Season Outlook

The 2004 Yellowjacket soccer program has all of the components necessary to be an outstanding team for the upcoming season. A seasoned core of seniors that have played in the regional final and a top notch recruiting class that will see no fewer than six players will compete for starting positions during the 2004 campaign. However, the key will be how well the groups’ leadership, personnel and personalities combine to form a team right from the starting gate.

The 2004 season will see the Yellowjackets continue the tradition of playing the very best in the nation. The team will spend the 2004 preseason in Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo, Brazil, training on the legendary Santos training grounds, touring the Pele` museum while experiencing the birthplace of soccer. After returning to Iowa, the Yellowjackets will open the season with NCAA Division I Top 25 Drake University in Des Moines, before moving on to no fewer than nine NAIA nationally ranked opponents.

“In order to be the best, play the best” is the motto that the Yellowjackets do more than offer lip service to. NAIA All-Americans Jesus Rodriguez (Brownsville, Texas) and Benny Wagenaar (Grimsby, Ont.) return to lead the team, on the pitch, along with Guillermo Sanchez (Caracas, Venezuela) and Brett Loving (St. Joseph, Mo.).

The 2004 recruiting class ranks among the best in the nation. Matt Klaus (Kearney, Mo.) and Luke Pilniuk (Pickering, Ont.) will make an immediate impact in their rookie seasons. Andrew Greco (Oakville, Ont.) Michael Shireman (Raytown, Mo.) and Francisco Serrata (Los Fresnos, Texas) will challenge for starting positions early in the season. No fewer than six recruits will join the varsity side this year, infusing youth, talent and energy early in the year.

The success of this year’s program will be dependent upon the leadership of veterans such as Kenny Baldwin (Blue Springs, Mo.), Jay Tippett (Buckner, Mo.) and Brian Bendorf (Blue Springs, Mo.)

Players must make sacrifices and put each other first in order for the program to achieve their goals. If the 2004 Yellowjacket personnel are willing to make these sacrifices and be professional in their approach to the game, the 2004 squad will become an outstanding team that will contend for a conference championship and a national Top 25 ranking.