Soccer Seniority
Experienced men’s soccer team striving for healthy start
By Matthew Stoss, senior writer
Posted on August 28, 2006

Due to a rule change, things started a little earlier than usual this year. And as a result, the JMU men’s soccer team found themselves back at the Soccer Complex one week sooner than the veteran-laden squad had been accustomed.

“We started a week earlier this year,” JMU coach Tom Martin said. “This meant they came back and had one more week of practice.”

The coach, in his 21st year, said because of the extra time, less has been more in practice — and because of a roster packed with senior citizens.

“We have a bunch of old guys,” Martin said. “But we’d rather have a bunch of healthy old guys.”

Besides the assorted nagging injuries of numerous players, the Dukes’ primary health concerns lie with those lost for significant amounts of time — the biggest being Andrew Walker. Walker, a senior midfielder and forward, just had surgery and is done for the foreseeable future with cartilage issues in his knee.

“We have two or three pretty serious [injuries] and are out for the year,” Martin said.

“We also have lots of bumps and bruises to a number of returning players that we may keep back for the rest.”

Health aside, the Dukes return all but two of their starters from last season’s 12-7-2 NCAA tournament team. JMU made it to semifinals before losing to UNC-Greensboro. This year, the Dukes list nine seniors, and of those nine, eight have been starters at some point in their careers.

“We’re going to be good,” senior midfielder Kurt Morsink said. “We have lots of upperclassmen and because of it, we should be ready.”

Morsink, a three-year starter, was the team’s leading scorer a year ago, netting 24 points and nine goals. This year he anchors what early on, appears to be the strength of the team.

“Our strength should be our midfield if we’re all healthy,” Martin said.

A healthy midfield would see JMU start Morsink, senior Mark Totten, junior Tristan Murrary and sophomore Nick Zimmerman. Morsink in addition to being the Dukes’ leading scorer is a two-time All-Region and All-Colonial Athletic Association selection. While Totten’s time was limited a year ago by injury, he is also a two-time CAA pick and former CAA Rookie of the Year.

“[The experience] definitely helps,” Morsink said. “The team chemistry should be very good this year.”

While the midfield returns its core, the defense will deal with two losses in Danny Sheridan and Sean Young who started a combined 131 games during their careers.

Returning however are seniors Mike Tuddenham, who earned All-CAA honors last year and Kayin Jeffers. Also, to help with the losses, junior Frank D’Agostino is moving over from the offensive side of things to add depth on defense.

“[Because of the senior presence], we have lots of leadership,” Tuddenham said. “And that should help out the young guys.”

However, health and age aside, it’s still all about the postseason.

“The goal injured, young or old is to get into the NCAA tournament,” Martin said. “And there are just two ways to get in. We can win our conference or get an at-large bid. What helps is we’re fortunate to play in a strong conference and we try to have a strong out-of-conference schedule.”

Last year was the eighth time since 1995 JMU made an appearance in the NCAAs. This year, Madison is picked in the preseason to finish third behind Old Dominion and Hofstra in the CAA. Morsink disagrees.

“I think we’re going to win it,” he said. “It doesn’t matter what other people think. If we do what we need to, we should be able to win it.”

JMU opened its season last weekend against Seton Hall and Alabama A&M in the VCU Classic. The Dukes home opener is Friday at 7 p.m. when JMU hosts Lafayette.