The Charlotte 49ers men's soccer team will host Coastal Carolina Sunday night at 6:30 in an exhibition opener at Transamerica Field. The Niners participated in the NCAA Tournament for the sixth time in program history in 2009 and are currently ranked inside the top 25.
Charlotte returns seven starters to a squad that reached the NCAAs for the first time under head coach Jeremy Gunn and the first time since 1997. Charlotte won 11 games under Gunn last season and are 18-2-5 at home under the Harrogate, England native.
The Niners head to UNC Greensboro on Wednesday Sept. 1 at 7 p.m. to kick off the regular season.
Friday, August 20, 2010
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
National title or Rose Bowl for the Buckeyes?
The Ohio State Buckeyes finally won a big BCS game against a big-time team in the 2009 Rose Bowl against Oregon. Will they make another appearance in the New years Day game, or take a step to the next level and win another national title for Jim Tressel. Here's a quick look at the 2010 Buckeyes.
The Offense: When quarterback Terrelle Pryor is on, the Buckeyes are a tough test, exemplified by their overwhelming victory in the Rose Bowl. But when he's off, it makes it that much tougher on the Buckeye offense. Pryor doesn't have to be Joe Montana every week for OSU to win the Big Ten, but if the Bucks want contend for a national title, he needs to be on the money each and every week.
The Defense: OSU's defense was solid against the run last year, never allowing more than 200 yards. And to be solid again, they'll need to rely on some solid young prospects. The play of guys like John Simon, Dorian Bell and Nathan Williams could make the difference between a nice bowl win or national title game berth.
The Schedule: Ohio State's schedule sets up for an undefeated run (as it usually does), but there are some potential landmines with games against a strong Miami team and an up and coming Northwestern squad. The real test for OSU will come when they play Penn State and Iowa in back-to-back weeks.
--Josh Carpenter
The Offense: When quarterback Terrelle Pryor is on, the Buckeyes are a tough test, exemplified by their overwhelming victory in the Rose Bowl. But when he's off, it makes it that much tougher on the Buckeye offense. Pryor doesn't have to be Joe Montana every week for OSU to win the Big Ten, but if the Bucks want contend for a national title, he needs to be on the money each and every week.
The Defense: OSU's defense was solid against the run last year, never allowing more than 200 yards. And to be solid again, they'll need to rely on some solid young prospects. The play of guys like John Simon, Dorian Bell and Nathan Williams could make the difference between a nice bowl win or national title game berth.
The Schedule: Ohio State's schedule sets up for an undefeated run (as it usually does), but there are some potential landmines with games against a strong Miami team and an up and coming Northwestern squad. The real test for OSU will come when they play Penn State and Iowa in back-to-back weeks.
--Josh Carpenter
Monday, August 9, 2010
Can LSU challenge for the SEC West?
It hasn't been the same LSU over the last two years since the Tigers took home the national championship, but with the potential of good young prospects on offense and a renewed offensive line, LSU just might be able to challenge for the SEC West title. Here's a quick look at some key pieces for Les Miles' squad.
The Offense: Known for having very athletic players at the skill positions, the Tigers have set themselves up for 2010. Receiver Terrence Toliver is a known commodity, but junior tight end Deangelo Peterson might be a player to keep an eye on. Also keep an eye on running back Michael Ford, who has had a phenomenal spring.
The Defense: LSU will have two new starters at the outside linebacker spots. Kelvin Sheppard will be the anchor in the middle, but the Tigers need to get some solid play from Stefoin Francois and Ryan Baker. To be successful, LSU needs to get more pressure on the quarterback from all defensive positions.
The Schedule: No team could run through this schedule unblemished, but LSU got a bit of a break with some huge home games. If the Tigers can get past North Carolina in the opener, they have the potential to start 5-0 after playing at Vanderbilt, but getting Mississippi State, Tennessee and West Virginia in Death Valley. If they do start 5-0, they'll be heading to the swamp in what might be an SEC Championship preview. Road games at Arkansas and Auburn are potential landmines to LSU's season.
The Offense: Known for having very athletic players at the skill positions, the Tigers have set themselves up for 2010. Receiver Terrence Toliver is a known commodity, but junior tight end Deangelo Peterson might be a player to keep an eye on. Also keep an eye on running back Michael Ford, who has had a phenomenal spring.
The Defense: LSU will have two new starters at the outside linebacker spots. Kelvin Sheppard will be the anchor in the middle, but the Tigers need to get some solid play from Stefoin Francois and Ryan Baker. To be successful, LSU needs to get more pressure on the quarterback from all defensive positions.
The Schedule: No team could run through this schedule unblemished, but LSU got a bit of a break with some huge home games. If the Tigers can get past North Carolina in the opener, they have the potential to start 5-0 after playing at Vanderbilt, but getting Mississippi State, Tennessee and West Virginia in Death Valley. If they do start 5-0, they'll be heading to the swamp in what might be an SEC Championship preview. Road games at Arkansas and Auburn are potential landmines to LSU's season.
Saturday, August 7, 2010
Alabama's road to the National Championship
College football is nearly upon us. So with the season looming large and the Alabama Crimson Tide poised to repeat as national champions, I'll take a look at a few key games and players to look at for the 2010 season.
Offensive Expectations: The Tide should be more balanced on offense this season as Greg McElroy now has a national title under his belt and more experience, not to mention the loaded receiving corps that includes Julio Jones. Expect Alabama to still rely heavily on the run with Heisman winner Mark Ingram and a punishing Ton, but Nick Saban's crew should feed off of that and average more than 200 yards per game.
The Defense: The defense shouldn't have that much of a drop off from last season, but with the loss of Terrence Cody and Roland McClain will definitely have an effect. Even with the loss of those players, Alabama's defense is still heavy with NFL-quality players and should be just fine.
Schedule: Alabama won't be playing in the kickoff game this year but will be playing in a big non-conference game early in the season, playing host to Penn State in just the second week. The obvious game to watch would be against Florida on Oct. 2, but keep a close eye on the Sept. 25 game at Arkansas for the Tide to slip up. The Hogs return Ryan Mallett and an explosive offense, and could pose the first real threat to Alabama's defense.
--Josh Carpenter
Offensive Expectations: The Tide should be more balanced on offense this season as Greg McElroy now has a national title under his belt and more experience, not to mention the loaded receiving corps that includes Julio Jones. Expect Alabama to still rely heavily on the run with Heisman winner Mark Ingram and a punishing Ton, but Nick Saban's crew should feed off of that and average more than 200 yards per game.
The Defense: The defense shouldn't have that much of a drop off from last season, but with the loss of Terrence Cody and Roland McClain will definitely have an effect. Even with the loss of those players, Alabama's defense is still heavy with NFL-quality players and should be just fine.
Schedule: Alabama won't be playing in the kickoff game this year but will be playing in a big non-conference game early in the season, playing host to Penn State in just the second week. The obvious game to watch would be against Florida on Oct. 2, but keep a close eye on the Sept. 25 game at Arkansas for the Tide to slip up. The Hogs return Ryan Mallett and an explosive offense, and could pose the first real threat to Alabama's defense.
--Josh Carpenter
Friday, August 6, 2010
49ers ranked in preseason poll
Jeremy Gunn's Charlotte 49ers men's soccer team is ranked 25th in the College Soccer news preseason poll. Charlotte was ranked in the top 25 for much of last season and were ranked as high as ninth in late Oct. after defeating 3rd-ranked Wake Forest.
The Niners return nine starters and 15 letterwinners from a 2009 squad that hosted a first round NCAA Tournament game. Charlotte's non-conference schedule for 2010 is one of the toughest in the A-10 as Charlotte hosts the likes of Wake Forest, Clemson, South Carolina and Furman at Transamerica Field. Charlotte will also travel on the road to face UNC Greensboro and UAB.
Charlotte plays Coastal Carolina in an exhibition game on Sunday, Aug. 22. They open the regular season on the road against UNC Greensboro on Sept. 1.
--Josh Carpenter
The Niners return nine starters and 15 letterwinners from a 2009 squad that hosted a first round NCAA Tournament game. Charlotte's non-conference schedule for 2010 is one of the toughest in the A-10 as Charlotte hosts the likes of Wake Forest, Clemson, South Carolina and Furman at Transamerica Field. Charlotte will also travel on the road to face UNC Greensboro and UAB.
Charlotte plays Coastal Carolina in an exhibition game on Sunday, Aug. 22. They open the regular season on the road against UNC Greensboro on Sept. 1.
--Josh Carpenter
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Cullen's Niners picked second
The Charlotte 49ers women's soccer team was picked to finish second in the A-10 in a preseason vote by the league's coaches. Dayton, winner of last year's championship, was picked ahead of Charlotte. The Niners have won three of the last four regular season titles.
Charlotte has a 23-game regular season unbeaten streak in conference play and return nine starters from the 2009 squad. Charlotte finished 16-3-2 and 9-0-2 in the A-10. Charlotte opens the season on Aug. 29 at N.C. State and open their campaign at Transamerica Field on Sept. 3 against the Arizona State Sun Devils.
--Josh Carpenter
Charlotte has a 23-game regular season unbeaten streak in conference play and return nine starters from the 2009 squad. Charlotte finished 16-3-2 and 9-0-2 in the A-10. Charlotte opens the season on Aug. 29 at N.C. State and open their campaign at Transamerica Field on Sept. 3 against the Arizona State Sun Devils.
--Josh Carpenter
Friday, July 30, 2010
Sajevic wins Nebraska State Amateur
Charlotte 49ers sophomore Andy Sajevic won the Nebraska State Amateur title Thursday, defeating Ryan Nietfeldt by two shots. Paired with Nietfeldt in the final round, Sajevic overcame a five-shot deficit with 16 holes to play with his 2-under-par 69.
This is the second state title the Sajevic family has won, as Andy's father John won the event in 1989-and finished tied for third this year. Sajevic also won the Nebraska Junior Amateur in 2009 as well as the Nebraska Junior Match Play title. He placed 7th in the Nebraska Amateur last year.
This is the second state title the Sajevic family has won, as Andy's father John won the event in 1989-and finished tied for third this year. Sajevic also won the Nebraska Junior Amateur in 2009 as well as the Nebraska Junior Match Play title. He placed 7th in the Nebraska Amateur last year.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)