Coming off a successful 2008 campaign, Oregon men’s club soccer team has its sights set high for 2009.
 
Last year, Oregon capped off a winning regular season by defeating Weber State University 1-0 for the National Region Six Tournament title on their home field in Ogden, Utah. The game was hotly contested and featured three ejections between the two teams.
 
“It was a very physical game, and we’ll look forward to playing Weber State next season,” said senior defender Ford Bauer.
 
But the Ducks aren’t focused on the past, especially because many of the role players from last year’s squad are no longer with the team. The main contributor missing is midfielder Loren Hill, who graduated from the University and is now pursuing a professional career overseas.
 
“Loren was a key player on last year’s team,” said senior midfielder Chris Turney. “But we have a bunch of guys who will help fill the gap.”
 
While Oregon fields several key returning veterans in Turney, Bauer and senior defender Michael Latteri, much of the void is expected to be filled by juniors Patrick Walro and Ryan Vilhauer. The duo is affectionately referred to as “the bash brothers” by teammates, and according to the team captains they look ready to step up their game for 2009.
 
“Both of them have paid their dues by taking a lot of time on the bench this last season,” Latteri said. “We had a lot of 5th-year-seniors graduate, and I can tell that both have worked very hard in the offseason and improved a lot.”
 
Both the Ducks offense and defense are captained by new sets of veterans. Turney and Latteri lead the midfield, while Bauer and Waldro anchor the defense.
 
Turney, Bauer and Latteri are all 5th-year students, but each took their own route to Oregon.
 
Turney and Bauer transferred to Oregon from Trinity University and Concordia College, respectively, while Latteri is a hometown fifth-year senior from South Eugene High School.
 
Both Turney and Bauer were All-League first team in high school.
 
All three players say their intense commitments to the program as upperclassmen have helped shape the team’s success during their time here.
 
“There’s something about being on a team that makes you closer,” said Latteri, who won four league championships during his time at South Eugene. “Having that common goal as a unit really makes our players close.”
 
One of the players most heavily invested in the team is Latteri, who was not only born in Eugene, but also has the distinction of being a third-generation University student in his family.
 
“Being a third-generation Duck, (our success) means a lot to me,” Latteri said.
 
Turney also believes that the team’s serious demeanor and unity are keys to their success.
 
“We all hang out outside of soccer, and we practice three times a week,” Turney said. “Our goal is to win Regionals again in Boise and move on to Nationals in Arizona.”
 
The team traveled to Alabama to compete in nationals last season, playing against traditional athletic powerhouses like Ohio State and Michigan State.
 
The team failed to advance in group play, but is ready to take the next step this season.
 
“With the team we have, we should compete for a national title,” Turney said.
 
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