(COLUMBUS, Ohio) - Capital University's men's soccer team will try to surpass last year's record-setting season, while the women's team looks to earn a third straight berth into the NCAA Tournament as both teams began their first practices Monday.
In 2007, the men's team set school-records with 15 wins and a 15-match unbeaten streak, while four players picked up First Team All-OAC honors. Despite being nationally ranked throughout the season and capturing the OAC regular season title, Capital fell short of earning a bid into the NCAA tournament by falling in the OAC Tournament championship game.
Leading the returners in 2008 is junior Steven McCarthy (Centerville, Ohio/Kettering Alter HS), who paced the Crusaders with 15 goals and 33 points in 2007. Also back is junior Josh Thaboune (Bexley, Ohio/Bexley HS), who picked up Honorable Mention all-conference last year.
The women's team, which posted a school-record 10 shutouts in 2007 while finishing with a 14-5-2 mark, have several returning All-OAC performers. Junior Katie Robinson (Grove City, Ohio/Bishop Ready HS) paced the team with 11 goals and 28 points, while classmate Molly Sheils (Centerville, Ohio/Centerville HS) added six goals and six assists, with both players garnering First Team all-conference honors.
Sophomore goalkeeper Linley Vermillion (Dayton, Ohio/Northmont HS) and fellow sophomore Paige Prescott (Murfreesboro, Tenn./Siegel HS) also picked up All-OAC honors last year, as did senior defender Julie Horton (Pickerington, Ohio/Pickerington North HS).
Both teams are under the direction of veteran coach Dwight Burgess. Burgess, the 2007 NSCAA/adidas Great Lakes Region Men's Soccer Coach of the Year, has led the men's squad since 2000 and the women's team since 2002.
The soccer teams start their season with a doubleheader at Thomas More (Ky.) College on Friday, Aug. 29. The women's game starts at 4 p.m. while the men's game will follow.