2009 Season Review
The motto for the 2009 season was “Keep Moving Forward.” Head Coach Jeff Pill was pleased with the momentum at the end of the 2008 season in which the Crusaders won 11 games and hoped the team would carry that momentum into the 2009 season. However, the continued improvement did not translate into more victories. The Crusaders finished the 2009 season with a 5-11-1 record, and a 2-9 record in the Northern Athletics Conference.
Although the men’s soccer team did not improve in record, Coach Pill believes that the men’s soccer program is continuing to improve. “We have definitely moved forward in all aspects except for our record,” Coach Pill said. “We played a better style of soccer, our players had a better understanding of our style of play, and we were deeper as far as talent is concerned.”
“It was frustrating that the results didn’t come,” Coach Pill said. “But the players are still focusing on the process which is a healthy indicator of the long-term stability and health of the program.”
Coach Pill is also pleased with the addition of a junior varsity program. “This JV program is going to be really good for the future with the development of players,” Coach Pill said. “This year we saw players from the 2008 reserve program contribute on the varsity. We are looking forward to seeing if some of the effort that the JV players put into their season this year will continue over into a full varsity season next year.”
The men’s team will no longer have the services of graduating seniors Brett Hollenbeck, Chris Jochum, Jarid Lawson, and Ezekiel Leeds. Coach Pill says their leadership will be missed next season. “I really appreciated their determination, effort, and leadership the last 2 years,” Coach Pill said. “They all made great leadership contributions.”
The Crusaders will retain a solid core of contributors for the 2010 season. “I think there is a good core coming back,” Coach Pill said. “We had some solid contributions from first-year players this year, and we have some good returning upperclassmen.”
With the look towards next season, the missions trip in May cannot be overlooked. Coach Pill, JV Coach Andrew Solarek, and 12 players will be traveling to Zambia on a missions trip. The team will be helping a team of missionaries ministering in Kitwe, Zambia that includes the Hafler family, the Hunt family, and Tori Barrett. The players will have an opportunity to serve and aid the Bible college, orphanage, school, and church in Kitwe.
“Missions trips change lives,” Coach Pill said. “I am looking forward to the influence we can have while we are there and to the impact the trip can have on these young men’s lives.”
Crusaders Lose to the Pioneers in the Regional Semifinals
Maranatha 1, Northland International 1
Northland 2, Maranatha 1 Penalty Kicks
October 31, 2009
CHICAGO – The Maranatha Crusader men’s soccer team was defeated by the Pioneers of Northland International University on Saturday afternoon in penalty kicks. The Crusaders end their season with a 5-12 record. Full Story
Crusaders Fall to the Sabres
Maranatha 0, Marian 3
October 27, 2009
Box Score
WATERTOWN, Wis. – The Maranatha Crusader men’s soccer team was defeated by the Sabres of Marian University 3-0 in a Northern Athletics Conference game on Tuesday afternoon. The Crusaders’ final conference record is 2-9. More
Crusaders Outlast the Cougars in Overtime
Maranatha 2, Concordia-Chicago 1 2OT
October 23, 2009
Box Score
RIVER FOREST, Ill. – The Maranatha Crusader men’s soccer team defeated the Concordia-Chicago Cougars 2-1 in the second overtime period in a Northern Athletics Conference game on Thursday afternoon. The Crusaders improve their conference record to 2-8. Full Story
Crusaders Are Shutout by the Eagles
Maranatha 0, Edgewood 3
October 22, 2009
Box Score
WATERTOWN, Wis. – The Maranatha Crusader men’s soccer team fell 3-0 to the Eagles of Edgewood College in a Northern Athletics Conference game on Thursday afternoon. The Crusaders fall to 1-8 in conference play while the Eagles improve to 8-2. More
Crusaders Lose to the Eagles
Maranatha 1, Benedictine 3
October 17, 2009
LISLE, Ill. – The Maranatha Crusader men’s soccer team lost on the road 3-1 to the Eagles of Benedictine University in a Northern Athletics Conference game on Saturday afternoon. The Crusaders fall to 1-7 in conference play while the Eagles improve to 2-6. More
Crusaders Lose in Overtime to the Pioneers
Maranatha 1, Northland International 2
October 15, 2009
Box Score
DUNBAR, Wis. – The Maranatha Crusaders lost 2-1 in overtime to the Pioneers of Northland International University in an NCCAA Midwest Regional match on Thursday evening. The Crusaders fall to 4-8, 3-1 in regional play. The Pioneers are now 8-5-1 and 3-1 in regional play. Full Story
Crusaders Fall to the Falcons
Maranatha 0, Concordia (Wis.) 4
October 13, 2009
Box Score
MEQUON, Wis. – The Crusaders were shut out 4-0 by the Falcons of Concordia University in a Northern Athletics Conference game on Tuesday night. The Crusaders fall to 4-7, 1-6 in the conference. The Falcons improved to 10-3-2, 6-1 in conference play. More
Crusaders Are Blanked by the Spartans
Maranatha 0, Aurora 2
October 9, 2009
Box Score
AURORA, Ill. – The Crusaders lost to the Spartans of Aurora University 2-0 in a Northern Athletics Conference game on a cold and rainy Friday afternoon in Illinois. More
Crusaders Fall to the Muskies in Overtime
Maranatha 1, Lakeland 2 OT
October 8, 2009
Box Score
WATERTOWN, Wis. – The Maranatha Crusader men’s soccer team lost an overtime thriller to the Muskies of Lakeland College 2-1 in a Northern Athletics Conference game on Tuesday afternoon. The Crusaders fall to 1-4 in conference play while the Muskies improve to 4-2. Full Story
Crusaders Crush the Red Lions
Maranatha 14, Lincoln Christian 0
October 3, 2009
Box Score
LINCOLN, Ill. — The Maranatha Crusaders defeated the Red Lions of Lincoln Christian University 14-0 in an NCCAA Midwest Regional game on Saturday. The Crusaders improve to 3-0 in the region with their next regional match coming against rival Northland International on Thursday, Oct. 15. Full Story
Crusaders Fall to the Raiders
Maranatha 1, MSOE 3
September 29, 2009
Box Score
WATERTOWN, Wis. – The Maranatha Crusader men’s soccer team lost 3-1 to the Raiders of MSOE in a Northern Athletics Conference game on Tuesday afternoon. The Crusaders fall to 1-3 in conference play. Full Story
Crusaders Dominate the Tigers
Maranatha 8, Grace Bible 0
September 25, 2009
Box Score
WATERTOWN, Wis. – The Maranatha Crusader men’s soccer team defeated the Tigers of Grace Bible College (Mich.) 8-0 in an NCCAA Midwest Regional match-up on a rainy Friday afternoon. The Crusaders improve their record to 3-3, 2-0 in the NCCAA.More
Crusaders Lose to the Regents
Maranatha 0, Rockford 1
September 22, 2009
Box Score
WATERTOWN, Wis. – The Crusaders lost to the Rockford College Regents 1-0 in a Northern Athletics Conference match on Tuesday afternoon. The Crusaders are now 2-3 on the season and 1-2 in conference play. More
Crusaders Defeated by the Carroll Pioneers
Maranatha 0, Carroll 2
September 18, 2009
WAUKESHA, Wis. – The Crusaders were defeated by the Carroll University Pioneers 2-0 in a nonconference soccer match on Friday night. The Crusaders are now 2-2 on the season. More
Crusaders Defeat the Archers in Final Minute
Maranatha 2, Moody Bible 1
September 15, 2009
WATERTOWN, Wis. – The Crusaders scored in the final minute of regulation to defeat Moody Bible Institute 2-1 in an NCCAA Midwest Regional match on Tuesday afternoon. The Crusaders improve their record to 2-1 while Moody falls to 5-3. More
Crusaders Fall to the Stars
Sept. 11, 2009
Crusaders lose 3-0 to nationally ranked Dominican University. More
Crusaders Take First Conference Win
Sept. 8, 2009
Crusaders win season opener 2-1 against the Warriors. More
Keep Moving Forward
The Maranatha Crusaders look to continue moving forward under the direction of second-year Head Coach Jeff Pill. The 2008 team that went 11-12 saw significant improvement under Coach Pill’s leadership. The Crusaders defeated long-time rival Northland Baptist for the first time since 2001. The 11 wins were the highest season total since 1991. But Coach Pill reminds us that 2008 was just a starting point. “The expectation for this season is to pick up where we left off. We had some momentum at the end of the year, and I would like to build on that,” Coach Pill said.
/PillPractice08px150.jpg)
Coach Pill believes having a year under his belt will enable the 2009 squad to have an even better start. “Learning to adapt and prepare for the different styles of play was the big learning point for me and the team going forward,” Coach Pill said. “Knowing the players will be a huge help. I had no idea what was here waiting last fall, but now I pretty much have an idea how we are going to try to play and who our key players are.”
The schedule will also be favorable for a good start. In 2008 Coach Pill had 4 days to evaluate talent, trim the roster, and assemble a team before the Crusaders’ first game in Michigan. In spite of the lack of time, the Crusaders managed to start the season 4-2 with all of the wins coming against NCCAA competition. This year the Crusaders will have a true preseason with over 2 weeks to prepare for their first match against Great Lakes Christian on September 5. Conference play will begin against Wisconsin Lutheran on September 8.
Coach Pill plans to be more competitive in the Northern Athletics Conference this year. The 2008 squad was 2-9 in conference play, but they showed continued improvement as the season wore on. In the last 4 conference contests, the Crusaders won 2 games and lost the other 2 games in overtime. “We had some momentum in the NAC at the end of the year,” Coach Pill said. “Last year was a steady climb. Let’s build on that.”
The Crusaders lose 3 key players to graduation—Bryan Oliver, Kirk Riffel, and Andrew Solarek. “Bryan and Kirk were really solid defenders,” Coach Pill said. “We will miss Andrew’s goal-scoring, for sure, but losing only 3 is a pretty good deal.” Even though the Crusaders will miss the on-field offensive presence of Solarek, they will still be able to enjoy his leadership on the field as the JV coach for the 2009 season.
/HollenbeckBrett200px.jpg)
The Crusaders will be returning 7 players who started at least 15 games in 2008. Among those returnees are midfielders Brett Hollenbeck (Delavan, Wis.) and Alex Board (McDonough, Ga.). Hollenbeck (pictured right) led the 2008 team with 8 assists and was second in total points. Board contributed 3 goals and 7 assists.
“I am really excited about the returning players,” Coach Pill said. “We have solid returning players on each line. They’ve bought into working hard—enjoyment out of doing something well. If we can keep that going, this could be another really fun year.”
Coach Pill Completes a Busy Summer
Jeff Pill, head soccer coach at Maranatha, has finally completed a busy summer of camps and trips. His busy schedule has included trips to Georgia, California, and Southern Africa.
/PillCoaching200px.jpg)
The latest trip was to California to work with the United States National Soccer Program. The camp held in Pomona, California was a U.S. National Team Soccer Camp for 101 female soccer players in the U-14 category. Among Coach Pill’s duties with the camp was the selection of the top 18 players. “It was a very difficult task,” Coach Pill said. “This was a very good group made up of some special players.”
U.S. Soccer continues to keep Coach Pill involved even though he no longer works for them in a full-time capacity. Earlier in the summer Coach Pill traveled to Rome, Georgia to serve as an instructor in the “A” Licensure program at the US National Soccer Coaching School. The “A” License is the top level of soccer coaching license offered. “It is fun for me to think that they still want me to be involved in their programs,” Coach Pill said.
In June Coach Pill embarked on a survey trip to South Africa and Mozambique. The trip served as preparation and planning for the soccer team traveling to Africa in 2010.
“I’m really looking forward to the Zambia-South Africa missions trip,” Coach Pill said. “That could have the greatest impact on the team’s lives in the long run. That is going to be a real highlight.” The missions trip is planned for May of 2010.
With a busy summer now in his rearview mirror, Coach Pill is now focusing on the 2009 season. “It has been a great soccer summer,” Coach Pill said. “I have been coaching a lot, and this just makes me more juiced to get the team back and see what can be done.”
Men's Soccer Spring Wrap-up
What Maranatha Director of Soccer Jeff Pill wasn’t able to accomplish last August was the first item on April’s agenda during spring practice.
“We were able to focus on the process, things we had to skip last year because of the short preseason,” said Pill, whose team had only one week of practice to prepare for its first game last fall. “Last year, we were able to establish a good base, good habits. During spring practice, they kept that process going. They bought into the idea of what spring practice was supposed to be about.”
The five weeks of practice included an April 15 scrimmage against Cardinal Stritch University. The Cardinal Stritch roster shows players from six countries, including nine from England. The Wolves finished second in their NAIA conference in 2008.
“We lost, 2-1, but it was a relatively even game and we had three chances to tie in the last 10 minutes,” Pill said. “If they wanted a real easy scrimmage, they didn’t get one.”
The Crusaders graduated just three seniors, but one of them was leading scorer Andrew Solarek (16 goals). Finding a forward who can finish off scoring chances was one of the spring’s priorities.
“Phil Beardslee, Anthony Braker, Kirk Miller, and Ryan Schulz all stepped up and played well this spring, but Ryan really showed us some dimensions I worried we were lacking,” Pill said. “We need a big, strong forward who can hold on to the ball. Ryan had never played much forward. But, once we saw him there, we kept him there the rest of the spring.”
Schulz and fellow sophomore-to-be Joe Zoller, who both played in just one game in 2008, could see significantly more playing time in 2009. Joel Smith, who scored four goals in six games before being sidelined by a knee injury, could rejoin the Crusaders this fall.
Pill also noted a “huge jump” in conditioning, thanks to many players following an offseason program and participating in informal indoor games over the winter. The average “yo-yo” score, an anaerobic recovery conditioning standard, jumped from 15.2 to 18.0.
“That is a huge jump,” Pill said. “It’s a cultural indicator.”
The Crusaders, who finished 11-12 in Pill’s first year and won two of three games at the National Christian College Athletic Association national tournament, open the 2009 season Sept. 5 against Great Lakes Christian.
Thank you to Soccer Pro for donating equipment to the Maranatha men's and women's soccer programs. Visit SoccerPro.com for Adidas Samba soccer cleats.
Click here to read all 2008 soccer stories