8/13/2007 12:00:00 AM

Campbell Tops A-Sun Men's Soccer Poll; Jata Named Pre-Season Player of the Year

BUIES CREEK, N.C. – For the second-straight year, Campbell University has been picked number one in the Atlantic Sun Conference pre-season men's soccer poll. After losing just two league regular season games over the past two campaigns, the Camels were chosen six points ahead of last year's regular season champ Stetson in voting by league head coaches.

Three Camels, including pre-season player of the year Richard Jata, were named to the A-Sun pre-season all-conference team. A midfielder from Port Richey, Fla., Jata was joined on the unit by keeper Aaron Johnson and defender Stephen Oyuga.

"It is an honor to be chosen two years running by the other coaches in our conference as the pre-season favorite," said Doug Hess, who is in his sixth year as head coach of the Fighting Camels. "I give full credit to the players in our program and the work they have done over the last several years to get us to this point. However, we would give up the pre-season honors in an instant to have the trophy in November."

Last year, the Fighting Camels compiled a 10-7-2 record, including a 4-1-2 mark in the A-Sun, knocked off third-ranked North Carolina, and were ranked 10th in the final South Region poll. Over the past two years, Campbell has amassed a 23-13-3 overall record, plus an 11-2-2 mark in A-Sun regular season competition.

In addition, Campbell went 8-1 at home in 2006, led the Atlantic Sun Conference and ranked 48th nationally in attendance.

Jata was a first-team A-Sun all-conference choice and second-team All-South Region selection in 2006. He was also named to Atlantic Sun All-Academic Team. Tabbed All-State by North Carolina Collegiate Sports Information Association, Jata ranked second among A-Sun leaders in assists (7), second in points (21), fifth in goals (7) and third in game-winning goals (2) last year.

The top returning scorer in the A-Sun, Jata was one of four players named on each of the pre-season ballots collected. In addition to Jata, Vicente Arze of Mercer, Richard Godfrey of Gardner-Webb and Ian Schinelli of Belmont were unanimous pre-season all-league choices.

"Richard is an unbelievably gifted soccer player, one that has the ability to be a true box-to-box midfielder," said Coach Hess. "He can score and create goals as well as defend through the middle of the park. I look for great things from him this year and we will rely heavily on the talents he possesses."

Johnson was a first-team Atlantic Sun all-conference and all-tournament team keeper in 2006 when he ranked third among league goalies in goals-against average (1.29). Johnson made 17 starts, ranked second in the league in saves (83) and saves per game (4.88), and finished 31st in the country in saves. In only two years, the native of St. Charles, Mo., ranks second on CU's career GAA list (1.13), while rating ninth in career keeper starts (34) and 10th among keepers in matches played (34). In 2006, he allowed more than one goal in a game just six times all year.

"Aaron has been a stalwart in goal the past two seasons and seems to be getting better and better each year," said Hess. "He had a challenging summer with the Carolina Dynamo as a back-up, but was solid each time they called upon him. Goalkeeper will be the most competitive position on our team this fall. Aaron thrives on that competitive environment and I know it will draw the best out of him."

As a sophomore in 2006, Oyuga was a second-team Atlantic Sun all-conference choice. He moved into a defensive midfield role for the Camels in the season's fifth game. A native of Nairobi, Kenya, Oyuga scored twice in 2006 – both game winners – at Davidson and vs. Jacksonville. He helped lead CU to the best team goals-against average (1.18) in the A-Sun and helped hold Campbell opponents to one, or fewer, goals in 13 contests.

"Stephen had a solid first year for us and really filled in the midfield for us when Justin Madrid went down with an injury," said Hess. "He is a leader and I look forward to him joining Michael Hutchison in the backline and guiding our team."

Jata, Johnson and Oyuga are among eight starters returning from last year's Fighting Camel club. Campbell must replace two key graduation losses in former All-America forward Willy Guadarrama, who is now with the Kansas City Wizards of Major League Soccer, and Academic All-American and All-South defender Devin Sheppard.

"Aaron, Richard, and Stephen are three crucial players in our team, so it is no surprise to me that they were chosen," said Hess. "It is seemingly obvious to the other A-Sun coaches as well just how important these three are to our success."

Campbell and Stetson, both of which received three first-place votes, were tied in voting for the 2007 predicted A-Sun tournament champion. Jacksonville, Belmont, Gardner-Webb and Mercer – each of which gained one first-place vote – were tabbed third through sixth in the poll, followed by USC Upstate, Lipscomb, North Florida and first-year program Florida Gulf Coast.

The Fighting Camels open their pre-season schedule next Monday (Aug. 20) with a home exhibition vs. Appalachian State at 5:00 p.m.

Atlantic Sun Men's Soccer

2007 Preseason Poll

# School (1st place votes) Pts.

1. Campbell (3) 88

2. Stetson (3) 82

3. Jacksonville (1) 75

4. Belmont (1) 67

5. Gardner-Webb (1) 59

6. Mercer (1) 54

7. USC Upstate 41

8. Lipscomb 39