July 19, 2000

MILWAUKEE, Wis. - Most soccer coaches would be a little concerned if they lost their top two goal scorers to graduation. Not UWM coach Louis Bennett.

"I look at that as a positive. It will be a surprise to our opponents, as far as who is putting the ball in the back of the net," said Bennett. "It's a season we're excited about because of the element of unknown with our changing personnel. And, because of the characters we have returning, it's an exciting prospect to coach them."

But despite some changes to the Panthers' youth-driven lineup, the team has a solid core of returning players that will spark the success that the team sees this year.

"We have a lot of youth on the squad with only three seniors," said Bennett. "That could inhibit us, but I think it will help us. The biggest question mark will be how the squad gels. With as many as 10 new people on the team, it will come down to how well the returnees can establish the standard, style and direction of the team. I am confident that the returning personnel know exactly what it's going to take to be winners in all aspects of the program."

Leadership will be one of the Panthers' assets this year.

"We have great leadership this year both officially, with our captains, and unofficially, with our more experienced returning players," said Bennett, who is entering his fifth year at UWM as the head coach.

The Panthers have two senior midfielders serving as captains this year: Blake Bostwick and Scott Dombrowski.

Bostwick has been a steadying force in the Panthers' midfield since he assumed a starter's role as a freshman, when he was named to the MCC All-Newcomer team. His experience is something that Bennett relishes.

"Out of all the people on the squad, Blake is someone who has been there and done that," said Bennett. "He has seen the full gamut here, with the exception of going to the NCAA Tournament. What he brings to the squad is tough, uncompromising determination to do well and be successful. That's reflected in his personal performance and the way he manages and gets the most out of other people. Victory or loss, Blake will be a winner."

Dombrowski earned second team All-Region honors as a junior as he proved to be a dominant player in the defensive midfield.

"Every year Scott has returned, he has been a better player. He's a player with an immense appetite for soccer. Now's he's beginning to reap the benefits of his intensity and devotion to practice. It's becoming contagious. He's prepared to lead from the front and could have All-American potential," said Bennett.

Here is a look at the 2000 UWM men's soccer roster, position by position:

Goalkeepers:
The Panthers have an experienced returning starting goalkeeper, and two talented newcomers that will be challenging for playing time. Chris Dadadian played in 16 of the Panthers' 21 games last year as a redshirt freshman. He recorded shutouts in his first three collegiate games and earned nine of the Panthers' 12 wins last year. His impressive 1.26 GAA earned him a nod to the MCC All-Newcomer team.

"He's going to be a great asset," said Bennett. "He's becoming a permanent fixture in our squad dynamic. His character is nearly as strong as his considerable playing ability. Coupled with the fact we have two other players pushing for a starting position, it will give him an extra edge."

Sophomore transfer Brad Swenby and freshman Kirk Thode will be thrown into the mix this season.

"They all want the starting role and are all prepared to work for it and pay the price," said Bennett.

Swenby is a 6-4 keeper that played soccer and basketball two years ago at Division III school UW-Whitewater.

"His height will give us a different look powerful, and after the spring, he has proven to be a valuable acquisition. Thode is a highly decorated keeper that has participated in several of UWM assistant coach Stan Anderson's Camp Shutouts. "He's tall and lean," said Bennett. "How quick he can adjust to the college game will determine how quickly he will work his way into the lineup."

Defense:
The Panthers did not lose much from their starting defense of a year ago, but Bennett has the luxury of adding a group of talented rookies to the proven veterans.

"That blending of youth and experience will be the key to our look in the defense," said Bennett.

Ryan Spielmann, Chad Dombrowski, Evan Richardson and J.B. Matthews will provide the experience. Spielmann started 20 games in the backfield as a sophomore and Chad Dombrowski started 17 games last year as a freshman. Dombrowski adds a bit of offense to the table, as well, he was fifth on the team in scoring last year with nine points (four goals, one assist). Also, Evan Richardson, now a sophomore, started 13 of the 19 games he played in last year. Matthews is the only senior of the group, and he started six of the eight games in which he played in. Mark Pehowski played in 12 games last year, starting in six.

Three newcomers will be thrown into the mix: Swedish import Khaled El-Ahmad, local product Jon Gridley and Minnesota native J.J. Klein. "Those three will serve to strengthen our central and left side in the backfield," said Bennett.

Midfield:
Bennett is most optimistic about his midfielders, who will be the building block of the team's accomplishments this season.

"The midfield will be the engine room of our success," said Bennett. "It's an area of the field where I think we have some of the best players in the region. If they blend well together, as they have shown signs of doing, they will be able to generate considerable forward momentum."

Scott Dombrowski and Bostwick have been starters together for the last three years and their play will be instrumental this year. Dombrowski is the team's leading returning scorer from last year. He showed a knack for converting on his goal-scoring opportunities from the defensive midfield position, as he scored 13 points (six goals, one assist). He excels in the air, both on the offensive and defensive ends, and was rewarded with a nod to the All-Region second team. Bostwick scored four points last year (two goals, two assists), including the gamewinner against Cleveland State.

Kevin Roethe made a considerable impact as a freshman, starting 11 of the 16 games he played in. Junior Mark Turner and sophomore Dan Dulyx will also be looking for playing time, along with three freshman: Mike Mielke, Tighe Dombrowski and Kyle Lance.

Forward:
The Panthers lost over half of last year's offensive output due to graduation. Bennett feels that will only create opportunities for other Panthers to fill the net, especially three returnees up front.

This may be a break out year for junior Ryan Seymour. At the end of his freshman season, he scored a gamewinner against Detroit, and then added two goals in UWM's win over UW-Green Bay in the MCC Tournament. But last season, Seymour's playing time was limited, and he did not score in his six appearances. He averaged a goal a game during the spring season and played well on his summer team.

"He's talented and looking to improve on his goal tally," said Bennett. "His athleticism, speed and technique will definitely help in our quest for goals."

Andrew Lee, a native of Bennett's Great Britain, saw action in eight games as a freshman last year, but the coach feels that the best is definitely yet to come for Lee.

"He's had a full year to acclimatize to the U.S. game and the U.S. lifestyle," said Bennett. "This may be the year that he fulfills his potential."

Dave Dulyx, a junior, will be fighting to prove he deserves a position on the starting unit.

"He's looking to solidify his minutes and his statistics, in terms of goals and assists," said Bennett.

But newcomers will also be called upon to see serious minutes and score goals.

"This is the position where we will most likely see new faces," said Bennett.

B.J. Blake, Bobby Lish, along with midfielders Tighe Dombrowski, Mielke and Lance will probably see time at forward for the Panthers.