Athletics

Intercollegiate Athletics

Basketball - Men's

Basketball - Women's

Cross Country

Soccer - Men's

Soccer - Women's

Track and Field

Volleyball

Coaching and Athletic Staff

For Sports Enthusiasts

Athletic Sponsors

Games & Tickets

Geoduck Booster Club

Youth Sports Camps

For Student Athletes

Eligibility

Equity in Athletics Disclosure Act (EADA)

Student Athlete Handbook (PDF)

August 19, 2003

James J. Portune Sports Information The Evergreen State College

OLYMPIA, Wa - With the release of the Cascade Collegiate Conference Pre-Season Men's Soccer poll it can be said that the 2003 soccer season is underway. Noteworthy, is that Evergreen State College is ranked 4th, having received one first place vote. The only other school to receive first place votes was Concordia, who finished as the #1 team and received all of the remaining six first place votes.

A comparison of last season final conference standing and this years pre-season poll shows a lot of similarities. Concordia (11-2), last years conference champions, remains #1. Albertson (9-4), who lost to Western Baptist in the first round of the conference tournament, garnered enough votes to be ranked second. Western Baptist (9-4) followed in third and Evergreen (5-7) rounded out the top four of last years standings and the pre-season poll. Warner Pacific, Northwest and Cascade College completed the list, in that order. A close look shows that only five points separate Albertson, Western Baptist and Evergreen, which indicates that the coaches had a difficult time separating the three teams.

In 2003, the Geoducks will be built around four returning starters. 1st Team All-Conference sophomore defender Luke Arthur (Eatonville, Wash./Eatonville H.S.) will anchor the backline. In goal will be junior keeper Tom Kneeshaw (Eatonville, Wash./Eastonville, H.S.), who finished the 2002 season with 99 saves, fourth best in the conference. Senior Justin Connell (Sequim, Wash./Sequim H.S.) will take the place of 2nd Team All-Conference midfielder Josh VanTine. Sophomore Jake Taylor (Cali, Columbia/Peninsula H.S.), who scored five goals last year, will once again be the feature on the wing.

"This eleven could content for the conference title," said head coach Tom Boatright, who is beginning his third season. "Last year it was the Jason (Gjertsen) and Chris (Pugh) show. This year we have several Jason's and Chris'."

Two transfers will assist Taylor with the scoring in 2003. Junior Joe Gjertsen (Tacoma, Wash./Wilson H.S.), younger brother of last years leading scorer Jason Gjertsen, transferred from Yavapai Community College, last years Junior College National Champions. Senior Chris Langford (Antioch, Calif./Deer Valley H.S.) transferred from conference rival Cascade College, where he lead the Thunderbirds last season in goals and assists.

Coach Boatright talking with the team at halftime during the 2002 season
"At the moment the program is attracting a lot of transfer player," Boatright remarked, "and that is good. The experienced players bring a maturity to the program that is important."

North Thurston standout Tom Ardt (Olympia, Wash./North Thurston H.S.) makes his return to college soccer following a six-year absent. South Puget Sound Community College star Nick Mancaruso (Lakewood, Wash./Lakes H.S.) and Pierce Community College's Brian Davis (Des Moines, Wash./Mount Rainer H.S.), both NWAACC (Northwest Athletic Association of Community College) All-Stars last season, will help Connell in the middle.

After a one-year sabbatical senior Nick Valentine (Steilacoom, Wash./Steilacoom H.S.) will once again done an Evergreen uniform. Joining him will be freshman Kyle Andrews (Mukilteo, Wash./Kumiak H.S.) and Shawn O'Neill (Onalaska, Wash./Onalaska H.S.). The combination of Arthur, Valentine, Andrews and O'Neill, with Kneeshaw in the goal, will make it tough for opponents to get a good look at the goal.

"We are expecting Kyle and Shawn to be impact players right away," Boatright added. "Very much like Luke was last season."

The opening game for the Geoducks is less than two days away. Thursday they host Region I rival Westminster College, from Salt Lake City, Utah. Last year the Griffin's compiled a 9-11 for Coach Dorick, who is beginning his 19th season at Westminster. The Griffin's season ended with a 4-3 loss to Concordia in the regional tournament.

Cascade Collegiate Conference
2003 Men's Soccer Pre-Season Poll
No. School (1st place votes) Points
1 Concordia University (6) 36
2 Albertson College 28
3 Western Baptist College 25
4 The Evergreen State College 23
5 Warner Pacific College 16
6 Northwest College 13
7 Cacade College -
Athletics and Recreation Template

Contact the Site Manager

Last Updated: September 12, 2007


The Evergreen State College

2700 Evergreen Parkway NW

Olympia, Washington 98505

(360) 867-6000