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The Bowling Green men’s soccer team will begin fresh this season and try to get into the winning column for the first time since 2003.

Head Coach Fred Thompson, in his second year and assistant Tony Economopoulos lead the team of 21 players into the 2005 season where they will try and wipe the slate clean of a terrible 2004 campaign.

The team finished last season with a record of 0-18 (0-21 including the preseason and postseason tournament), which is the worst record in school history.

‘Last year was just the beginning of the process for us,’ Thompson said. ‘Now that we’ve got that year over and done with, we have to learn from it, build for the future and we’re not going to let last year’s record change the process.’

Thompson believes last year’s learning experiences have already begun to show their effects on his team’s development. He has seen many improvements in his team’s play including an increased level of leadership, understanding, teamwork, and commitment.

‘We had a good spring season and saw some great things from our guys. Now we’ve got to incorporate the new guys in with what we’re working on.’

The Falcons added 10 new freshmen in this year’s recruiting class, hoping to begin rebuilding the struggling program.

Thompson couldn’t be happier with the players coming in.

‘Recruitment was excellent,’ he said. ‘They’re all good students, good players, and have great character.’

Thompson said he’s really going to rely on some of the freshmen to do some important things this year on the field.

‘They’re all potentially great soccer players who [can] do a lot of things, and they’re only going to get bigger and stronger.

‘The only issue is how quickly they will get there.’

Thompson specifically mentioned defenseman Kyle Williams and midfielder Cameron Hepple as two guys who have had great summers and will compete for considerable playing time this season.

The young guys will be looking up to several returning players who were important team leaders in 2004, including top scorer Omari Aldridge and other key players such as Matt Yanick, Gregory Hennelly and Albiola Sandy.

‘We’ve got a couple guys coming back who are going to set a very good example for our young guys and who will teach them some aspects of the game at the college level,’ Thompson said.

Omari Aldridge, senior, is projected to start at forward along with sophomore Albiola Sandy. Aldridge is a fierce attacker who started almost every game last season and led the team with six goals and 14 points on offense. He was also named to the Kelme Classic All-Tournament Team in 2004.

The midfield unit is led by Matt Yanick, senior, and Gregory Hennelly, sophomore.

The defense is led by Robert Aouad, senior, alongside John MacKenzie, sophomore, Kyle Williams, freshman, Jason Lopez, freshman, and Kyle McNayr, freshman.

However, the Falcons still have yet to decide on a starting goalkeeper.

Coach Thompson believes it will be a matter of time before he picks one of the five. competing for the spot.

‘Last year we went back and forth at keeper,’ he said. ‘No one really grabbed the position, and this year may come down the same way.’

Brandon Decker and Tyler Dollins will most likely challenge for the starting nod come opening day. Other competing goalkeepers include sophomore Brent Petkus, and freshmen Mark Scholz and Paul Shoemaker.

‘They’re all solid keepers, and it’s good to have that depth with that kind of talent,’ Thompson said.

BG begins their 2005 campaign with two home exhibition matches against the Oakland Golden Grizzlies this Saturday, followed by the Michigan Wolverines on Friday, Aug. 26. The Falcons will then go on the road for their first six games of the regular season before returning home for a Sept. 11 match against Evansville.

The Falcons’ head coach believes that this season will bring more success than disappointment.

‘A year ago now we weren’t really sure what we were doing and what exactly we wanted to accomplish with the season,’ he said.

‘It should be a turn-around year for us. We should surprise some teams.’

Thompson looks for an exciting year and calls on everyone to come out and support the team.

‘The more support we get for these young guys the better, because the more comfortable their environment, the easier it is for them to excel.’