2007 regular season with a flurry, winning a pair of important games at East Texas Baptist and LeTourneau to finish just one point out of first place in the regular season American Southwest Conference race.
Junior Kevin White scored both goals in Friday's 2-1 win over ETBU, then added another goal along with an assist in a 3-2 win over LeTourneau Saturday. The three goals now move White to within a single goal of UTD's alltime single season record with 17 goals.
More importantly, UTD (now 13-3-2, 10-1-2) advances to the ASC Championship Tournament in Clarksville, Arkansas for the sixth consecutive season as the No. 2 seed and earns a bye into the tournament semifinals. The Comets will face the winner of a Friday match between the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor and UT-Tyler at 2 pm Saturday. The Comets last won the ASC Tournament in 2004, and have been eliminated in the quarterfinal round the last two seasons.
UTD 2, ETBU 1
The Comets needed to win to keep pace in the tight ASC race going into the final weekend and got just what they needed. White scored the first goal of the match three minutes into the second half, then got the game-winner at the 69:00 mark after ETBU had tied up the game. The loss put ETBU in a "must-win" situation heading into the Tigers' Saturday match with conference-leading Ozarks. ETBU needed to win one of its final two matches to clinch a post-season playoff berth.
UTD 3, LeTOURNEAU 2
UTD got the win it needed at LETU, but missed out on a regular season championship when Ozarks defeated East Texas Baptist, 2-0. The Comets had to work for the win, as well, rallying from a pair of early deficits to tie, then winning on Miguel Garcia's second goal of the game at the 60:58 mark. Garcia got UTD's first goal on a penalty kick at 13:34 after LETU had taken an early 1-0 lead. After the YellowJackets scored again, White got his third goal in two days to tie the score at 51:35, then set up Mihai Cotet and Garcia for a header ricochet that won the game.


10.21.07
UTD Wraps Up Playoff Berth, Just One
Point Out of First In ASC Race
Comets Put Together Impressive Wins Over TLU, Schreiner

RICHARDSON, TX - The UTD men's soccer team insured itself of a sixth straight post-season appearance and improved to 11-3-2 overall and 8-1-2 in the American Southwest Conference race with one-sided wins over Texas Lutheran University and Schreiner University.
The 4-1 win over TLU and 6-0 blanking of Schreiner clinched the playoff spot and moved the Comets to within a point of first-place University of the Ozarks with just two regular season games left. UTD and Ozarks both travel to East Texas Baptist and LeTourneau next weekend with a chance to host the annual ASC Championship Tournament. A first or second place finish earns the team a first-round bye in the tournament.
Mississippi College, which had been the conference front-runner, was upset Saturday by Mary Hardin-Baylor and slipped back into a tie for third place.
Kevin White and Cory Roth each had a score and an assist in both weekend wins.
UTD 4, TX. LUTHERAN 1
UTD jumped on the Bulldogs quickly Friday, scoring just 5:27 into the game when Kevin White found Zac Lindley on a hard cross in front of the net. White then scored the fourth goal for the Comets just 17 minutes into the second period to cap the scoring run that included goals by Mihai Cotet and Cory Roth. Roth assisted on on White's goal.
TLU, which was outshot 9-2 with shots on goal, finally put the ball in the net late in the game when a corner kick header from Morgan Parker slipped through Jake Brandon's hands. Brandon had just two save opportunities the entire game.
UTD 6, SCHREINER 0
The nightmare season continued for Schreiner (2-12-1, 1-10-1), last year's ASC regular season champions, as UTD broke open a tight game in the second half with three goals in a 4:55 span. White, who had scored the game's second goal on a penalty kick, found Mazi Rabiee to make it 3-0 at the 61:08 mark, then Roth scored twice within :45 seconds to put the game out of reach. Freshman Austin Estrada got UTD's final goal with just :27 left in the match.
The two teams were fairly even on shots in the first half, but UTD ran out to a 19-4 advantage after halftime, emptying the benches for both teams.
10.09.07
White Named Player of the Week Twice
Record-Setting Performance Earns Back-To-Back Awards For Comet
RICHARDSON, TX - UTD junior forward Kevin White has been named the winner of the American Southwest Conference Soccer Offensive Player of the Week award for the second consecutive week.
White, a junior from Sugar Land Dulles HS, scored three timely goals and had an assist as the Comets tied Hardin-Simmons and defeated McMurry in ASC play two weeks, then followed that up with a four-goal performance this last weekend.
White had an assist, then scored the game-tying goal in an eventual 3-3 tie with HSU on Oct. 4, then scored both UTD goals - including the game-winner in overtime - in a 2-1 win over McMurry the following Saturday.
This past weekend, White sparked a UTD rally with four goals in an 11-minute span during the second half of a 6-1 win over Howard Payne. The Comets had trailed HPU, 1-0, at the half, but erupted for six second-half goals. White's four goals in a game tied both a school and ASC single-game record.


10.13.07
Comets Move Up Standings With Wins
White Ties School Record With Four Goals Against Howard Payne

RICHARDSON, TX - Junior Kevin White tied a UTD and American Southwest Conference record Friday with four goals in UTD's 6-1 win over Howard Payne. The Comets then won an even more important game Saturday, blanking the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, 1-0, behind a Zac Lindley goal.
The Comets, who improved to 9-3-2 overall and 6-1-2 in conference, are now within two points of the lead in the ASC standings - just two points behind first-place Mississippi College and one point behind the University of the Ozarks. The top team in the regular season standings gets to host the post-season ASC Championship Tournament while the top two teams earn first-round byes in the tournament.
White, a junior from Sugar Land, TX, tied three other Comets on the all-time record list with his four goals against HPU. Ironically, the Comets were trailing HPU, 1-0, at halftime, but erupted for six goals in the second half. White tied the game just 7:22 into the second period, then scored his next three goals in an 11-minute span to blow the game open. Zac Lindley added an unassisted goal and Shane Browning scored off a Justin Bailey assist.
Lindley got the only goal the Comets would need Saturday in their showdown with UMHB, which was ahead of UTD in the standings going in and was coming off a 1-0 win over Ozarks on Friday. Lindley took a feed from Justin Bailey for the score at the 63:00 mark after the two teams had played to a scoreless tie in the first half. GK Jake Brandon made five saves and survived five UMHB corner kicks.


10.06.07
Comets Rally To Tie Up Hardin-Simmons
Second Overtime Tie in Last Week Hurting UTD in Points Standings

RICHARDSON, TX - For the second time in the last week, the UTD men's soccer team had to rally from behind to settle for a double-overtime, 3-3 tie in American Southwest Conference action, then had to go to overtime again Saturday to hand McMurry a 2-1 defeat.
UTD got the game-tying goal against Hardin-Simmons from Kevin White who also had both goals in the McMurry win. The four-point weekend leaves UTD with a 7-3-2, 4-1-2 record and 14 points in the ASC standings. The Comets are currently tied for one of the last two qualifying spots in the ASC post-season tournament with six games still to play. Mississippi College leads the ASC with 19 points and a 6-0-1 record (UTD is responsible for the only blemish on the Choctaws' record).

UTD 3, HARDIN-SIMMONS 3 (2 OT)

The Comets trailed Hardin-Simmons, one of the conference's leading teams, three times Thursday night, rallying to tie the game each time, but could not get the game winner, despite dominating possession in two overtime periods.
Down 1-0 early, the Comets tied the game up when Mihai Cotet fed White . UTD trailed 2-1 at the half, but Mazi Rabiee scored just 1:39 into the second period on a Bruno Alonso assist. After HSU had recaptured the lead, the Comets tied the score at 3-3 when White found Cotet for a header at the 66:56 mark. Neither team could convert in the remaining regulation time and UTD missed a pair of prime scoring opportunities in overtime with shots that sailed high.

UTD 2, McMURRY 1 (OT)

The Comets were forced into overtime again when McMurry tied up the match at 1-1 with just 1:44 left in regulation. White, who had given the Comets a 1-0 lead with a goal just 12:39 in off a Mazi Rabiee assist, picked up the game winner 6:38 into overtime when he and Mihai Cotet escaped on a 2-on-1 assault. McMurry goalkeeper Jesper Sehested came forward to try to block White's shot from the top of the box, but it dribbled past him and rolled slowly into the net.
UTD had dominated the match in the first half, but had to withstand a full assault from McMurry in the second period as McM ended up outshooting the Comets, 14-11.


09.29.07
Comets Refuse To Lose; Tie Up Mississippi
UTD Rallies Twice, Then Holds On To Avoid Second Conference Loss

CLINTON, MS - Facing the prospect of second straight American Southwest Conference loss, the UTD men's soccer team got a game-tying goal from Mazi Rabiee with just over a minute left in regulation Thursday and held on for a 2-2 double-overtime tie with conference leader Mississippi College.
UTD, which improved to 6-3-1, 3-1-1, then rallied again Saturday to move past Louisiana College, 5-2. The points earned kept UTD in contention for a post-season berth at the halfway point of the conference race.

UTD 2, MISSSISSIPPI COLLEGE 2 (2OT)

The Comets, playing shorthanded with two players serving one-game suspensions for red card infractions last weekend, twice found themselves down before rallying to tie the game. Trailing 1-0 at halftime, Kevin White got an unassisted goal just three minutes into the second half. Then after MC took the lead at the 65:19 mark, Rabiee got the dramatic game-tying goal with just 1:38 left on the clock on an assist from Miguel Garcia. UTD then had to survive a 10-2 shot advantage from the Choctaws in overtime as Jake Brandon made four saves. MC outshot the Comets for the match, 27-17.

UTD 5, LOUISIANA COLLEGE 2

UTD, with a day's rest, took control of a game that looked like it might be a shootout early by scoring the final three goals in a 5-2 game. Five difference Comets scored while Rabiee assisted on UTD's final two goals. Down 1-0 early, Mihai Cotet tied the game off a penalty kick; then Zac Lindley got an unassisted goal to again tie the game at 2-2 at the 32:13 mark. Then, just before the half, Shane Browning took a Kevin White feed and gave UTD the 3-2 lead it would not surrender. Kevin White and Justin Bailey scored off Rabiee assists in the second half to finish out the scoring. UTD outshot LC, 22-6, and GK Jake Brandon was forced to make just one second-half save.


09.22.07
Battle For #1 Turns Into Frustrating Day
Comets Lose Game, Two Players In 2-1 Loss To Ozarks.

RICHARDSON, TX - The UTD men's soccer team missed an opportunity to stay among the leaders in the American Southwest Conference race Saturday when tempers flared and referee cards flashed in a 2-1 loss to the University of the Ozarks.
The Comets (5-3, 2-1) scored their only goal of the game just 1:42 in when Kevin White took a nudge from Rory Rahn off a Bruno Alonso corner kick and gave UTD a 1-0 lead. But before the first half ended, the Comets lost their first of two players to red card ejections and had to adjust to a more defensive scheme playing two men down the rest of the match.
Ozarks, which improved to 8-1 overall, 2-0 in conference with the win, tied the game up six minutes into the second half, then got the game winner at the 73:43 mark. Even down two, the Comets had a couple of good second half scoring opportunities, but Ozarks GK Brian Sarber kept the ball out of net.
Physical play resulted in 25 fouls between the two teams and a total of six cards - two reds and four yellows. Conference rules mandate that players ejected with red cards must also sit out the next game, which will be an ASC road matchup with 5-1, 4-0 Mississippi College Thursday.


09.18.07
Comets Rally For Fourth Straight Win
UTD Handles Winless Austin College, 3-2

SHERMAN, TX - The UTD men's soccer team rallied from behind three times Tuedsay afternoon, finally shaking off winless Austin College, 3-2, in a non-conference soccer match.
Bruno Alonso scored the game winner for the Comets off the foot of Mihia Cotet at the 76:20 mark after Justin Bailey had tied the game up for the second time at 63:00 on a header following a cross from Kevin White.
White rallied the Comets from an early 1-0 deficit with an unassisted goal at the 14:59 mark of the first period. AC regained the lead just before halftime on a 40-yard shot that was just out of the reach of goalkeeper Jake Brandon. Brandon was credited with three saves while the Comets delivered six shots on goal. The Comets outshot AC, 23-16.


09.16.07
Comets Roll Out To 2-0 Start in ASC Race
Mihai Cotet Scores Four Goals As UTD Knocks Off Concordia, UT-Tyler

RICHARDSON, TX - The UTD men's soccer team opened American Southwest Conference play with a dramatic overtime win over Concordia Friday, followed by an impressive 2-0 win over pre-season favorite UT-Tyler Sunday.
The Comets (4-2-0, 2-0-0) are one of four ASC teams still undefeated after the conference's opening weekend.
It was a big weekend for junior transfer Mihai Cotet . The former University of Bucharest player from Romania scored a pair of timely goals in the 3-2 overtime win over Concordia; then both UTD goals in the 2-0 win over Tyler.
UTD 3, CONCORDIA 2 (OT)
Cotet scored a pair of timely goals, including the game winner 5:48 into the first overtime period. He had previously given the Comets a 2-1 lead with 2:05 remaining in regulation on a head-over-heels bicycle kick only to see Concordia tie the game with 44 seconds left.
The Tornados (2-3-0, 0-2-0) had been outshot, 26-8, throughout the night, but got a pair of goals off free kicks following UTD fouls deep in their own territory. Justin Bailey gave UTD a 1-0 first-half lead, but CTX scored 30 minutes into the second half to tie the score.
UTD 2, UT-TYLER 0
Cotet gave the Comets the only goal they would need with a shot off a Miguel Garcia corner kick just 3:12 into the match, then added an insurance goal 19 minutes later on an serve from Jarrod Payne. The 2-0 first-half lead was tenuous, however, at the Patriots came out gunning in the second half - outshooting the Comets 17-7. UTD keeper Jake Brandon made 11 saves, seven in the second period.


09.08.07
Comets Split Home Opening Weekend
UTD Blanked By #1 Team; But Then Hand Southwestern First Loss

RICHARDSON, TX - The UTD men's soccer team has found a simple formula for 2007 - score and win. The Comets evened their early season record at 2-2 this weekend by splitting games with the nation's top-ranked Division III team Trinity University and previously unbeaten Southwestern.
The Comets were shut out 5-0 by Trinity Friday night for their second shutout loss of the season. But UTC bounced back Saturday, handing unbeaten Southwestern its first loss of the season in a 1-0 nailbiter.

TRINITY 5, UTD 0

The Comets didn't have an answer for the #1-ranked Tigers in their home opener, giving up a 23-9 shot advantage and forcing Trinity netminder David Steinberg to make just two saves. Trinity dominated the first half to take a 2-0 advantage, then overpowered UTD after halftime for three more goals.

UTD 1, SOUTHWESTERN 0

A hobbled UTD lineup took it to the previously-unbeaten Pirates defensively Saturday as goalie Jake Brandon pitched a nine-save shutout. UTD got off just nine shots and only two on goal, but Kevin White streaked in front of the Southwestern net and redirected a Jarrod Payne serve for the only goal the Comets would need just 2:58 into the second period. UTD has now scored in just two of their first four games this season - but both went for victories.


09.02.07
Comets Rebound To Split Colorado Trip
UTD Drops Opener To Augsburg, But Bounces Back To Shut Out Hosts

COLORADO SPRINGS, CO - The UTD men's soccer team rebounded from an opening day loss to Augsburg College (MN) by putting together a nice 2-0 win over the host Colorado College team in a season-opening weekend tournament.

AUGSBURG (MN) 2, UTD 0

The Comets played well in their opener, but could not find the net as Augsburg (MN) stopped UTD for a 2-0 win. The Comets had 15 shots, but only four on goal as Augsburg goalkeeper Matt Carlson kept UTD at bay. UTD enjoyed an 8-2 advantage in corner kicks, but failed to convert. Sophomore GK Jake Brandon, starting his first game for the Comets this season, made five saves, but was charged with the loss.

UTD 2, COLORADO COLLEGE 0

Transfer Bruno Alonso scored the only goal UTD would need as the Comets made the most of their limited offensive opportunities to defeat Colorado College, 2-0. The junior forward from Mendoza, Argentina (Richland College) took a no-look drop pass from Mihai Cotet and beat Tiger goalkeeper Dave Khuen with a rolling shot that found the net in just inside the right post. The Comets added an insurance goal in the 57th minute when Justin Bailey outraced Khuen to an errant pass and chipped the ball in from 40 yards out. Colorado College (1-1) had a decisive 20-11 advantage in shots and a 7-1 edge in corner kicks, but was unable to solve UTD keeper Jake Brandon, who finished with seven saves.



2007 SEASON PREVIEW
Young Comets Hope To Carry On Tradition
UTD Faces Even Tougher Challenge With Improved ASC Competition

RICHARDSON, TX -University of Texas at Dallas coach Jack Peel knows the 2007 American Southwest Conference men’s soccer race is going to be wide open. “There are just so many good teams in our conference now,” says the Comets’ 10th-year coach. “Our goal at the end of the season is just to be one of them.”
The Comets, who were 12-6-1 last season, have not missed an ASC post-season Championship Tournament in the past five years and won the league title in 2004. Getting back there in 2007, though, is not going to be easy.
“We have a very young team. Lots of freshmen and sophomores,” says Peel, who is understandably cautious about predictions. “But there are some good ones in there. Even though we’re a younger team this year, I think we are more athletic. It will be a matter of the young guys adjusting to the college game, and seeing what we can do.”
The Comets return just three seniors who were part of UTD’s last championship run, and some of them may be moved around the field this season to try to fill new roles.
All-regional defender Zac Lindley from Owasso, Oklahoma, is, “our most athletic and dynamic player,” Peel says. He will be moving from the back line to midfield, “in order to keep him more involved in our attack.”
Solid Rory Rahn from Katy (middle) is also being looked at to shift from his familiar midfield spot to direct traffic on defense. Midfielder Landon Melcher (right) from Houston has played 53 games in a Comet uniform entering this season.
The Comets also return a pair of juniors who have plenty of playing experience – defender Chris DeLaRosa of Garland and forward Kevin White from Sugar Land . “We need Kevin to step up offensively and have a big year,” Peel says of the forward who scored three goals last season.
Peel’s 2007 roster may have a lot of new faces, but they are not inexperienced. As many as nine transfers could make the squad, led by midfielders Bruno Alonso from Argentina and Miguel Garcia of El Paso, who both won a national junior college championship at Richland College.
Add to that mix a group of 10 returning sophomores (who combined for 14 goals last season) and a nice class of freshmen recruits, and the Comets could have the ingredients for another successful season.
“We may not have that one ‘go-to’ guy out there, at least not right out of the gate,” Peel says. “But we should have the potential to score from a lot of positions. I think our defense will be solid. The biggest question will be who will step forward.”
That is especially the situation at the goalkeeper position, which was left open when former all-conference keeper Kevin Atnip elected to concentrate on academics in his senior year. Sophomores Jake Brandon of Arlington and Dustin Larson of Round Rock are battling with Richardson native and St. Edwards University transfer Kevin Connor for the starting spot.
“Early on, we’re going to have an opportunity for a lot of different people to play,” explains Peel. “We’ll see how it all fits together, and by midseason, we’ll know who are best players are. Our goal every year is to win a conference championship. But with all the young talent we have this season, we’re also focused on developing a team that could be very good both now and in the future.”
The Comets open the 2007 season on the road in Colorado where they will meet Colorado College and Augsburg College of Minnesota. UTD will play its first home games on Sept. 7-8 against nationally-ranked Trinity University and Southwestern University.