Bethel Sports Information – 7/26/2010 10:19:39 PM

Ryan Servaty has been named the interim head coach for Bethel’s men’s and women’s soccer programs. Servaty replaces Pepe Jon Chavez, who helmed both teams from 2007-09.

Servaty comes to Bethel with a wide variety of coaching and playing experiences. His coaching experience includes two seasons as an assistant coach at Augsburg College in 2007 and 2008, where the Auggies put together a 22-12-7 record and made an appearance in the conference tournament championship, and made a run to the NCAA Sweet 16. He then moved on to be Co-Head Coach at Elk River High School for the 2009 season where he led the Elks to a 12-5-3 record and their first State Tournament appearance in seven years. He is also currently in his third year as the Director of Coach and Player Development of Three Rivers Soccer Association (TRSA) located in the Elk River/Rogers area, and is licensed with the United States Soccer Federation (USSF) and the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA).

“I’m excited for the opportunity to build off the strong foundation put in place by Coach Pepe Jon Chavez. It also is an honor to have the chance to serve Bethel University, the Bethel Athletic department, and the Bethel Men’s and Women’s Soccer programs,” said Servaty. “I would like to thank all my mentors and life coaches for preparing me for this position.”

“Ryan Servaty brings a dynamic blend of energy and expertise to the men’s and women’s head soccer coaching positions,” said Athletic Director Bob Bjorklund. “He has demonstrated an ability to connect with student athletes and inspire them to play with excellence. I’m excited to have Ryan share his passion for soccer and Christian maturity as he leads our soccer teams in a first-class experience.”

Servaty played two seasons at NCAA Division II UW-Parkside in 2002 and 2003 before transferring back home to play one season at the University of St. Thomas in 2004. He then finished his bachelor’s degree in Sport Management at the University of Minnesota in 2007. He currently resides in Otsego, Minn.

It was announced on Monday, June 28 by the Bethel University’s Athletic Department that PepeJon Chavez has resigned his position as both head men’s and women’s soccer coach at the college.

Chavez, or PepeJon as he is known in the Minnesota soccer community, was credited for working to turn Bethel’s soccer programs into competitors in the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC). Chavez was instrumental in turning both men’s and women’s programs around in a short amount of time. Last year, he helped the women’s program achieve its best record in school history and steps down as the head coach with the most wins in the 17-year history of the women’s program at 28-20-6. He also helped the men’s team post a winning season, both overall and in conference play, for the first time since 2004.

The timing of the resignation is a bit odd with just a few days more than a month before college athletes will report to preseason training at their colleges. IMS has learned that PepeJon resigned his position for family reasons.

Gustavus Sports Information – 6/2/2010

Michael Middleton has been named the new head coach of the men’s soccer program at Gustavus Adolphus College. Middleton, a 1983 graduate of Leeds Carnegie College of Physical Education and Recreation in the United Kingdom, is replacing Larry Zelenz, who resigned in May after serving as the men’s soccer coach for the past 24 years.

Middleton, a native of Birmingham, England, brings an impressive coaching resume to Gustavus that includes very successful coaching tenures at NCAA Division III institutions Fredonia State and Cortland State in New York and professional coaching experience with English Premier League and English First Division clubs. While at Fredonia State from 1993 to 1999, Middleton directed his squads to four conference titles, two East Coast Athletic Conference Championships, and three NCAA Tournament appearances. He was named the State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) Coach of the Year in 1995. In 2000, he accepted the head coaching position at Cortland State University and proceeded to direct the Dragons to SUNYAC titles in 2001, 2002, and 2003. Middleton was named SUNYAC Coach of the Year in 2001. In 2007, he directed the Buffalo semi-pro franchise Queen City FC to the East USA Conference Title, and the squad advanced to the National Premier Soccer League (NPSL) national championship game. He recently completed two years as the Academy Year-Group Head Coach for the Birmingham City Football Club of the Premier League in the United Kingdom.

Middleton, an internationally known clinician, holds the European Football/Soccer Federation (UEFA) Advanced coaching license, which is the the top examined international coaching license as well as the English Football Association Full License (Full Badge), recognized as the most prestigious national Advanced License.

Set to begin his coaching duties in August, Middleton is excited about joining the Gustavus community. He stated, “I was so impressed with the friendliness and hospitality of the athletic staff and College community during my visit. Everyone was so genuine and welcoming and I am thrilled to have the opportunity to join such an exciting environment.” He added, “It really struck me that the soccer student-athletes had such a good reputation around campus. Nearly everyone commented on what friendly, polite young men they were. That is a great legacy for Larry Zelenz to leave, and speaks volumes for him and the program. I look forward to continuing the tradition of bringing bright and talented young men to Gustavus to pursue excellence both in the classroom and on the soccer field.”

In addition to coaching the men’s soccer team, Middleton will also teach in the health and exercise science department. An experienced educator, Middleton holds a master’s degree in physical education from West Virginia University and a Post Graduate Teaching Certificate from the University of Sheffield in the United Kingdom. He served as an associate professor in the physical education department at both Fredonia State and Cortland State teaching sports psychology, stress management, and advanced coaching methodology.

Gustavus Athletics Director Al Molde is pleased to welcome an individual as respected and experienced as Michael Middleton to carry on the long and successful tradition of the men’s soccer program. He stated, “I am extremely excited to have Michael join our coaching family at Gustavus. He brings a wealth of successful experiences in soccer to Gustavus, having coached at almost every level of competitive soccer in the United States and England. Particularly impressive is his head coaching record at two separate NCAA Division III institutions, Fredonia State, and Cortland State. I am confident that our strong and successful men’s soccer program will most certainly benefit by having such a talented and experienced head coach leading the program.”

Middleton becomes the eighth head coach in the 42-year history of the Gustavus men’s soccer program. The Gusties have compiled an all-time record of 418-182-90 (.671) winning 12 conference titles and making eight NCAA Tournament appearances.

After Larry Zelenz resigned his position as head men’s soccer coach at Gustavus Adolphus, rumors circulated that Augsburg’s head coach Greg Holker might be interested in the job. Holker is a graduate of Gustavus and played soccer for the Gusties. Holker confirmed to IMS last week that he would indeed be staying at Augsburg. He agreed to answer a few questions.

IMS: Greg, I heard that you interviewed for the men’s soccer coaching job at Gustavus Adolphus, a job left open after the resignation of  long-time coach Larry Zelenz.  You’ve been head coach at Augsburg now for 6 years and this will be your 7th season. Many credit you for building the Augsburg program into one of the top teams in MIAC. What was running through your head when you knew there was an opening at Gustavus and how torn were you?

Holker: Not that I know what this feels like, but I can imagine it felt like I was cheating on my wife. I didn’t get that feeling until about a week after I was first contacted about the job, but from that time forward I felt very unsettled. I am thrilled with Augsburg and our men’s soccer program. I am very proud of the good work my entire staff and all of the players have done since we took over in 2004. We are also looking ahead at one of our most promising teams – one that is very talented and is extremely motivated after what was a, result-wise, disappointing 2009. We are a strong family, and in addition I absolutely love the institution and the people that make it such a great place. That being said, I am an alum of Gustavus and former assistant coach. I know what an incredible program exists down there thanks to Larry’s hard work and the support of the institution. So further investigating what that job meant for my family was something I felt I had to follow through with.

IMS: You have decided to stay at Augsburg. Was that a hard decision?

Holker: In the end, no. I am so passionate about this institution and our men’s soccer program that I couldn’t see myself anywhere else. Was what Gustavus had to offer tempting for my family? Yes. But in the end, my heart is in Minneapolis and at Augsburg College. I want to thank Al Molde and Tom Brown for providing me an opportunity to speak with them and the rest of the Gustavus community extensively about the job. I want to be clear, I was not offered the job at Gustavus. I simply visited campus to learn more about it before eventually withdrawing my name from consideration.

IMS: I know you think a lot of the Gustavus program which has a rich soccer past in the MIAC conference and Gustavus is your Alma Mater. Someone told me it was your dream job at one point and time in your life. What changed that made you want to stay put at Augsburg?

Holker: When I started at Augsburg in 2004, it was my ambition to turn the program around and move on (hopefully to Gustavus) shortly thereafter. However over time, I have come to love Augsburg more than I ever thought I could – what the institution stands for, the impact it has on young people’s lives, and the impact my colleagues and friends have had on my own life and that of my family. It is a special place. I can’t pinpoint an exact moment my feelings changed, but there is no chance of me leaving now. Although I was once a Gustie, I am now and forever will be an Auggie.

Augsburg men’s soccer assistant coach Evan Fuhs is blogging during the Auggies’ trip to Europe from May 3-13. For photos from the trip and more blogs, including thoughts from Augsburg student-athletes, go to the Augsburg men’s soccer website.

Augsburg men's soccer assistant coach Evan Fuhs

The Augsburg delegation could catch some Madrileños talking of La Roja’s chances and potential line-ups for the World Cup, on the streets and in both bars and newspapers.  Nevertheless, we found that Madrid cannot yet turn its attention to South Africa, since their club season demands that their attention remain in the city.  The two European cup finals (Europa and Champions League) both have significant ties to Madrid. Atlético Madrid triumphed over Fulham in the Europa final, and Real Madrid’s Estadio Santiago Bernabéu will play host to the Champions League final between Bayern Munich and Inter Milan on May 22^nd.

On the night of May 12^th, the team was enjoying a fantastic multi-course farewell dinner upstairs in a restaurant in downtown Madrid.  Though we could not see a television from our tables, we could keep score of the match via cheers in the bar downstairs.  After many courses, we were able to watch the final minutes of the match from the bar downstairs.  Many Augsburg players watched the match replayed on TV in the hotel, upon returning from dinner.  Beyond that, while we were in the airport on our way out of Madrid, we saw hordes of Atlético  fans getting in from flights from Hamburg.  In the packed and pumped up bar and the sleepy early morning airport, we saw two very different types of passion – first, absolute excitement and then tired pride.

Though Real Madrid exited Champions League early at the hands of Lyon, their stadium will host the storied tournament’s finale.  On the day that our team toured the stadium, preparations for the event were just taking form.  For example, across the street from the stadium was this full-building Heineken ad.  During our adventures in the city, we saw many different advertisements for the event, including this one on the gates to the city’s famous Parque del Buen Retiro (“Park of the Pleasant Retreat”.)  We were secretly hoping that the volcanic ash cloud would keep us stuck in Madrid until the final.  Of course, we definitely wouldn’t be able to purchase tickets to the highly expensive match.  Nevertheless, given the preparations we had seen around the city, one can only imagine the energy throughout the city during the final.

Though our schedule was not perfectly aligned with the major futból events in Madrid, we were close enough to sense the gravity of both pieces of history.  Only after the city has finished tapping every bit of passion and excitement from these events will it turn to the World Cup.

Advertising for the Champions League Final in Madrid is everywhere says Fuhs.

Augsburg men’s soccer assistant coach Evan Fuhs is blogging during the Auggies’ trip to Europe from May 3-13. For photos from the trip and more blogs, including thoughts from Augsburg student-athletes, go to the Augsburg men’s soccer website.

The last match of the tour was a fitting summary of elements from each match so far.  Union Deportivo Adarve had reflections of the technical grace and tactical savvy that we saw in the first match of the tour.  At the same time, they were not afraid to bash the ball over the top from time to time, as we began to see from teams deeper into the tour.

The match only had one referee, which meant that the questionable calls would occur that much more than they had in previous matches.  In fact, the first goal came directly from one such occurrence.  Adarve got in behind the Auggies from a combination play on the flank that required liberalization of the offsides law only possible in a single referee match.  After a simple finish from an endline cross, the Auggies found themselves down 1-0 at half time.

A half time change in formation again showed the Auggies’ ability to adapt to the style and tactics of the opponent.  An early surge of energy and high paced forwards – Lucas Ingram and Chad Gilmer – had the Auggies knocking on the door at the beginning of the second half.

Nevertheless, nine days of constant travel began to show as the collective energy level slipped.  Though the match stayed fairly even, Adarve again got in behind to serve a similar cross.  While the finish was less clean than the first (the cross resulted in a goal mouth scramble), it was equally effective.

The Auggies finished their final match of the tour down 2-0 but gained highly valuable experience in the process.  As the old cliché goes, you always learn more from a loss than a win.  Yet, that statement requires a certain attitude and team chemistry to hold true.  Accordingly, in addition to demonstrating their ability to adapt to an opponent, deal with shocking refereeing and step up in the second half, this team has shown that they have the tools necessary to learn from these experiences.

At every opportunity, players are talking about how to defend the common combinations that the Spanish execute – the Spanish are constantly overlapping their outside backs and using a “10” in space right behind their forward.  The bus rides back from games are filled with chatter about those details.  That is, at least, until fatigue takes effect and the bus sleeps.

Without question, the group has developed their on-field product.  Yet, learning in ways mentioned above and growing more comfortable with one another’s playing style are just the tip of the iceberg.

Augsburg men’s soccer assistant coach Evan Fuhs is blogging during the Auggies’ trip to Europe from May 3-13. For photos from the trip and more blogs, including thoughts from Augsburg student-athletes, go to the Augsburg men’s soccer website.

The picturesque city of Toledo taken by Evan Fuhs

On the trip to date, Augsburg has demonstrated an ability to step off the bus after a long day of traveling and put out the expected effort upon which the program is founded. Today though, that was not the case.

After a breathtaking day of culture and sightseeing in Toledo, the Auggies traveled another hour south and away from Madrid to Talavera de la Reina. As we arrived at the Union Deportiva Talavera’s complex, the club’s wonderful facilities foreshadowed the quality of hospitality they would show our team.

Disappointingly, the Auggies could not echo the quality of the facilities and hospitality with quality in their play. In particular, the team’s performance in the first half lacked the verve and effort that has become standard in Greg Holker’s Augsburg sides. A drab first half ended 0-0.

After a Holker-patented rousing halftime speech, the Auggies rallied in the second half. With the line lead by Chad Gilmer’s (FY, Bloomington, Minn./Jefferson HS) power and David Scheller’s (SO, Maple Grove, Minn.) pace, the Auggies threatened significantly more than the first half.

Nevertheless, the team conceded a penalty on a (close) handball call in the 85th minute. Nearly constant pressure from the Auggies after that turning point resulted in a number of scoring chances. In fact, Gilmer rose above the crowd to head a cross down so hard that it bounced off the firmer-than-standard turf and over the goal. Despite their newly applied efforts, the Auggies could not equalize and went do to a 1-0 loss.

With that hiccup out of our system, the Auggies look to rebound tomorrow with the final match of the tour.

The Auggies with their Toledo opponents.

]]> http://www.insidemnsoccer.com/2010/05/12/augsburgs-evan-fuhs-checks-in-from-spain-%e2%80%93-installment-4/feed/ 2 http://www.insidemnsoccer.com/2010/05/11/augsburgs-evan-fuhs-checks-in-from-spain-%e2%80%93-installment-3/ http://www.insidemnsoccer.com/2010/05/11/augsburgs-evan-fuhs-checks-in-from-spain-%e2%80%93-installment-3/#comments Tue, 11 May 2010 21:55:13 +0000 Brian Quarstad http://www.insidemnsoccer.com/?p=16017

Augsburg men’s soccer assistant coach Evan Fuhs is blogging during the Auggies’ trip to Europe from May 3-13. For photos from the trip and more blogs, including thoughts from Augsburg student-athletes, go to the Augsburg men’s soccer website.

Auggies Junior Matt Bowman

Considering that many players on the Augsburg soccer team are from Minnesota, they are all very familiar with rivalries in sports. Like IMS readers, all the boys understand the rivalry between the Vikings and the Packers. Nevertheless, this concept is taken to a whole new level of fervor in Spain, even at entirely different levels of the professional sports spectrum. Augsburg midfielder Matt Bowman (SO, Maple Grove, Minn.) shares his thoughts:

“Today we saw a great performance by the hometown team — Leganés. The two teams were both in Spain’s third division, but that didn’t matter to the fans. Though they were short in numbers (the stadium’s capacity was about 4,000), their support and passion for their team ran just as deep. They are passionate and dedicated to their teams, because ‘futból’ is a lifestyle. To put it in perspective, Augsburg fans definitely support the soccer programs with cheering and scarves at our field. In Spain though, it’s similar to a religious following; the fans truly appreciate the game.”

There is a deeper understanding of the game in Spain than in the U.S., and it shows in every game played here. As usual, there are vendors everywhere selling supporters’ scarves, but here some vendors sell scarves for “antimadridistas” — people who don’t like the Madrid clubs. On the opposite end, there are scarves that say “Thank you, father, for making me support Madrid.” The scarves are just the tip of the iceberg in understanding how deep their passions run.

Evan Fuhs sitting in the Real Madrid dugout

During the Leganés match, our group was surprised by the seemingly random times that the rest of the fans started cheering. As these outbursts popped up again and again with no obvious connection the match in front of us, we recognized what was really taking place. Almost every other person in the stadium had a radio headphone, listening to another match that would determine the fate of Leganés.

As the match progressed, we learned how our match factored into a much larger league fabric. More still, we saw first hand how deeply these people identify with their club — even in the third tier.

Augsburg’s women’s soccer team posted its first blog from its trip to Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany today.

Main Augsburg men’s/women’s soccer trip page.

Evan Fuhs Augsburg assistant men's soccer coach

Augsburg men’s soccer assistant coach Evan Fuhs is blogging during the Auggies’ trip to Europe from May 3-13. For photos from the trip and more blogs, including thoughts from Augsburg student-athletes, go to the Augsburg men’s soccer website.

Last night, Pubilla Cases posed a significant challenge to the Auggie defense, since their impeccable technique led to high-paced, short passing. Tonight’s opponent, Perpignan Mediterranee AS of France, was less technical and had a more direct style, which played into the hands of the Auggies. The team continues to exert dominance in the air against the less physical European opponents. Operloim Marcellino (FY, Rochester, Minn./Century HS) and team captain Peter Loyd (SO, Plymouth, Minn./Robbinsdale Armstrong HS) were rock solid in the air throughout the game. Winning aerial challenges, combined with new-found comfort in possession, from Peter Osborn (SO, Eagan, Minn./Eastview HS) and T.J. Haag (JR, Apple Valley, Minn./Burnsville HS) enabled the Auggies to control the run of play.

Even still, the Auggies high back line broke, due in equal parts to the dynamic opposing forwards and creative hometown refereeing. Down 1-0, the Auggies powered home a corner kick to pull the game back to 1-1. Again though, the Auggies conceded and entered halftime down 2-1.

Despite the score, the Auggies continued the high pressure on both sides of the ball, resulting in a number of scoring chances. With the French opponents held to a number of counterattack moments, the Auggies looked as if they could tie the game at 2-2. Nevertheless, tired legs were a factor from the end of the second match in two days, and the Auggies gave up a late goal to finish 3-2.

The quality of soccer here continues to rise — both from the Auggies and the succession of European opponents.

Evan Fuhs in front of Barcelona's Backdrop for player interviews

On Monday, Augsburg College men’s head soccer coach Greg Holker, his team and a few others set off for Spain as part of their spring training session. During the 10-day trip, the Auggie men will visit Barcelona, Girona, Figueres, Madrid and Toledo, while also taking a day trip to Perpignan, France. The Auggies will play five games against local club opponents before returning to Minnesota on Thursday, May 13.

Evan Fuhs is an assistant men’s soccer coach at Augsburg College, which is located in the heart of  Minneapolis, MN. Fuhs is not only an assistant coach but an avid footy fan and he also loves to write about the sport. IMS asked Fuhs to check in with reports on their trip as the team tours España.

By Evan Fuhs Asst. Men’s Soccer Coach Augsburg College

Yesterday morning, the Augsburg Men’s Soccer team met at the Minneapolis-St. Paul airport to begin a 10-day tour of Spain.  Including players, coaches, some parents and support staff, the traveling group totals 40.  That pack made it from Minneapolis to Barcelona in about 24 hours, stopping in Chicago and New York along the way. In the process, the group managed to stage an impromptu push-up competition in Chicago and take some less than legal photos of customs officers in Barcelona.

Upon arriving in Barcelona, the group headed straight for the most visited museum in the famed city – the FC Barcelona museum at Camp Nou.  After getting an idea of the meaning of the club’s motto “mes que un club” (More than a club) and stocking up on the necessary Messi jerseys, the team rounded Barcelona to eat, check into the hotel and prepare for the match.

Tonight featured Messi and Barcelona against lowly Tenerife.  With the Barça fans cheering in full, the Catalan rain pouring and Messi on song, the home side triumphed with a 4-1 scoreline.  While that was surely the expected result, the tie found drama in the fact that Barcelona need max points to edge out Real Madrid in this last week of the season.

Considering that the competitiveness of the Augsburg team had already spawned a push-up competition, it came as no surprise that the tram ride back to the hotel featured a similar pull-up demonstration on the tram’s support beams.  Now, after twenty four hours of travel and a day of immersion in Catalan passion, the team rests in preparation for their first match tomorrow evening.

Keep following IMS for the details on the match results and associated adventures of the team over the next 10 days.  Additionally, check out Augsburg’s men’s soccer website for more details and reflections from the players.