The first order of business for UNC-Greensboro head coach Michael Parker in 2002 will be finding a replacement for forward Alejandro Moreno.  Moreno led the Spartans in scoring last year with 11 goals and 6 assists, he was an All-Southern Conference selection for three straight years, and ended his career at UNC-G as their fourth all time scorer having scored 65 goals and tallied 25 assists.  The second order of business facing Parker will be to find a way to defeat conference foe Furman University.  Furman has now beaten the Spartans five times in a row and they are dominating the Southern Conference having won 33 consecutive conference games. 

 

UNC-G finished the 2001 season  with an overall record of 13-8-0 including a 6-2-0 mark in regular season play in the Southern Conference.  The Spartans advanced to the finals of the conference tournament where they were defeated 2-1 by Furman.  At the conclusion of that match Parker stated "Obviously we are disappointed with today's result, but we have really taken a huge stride forward this season.  There is never satisfaction when you lose, but we need to continue forward and build from this for next season." 

 

Under Parker's direction, the Spartans have become perennial conference title contenders.  They should again be in the race for the conference title in 2002 but the fact remains that to win it they are going to have to find a way to get past Furman.  UNC-G will return six starters in 2002 and a total of 18 lettermen.  Departed players in addition to Moreno (11g, 6a) include forward Mike Dunaway (6g, 1a), midfielder Robert Te Winkel (5g, 1a), and defenders Mike Hemphill (3g, 2a) and Keith Rice (0g, 3a).  Moreno and Hemphill were both Southern Conference First Team selections. 

 

The UNC-G midfield will be one of their strengths in 2002 with returning players like Chris Goos (7g, 12a) who was an All Southern Conference First Team selection last year, James Goodman (9g, 3a) and Kenny Bundy (3g, 10a).  Others slated to return include Justin Towns, Jeff Lochrie (1g, 0a),  Jimmy Craven (0g, 3a) and Svafnir Gislason.  Returning defenders include Jamie Carlson (1g, 1a), Cliff Patterson, and Caleb Reed.  Joe Crump and Charlie DeMello return in goal for UNC-G.  Both saw a lot of action last year with Crump recording a 1.35 goals against average and Demello a 1.50 goals against average. 

 

The Spartans will seek to return to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 1998.  They have a very competitive schedule but that will provide them plenty of opportunity to prove themselves.  The month of September will be particularly challenging for UNC-G as they will face Clemson, South Florida, Furman, and Wake Forest.  To make matters more difficult, the Spartans do not face any of those opponents at UNC-G Soccer Stadium.  As Coach Parker indicated at the end of the 2001 season, the Spartans had a positive season but there still is room for improvement.  It will be interesting to see whether or not UNC-G will be able to catch up with Furman in 2002 and regain the spot that they used to enjoy in the conference. 

 

2002 UNC-Greensboro Recruiting Class

 

Casey Davis - A midfielder/defender from Columbus, North Carolina out of the Spartanburg Day School under coach Noel Hazzard.  Davis earned five varsity letters in soccer at Spartanburg Day School and was named to the South Carolina All-State team as a junior and senior.  He was honored as the Carolina Athletic Association Player of the Year in 2001.  Davis played club soccer for the Charlotte Soccer Club.

 

Michael Fitzgerald - A midfielder from Wilmington, North Carolina out of Hoggard High School.  Fitzgerald was named Mid-Eastern 4-A All-Region his senior year.  He led Hoggard in assists and game winning goals his senior campaign.  Fitzgerald played club soccer for the 84 Wilmington Breakers Club Team.

 

Chris Johnson - A defender from Morehead City, North Carolina out of West Carteret High School under coach Matt Thraxton.  Johnson earned four varsity letters in soccer at West Carteret where he tallied a team high 16 goals his senior year.  He was named the West Carteret Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year in 2000.  He played club soccer for Coastal United for three year under Coach Tim Guter. 

 

Scott James - A midfielder from Dallas, Texas out of Jesuit College Preparatory where he earned three varsity letters and helped Jesuit claim the 2000 TCIL State Championship.   James was named to the TCIL All-State team.  He played club soccer for the Dallas Comets. 

 

Nick Solle - A midfielder from Broadway, North Carolina out of Lee Senior High School under Coach Jeff Tolley.   Solle won four varsity letters in soccer and was named All-Conference as a junior and a senior.  He finished his high school career as Lee's all time assist leader.   Solle played  club soccer for the Charlotte Soccer Club. 

 

Paul Zazenski - A midfielder/defender from Atlantic Beach, North Carolina out of West Carteret High School.  Zazenski earned four varsity letter in soccer at West Carteret and was twice named All-Conference and was named All Region as a senior.  He played club soccer for Coastal United.