Season Preview 2008

The UC Santa Cruz Men’s Soccer Program is looking forward to another successful fall this year.  After earning a birth into NCAA playoffs for a 5th consecutive year with a record of 15-5 last year the Slugs are looking to build on that performance and return themselves to national prominence.  Having lost 9 players to graduation last season, most would feel that 2008 should be a rebuilding year, but the Slugs will be looking to prove to themselves and the nation that they have the talent and determination to compete with the top teams in the nation.

The 2008 Slugs will be lead by an extremely talented junior class.  This class includes team captains Davin Kono and Brendan Ward, who will be two of only three returning starters.  In addition the Slugs will look to Sophomores Evan Chambers, Matt Fondy, and Caleb "CJ" Villalobos to make significant contributions. 

Joining the 2008 Slugs will be a host of energetic, hungry and talented incoming players.   Head Coach Dan Chamberlain has assembled some of the top players in the Western Region, and expects all of them to make an impact in 2008!

Aaron Emch:  Aaron is a versatile player, able to play both in defense and in the midfield.  Aaron has a great physical commitment to the game and is never one to shy away from a physical challenge.  Aaron will add some steel to the Slug's and gain valuable experience in his freshman year.

Ryan Kimura:  Ryan is a very athletic and talented outside back.  Able to play on both wings, Ryan, like Cody comes from the highly successful Mustang Soccer Club, and Campolindo High School where he captained his team to an NCS Championship.  Ryan steps into a Slug back line which lost two of it's starters from last year, and the coaching staff expect him to challenge for a spot in the starting line up this fall.

Ben Middlemiss:  A player that was identified at the UC Santa Cruz Elite Camp, Ben comes from Acrata, CA.  Ben is a versatile midfield player able to play in the middle or out wide.  A very physical player, who is very good on the dribble and with the ball at his feet, he should be a scoring threat for the Slugs in years to come.

Theo Parada:  Theo joins UC Santa Cruz from the California Rush Soccer Club of Sacramento, CA.  A forward with power and pace, Theo will add depth at the forward position, and will be a goal scoring threat right away!  

Matt Periera: Matt is a goalkeeper with great physical abilities, and huge potential.  At 6'3" Matt is an imposing presence in the goal!  From Concord High School, and the Diablo Valley Soccer Club, Matt will challenge our two returning keepers and will look to gain some experience in his freshman year, as he will be expected to join the ranks of great past Slug keepers.

Matthew "Cody" Pillon:  Cody is an exceptionally gifted midfielder, who can play both in the middle or out wide.  Coming from the Mustang Soccer Club, and Head Royce High School, Cody was the driving force for a highly successful club team.  Seemingly all of the pitch, Cody embodies the type of blue-collar work that defines UCSC Soccer.  

Kenny Johnson: Kenny is a wide midfield player with great skill and vision with the ball.  From Bakersfield, CA and the Bakersfield Brigade Soccer Club, Kenny will add depth at the outside midfield position as well as gaining valuable experience in his freshman year.  Kenny is a player that the Slugs will look to in the future as he physically matures.

The 2008 Slugs will face off against some of the top Division III teams in the Western Region this fall including Loras, Wartburg, Whitworth, University of Redlands, and Cal Lutheran.  In addition the Slugs will travel to Humbolt State, and Concordia of Irvine for some non-DIII competition.  With the goal of challenging for the National Championship, Coach Chamberlain believes that this squad has the talent to compete with the top teams in the country.