CCU

Men's Soccer Hosts CCU/adidas Invitational

       

Men's Soccer Hosts CCU/adidas Invitational

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THIS WEEK IN CCU MEN'S SOCCER:
Who: Florida Gulf Coast
What:
When: Friday, Aug. 31 at 7 p.m.
Where: CCU Soccer Field - Conway, S.C.

Who: Saint Joseph's
What:
When: Sunday, Sept. 1 at 2 p.m.
Where: CCU Soccer Field - Conway, S.C.

CHANTS HOST CCU/adidas INVITATIONAL: The Coastal Carolina University men’s soccer team is set to open the 2007 regular season, hosting its annual CCU/adidas Invitational Aug. 31-Sept. 2 at the CCU Soccer Field. Florida Gulf Coast University, Furman University and Saint Joseph’s University join CCU to round out the invitational field. Friday’s match-ups include Furman-SJU at 4:30 p.m. and CCU-FGCU at 7 p.m. Sunday’s contests are FGCU-Furman at 11:30 a.m. and CCU-SJU at 2 p.m.

FAST STARTS: The Chanticleers are 19-7-1 in season openers dating back to the inaugural 1978 campaign. CCU dropped a 1-0 decision to Oakland University in the 2006 lidlifter.

ABOUT THE INVITATIONAL FIELD: The CCU/adidas Invitation will serve as the regular season opener for all four participating schools. Friday’s contest against FGCU will be the inaugural men’s soccer game in Eagles history. Furman finished the 2006 season 11-7-1 and were voted the preseason favorites to win the Southern Conference championship. Saint Joseph’s returns eight starters from a squad that posted a 2-12-4 season a year ago.



CCU TIES ELON 1-1 IN FINAL EXHIBITION GAME: CCU wrapped up its final exhibition contest with a 1-1 draw against Elon University, Aug. 26, at Rudd Field. Kelly Porter netted the Chanticleers’ lone goal.

 

COASTAL DOWNS #2 DUKE:

The Chanticleers knocked off No. 2 Duke University, 2-1, in exhibition action at the CCU Soccer Field, Aug. 19. Sophomore Oron Levy and freshman Kelly Porter posted goals for Coastal. Redshirt freshman Phillip Latham registered a scoreless second half between the posts, recording five saves.

 

PORTER OFF TO HOT START:

Freshman Kelly Porter recorded a stellar preseason performance for the Chants. The Wichita, Kan. native logged goals in each of CCU’s exhibition contests, including the game winner against No. 2 Duke, Aug. 19.

 

SOCCER SELECTED SECOND:

The Chanticleers were selected to finish second in the Big South Conference. Winthrop was picked to repeat as conference champions and senior Saidi Isaac of Winthrop was voted Preseason Player of the Year. The preseason poll and Player of the Year is voted on by the league’s coaches and sports information directors.

 

HOME SWEET HOME:

The Chants have posted an astonishing 53-14-5 (.771) record at the CCU Soccer Field during Head Coach Shaun Docking’s nine-year tenure at the helm of the program. Last season Coastal posted a 6-1-1 record at home, including a perfect 4-0 slate against league foes. CCU is scheduled for nine contests at the friendly confines of the CCU Soccer Field.

 

SEVEN CHANTS EARN BIG SOUTH AWARDS:

Seven members of the CCU men’s soccer team earned recognition from the Big South Conference in 2006. Mkhokheli Dube was selected to the All-Big South First Team while Luke Ibbetson and Patrick Robertson were chosen to the Second Team. Jack Belanger and Konner McGee were named to the All-Freshman team, while Kevin Van Den Berg was an All-Academic team member. Dube and Tim Shaw were selected to the league’s All-Tournament team.

 

THE COACHING STAFF:

Head Coach Shaun Docking returns for his 10th season at the helm for the Chants. Docking has led the Chanticleers to a 115-56-13 overall record, a 43-17-2 Big South Conference record, two Big South Regular Season Championships, four BSC Tournament Championships and five consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances from 2001-2005.

Paul Leese and Joel Barber each enter their second season as assistant coaches. Luke Ibbetson and Bobby Zimmer make the switch from player to coach after each posted successful seasons on the playing field last season for the Chants.