2004 Men's Soccer Preview

Published: April 13, 2021

GREENVILLE, Ill. - The 2004 edition of the Greenville College men's soccer team has returned to campus to continue the tradition of strong Panther soccer. Eight starters return from the 2003 team, while 11 first-year players are a welcome addition to the squad. Among Greenville's losses from the 2003 squad are SLIAC all-conference defender Nick Kocher (Marion, Ind., HS) and all-conference midfielders Tim Byrnes (Edwardsville, Ill., HS) and Jameson Ramirez (Harrisburg, Pa., Christian HS).Returning SLIAC all-conference juniors include defender Greg Muehlfeld (Belleville, Ill., East HS) and midfielder Brett Malone (McPherson, Kan., HS). Senior captain Seth Huber (Coffeen, Ill.) returns for his final season at the forward position. Over his career, Huber has led the Panthers in points all three seasons. Huber has also been a two-time first team all-conference performer, a three-time first team NCCAA North Central region selection, and an NSCAA all-Midwest region performer in 2002.Last season, the Panther defense finished second in the nation (NCCAA) with a goals against average of .8 and had seven shutouts during their season. This season with the Panthers returning their whole defense but one, they look to maintain a solid defense. Senior Jeremy Knapp (Normal, Ill., Community HS) and sophomore goalkeeper Travis Siebert (Cape Girardeau, Mo., Notre Dame HS) will be major contributors this year in defense. Greenville brings in a solid recruiting class of nine new freshman from across the country that complements the squad's previous classes of talented newcomers. Freshmen midfielders Justin Buller (McPherson, Kan., HS) and Cody Parker (Edwardsville, Ill., HS) will look to contribute in the midfield while forward Andres Jones (Paraguay) will help to solidify the Panther attack. Also worth mentioning is Jeremy Hawley who will be back for his junior season. Hawley was an all-conference performer as a midfielder in 2002 before sitting out the 2003 season.Head Coach Brian McMahon returns for his fourth season as the eighth head coach in the program's rich 47-year history. The Mansfield, Ohio, native served as an assistant coach during the 2000 season and took over the reigns as head coach of the men's program in 2001. The 2004 season will mark McMahon's 12th year of coaching soccer. McMahon played at Indiana Wesleyan University for four years, receiving national honors with the National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA) as a sweeper. In his collegiate career, McMahon was named to the NCCAA all-Midwest region second team and was an all-conference performer in the Mid-Central Conference. He competed in the NCCAA national tournament for two years and participated in the NAIA regional tournament during the other two seasons. McMahon also played overseas for Athletes in Action in England, Ireland, and North Ireland.With only losing three starters and returning 15 players from last year's squad, the Panthers should be considered one of the favorites to win the SLIAC conference championship.