Junior David Peters keeps control of the ball

by Thomas Holland '00

Coach Lance Watkins enters his second season as head coach of the Flying Fleet Men’s Soccer team. Watkins returns 16 players from last season, including four seniors who will be counted on to provide leadership for the younger players.

“I'm very excited about the upcoming season," said Watkins. "Our players have a positive attitude about the season, and have been working hard to improve over the last year. Our immediate goal will be to qualify for the conference tournament.”

Senior Travis Thompson (Anderson, SC) should provide a spark on offense this season. Thompson started in 14 games last season, and scored three goals. Fellow senior Derrick Thompson (Spartanburg, SC), played in 15 games last season, and will look to anchor down a young Fleet defense. Robert Bannan (Spartanburg, SC), a senior who played in 14 games and picked up an assist last season, will provide solid experience for Erskine on offense. Senior goalkeeper Freddy Wojtkowski (Ware Shoals, SC) played in four games last season, making eight saves.

Junior Nick Devlin (Apex, NC) was second on the team in goals with four last season even though he made the move from midfield to defender. Leading scorer David Peters, a junior (Arima, Trinidad), will look to improve on last season’s five-goal, five-assist season, once he returns from an injury suffered in the preseason.

Junior defenders Alan Dix (Mt. Pleasant, SC), Jason Windley (Simpsonville, SC), and Corey Bradham (Simpsonville, SC) will join Thompson, in anchoring down the Erskine defense this season. Junior Ben Stoner (Simpsonville, SC) enters his third season in goal for the Fleet. Last season Stoner played in all 16 games, while making 83 saves.

Juniors Josh Veres (Pelzer, SC), Isacc Porter (Greenville, SC), Bobby Lauman (Lawrenceville, GA), and Jeremy Weeks (Mooresville, NC), will provide depth and experience for Coach Watkins on offense. Ed Joyce (Bedford, England) returns for his sophomore season after playing in 14 games in 2002, scoring one goal.

New to the Fleet this season are sophomore Jesse Kraay (Atlanta, GA) and freshman Joseph Larson (Simpsonville, SC) who will each battle for time in goal. Freshman Jean Keita (Columbia, SC) will look for a job at the forward position.

The Erskine men will open up at home today as the Fleet host North Greenville at 7 p.m. at Huggins Field.

www.erskinecollegesports.com