2009 Season Preview
I CORINTHIANS 15:58
“KOPION”
According to Coach Bell, the success of this 2009 team will be linked to the “work” of the senior class. Seniors Matt D’Agostino (Alto, MI), Dave DeBoer (Grand Rapids, MI), Ian Grotenhuis (Hilo, HI), Ben Hanson (Lowell, MI) and Matt Kunnen (Comstock Park, MI), Aaron Musser (Madrid, Spain) have been working hard at changing the culture since the end of a tough and disappointing 5-11-2 season in 2008. This past offseason, the seniors have worked hard at achieving the goals the coaching staff set for them. We are asking these guys to leave everything out on the field this year. Preseason will involve the seniors getting a very young and talented team to do the same. Making it back to the WHAC playoffs is the top goal for the 2009 Golden Eagles. We have a tough schedule especially because we are on the road for most of September but having a group of guys that all decide to play to the same standard can’t help but be successful.
Goalkeepers
In goal, Cornerstone will have a very interesting situation. “I think we have four excellent goalkeepers”, states Bell and “we have a dilemma as to who will start.” Dan Kerstan (Mundelein, IL) had a solid freshman season. He played in 15 games with 11 starts and a 4-8-1 record with 1 shutout. Matt Roberts (Vicksburg, MI) played in 4 games with a 1-2-1 record and 1 shutout. Brad Erickson (Hudsonville, MI) worked especially hard this summer and should compete for the backup position. Incoming Freshman Kyle Breckan (Tower Lakes, IL) has all the tools to be the keeper of the future. I think it will come down to which keeper decides to take ownership and really lead us from the back, says Bell.
Defenders
The backline will be anchored by Senior Captains Dave DeBoer (Grand Rapids, MI) and Ben Hanson (Lowell, MI). Dave was awarded the team 2008 Defensive MVP for his work at the center back position. He was also named 2008 Daktronics Academic All American team. Hanson is a 3 year starter at the outside back position and was also a member of 2008 NAIA Daktronics Academic All American team. Junior Kurt Bareham (Grand Haven, MI) and sophomore Brett Crooks (Rochester Hills,) will also look to crack the starting line-up on this year’s defense. Kurt is coming off a solid sophomore season with 10 starts in the central back position. Aaron Musser (Madrid, Spain) is another player that worked hard in the spring and gained valuable experience at the central and outside back positions.
Cornerstone also welcomes three new defenders, Trevor Hunt, Josh McKenna and Jordan Wilson. Trevor Hunt (Rockford, MI) caught our eye while playing for Rockford High School and a local premier club that was coached by our Assistant Coach Steve Herdsman. Josh McKenna (Rochester Hills, MI) is an exciting young player who is fresh off winning a State Championship last year with Oakland Christian High School. Jordan Wilson (Mississauga, ON) has a lot of experience with both his school and club team. Jordan had the opportunity to train internationally this summer and is the brother of former Golden Eagle standout Patrick Wilson.
Midfielders
Arguably the biggest question marks will be in the midfield. We know a key component of our midfield will be senior Captain Matt D’Agostino (Alto, MI). Matt was given the 2008 Jeff Dresser Most Valuable Player award last year by his teammates for his play at both central midfield and as an outside back. Matt is a fierce competitor with good speed of play, a great work ethic and great knowledge of the game. Matt was named to WHAC 1st Team All Conference team as well. Zac Tolsma (Ada, MI), who played in 17 games as a freshman and earned a considerable amount of playing time as the season progressed, could be a positive force in the middle. Providing some versatility to our midfield will be junior Jim Hughes (Ann Arbor, MI) and senior Ian Grotenhuis (Hilo, HI). Jim can play both an attacking and holding mid. Ian had a good spring will certainly be a key backup in the midfield. Incoming freshman Brice Snellink (Belmont, MI) is a big strong athletic defensive midfielder that attended Northpointe Christian that could change things with his physical play. Also looking to contribute offensively in the center of the midfield will be freshman Matt Osorio (Mississauga, ON). Osorio brings some attacking flare to the central mid position as well as his ability to give us quality service on set pieces. Sophomore Carlos Marinho (Porto, Portugal) is a transfer from Tennessee Temple. Carlos scored 5 times with 6 assists as a freshman at Tennessee Temple University.
In the wide areas, the favorites to start are junior Peter Kaijala (Mona Shores, MI) and sophomore Alan Doornbos (Byron Center, MI). Peter and Alan bring athleticism and speed to our flanks. Their speed should cause teams trouble both offensively and defensively. Junior Nic Tolsma (Ada, MI) is returning after missing the 2008 season and could provide a much needed spark. Freshman Brian Nimmo (Livonnia, MI) concluded his high school career with 58 goals and 32 assists for Southfield Christian. The talented Nimmo gives us another dimension in the midfield that we feel was missing last year.
Forwards
The first step towards making the playoffs in 2009 will come from our ability to finish. The 2008 squad only managed to score 21 goals last year and that total was the lowest since the 1977 season. I believe we have the right kids coming in this year to really improve our attack. Senior Captain, Matt Kunnen (Comstock Park, MI) could have a breakout season for us up top this year. Matt is known for his high work rate and scored 4 goals for us last year. Matt was also named to the 2008 NAIA Daktronics Academic All American Team. 2008 Team Offensive MVP and Rookie of the Year Isaac Grotenhuis (Hilo, HI) had a terrific freshman year and we are hoping for a repeat performance this year. Isaac is a tough player especially in clutch situations. Adeshola Makinde Jr, (Gilberts, IL) sat out last season due to a knee injury and is expected to see substantial playing time. Steve Gentzler (Zeeland, MI) who gained some valuable experience on JV last year and improved with a good spring, could see some playing time. The Golden Eagles will hope to get some key contributions from several freshmen players. Freshman Jake Stanko (Holly, MI) is another product of Oakland Christian that is a proven goal scorer at the high school and club level (Vardar). Jake can also play in the midfield if called upon. Jake was named to Michigan’s Dream Team last year. Taylor Grube (Hudsonville, MI) is another offensive-minded player who can create scoring opportunities.
The Schedule
Cornerstone will spend a lot of the 2009 campaign on the road. The season starts on the road with a visit to Robert Morris College (8/28) followed by Marian (8/29). The rest of the non-conference schedule includes Olivet Nazarene (9/1), St. Xavier (9/3), and Mary Grove (9/30 and 10/31). Cornerstone opens WHAC Conference action with two early September home games against Siena Heights University (9/5) and Davenport University (9/9). The Golden Eagles then travel for 7 straight road games starting with Concordia (9/12), Indiana Tech (9/19), Madonna (9/23), Mary Grove (9/30), Aquinas (10/3), Siena Heights (10/7), and Davenport (10/10). The Golden Eagles will play their last 5 games at home before the WHAC playoffs start on 11/7.
Roster breakdown by position
Goalkeepers (4) -Dan Kerstan, Matt Roberts, Brad Erickson, Kyle Breckan
Defenders (8) -Dave DeBoer, Ben Hanson, Aaron Musser, Kurt Bareham, Brett Crooks, Trevor Hunt, Josh McKenna, Jordan Wilson
Midfielders (12) - Matt D’Agostino, Ian Grotenhuis, Jim Hughes, Peter Kaijala, Nic Tolsma, Carlos Marinho, Zac Tolsma, Alan Doornbos, Brian Nimmo, Matt Osorio, Brice Snellink
Forwards (6) – Matt Kunnen, Steve Gentzler, Isaac Grotenhuis, Adeshola Makinde, Taylor Grube, Jake Stanko
