MOORHEAD, Minn. (8/30/09)-- With nine freshmen and only two seniors on the 2009 roster, head coach Dan Weiler knows that the brightest days are still ahead for the Concordia men’s soccer team. However, Weiler is starting to get a little less patient with talk of the future as he knows the Cobbers have the talent to make a run at the MIAC playoff race this season. His optimism stems from the fact that Concordia returns nine of the 11 starters from last year’s team that won five of their final six games of the year and lost four games in conference play by a single goal.

The Cobbers will be even deeper in 2009 as Weiler brought in another strong class of newcomers to help push the upperclassmen and give Concordia much-needed bench strength during the grueling MIAC season.

Concordia’s defense will be shored up by three returning starters and co-captain goalkeeper Mads Schmidt (Rodding, Denmark). Schmidt is a three-year starter who possesses strong shot-stopping skills as well as a keen knowledge of the position that will help the Cobbers in tight games.

The biggest difference in the 2009 squad will be in the midfield where a year of experience will give the Cobbers a better chance to control the middle of park. Central midfielder Marco Riboli (Bergamo, Italy) was named to the MIAC All-Conference Honorable Mention Team last year and gives CC a playmaking presence. Joining Riboli in the midline will be Alex Dahl (Fargo, N.D./Fargo South HS), Philip Bruckbauer (Fargo, N.D./Shanley HS) and Kyle Quimby (Mahtomedi, Minn.). All three were starters last year and Bruckbauer amd Quimby had double-digit point totals to end the year. Dahl’s attacking presence from the wing continually gave opposing defense fits and he helped lead the Cobbers’ late-season charge.

The biggest loss from a year ago will come up front where Concordia lost their leading goal scorer from 2008. Justin Foss’ end-of-the-year scoring rampage helped the Cobbers win five straight. He finished the year with 15 goals and two assists for 32 points which was the second highest single season point total in program history. The leading candidate to fill Foss’ shoes will be sophomore Riley McGlynn who had four goals and four assists in his first year and will be aided by a year of college experience.

Several newcomers could have an impact for Concordia this season. First-year forward Kristian Reiersgord (Edina, Minn.) was an All-State Honorable Mention and four-year letter-winner for the Hornets. Weiler has once again brought in a quality crew from the F-M area as well as Montana. Fargo South product Michael Reddinger will see time on the back line and Montanans Jared Rice (Kalispell, Mont./Glacier HS) and Artem Shchepetkin (Tomsk, Russia/Bozeman HS) will also get looks with the varsity squad.

2009 MIAC Coach's Preseason Poll
1. Gustavus (7)
2. Augsburg (2)
3. Carleton (2)
4. St. Thomas 
5. Saint John's
6. St. Olaf
7. Macalester
8. Concordia
9. Bethel
10. Hamline
11. Saint Mary's