Millikin Men's Soccer Looks for Third Straight Winning Season

  Millikin Head Men's Soccer Coach Chad Jones welcomes back 14 letter winners including three starters in 2016 as the Big Blue look for its third straight winning season. The Big Blue went 10-7 last season, but had a disappointing finish in the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW). One of the goals for this season is to convert last season's one goal defeats into victories.
          The Big Blue's biggest challenge in 2016 is replacing four year starter and All-Conference performer Daniel Sinclair in goal. Jones is confident that junior Trevor Creek is up to the challenge in the net for the Big Blue. Creek played well in limited opportunities last season.
          The Big Blue returners are lead by junior Ben Spelman the team's second leading scorer last season with five goals and three assists. Senior midfielder Tucker Mathieson and junior defender Hunter Somers return after starting for the Big Blue the last two seasons.
          Senior forward Oliver Czopek, junior defender Sam Rackovan, sophomore defender Fred Bartuch and sophomore forward Patrick Dolan all return after making significant contributions last season.
          Experienced returners Joe Caldarazzo, Michael Flores, Takunda Jakachira and Ryan Murphy will all be looked to for contributions in 2016.
          The Big Blue have added a talented recruiting class to the returning group. Jones believes several of these players will make a major impact this season including junior transfer Michael Longo and freshmen Chris Clay, Gabriel Gill, Nick Hatfield, Trey Knighton, Ivan Lopez, Ben Maynard, Bradyn Nokes and Austin Taylor.
          The Millikin men's soccer team opens the 2016 on the road at Monmouth College on Sept. 3 at 5 p.m. The home opener is Labor Day, Sept. 5 at 5 p.m. against Lakeland College.

2016 Millikin Men's Soccer Magazine

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Players Mentioned

#1 Daniel Sinclair: GK; 6' 2"; Senior

#3 Fred Bartuch: D; 5' 9"; Sophomore

#0 Trevor Creek: GK; 6' 0"; Junior

#32 Oliver Czopek: M; 6' 2"; Senior

#13 Patrick Dolan: F/M; 5' 8"; Sophomore

#11 Michael Flores: M; 6' 1"; Sophomore

#10 Takunda Jakachira: M; 5' 9"; Sophomore

#22 Tucker Mathieson: M; 5' 9"; Senior

#14 Ryan Murphy: M; 6' 2"; Junior

#23 Sam Rackovan: D; 6' 3"; Junior

#5 Hunter Somers: M; 5' 11"; Junior

#19 Ben Spelman: F; 6' 4"; Junior

Players Mentioned

#1 Daniel Sinclair
: 6' 2"; Senior
: GK

#3 Fred Bartuch
: 5' 9"; Sophomore
: D

#0 Trevor Creek
: 6' 0"; Junior
: GK

#32 Oliver Czopek
: 6' 2"; Senior
: M

#13 Patrick Dolan
: 5' 8"; Sophomore
: F/M

#11 Michael Flores
: 6' 1"; Sophomore
: M

#10 Takunda Jakachira
: 5' 9"; Sophomore
: M

#22 Tucker Mathieson
: 5' 9"; Senior
: M

#14 Ryan Murphy
: 6' 2"; Junior
: M

#23 Sam Rackovan
: 6' 3"; Junior
: D

#5 Hunter Somers
: 5' 11"; Junior
: M

#19 Ben Spelman
: 6' 4"; Junior
: F