The Pomeroy soccer team enters the 2012 season with much anticipation and excitement after a busy recruiting season. The new-look Pomeroys will feature nine new faces to this year’s roster, including plenty of talent at every position. In addition, the Pomeroys will also feature nine returning veterans from last year’s team. After a hiatus from the United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA) national tournament, the Pomeroys are eager to get back into the national spotlight in hopes of a trip to Asheville, North Carolina, in early November.
The Pomeroys graduated five seniors from last year’s squad. Even though those players will be greatly missed, head coach Mike Aycock believes this group of freshman players are ready to step into roles left by those graduating seniors. “This is the best incoming class we have had in a while, and it’s time to be a little excited about them. There are players who can score, players who can defend, and players who can distribute the ball beautifully in the group. They’ve put us in the position of having choices in various places around the field.”
This season marks the 12th year of the program for head coach Mike Aycock. It also marks the fourth year for assistant coach Jovan Jeftich. After an injury-plagued season a year ago, both coaches agree this year will be much different. It actually might be one of the most talented teams in the history of the program. “We need to start creating an expectation that we will win matches again,” stated Aycock.
The Pomeroys will begin their season with a home opener on Sept. 5, 2012, against perennial power Hanover College, out of the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference. Two days later, the Pomeroys will make a trip to Franklin College in an evening match under the lights of Stewart Faught Stadium. On Sept. 11, 2012, the Pomeroys will make a long trek to Detroit, Michigan, to take on USCAA conference foe Marygrove College. This matchup will mark the first time the Pomeroys have played Marygrove since the 2009 USCAA national championship game in Burlington, Vermont. The Pomeroys return home for a tilt with Cincinnati Christian University on September 14, 2012, before leaving on the road for three straight matches at Anderson University, Taylor University, and Rose-Hulman. The September schedule concludes on Homecoming against USCAA opponent Lindenwood-Belleville.
The October schedule opens up with the Pomeroys hosting rival Oakland City University on the second. Three away matches follow, including dates with USCAA Finalist Ohio Midwestern, Brescia University, and a rematch with Oakland City University. The last home match of the season takes place on Sunday, Oct. 21, 2012. This particular game will honor all of our current seniors as they play in their last home game.