COLUMBUS, Ohio – Ohio Dominican’s men’s soccer team kicks off the 2011 campaign at 7 p.m. this Friday as they welcome the Indianapolis Greyhounds to Panther Field for both teams’ regular season openers.
About the Panthers:
ODU, the GLIAC regular season and tournament runner-up from a season ago, look to avoid the sophomore slump as the Panthers gear up for their second year at the Division II level. Fourth-year head coach and GLIAC Coach of the Year Willy Merrick ran his career record with to 30-18-7 after guiding the Panthers to a 13-5-2 overall record, including 9-2-1 mark in conference play and an impressive 8-2-1 road record, highlighted by a 2-1 overtime victory at No. 4 Charleston (W. Va.)
Offensively, ODU returns four of their top five point getters from last year, including senior forward Felix Darko, a 2010 First Team All-GLIAC and NSCAA/Performance Subaru All-Midwest Region honoree. Darko paced the Panthers in goals (8), assists (6), points (22), shots on goal (24) and game-winning goals (4), finishing tied for third in the conference in both goals and points. Other key returners include junior midfielders Justin Wheeler (3 goals, 3 assists, 45 shots, 22 SOG) and Andrew Edler (3 goals, 3 assists, 32 shots, 13 SOG), as well as sophomore defender/midfielder Duncan Campbell (4 goals, 2 assists, .556 SOG%, 2 GW).
Overall, the Panthers return six starters and 14 letterwinners from 2010 and welcome in nine newcomers, including eight freshmen and transfer Colby Catlett, a midfielder/forward from Cincinnati.
About the Greyhounds:
UIndy returns nine starters and 17 letterwinners from last year’s squad that went 10-8-0 overall, 8-6-0 in the Great Lakes Valley Conference and advanced to its first ever GLVC Championship, before falling to No. 5 and eventual national champion, Northern Kentucky. The Greyhounds return 92 percent of their scoring, including top goal scorers Max Marsh (7 goals, 1 assist, 15 points, 17 SOG), an All-Midwest Region First Teamer, and Bobby Adkins (5 goals, 7 assists, 17 points, 25 SOG).
