2006 Men's Soccer Season Review

Sophomore scoring leads Simpson

- (11/2/2006)

    The continual improvement of the Simpson University men's soccer team was sparked by a trio of sophomores this season.

    The three second-year players accounted for 23 of the team's 32 goals on the year.  Led by Gary Weaver, who netted 15 goals in 16 games played.  In just two years, the forward and midfielder has an incredible 29 goals scored.  He also added four assists playing more in the midfield.

     After a solid three goal, five assists freshman campaign, Seng Ta Saechao came on strong in 2006.  In 17 games, Saechao found the net six times to go with an assist.  Wyoming native Erly Cornejo anchored the Red Hawk defense as a co-captain.  After taking the 2005 season off, Cornejo was a major reason that Simpson gave up just over two goals a game despite an upgraded schedule.  Cornejo also netted a pair of goals late in the season, including the game-winner at Pacific Union.

    The scoring run created by the trio of Sophomores, along with the leadership of solid veterans is the reason that the Red Hawks were able to continue moving in the right direction.

    As Head Coach Lee McKenzie looked ahead to this season, he set out several goals for the 2006 squad.  One of those was to play well at the NCCAA DI West Regional in September.  A 2-1 win over last year’s region champion Hope International was a sure-fire sign of a goal accomplished.  Although the match up with The Master's did not go as well, the Red Hawks showed both the NCCAA and the powerful Golden State Athletic Conference that they were closing the gap.

     Another goal for McKenzie's Red Hawks was to perform well and make a run at a conference title.  Just two year's ago it would have been unheard of for the Red Hawks to have a chance against the elite in Holy Names, Menlo, and Dominican.  The Red Hawks announced to the conference that times had changed when they struggled early, but fought back in a narrow 3-2 loss to Menlo.  A win would have given Simpson its first third place or higher finish in the conference.

    Despite setbacks against Dominican and Holy Names, the Red Hawks finished strong with a 10-7 (4-3 in Cal Pac) record.  They moved up a slot in the standings from fifth to fourth and found themselves a win away from a NCCAA DI National Championship appearance.

    In McKenzie's fifth season, Simpson has improved each year since his first.  It is obvious that the 2006 edition has met some goals and in the process earned some respect.  McKenzie and the Red Hawks will have to quickly move on and begin working for next year, when they again look to make the next step.