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Men's Soccer |
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2012 Schedule |
| DATE |
OPPONENT |
SITE |
TIME/RESULT |
| Wed., Aug. 22 |
@ Bethel (RV) |
Mishawaka, Ind. |
T 0-0 (2OT) |
| Tues. Aug. 28 |
vs. Ohio Midwestern |
Grand Rapids, Mich. |
W 9-1 |
| Wed., Aug. 29 |
@ St. Xavier (#25) |
Chicago, Ill. |
L 1-2 |
| Sat., Sept. 1 |
@ Rio Grande (#4) |
Rio Grande, Ohio |
L 1-3 |
| Tues. Sept. 4 |
vs. Cornerstone |
Grand Rapids, Mich. |
W 1-0 (2OT) |
| Sat., Sept. 8 |
@ Goshen |
Goshen, Ind. |
W 3-1 |
| Wed., Sept. 12 |
vs. Calumet College of St. Joseph |
Grand Rapids, Mich. |
W 8-0 |
| Sun., Sept. 16 |
vs. St. Francis (Ind.) |
Grand Rapids, Mich. |
W 7-1 |
| Sat., Sept. 22 |
vs. Northwestern Ohio* |
Grand Rapids, Mich. |
W 3-0 |
| Wed., Sept. 26 |
@ Cornerstone* |
Grand Rapids, Mich. |
L 0-1 (2OT) |
| Sat., Sept. 29 |
vs. Madonna* (Homecoming) |
Grand Rapids, Mich. |
W 2-1 |
| Sat., Oct. 6 |
@ Lawrence Tech* |
Southfield, Mich. |
W 5-1 |
| Wed., Oct. 10 |
vs. Davenport* |
Grand Rapids, Mich. |
W 3-0 |
| Sat., Oct. 13 |
@ UM-Dearborn* |
Dearborn, Mich. |
W 3-0 |
| Wed., Oct. 17 |
vs. Concordia* |
Grand Rapids, Mich. |
W 4-1 |
| Sat., Oct. 20 |
vs. Indiana Tech* |
Grand Rapids, Mich. |
L 1-2 |
| Wed. Oct. 24 |
@ Marygrove* |
Detroit, Mich. |
L 1-2 (OT) |
| Sat., Oct. 27 |
@ Siena Heights* |
Adrian, Mich. |
W 5-1 |
| Sat., Nov. 3 |
WHAC Quarterfinals
vs. Davenport |
Grand Rapids, Mich. |
W 4-0 |
| Tues., Nov. 6 |
WHAC Semifinals
vs. Northwestern Ohio |
Grand Rapids, Mich. |
T 1-1
AQ advances in
shootout 5-4 |
| Fri., Nov. 9 |
WHAC Championships |
Grand Rapids, Mich. |
T 2-2
AQ advances in
shootout 5-4
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| Sat., Nov. 17 |
NAIA National Championships Opening Round
vs. Rio Grande |
Rio Grande, Ohio |
L 1-2 |
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| * denotes WHAC league game |
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Roster |
| No. |
Photos |
Name |
Yr. |
Pos |
Ht. |
Hometown/High School (College) |
| 0 |
 |
Tad Drabik |
Fr. |
GK |
5-10 |
Portage, Mich./Portage Central |
| 1 |
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Mike Sweers |
So. |
GK |
5-10 |
Grand Rapids, Mich./East Kentwood/Western Michigan |
| 2 |
 |
Justin Reamon |
So. |
DEF |
5-10 |
Grand Rapids, Mich./Northview/Hope |
| 3 |
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Joey VanGessel |
Sr. |
MID |
5-10 |
Grandville, Mich./Grandville/GRCC |
| 4 |
 |
Michael Weber |
Fr. |
DEF |
6-3 |
Traverse City, Mich./Saint Francis |
| 5 |
 |
Billy Cremeans |
Sr. |
MID |
6-1 |
Portage, Mich./Portage Northern |
| 6 |
 |
Mitch Torres |
Jr. |
MID |
5-10 |
Grand Rapids, Mich./South Christian |
| 8 |
 |
Mitchal Rosendall |
So. |
MID |
5-9 |
Grand Rapids, Mich./Forest Hills Eastern/Western Michigan |
| 9 |
 |
Casey Higgason |
Sr. |
FWD |
5-11 |
Portage, Mich./Portage Northern |
| 10 |
 |
Heath Somers |
Sr. |
MID |
6-1 |
Portage, Mich./Portage Northern |
| 11 |
 |
Michael Gagnon |
Jr. |
MID |
5-9 |
Grand Haven, Mich./Spring Lake |
| 12 |
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Tucker Hogarth |
Jr. |
MID |
5-11 |
Elk Rapids, Mich./Elk Rapids |
| 13 |
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Kyle Haverkate |
Jr. |
DEF |
5-10 |
Grand Rapids, Mich./Forest Hills Eastern |
| 14 |
 |
Luke Bestrom |
Fr. |
DEF |
6-1 |
Caledonia, Mich./Caledonia |
| 15 |
 |
Kyle Dyke |
Sr. |
DEF |
5-9 |
Grand Rapids, Mich./Forest Hills Central |
| 16 |
 |
Jon Malecke |
So. |
DEF |
5-9 |
South Lyon, Mich./Detroit Catholic Central |
| 17 |
 |
Peter Brandenburg |
Fr. |
DEF |
5-10 |
Mason, Mich./Mason |
| 18 |
 |
Logan Wagner |
Sr. |
MID |
5-10 |
Jackson, Mich./Jackson/Jackson Community College |
| 19 |
 |
Juan Torres |
Fr. |
MID |
5-9 |
Grand Rapids, Mich./Northview |
| 20 |
 |
Mitch Pepper |
Fr. |
FWD |
5-11 |
Plymouth, Mich./Canton |
| 21 |
 |
Chad Gordon |
Fr. |
DEF |
5-9 |
Jenison, Mich./Jenison |
| 22 |
 |
Jonathan Spencer |
Jr. |
MID |
5-10 |
Traverse City, Mich./Traverse City West |
| 23 |
 |
Matt Buslepp |
Jr. |
DEF |
6-3 |
Grosse Pointe, Mich./Grosse Pointe South |
| 24 |
 |
Enrique Padilla |
Fr. |
MID |
6-0 |
Grand Rapids, Mich./Northview |
| 26 |
 |
David Tamm |
Fr. |
MID |
5-8 |
Hinsdale, Ill./Hinsdale Central |
| 28 |
 |
Luke Tamm |
Fr. |
MID |
5-8 |
Hinsdale, Ill./Hinsdale Central |
| 30/31 |
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Gabriel Mateo |
Fr. |
FWD |
5-11 |
Grand Rapids, Mich./Potter's House |
| 32 |
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Trevor Kay |
Fr. |
GK |
6-0 |
Warren, Mich./De La Salle |
| 33 |
 |
Landon Palmer |
So. |
GK |
6-1 |
Williamston, Mich./Williamston |
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Coaches |
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JOE VEAL Men's Head Coach -- Head Coach Joe Veal begins his eighth year leading the men's soccer program at Aquinas College. In 2011 Veal became the winningest coach in Aquinas history and now has a 96-38-7 overall record and a 48-16-6 record in conference games at Aquinas. In his seven years at the helm of the program the Saints have won the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference (WHAC) regular season championship 3 times in 2008, 2009, and 2010 and the WHAC tournament twice, in 1996 and 2007.
Veal has built the program based on recruiting solid student-athletes that possess strong character traits to compliment their outstanding soccer skills. Veal comments, "There are so many aspects to look at in conducting a successful program. We focus on recruiting quality student-athletes that have good skills, ball control and touch. We also look for players that have a strong understanding of game tactics.
He also credits the success of the program to the influence of his Assistant Coaches during those years. “Matt Roberts, Tony Rowe, Levi Swaney, Brian McKeough, and Chad DuRussel are all former players who love the game of soccer and love Aquinas and have worked very hard to maintain a program of excellence.”
After playing high school football, Veal took up the game of soccer. From that point on, he has never looked back and soccer has been a big part of his life. Upon graduation, Veal continued his education and playing career at Bethel College in Mishawaka, IN. He was a four year varsity player on the men's soccer team and was selected as a team captain his junior and senior seasons. He also garnered All-District recognition his junior year. Veal completed his education at Bethel College and graduated with a degree in Biblical Literature and Youth Ministry. He later returned to complete the requirements to be a Health and Physical Education teacher. After graduating from Bethel College, he spent three additional years at Bethel in the capacity of athletic director and teaching and coaching soccer.
After years at Bethel, Veal was ready for a new challenge and he was selected as the first head coach at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis for two seasons. He was named district coach of the year one of those years. Veal then moved to Grand Rapids, MI where for the next seven years he was an Assistant Professor and head soccer coach at WHAC rival Cornerstone University. The Golden Eagles won a conference championship under Veal's leadership in 1993.
In 1996 Veal joined the Aquinas College Saints program in a co-coaching position with coach Pat Hoatlin. The Saints won the WHAC tournament that season. Veal, who is currently a Health Education teacher in the Rockford Public School system, then coached the varsity boy's soccer team at Rockford for nine seasons.
When the men's soccer coaching position became open in 2005, Veal realized he was ready for a new challenge and was optimistic about the Aquinas College program. The rest is history and Veal has continued to produce teams that are disciplined and hard working on the field. He believes in taking talent and adapting the system to get the most out of his players. Veal has a strong conviction regarding developing a servant leader mentality in his players. He explains, “One of the five NAIA Champions of Character traits is servant leadership. Jesus was the ultimate role model of that trait. The original Saints, the disciples, at first sought to be the greatest among each other and Jesus taught them otherwise when He said, “just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” (Matthew 20:26-28)
Joe Veal is married to Sylvia and they have four children, two sons and two daughters. |
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Rodger Garner - Assistant Coach
Rodger rejoins Aquinas this year as both the men's and women's goalkeeping coach. Rodger also currently serves as the varsity assistant head coach at East Kentwood HS for both men and women. EK's boys team has won the Division 1 state championship 3 times in the last 5 years. Many of his keepers have earned all-state honors and continued their careers at both the collegiate and professional levels. Rodger played at the University of Dayton before playing professionally for the indoor Dayton Dynamo, and semi pro with several teams. His youth coaching experience includes 2 State Cup championships and several league championships. He has also served as the director of coaching for two youth clubs.
Rodger's son Matt, attended Aquinas and was a standout tennis and soccer player. Rodger says, "Aquinas represents all that is right with higher education. They strive to be the best both academically and athletically. Both soccer programs are run by coaches who care immensely about each player more as a person than as a soccer player." |
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Season Review |
The Aquinas College men’s soccer team concluded the 2012 season as one of the most successful teams in school history. The team finished the year with a record of 13-6-3 overall and 7-3 in the Wolverine Hoosier Athletic Conference. The team scored 65 goals, allowed only 22 goals, and achieved seven shutouts.
On the attack the team was led by the All-Conference performances of mid-fielder Casey Higgason (13 goals, 12 assist), central mid-fielder Heath Somers (5 goals, 4 assist) and Ty Fischer. Senior defender Kyle Dyke solidified the Saint defense, while senior Billy Cremeans contributed quality minutes in the midfield. Also aiding in the attack were juniors Mike Gagnon (3 goals, 6 assist) and holding midfielder Mitch Torres (2 game winning goals, 2 assist). Other key contributors included central defender Kyle Haverkate, outside defenders Chad Gordon and Justin Reamon, and goalkeeper Mike Sweers.
The year started with a challenging schedule that included games against two top 25 teams. Aquinas tied perennial power Bethel College 0-0. After losing to #25 St. Xavier 1-2 and #2 Rio Grande 1-3, the Saints went on to win five in row. The winning streak included a win over WHAC league champion Cornerstone, as well as multi-goal victories over Goshen and St. Francis of Indiana.
After completing the non-conference part of the schedule the Saints ventured into WHAC league games. 2012 included four new conference opponents in soccer. Lawrence Tech, University of Michigan Dearborn, Marygrove, and University of Northwestern Ohio. League play would prove to be more challenging than ever with the addition of the four new teams.
The team opened with a convincing 3-0 win over University of Northwestern Ohio. The following game proved pivotal in who would win the WHAC regular season. The Saints played hard but lost to crosstown rival Cornerstone 0-1 in double overtime. The team regrouped to win five games in a row including an exciting 2-1 homecoming win over Madonna and a convincing 3-0 win over Davenport University. A mid season slump occurred as the Saints lost to Marygrove in overtime and then suffered a rare home field loss to Indiana Tech.
Knowing the last game against Siena Heights would make a difference in gaining the #2 seed for the WHAC tournament the team played a strong game on the road to beat Siena Heights 5-0.
The Saints were playing their best at the end of the season and it showed during the WHAC tournament. The Saints opened against rival Davenport and soundly beat the Panthers 4-0. Next up was league newcomer University of Northwestern Ohio, a much improved team from the beginning of the year. UNOH went up 1-0 and the Saints battled back to tie the score at 1-1. Casey Higgason netted the equalizing score off a deflected corner kick. The game ended in a tie and penalty kicks decided who would advance in the tournament. The Saints scored all five of their kicks. Senior Billy Cremeans provided the clutch and deciding penalty kick.
The Saints traveled to Cornerstone for the WHAC tournament championship ready to play hard for the championship and to qualify for the NAIA National Tournament. Two minutes into the game Michael Gagnon crossed the ball and Casey Higgason headed the ball into the net for a 1-0 lead. Ten minutes later Cornerstone tied the game 1-1. Before half Gagnon once again assisted on a goal to go ahead 2-1. The Golden Eagles kept battling and were able to tie the game with six minutes remaining in the game. Both teams came close in overtime but, the game ended in a 2-2 tie.
Once again, penalty kicks would decide who the Champion would be and which team would represent the WHAC at the National Tournament. Both teams scored their first four penalty kicks with Tyler Fischer, Casey Higgason, Heath Somers, and Mitchal Rosendall scoring for the Saints. The Saints keeper stopped the fifth Cornerstone kick and once again Billy Cremeans stepped up to score the clutch and deciding penalty kick to qualify the Saints for the NAIA National Tournament for only the second time in school history.
In the opening round of the National Tournament Aquinas was paired up against #2 Rio Grande of Ohio. After going down a goal Heath Somers scored on a free kick to tie the game. Just before half Rio Grande scored a second goal and that proved to be enough to end the Saints season.
Seniors Casey Higgason, Heath Somers, Billy Cremeans, Kyle Dyke, Joey VanGessel, and Logan Wagner end their careers as one of the most successful group of seniors ever. The group helped the Saints to achieved two WHAC Conference Championships, one WHAC Tournament Championship and a trip to the NAIA National Tournament.
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WHAC All Conference First Team:
-Tyler Fischer
-Casey Higgason
WHAC All Conference Second Team:
-Kyle Haverkate
-Heath Somers
WHAC Champions of Character Team:
-Joey VanGessel
WHAC All-Academic Team (Junior or Senior and has at least a 3.25):
-Mike Gagnon.
-Heath Sommers.
-Mitch Torres.
-Jon Spencer.
-Logan Wagner
-Joey VanGessel
NAIA All-American:
-Tyler Fischer
NAIA Academic All-American (Junior or Senior and has at least a 3.50):
-Mike Gagnon.
-Mitch Torres.
-Jon Spencer.
Pat Hoatlin Award:
Mitch TorresĀ
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