Excitement has been brewing for the Northland International University men’s soccer team ever since the premature end to their fall 2008 season. The soccer team decided to use the disappointing and abrupt ending to their 2008 season at the NCCAAII Midwest Regional Tournament as a motivational force to propel them through the winter, spring, and summer. Although the unofficial 2009 men’s soccer preseason began the moment the last whistle blew to end the 2008 season (and continued on in the Pioneer Fitness Center throughout the cold winter and spring months), the official preseason training started August 20 as the returners eagerly gathered for several days of focused prayer, training, and fun. August 23 saw the newcomers join the returners as the 2009 men’s soccer team jumped into the preseason training sessions with eager minds, focused hearts, and a renewed desire to win.
For many of the returning players, this summer involved various ministry opportunities throughout the States and even throughout the world. Senior Micah Herron received various opportunities to share the Gospel with those in need of the Savior throughout the world in his travels to Zambia, Japan, and Taiwan. In his travels to Japan and Taiwan, Micah traveled with the Guam National Team to the Asia Cup and was able to share the good news with some of his teammates. Junior Nathan Dodgens spent time ministering in Morocco and Spain. For Aaron Debutiaco, a Pioneer soccer player from three years ago, the summer involved a stretching position as a camp director in his home state of Hawaii. Along with coaching and playing in northern Michigan, senior Lee Chatfield had the opportunity to faithfully plug into local church ministry. Upperclassmen Nate Wade, Bryce Pegram, Reid Olson, and Matt Patz took the opportunity to work, play soccer, and plug into ministry in Colorado. Daniel Doran and Paul Reece played soccer and worked in ministry in lower Michigan. Several of the players also traveled with Coach Andrew Scott as he played, worked in ministry, and held various training sessions and camps in the states of Colorado, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania. Coach Scott explains, “God definitely did a work in the lives of each team member throughout the summer. What a blessing and joy to see the players passionate about soccer and ministry to the community.”
Coach Scott is thrilled to have several newcomers on board for the 2009 fall season. He is especially excited about the play of newcomers Jason Lorch (freshman from Colorado) and Ben Cummins (junior from Kansas). Coach Scott further explains his excitement for the 2009 season by stating, “I am thrilled about the prospects for the 2009 season. God has assembled a great group of guys who are passionate about the Gospel, good soccer, and winning.”
The theme for the 2009 men’s soccer team is simply “Heart.” Setting aside empty ritualism and heartless worship, the men on the Northland soccer team desire that God would be glorified through hearts wholly given to loving, trusting, worshipping, and seeking Him. Coach Scott explains, “Our prayer is the same as David’s in Psalm 51:10—We want God to create in us clean hearts and renew right spirits in us. Even through the intensity of tough competition, we want our hearts to be set on glorifying our God.” It will be exciting to see how God uses this group of intensely competitive athletes throughout the 2009 soccer season.