From the Sports Desk

with Carey Phillips: 11/07/02

A few outcomes earlier in the season kept the Mustangs from reaching that goal as they were 13-9-2 overall and sixth in the MAC at 6-8-2. They missed making the playoffs by just a half game. Nevertheless, Coach Dolphus Brown was pleased that his team finished on a positive note and beat playoff-bound Enka in the final game.

"I really feel good about the way the season ended, and not just the one game with Enka," he said. "Our seniors really got their eyes off of our circumstances with the uphill climb (to the playoffs). They played like we were really in the hunt. They worked hard, and the effort got better and better. Not making the playoffs obviously hurt, but I'm excited about the way the seniors went out."

Brown's primary disappointment was due to a feeling that things could have gone better with more dedication in the off season.

"We didn't start well," he said. "Some of our leaders didn't come ready to play, and it cost us early. We started playing like we should have been about three weeks later than we should have. Still, we didn't get sidetracked with where we were in the standings. I felt bad for them. I felt like in the end we were good enough to be there."

The coach said the signs of problems lying ahead surfaced early.

"Very few came to voluntary workouts in the summer," he said. "After we went to team camp, nothing happened."

In the end it was a couple of ties that kept the Mustangs home for the playoffs. They failed to hold leads of 2-0 against North Buncombe and 3-0 against East Henderson. Wins in those games would have put SM in the post season.

Brown was also disappointed about not being more competitive in a 4-0 loss to Tuscola and losing 5-3 to North Buncombe in their first meeting.

On the other hand, there was the 3-1 overtime win over Enka to end the season that provided the biggest highlight. The coach also was pleased with the effort in a 2-1 loss to Asheville and a 1-0 loss to Tuscola.

"We were up against superior talent, but you could justly say we deserved to win," he said. "We played above our limit."

The improvement came after several players changed positions. The coach said those moves were readily accepted by the players involved.

Seniors included Eric Neff, Stephen Brown, Eric McManus, Caleb Corwin, Paul Van Der Ven, Will West, Chris Turk, Patrick Brady, Willie Mojica and exchange student Luis Segura.

Neff was named second team all-region after finishing with a school career record of 38 assists. His 20 assists this season broke his own school mark.

"What a tremendous weapon he was," Brown said. "When we moved him to the back he anchored things. The rest of our defense gained confidence."

"Stephen was a hard-nosed, physical player," the coach said. "He was gifted with his left foot and made a lot of nice crosses with the ball. The biggest element he brought was leadership, vocally and non-vocally."

McManus led the team with 22 goals and finished third on the career list with 42.

"Old blood and guts himself," Brown said of McManus. "He was the go-to man for goals. He put relentless pressure on defenses. He was a leader by example."

"Caleb made himself better more than any player I've ever had," the coach said of his goalkeeper. "He's one of the few guys who came really ready. He went to camps, learned his position and turned himself into an outstanding keeper."

"Paul was one of the best one-on-one defenders we've ever had," Brown said. "He got his goals on set plays. He played the ball well with his head, and he was an outstanding defender on the left side."

"Will is probably the soccer smart guy on the field," the coach said. "As the season went by, Will really stepped up his game. His effort level increased as the season went on. He continued to rise to the occasion."

"Chris was a hard-nosed physical player on defense," Brown said. "You could always count on Chris to come out and play hard for 80 minutes, He was a tough rugged defender and was strong with free kicks."

"Patrick had the heart of a warrior," the coach said. "The 50-50s were always Patrick's. He really helped us control things in the midfield after we moved him to one of the stopper positions."

"Willie had a great attitude," Brown said. "You could put him on the field, and he was electric. He would give minutes with complete energy and would disrupt the other side because of his energy. You could always count on him to get back on defense."

"Luis got here in January and worked in spring training with us," the coach said. "He would always step up when you needed him to. He could play in the midfield, or you could put him back on defense. He knew his role."

Juniors included Michael Tennant, Chris Wofford, David White, Scott Hotaling, Kyle Baer, Josh Lord and exchange student Charley Preteux.

"Michael is a real savvy, knowledgable player who knows how to set players up and knows how to finish." Brown said. "He showed that with 11 goals and nine assists. He's a key player coming back, and we'll build things around him in our attack."

"Chris was a key defender and a real battler," the coach said. "He'll be an important player for us next year. He brought to the table the competitive fire we needed."

"David is a talented player with a great shot," Brown said. "He has some good soccer instincts. He distributed the ball well, and he's also a good finisher. He'll probably take Neff's place on throw-ins."

"I was really impressed with Scott's play," the coach said. "He has some good soccer skills. He's a good passer and reads the field very well."

"Kyle has a good level of skills," Brown said. "He passes well and has a good understanding of the game. He has the potential to contribute next year."

"Josh comes every day to practice and works so hard," the coach said. "He is such a bright spot. He is supportive of the coaches and a great role model."

"When Charley arrived, he said he was a rugby player and not a soccer player," Brown said. "He grew up with soccer, and he instinctively knows what to do. He gave us a physical presence."

Sophomores were Johnny Toledo, Jonathan Painter, Eddie Noell and exchange student Brian Park.

"What a breath of fresh air Johnny is," the coach said. "He is a good soccer player, and his work ethic is outstanding. He was a joy to have on the team. Anything you asked him to do, he did with a smile."

"Jonathan is going to step up and be a key player next year," Brown said. "He wants to win. He passes well and shoots well."

"Eddie is in the upper echelon of players in talent that we have had in our program," the coach said. "His soccer instincts are excellent. He's got a strong leg and is a great passer. I'm hoping Eddie will be able to make a big contribution next year."

"I wish we had had Brian earlier," Brown said. "He is a talented player and very skillful with the ball on the dribble and pass. He brought a lot of savvy to the team."

With the loss of a large senior class, next season will present new challenges.

"It's the first time in my career I will be faced with rebuilding," Brown said. "We lose 12 guys, and our junior class has six players. Only two of them were starters. We'll be counting on a lot of guys up from the JVs. A lot will depend on what they do during the off season."

Roberson, the nation's top-ranked team in one poll should be strong again, and Asheville figures to be back in its accustomed spot of challenging the Rams, he said. Tuscola will be excellent with Enka solid and Franklin improved, Brown said.

The MAC again will have five playoff spots, and Roberson, Asheville and Tuscola are favored to claim three. Barring an influx of exchange students, Erwin probably will not contend. That leaves the Mustangs as one of five teams battling for the two remaining berths.

Back to Sports: 11/07/02.