Aug. 25, 2005

Santa Cruz, Calif. - The 2004-05 season was an incredible one for the UC Santa Cruz Men's Soccer Program as they finished the season as NCAA National Runners-Up, with a 22-2 record. Having graduated 5 seniors, including Team Captain and All-Region Selection Aaron Lanes, Coach Holocher will be looking to a new crop of leaders to help the program maintain its reputation as one of the top programs in the country.

The 2005-06 Slugs will be led by the Team Captains senior Eric Tozer, a Defender whose leadership is invaluable; All-American Forward Bryan Baird; and All-Independent Selection Steve Wondolowski, a Defender whose desire on the field is unrivaled. An extremely gifted core of returners will join these new Team Captains. juniors Adam Smarte and David Frank and sophomore All-Independent Selection Alex Mandel will be looking to lead the Slugs attack. sophomores Alex Tocco, also an All-Independent Selection and Stefan Clemens will be looking to lock down the defense. The Slugs will be in safe hands in the back with All-Independent First Team Selection Chris Pedersen, returning for his senior year in goal. Joining Pedersen in goal will be sophomore Jared Wheeler and freshman Brandon Brooks. The talented freshman class of Jeff Meyer, Anton Peterlin, Christian Freitas, and Julian Alvarez will be looked to as positive contributors to the program. The Slugs will also look to newcomers sophomores Midfielder Anthony Scarlett and Defender Tyler Gage and junior Midfielder Davey Cochrane to make an impact this season.

The team will play Linfield, Cal Lutheran, Nebraska Wesleyan, Chapman, Pomona-Pitzer, Claremont, and other Division III programs on their quest to return to the NCAA Final Four. This Men's Soccer Program looks to turn out another successful season in 2005.