Clearwater Christian CollegeCCC Campus NewsCCC TwitterCCC Facebook
Prospective Students
Campus Life
Parents and Family
Alumni and Friends

Men's Soccer
Season Review (2010)


Following up on the first soccer national championship in school history, 2010 was another amazing year for the Cougar soccer team. Challenged with being the top-ranked team and the "team to beat" the entire season, Clearwater was able to capture its 2nd straight NCCAA national championship and finish with a record of 14-5-1.

The men's soccer team returned most of the players from the 2009 national championship team so expectations were high for 2010. One of the highlights was the team's mission trip to Guatemala to start the season. Sixteen members of the team were able to minister to the people over 8 days, conducting soccer clinics for kids, playing soccer matches against Guatemalan professional teams, ministering in local churches and schools, and constructing houses for underprivileged families. In each setting, the team was able to share the Gospel using the J316 soccer ball.

The 2010 team faced the toughest schedule in school history, designed to get the team ready for another run to the national championship. Early in the season, the Cougars suffered the loss of All-American center back Matt Tewes to a torn ACL. With a retooled starting lineup, the Cougars were still able to run through the regular season in workmanlike fashion, going undefeated in the South region and maintaining the #1 national ranking the entire year.

After winning the South Region Championship over Toccoa Falls College, Clearwater came into the National Tournament as the #1 seed and advanced to the national championship match by defeating Dallas Christian College and Providence College. That set the stage for a dominant 2-0 win over Ohio Christian University for the 2nd straight NCCAA D-II National Championship behind goals by Tyler Spraul and Carl Lassegue and stellar defense led by Jeff Crews and Anthony DeRosse.

Clearwater had 3 players named 1st Team All-American by both the NSCAA and the NCCAA including senior midfielder Tyler Spraul, senior defender Jeff Crews, and sophomore goalkeeper Anthony DeRosse. In addition, Spraul was named NCCAA D-II Player of the Year, and Coach James Whitaker was named National Coach of the Year by both the NSCAA and the NCCAA.

The Cougar defense led the nation for the 2nd straight season with a .89 goals against average. In 11 games against NCCAA competition, the team ended up giving up only 1 goal for the entire season.

In addition to their success on the field, the men's soccer team was also very successful off the field. The team had 4 players named NCCAA Scholar Athletes for their excellence in the classroom including Mac Hildebrand, Dexter Hollenbach, Tyler Spraul, and Matt Wells.

The theme for the men's soccer team this year was "An Audience of One" taken from Colossians 3:23-24. The team really focused on the idea of using every part the season to ultimately give glory to God.

In reflection of the past season, Coach Whitaker said, "This was another amazing season for our team. It was different from the first championship season in many ways, especially since we were the team with the target on our backs all year. While winning another national championship this season was an awesome experience, even more exciting was to see our players continue to grow both on and off the field and take the next step in their relationship with God and with each other. The guys really embraced our mission and core values and it showed on and off the field. This season was a tribute to the hard work and dedication of an amazing group of players. We're excited about 2011 and are working hard to continue to improve for the coming season."

Quick Links


Home
News
Recognitions
Recruiting Questionnaire
Schedules and Scores
Season Outlook
Season Review
Summer Camp
Team Coach
Team Photos
Team Roster
Team Statistics

Cougar Spotlight



Playing soccer at CCC has been one of the best parts of my college experience. Every athlete wants to keep improving and take their sport into the excitement of the college game, and Clearwater has made that possible for me. Not only have I been able to experience the thrill of playing with the unity of other committed athletes and the fan support that is associated with college athletics (not to mention a couple national championships along with it), but I've also been part of a team that values unity in Christ. Having team members that collaborate on their spiritual walks in addition to the game of soccer is a unique blessing of a Christian college and one that I would invite other Christian athletes to experience.

more...