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2007 Wingate University Men’s Soccer Outlook 

Veteran Wingate University associate athletic director and men’s soccer coach Gary Hamill believes he has the best job in the world. “In my profession, every few years…you get to start over,” Hamill acknowledges. Starting over may be an understatement, as Hamill could have as many as eight freshmen as starters when the Bulldogs take the pitch at Coker College Saturday night (7 p.m. kick-off).

“Some people say (starting over) is a burden,” Hamill notes. “I have a different perspective. A coach learns from his team’s mistakes; more notably, a coach learns from his or her mistakes. You continue to learn no matter what…each new season is an excellent opportunity to start over with a new group.”

New group is also a key phrase for the Bulldogs, as Hamill and his staff welcomed 17 freshmen to pre-season camp in mid-August. In addition, Hamill has doubled his coaching staff with three new assistant coaches: high school coaching legends Gary Hoilett and Ron Ladimir and goalkeeping trainer Brian Flebbe.

Bulldog senior midfielder Kerrin Sheldon (Moatsville, W.Va.) anchors the center midfielder position. “Kerrin brings experience and stability to the midfield,” Hamill says. “Obviously, he is an exceptional student-athlete.”

In 2006, Sheldon was named to the ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America® men’s soccer second team (college division), selected by CoSIDA (College Sports Information Directors of America). A two-time All-South Atlantic Conference pick, Sheldon led the Bulldogs with seven goals last year. He was four-for-four on penalty kicks, tops on the team.

In addition, Sheldon was also named to the Daktronics All-Appalachian Region team and the NCCSIA All-State side. Sheldon was joined on the All-SAC and All-Region squads by sophomore forward Junior Nyemb (Douala, Cameroon). Hamill believes Nyemb is ready for a break-out season. 

“Usually, it takes six or seven months for international players to get adapted to a different country and a different style of play,” Hamill says. “Junior’s progress over the last few months has been phenomenal. We are very excited for him to have a great season (in 2007). 

Last year, Nyemb (pronounced “yem”) led the Bulldogs in total points with 18. Nyemb notched six goals and six assists this season. He led the Wingate club with three match-winning goals.

Joining Nyemb up front will be freshmen Kirby Burkholder (Mount Pleasant, S.C.) and Rory Green (Sleaford, England). “Both Kirby and Rory are solid players,” Hamill asserts. “I believe they mesh well (with Nyemb). They make a great combination.”

Hamill believes the Bulldogs may have more firepower at the forward position than in years past. “I am happy with our forwards,” he notes. “We have quality options…plus we have guys in the midfield with experience (at the forward position). 

Senior forward Andrew Charlton (Narragansett, R.I.) spent the fall 2006 semester participating in the Wingate-in-London program. His return will give the Bulldogs much needed leadership. Sophomore Phil Sherrill (Matthews, N.C.) and freshman Andru Harris (Duluth, Ga.) will also look for ways to contribute this year.

Kerrin Sheldon will be flanked by three freshmen in the midfield. Luke Mulholland (Ashton, England) will join Sheldon in the center, while fellow newcomer Jamie McKenna (Thornton, England) will occupy an outside spot. Adam Cunningham (Gastonia, N.C.) can play either outside position. He is one of two Forestview High School graduates on the Bulldog roster.

Freshman midfielder Drew Clark (Apex, N.C.) is pushing his classmates for playing time. Hamill has many choices in the midfield, as sophomores Casey Player (Waxhaw, N.C.) and Jared Hawley (Charleston, W.Va.) saw significant action in 2006.

Junior midfielder Mbougue Franklin (Dschang, Cameroon) started one match last season before an injury ended his 2006 campaign. Franklin has worked hard in the off-season to prepare for the 2007 year. Freshmen midfielders Zac Capito (Ravenna, Ohio) and Stephen Kehoe (Newry, Ireland) will provided the Bulldogs with much depth.

At defender, senior Ben Clark (Chesterfield, England) and junior Lee Minton (Charlotte, N.C.) lead the way. “Ben and Lee will give us much experience in the middle of our defense,” Hamill says. “Both Ben and Lee have had very good spring and pre-season practices. They work together very well.”

Clark was an All-Appalachian Region and All-SAC pick in 2005 at Lenoir-Rhyne. He gives Wingate a significant presence on the field. Minton is a three-year starter for the Bulldogs.

Hamill mentions the battle for the outside defender positions has been very hard fought. Looking to make an impact on the outside are freshmen defenders Jack Vundum (Hallgreen, England) and Richard Meldrum (Ruskington, England). Hamill has several options, as seniors Chris Bohach (Charleston, W.Va.) and Jordan Bowen (Conyers, Ga.) both have starting experience in the defensive end.

“When the enthusiasm and excitement settles down, it wouldn’t surprise me if experience takes over,” Hamill admits. Both Bohach and Bowen are exceptional leaders on and off the pitch. Bohach joined Kerrin Sheldon on the 2006 ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District III men’s soccer first team last fall.

Hamill’s Charleston (S.C.) connections will be evident for years to come in the defensive end, as freshmen Erik Cobb (Charleston, S.C./Academic Magnet) and Harry Crosbee (Charleston, S.C./Bishop England) are making a big push for playing time. Freshman defender Darwin Deas (McClellanville, S.C.) is waiting in the wings to give the Bulldogs a solid back-up.

Five goalkeepers reported to pre-season camp. “Our goalkeeping situation is very interesting,” Hamill said. “We have two veterans and three freshmen. In our recruiting, we targeted (goalkeeper) as a critical position for us.”

Hamill states the competition for playing time “has been very hard fought. All five lads have done exceptionally well (in pre-season). We are fortunate to have the depth (we have) at goalkeeper.”

Freshman goalkeeper Joey Calandra (Mount Pleasant, S.C.) has the early edge as Wingate enters its opening match. Calandra played at Bishop England with fellow Bulldog Harry Crosbee. “Joey has had an exceptional pre-season,” Hamill notes. “Jeremy Webb is very close.”

Webb (Gastonia, N.C.) and freshman midfielder Adam Cunningham played high school soccer together at Forestview. Hamill would not hesitate to play any of Wingate’s five keepers in game situations.

Seniors Jonathan Shute (West End, N.C.) and Matt Van Liew (Deptford, N.J.) started four matches each in 2006. Freshman netminder Tyler Carnahan (Harrisburg, N.C.) joins the Bulldog family from nearby Central Cabarrus High School.

“Jonathan Shute has remained consistent throughout our pre-season drills,” Hamill says. “Van Liew has been tough in the trenches as well. We feel as a (coaching) staff that Joey has edged out his competition.”

“We (the coaching staff) don’t know how he will react when the money is on the table and it is for real,” Hamill adds. “We are confident he can get the job done.” Unlike in years past, Hamill feels he can put any goalkeeper in the game and the team will be very confident.

Hamill is energized for the upcoming season. “Our depth is better than it has been in quite some time,” Hamill notes. “The pre-season has been very challenging. Without a doubt, this group is very excited. If we keep our heads on our shoulders, I think great things are in store for this team.”

In 14 years as the Wingate University men’s soccer coach, Hamill has compiled an overall record of 176-96-14. Hamill won his 175th game at Wingate on October 21, 2006, as the Bulldogs defeated Mars Hill College 2-1 at Mars Hill, N.C.

Hamill’s Bulldog teams have won three conference regular season championships (1994, 1999 and 2001) and two Food Lion South Atlantic Conference tournament titles (1994, 2002). He has been named South Atlantic Conference Coach of the Year four times (1993, 1994, 1999 and 2001). Hamill has received more COTY honors than any other men’s soccer coach in SAC history.

In 2007, the Bulldogs are scheduled to play 19 matches in addition to the 2007 Food Lion South Atlantic Conference tournament. Twelve matches will be held at the WU Soccer Complex. The home opener for Wingate will be August 28 at 7 p.m. when Wingate plays host to Barton College. Wingate was 6-4-1 at home last season. 

South Atlantic Conference play begins on September 22 at 6 p.m. when the Bulldogs play host to Tusculum College. Wingate will take on three opponents that finished the 2006 season ranked in the top 25. All three teams are SAC foes: Carson-Newman College was ranked number 15 to finish the 2006 season, Lenoir-Rhyne College finished fifth and SAC newcomer Lincoln Memorial University finished the season fourth.

With the departure of Presbyterian College, the SAC has made some changes for 2007. Two new teams, Brevard College and Lincoln Memorial, have been added to the conference. LMU is eligible for regular season titles in 2007-08. Wingate will host both newcomers in the 2007 season. Brevard will come to town on October 6 for a 5 p.m. start and LMU will travel to Wingate for the regular season finale on October 27 for an 8 p.m. match.

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Check here often for updates on Men's Soccer at Wingate. For further information, contact Coach Gary Hamill at Wingate University, Campus Box 2510, Wingate, NC 28174, or telephone him at 704-233-8175, or e-mail: hamill@wingate.edu.