Honolulu, HI- A new year and a new beginning started today for the Chaminade Men’s Soccer program with the opening practice of the 2008 season.
First year head coach Jason Kelley takes over the program from Bob Barry who led the Chaminade Men’s Soccer program through it’s first two years. The Swords are looking to build upon a competitive finish to last year that foreshadowed progress and growth in the upcoming years.
Some key returners are back from last year’s Pac West squad, led by two-time Pac West First Team All Conference selection, Chad Nishikuni (Baldwin High/Wailuku, HI) and 2007 Second Team selection Marvin Mendoza (Father Duenas School/Sinajana, Guam). A number of other veterans look to be a factor in the 2008 campaign. Starters Nick Smith (Anthony Wayne HS/Waterville, OH) and Louis Manka (Peninsula College/Anchorage, AK) also return with valuable experience from 2007.
An exciting crop of newcomers has Coach Jason Kelley excited about the year. Freshman goalkeeper, Kristofer Lounsbury (Phoenix, AZ), midfielder Trevor Robertson (Washington HS/Phoenix, AZ) and Garrett Baker (Quartz HS/Palmdale, CA) join the squad from the mainland and will be looked upon to make an impact.
Concerning the 2008 season, Coach Kelley added,” I’m excited to get started. We have some players that are here and have experience and also a group of newcomers that I’m anxious to work with. We have a goal to be competitive in the PacWest.”
The Swords were able to snag some local talent as freshman striker, Keenan Ho (St. Louis School/Honolulu, HI) and freshman defender Josh Nitta (Kamehameha-Maui/Wailuku, HI) will be counted on heavily this year.
Chaminade competes in the Pac West conference with BYU-Hawaii, Grand Canyon, Hawaii Pacific, Notre Dame de Namur and UH-Hilo. The addition of Academy of the Arts and Dominican for Pac West conference play is slated for 2009.