Boxers hungry to take next step

Pacific men are building a strong

By Blake Timm

The Forest Grove News-Times, Sep 9, 2009, Updated Oct 30, 2009

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Head coach Jim Brazeau is hopeful that a combination of increasing talent and a hunger for achieving the next level will make the 2009 Pacific men’s soccer season something to talk about.

Last year, the Boxers found themselves in the midst of the Northwest Conference title picture for much of the season, thanks in part to one of the most solid defensive backlines in the league. In the end, though, the year will be remembered not for the goals they stopped, but the ones they didn’t score. A string of three ties in the first four matches – and four ties total – kept Pacific from truly challenging for the crown.

Brazeau said that the disappointment of being so close and yet so far has given the team a great deal of motivation.

“It has been a large part of what has motivated our guys in the offseason, and it is carrying over to the newcomers,” Brazeau said. “It makes you work harder when you don’t get what you want. It makes you stronger.”

The experience aspect will pay dividends for the Boxers in more ways than one. Pacific returns 18 players from the 2008 roster, including key starters and role players at every position. Key anchors returning include all-conference goalkeeper Andrew Stevermer, First Team All-NWC defender Brandon Porter, dynamic midfielders Kizamu Tsutakawa and Jasem Jaihouni, and scoring threats in Mike Iacolucci and Travis Birrell.

While Brazeau classifies the team as strong in all areas, he is most anxious about who will step up at forward and close out the scoring opportunities that limited the Boxers’ success the previous year.

“We have a lot of people who like to go forward that have some ability,” Brazeau said. “We know we will be solid in the back. It’s a matter now of finding that combination going forward for us that will make the difference.”

The Boxers opened the season with a 5-0 home win over Northwest Christian last Tuesday and will host Warner Pacific tonight under the lights at Lincoln Park Stadium.