2007 CAMPAIGN A SUCCESS, SETS TONE FOR 2008

(December 5, 2007) HAMPDEN-SYDNEY, VA – Digging out from a sluggish 1-4 start to their season, the young 2007 Hampden-Sydney soccer team regrouped and responded to piece together a fantastic 2007 campaign. The Tigers went 10-2-3 to close the season, compiling 11 wins, a 6-1-2 ODAC record, securing a No. 2 seed in the ODAC Tournament, where the squad eventually fell in a 2-1 heartbreaker to third-seeded Washington and Lee in the semifinals courtesy of a penalty kick, and finishing the season ranked #7 in the South Region by the NSCAA.

Hampden-Sydney proved that it is on the right track and has ratcheted up plenty of momentum for next season. The 11 victories were the most ever for head coach Josh Laux in his four seasons at the helm, and the most for Hampden-Sydney since 2002, as the Tigers reached the semifinals of the ODAC Tournament for the first time since 2001. The team closed out the regular season with four wins and a tie, including strong victories over 2006 ODAC champion Lynchburg (2-0) and eventual 2007 ODAC champion Roanoke (4-1).

The Tigers placed six players on the ODAC all-conference teams. Junior midfielder Jason Butler (Richmond, VA/Mills Godwin) was the only Tiger selected on the first team, but was joined on the second team by junior forward Jason Powell (Marietta, GA/Pope), sophomore forward Will Robertson (Charlotte, NC/Charlotte Catholic) and freshman defender Sam Turner (Richmond, VA/Benedictine). Sophomore defenseman Christopher Tait (Nokesville, VA/Brentsville) garnered honorable mention accolades while goalkeeper John Robert Plyler (Charlotte, NC/Myers Park) earned the title of 2007 ODAC Rookie of the Year. Coach Laux was named ODAC Coach of the Year following his best season on the Hampden-Sydney sidelines.

Jason Butler, who was also a captain in 2007, earned the Tigers' only first-team recognition. The hard-nosed midfielder tied for the team lead with 17 points, courtesy of five goals and seven assists. His point total ranked eighth on the ODAC list while his team-leading seven assists were good enough for a tie for second in that conference category.

Earning second team honors were Jason Powell, Will Robertson and Sam Turner. Powell led the Tigers and ranked sixth in the ODAC with seven goals on the season, five of which came in Hampden-Sydney's final seven matches of the year. Powell scored four game-winning goals and tied Butler for points with 17 while also handing out three assists.

Robertson, one of the most creative and dynamic players on the Tigers' roster, also garnered second team honors after recording five goals and three assists in 2007. His skills on the flank and up top proved dangerous to opponents all season long. Joining Powell and Robertson on the second team was freshman defender Sam Turner. Turner started in 17of his appearances and was key to the Tigers stingy defense which allowed just 7 goals in ODAC play.

Sophomore Christopher Tait was named to the All-ODAC honorable mention squad after starting in all 19 of his appearances as well. Tait was a versatile player for head coach Josh Laux as a left back, using his speed to both shut off the right side of the opponent's attack and work himself into the attack at the other end. Tait scored one goal for Hampden-Sydney in 2007.

Rounding out the Tigers' all-conference honors was John Robert Plyler, who was named the Old Dominion Athletic Conference men's soccer Rookie of the Year. The freshman goalkeeper burst onto the scene in the sixth game of the season, and posted an impressive 10-2-2 record as a starter. His 0.89 goals-against-average ranked fourth in the ODAC and his four shutouts tied for second on the conference list.

The Tigers witnessed excellent play from a number of other players in addition to their six all-conference performers. Senior midfielder and captain Greg Danahy (Roanoke, VA/Hidden Valley) closed out his Tigers career in style, registering career-highs in goals (3), assists (5) and points (11). The midfield was boosted by the play of junior captain Michael Krewinghaus (Yorktown, VA/Tabb), sophomore JoJo Howard (Lanexa, VA/New Kent) and freshman Matt Hampton (Virginia Beach, VA/Kellam), who came on strong at the end of the season to earn a starting position in seven of his 17 appearances. The hard-working Howard registered one goal and three assists for Coach Laux while Hampton earned all-tournament honors for his stellar play in the ODAC Tournament. Sophomore forward David Burley (Mount Pleasant, SC/Wando) notched four goals and one assist in 2007 while freshman Eamon Penland (Elgin, SC/Spring Valley) was a speedy spark off the bench, recording one goal and two assists to his credit.

The back line was solid all season long, and, in addition to the performances of Plyler, Tait and Turner, sophomores Brett Chonko (Farmville, VA/Prince Edward) and Michael Carter (Fredericksburg, VA/Massaponax) and freshman Matt Swaney (Potomac Falls, VA/Potomac Falls) also excelled. Chonko started in 11 of his 19 appearances, while Carter shook nagging injuries to return late in the season and start in all ten of his showings. Carter also earned all-tournament recognition for his play in the ODAC Tournament. Swaney was a dynamic right back, shutting down the opposition’s flank attackers and bringing his all-around game into the Tiger attack, where he recorded one goal and four assists for his inaugural campaign.

The Tigers will return the core of the team for the 2008 season. The 2008 schedule will again be a challenging one, but expectations will be high as this now veteran group will look to build off it’s past successes, which include three consecutive seasons of ten wins or more, and capture Hampden-Sydney’s first ever ODAC title.

“We were very pleased with our performance this year but a bit disappointed not to win the title,” said Coach Laux. “The team battled through some early season adversity and went on a nice run. As far as next year is concerned we have high hopes and expectations. Next year’s senior class is the first recruiting class that I brought in to our program here at H-SC. This group has achieved a great deal since its arrival, including three consecutive seasons of ten wins or more. The only thing left for these young men is an ODAC title and an appearance in the NCAA tournament; two achievements that I believe are very attainable.”   

-www.hsc.edu/athletics-