AZUSA, Calif. -- Fresh off Azusa Pacific’s first appearance in the NAIA Championship match, manager Phil Wolf has retooled his veteran squad and is looking to make a run at the GSAC title and a return trip to the national tournament.
After graduating 2 of the best offensive players in the history of the program in Andriy Budnyy and Ian Leibbrandt, the Cougars will turn to last season’s depth and 6 newcomers to fill in the gaps and keep the operation humming along at a high level.
In addition, the Cougars also saw senior goalkeeper Morgan Cathey graduate as well and the focus of recruiting reflected it.
Azusa Pacific inked a pair of keepers, including Tyler Stromberg and Ben Hansen, to play between the pipes. As the fall season gets underway they will be battling for the reserve role behind starter James Crawford.
“Stromberg has good technique and can give us quality minutes if called upon. He reminds me a lot of James. He is a very good goalkeeper,” said Wolf. “Hansen is a bit undersized but he makes up for it with his tremendous athleticism.”
Stromberg was named to the All-Metro League as a senior at Eastside Catholic High. He was a combined 25-7-6 during his last 2 prep campaigns in goal. His leadership qualities were evident during his senior season during which he served as team captain while being voted Most Inspirational for the Crusaders.
A Bay Area native, Hansen was a 4-year starter at Valley Christian High. He was named to the WCAL first team as a senior in addition to being tabbed as the Warriors Defensive Player of the Year. Hansen is also a terrific kicker on the gridiron and was named to the San Francisco Chronicle All-Metro Bay Area first team.
The backline will also get a boost with 2 quality additions in Eric Winblad and Andrew Kron.
“We are excited to have Eric. He can play right away and considering the backs that we already have that is saying something. He has a maturity beyond his years and we expect big things out of him,” said Wolf.
Winblad prepped at Santa Margarita High where he was a first team All-CIF defender. He was named Serra League Defensive MVP as he led the Eagles to the 2006 CIF-SS Division I championship. He earned a variety of postseason awards including being put on the Los Angeles Times’ all-first team, All Orange County first team and, for the second straight year was named All Sierra League.
Meanwhile, Kron’s most valuable experience has come with the Sereno Soccer Club in Phoenix, Ariz. He played a key role on the team from 2001-06 for the team that has captured 5 Arizona state titles since 1999.
“Andrew is a solid player with an educated left foot. He will be a contributor down the line as he works his way into the system but he has all the tools,” Wolf stated.
Azusa Pacific has also tapped the junior college ranks and brought in Fresno City College transfer Josh Risch who will contribute in the wide midfield. He will immediate impact the depth charts with an opportunity to see action throughout the course of the season.
Rounding out the group is a familiar face in Rhoman Ghoyenechea who did not play this past season while recuperating from knee surgery. Now, with a clean bill of health, he returns to the club looking to contribute.
“He’s technically a good player and he’s a great team guy. We are happy to have him back,” said Wolf.
Azusa Pacific is scheduled to open its 2006 season on September 1 against Oklahoma Baptist.
