Purdue Calumet's Season Opener at Marygrove College Postponed
The Purdue University Calumet women’s soccer team’s season opener at Marygrove College has been postponed until a later date, still to be determined.
The match was originally slated for a 2 p.m. CT start Saturday in Detroit, Mich.
The Peregrines, under first year head coach Kellie Evans, will officially open the 2015 campaign with the squad’s home opener at Dowling Park’s Pepsi Field, slated for Wednesday, Sept. 26, against visiting Bethel College.
Purdue Calumet is looking to build upon a 7-11 overall mark and 3-8 record in Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference play in 2014.
Purdue Calumet Opens 2015 Campaign Sunday at Rochester
The Purdue University Calumet men’s soccer team looks to build on its 2014 Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference semifinal appearance as new head men’s soccer coach Ryan Hayes is looking to contend for a top spot in the league.
“We have practiced well during our preseason and are starting to understand the shape and formation I am looking to have them play,” Hayes, who last served as the top assistant coach at Roosevelt University, said.
“It will take some time to fully adjust, however I am happy with the progress we have shown.”
Purdue Calumet (0-0) opens the 2015 campaign Sunday, Aug. 23, at the Ultimate Soccer Arena in Pontiac, Mich., as the Peregrines take on nonleague foe Rochester College (0-0) at 11 a.m. CT.
The Warriors finished the 2014 season 9-5 overall, led by senior midfielder Joey Beshara who notched 18 goals in 14 games.
2014 SEASON RECAP
Purdue Calumet finished the 2014 season 10-7-2 overall and 7-3-1 in the CCAC, placing the squad fifth in conference race. The Peregrines pieced together a magical 2014 campaign that included its first berth into the CCAC Tournament in just its third season as a program -- after a 15-year hiatus.
The year included a thrilling win in the penalty kick round of the tourney opener that sent the fifth-seeded Peregrines into the conference semifinals. Purdue Calumet’s 5-3 win in PKs over fourth-seeded Roosevelt gave the program its first postseason victory since Frank Carroll’s squad won in a sudden-death shootout in 1982.
OFFENSIVE EXPERIENCE
The Peregrines bring back 10 starters and 19 letter winners from last year’s squad, including nine seniors. Senior standout and all-CCAC Second Team selection Papa Otoo (Brandenton, Fla./Braden River) is back, as he led the Peregrines with seven goals and 18 points last season, including three game-winning goals: one against Cornerstone, Trinity Christian and Cincinnati Christian.
Also returning to the Peregrine squad this season is senior Juan Pablo Garza (San Antonio, Texas/Ronald Reagan) and junior Kwesi Annoh (Browns Mills, NJ/Pemberton Township) who both ranked second on the team last year in goals scored with four each.
MIDFIELD
Along with Annoh and Garza, senior midfielders Carlos Ramirez (El Paso, Texas/Coronado/Ancilla) and Andres Ayala(San Antonio, Texas/Ronald Reagan) bring leadership to the pitch, while sophomore Zac Doepke (Troy, Mich./Troy) looks to improve after an impressive freshman season, where he started in 13 matches and recorded two goals and five assists.
DEFENSIVE BREAKDOWN
Seniors Pedro Mendieta (Lynwood, Ill./Mr. Carmel/Elmhurst), Matt Willinger (Haubstadt, Ind./Gibson Southern/Ancilla), Jaime Prado (Chicago, Ill./Washington/South Suburban) and Alex Dougherty (St. John, Ind./Lake Central) look to keep the Peregrines backline strong after helping the Black and Gold finish second in the CCAC in goals allowed (23) and goals against average (1.15) in 2014. Prado earned a CCAC Player of the Week award for his strong play in the back last season.
KEY KEEPERS
Sophomore keeper Miguel David (Bonita, Calif./Bonita Vista) is coming off an impressive freshman season, receiving All-CCAC First Team honors. David led the CCAC in shutouts (5), and finished second in saves (78) and save percentage (.788). David also won CCAC Defensive Player of the Week award twice during his freshman campaign. Local products Marco Zendejas (Hammond, Ind./ Hammond) who recorded a 1.81 goals against average in one game last season and incoming freshman Jonathon Lozano (Hammond, Ind./Bishop Noll) will both compete for field time and add depth to the keeper position.
LOCAL TALENT
Joining the two local keepers on the Peregrines’ roster this season are several players from around the area, including: Cameron Foor (Valparaiso, Ind./Wheeler), Jawayne Spence (Hammond, Ind./Morton), Pedro Hernandez (Hammond, Ind./Hammond), Cristian Garcia (Whiting, Ind./Clark), Ryan Serna (Highland, Ind./Highland) Michael Waldmarson (Crete, Ill./Illiana Christian) and Alexis Avalos (Hammond, Ind./Bishop Noll).
DOWLING PARK
The Peregrines are set to play their 2015 home slate at Dowling Park's Pepsi Field, as they open the home campaign against Marian on Sept. 1. Purdue Calumet will also welcome opponents Madonna (Sept. 4), Harris Stowe (Sept. 10), Concordia Michigan (Sept. 12), Robert Morris Illinois (Sept. 22), Trinity International (Sept. 30), Judson (Oct. 10), Roosevelt (Oct. 17), Holy Cross (Oct. 24), and Calumet St. Joseph (Oct. 31) to the new complex. Fans are asked to park in the F.O.P. Parking lot, located at 7527 Kennedy Ave. For more information, directions, and more regarding Dowling Park, check out the Pepsi Field and Visitor's Guide, located at http://www.purduecalsports.com/athletics/pepsifield/
LIVE LOOK
While no live coverage is available for Sunday's contest at Rochester, live stats will be availalble for all Peregrine home matches played at Pepsi Field on the Peregrine Sports Network located at http://portal.stretchinternet.com/puc/
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