August 24, 2000
By Student Assistant Brandon Kieper
Men's Soccer Readies For First Regular Season Action
FIRST TOURNAMENT: Truman stays in-state for its first contests of the 2000 season, as the Bulldogs head down to St. Louis this weekend to take part in the University of Missouri-St. Louis Classic. Truman will take on Northern Kentucky University at 5:30 p.m. on Friday and then clash with the host Rivermen at 1:30 p.m. on Sunday.
RANKINGS: The success of the last few seasons leaves the 'Dogs entrenched in the National Soccer Coaches Association of America/Adidas preseason Top 25. The 'Dogs begin 2000 ranked No. 12 in Division II.
SERIES INFO: The Bulldogs defeated each of their weekend opponents on the home pitch last season, leaving the all-time marks at 4-1-1 against the Norse and 8-12-4 against the Rivermen.
TEAM OUTLOOK: Truman enters the 2000 season seeking a return to the NCAA Division II national tournament. The 'Dogs missed the postseason by the narrowest of margins last year when they fell in overtime to Indiana University/Purdue University-Fort Wayne in the regional final. Head coach Alf Bilbao must replace six key contributors from that squad, but don't shed any tears for the head 'Dog as the 2000 squad will feature four returning all-region selections, including third-team all-America forward Matt Byers (Moville, Iowa/Woodbury Central), who shattered team records for points (54), goals (22) and shots (71) last season.
Byers is joined up front by fellow sniper Ryan Swan (Perth, Scotland/Kemper Military J.C.), a first-team all-Midwest selection following his 14-goal effort in '99. The Byers-Swan combination netted just over 50 percent of the Bulldogs' goals last year.
Experience and talent are not limited to the strikers, as captain Heine Andersen (Helsingor, Denmark) returns to man the middle in his senior campaign. Midfield looks to be the Bulldogs' deepest position, as Jeremy Jackson (Peoria, Ill./Notre Dame North), Matt Gross (Ballwin, Mo./Lafayette), Justin Shew (Webster Groves, Mo./Webster Groves) and Nick Garner (St. Louis/Desmet) return and freshman Brett Coppage (Kansas City, Mo./Rockhurst) is expected to make an immediate impact.
Another first-team all-Midwest selection, sweeper Mike Enright (Bettendorf, Iowa/Bettendorf), returns to anchor the Bulldog defense. Bilbao will have to find someone to replace Chris Rahe (O'Fallon, Mo./St. Dominic), who suffered a torn miniscus during training and won't be ready until at least a month into the season. Returning backs Jake Sirna (Kansas City, Mo./North Kansas City), Mike Zung (Rolla, Mo./Rolla) and Dave Salvatierra (Oklahoma City, Okla./Putnam) should see the majority of playing time.
The two-headed goalkeeping monster of David Wiebenga (Raytown, Mo./Raytown South) and TJ Dube (Columbia, Mo./Hickman) returns as the last line of defense. The pair split time in '99 and allowed only 17 goals in 20 contests.