On paper the Spartans return a very talented and experienced group of soccer players in 2001 with the potential to play with anyone.   They only lose three seniors to graduation:  midfielder Justin Wisdo (5g, 3a),  defender T.J. Papp, and midfielder Robert Boyle.   Wisdo and Papp were starters and Boyle an active substitute.  Wisdo was a second team All-Southern Conference selection and a third team  All-Region selection. 

 

In 2000 UNC-Greensboro scored a total of 58 goals.  All but five of those goals were placed in the back of the net by players who are scheduled to return in 2001.  The Spartan attack has the potential to be very explosive and balanced.  It will be lead by senior forward Alejandro Moreno (15g, 5a), junior midfielder Chris Goos (13g, 10a), junior forward Svafnir Gislason (9g, 6a), and senior forward Mike Dunaway (6g, 2a). 

 

Moreno is a very talented finisher and a key element in the Spartan attack.  He was slowed during the later part of the 2000 season by sore hamstrings and scored just one goal in the last eight games.  Moreno’s impact on the UNC-G attack should not be underestimated.  During the period of time that he was hampered the Spartans struggled losing four out of of their last six games.  Goos lead the Spartans in goals scored and was also an All-Regions third team selection.  Gislason and Dunaway are also very capable finishers.  

 

In 2000 the Spartans allowed a total of 33 goals.  At times they seemed to break down defensively and that hurt them in several of their key matches.  Look for senior defenders Mike Hemphill and Jimmy Craven to anchor the Spartan defense in 2001. The ability of Coach Parker to put together a tough back line will be one of the keys to the success of UNC-Greensboro in 2001.  Make no doubt about it, the  Spartans will have to consistently play solid team defense in order to put position themselves to be able to win against the tougher opponents on their schedule. 

 

It should  be an interesting year for UNC-Greensboro in 2001 as Coach Parker enters the season with a handful of unanswered questions.  You can count on the Spartans having another winning season in 2001 but the program’s tradition demands more than that for the year to be considered a success.  The Spartans aspire a conference title and another trip to the NCAA Tourney.  If things fall into place UNC-Greensboro might just surprise Coach Parker and a lot of  their opponents along the way.