Men's Soccer Holds Annual Awards Banquet :: Seven seniors honored in Cintas Center banquet

	Printer-Friendly Format E-mail this article Sophomore Jake Vollmer was named the team's Most Valuable Player

Men's Soccer Holds Annual Awards Banquet

Seven seniors honored in Cintas Center banquet

April 21, 2008

CINCINNATI - The Xavier men's soccer team held their annual awards banquet in Cintas Center to honor the seven seniors of the 2007-08 team. Sophomore Jake Vollmer earned the Most Valuable Player award while Brandon Bucher was recognized as the Most Outstanding Newcomer.

Vollmer was honored as an All-Ohio selection by the Ohio Soccer Coaches Association. The most valuable member of the team started in all 19 of XU's games this season. He scored his first collegiate goal during Xavier's 3-2 win over Temple on October 26. The goal, in the 72^nd minute, set up a Xavier comeback capped by Ricky Sutherland a minute later.

Bucher, who was honored as an Atlantic 10 All-Rookie Team pick, led the Musketeers with five goals and 12 points. He netted his first two goals in Xavier's 5-0 beating of IUPUI. The outstanding newcomer was a critical part of XU's success, as the team went 3-1 when he scored and 4-1 when he recorded at least a point.

The team's Most Improved Player award was given to sophomore Doug Dalton. Playing in Xavier's last 15 matches while starting in 12, Dalton helped solidify a Xavier defense that registered six shutouts, held the opposition to one goal or less on nine occasions, and allowed the fewest goals since 1984. He scored the second goal of his career this season against IUPUI.

The seven senior members of the team all had a valuable impact on Xavier soccer throughout their careers. Erik Alanson, of Traverse City, Mich., transferred from Valparaiso following the 2004 season. He played in six games and earned one start during his collegiate career and was a part of shutout victories over UNLV and Saint Bonaventure in 2007.

Hailing from Westerville, Ohio, Jon Enders served as a captain this season and scored a pair of goals in 2007, including the game-winner over IUPUI. He has notched 13 career goals (four game-winners) to go along with four assists for 30 career points. He played in 18 matches this season with nine starts, which include goals against Marquette and IUPUI.

Joe Fleckenstein, from Portland, Ore., scored three career goals, including one in XU's victory over UNLV this season. He has also dished-out five assists for 11 career points.

Chris Miliano transferred to Xavier from Cincinnati State and has made a big impact. The Cincinnati native has scored three goals while adding five assists for 11 career points. His first goal of the 2007 season came in the 3-1 win over Duquesne. Miliano started in 18 of the 19 games he played in this season.

Dale Parsons, of Hamburg, Mich., served as the backup goalkeeper since transferring to XU from Michigan in 2004. Parsons recorded two saves in 45 minutes of action during Xavier's 1-0 shutout of Saint Bonaventure in the final game of the regular season. The Atlas Award, which recognizes the player that displayed the character of a champion on the field, in the classroom, and in life, was awarded to Parsons.

Matt Soldano, a Cincinnati native, has scored two career goals while mainly patrolling the XU backline. He scored a goal in XU's victory over UNLV this season. Soldano has seen action in 40 career matches while earning 17 career starting assignments, seven of which came this season.

Matt Wheeler, from Bardstown, Ky., scored a pair of goals in Xavier's victory over Bowling Green during the 2005 season. He has seen action in 33 career matches and has started eight times.

Head coach Dave Schureck has announced has received National Letters of Intent from Jimmy Meglio, Chesley (C.H.) Farmer IV, Justin Jarvis, and Brendan Rogers for the 2008-09 season.