Seeking a positive turnaround from a difficult season that produced just two wins, six goals and second-to-last-place finish in the Northwest Conference men’s soccer standings, Linfield first- year head coach Chuck Bechtol knows one thing is certain.  

“We have nowhere to go but up.”

The Wildcats certainly have the tools for success; the real challenge lies in changing the culture of the program, which has not experienced a winning season in five years.

 “Fortunately or unfortunately, winning is a habit, and so is losing,” Bechtol said. “It’s about breaking some of those habits and old things and reinventing ourselves.”

But so far, the Wildcats have bought into Bechtol’s positive attitude and approach to the game, which features a different formation and style of play than they have grown accustomed to.

Overall, one of the greatest strengths of this squad is its athleticism, which is key for becoming more competitive in the league. 

Defensively, sophomore Scott Goodman gets the nod as the starting goalkeeper. He saw action in seven matches last season, starting five, while registering the team’s second-lowest goals against average.

“Right now he gives us the best opportunity for success,” Bechtol said of Goodman. “He’s a good shot blocker, has a big body and is athletic.”

But despite his confidence in his starting netminder, Bechtol also hopes Goodman does not have much work to do, because that means the defense is doing its job.  

Three-year starter Brad Dupea assumes primary leadership of the Wildcat backfield, which includes a mix of both returning and incoming players battling for playing time.

Key veterans on the offensive end of the field include Harper Taylor and Tyler Repic. Taylor, at 5-foot-11, is big and athletic and plays simple. Repic tallied three goals and two assists as a freshman but missed all of last year due to injury.

Xavier Reed is Linfield’s top returning scorer, netting two goals in 2011. Seniors Danny Snelgrow and Geoff Kunita are regular contributors, too, in both scoring and distributing roles.

Two players who should have an immediate impact on the program are transfers K.J. Newbery and Jake Baker.

But the door is open for each and every player to step up and take on a bigger role.

“Everybody’s going to get an opportunity to contribute and play,” Bechtol said. “It’s just a matter of stepping up and doing it on the field.”

Preseason contests against Oregon Tech, Whittier and UC-Santa Cruz should reveal the team’s greatest talents and best combinations for success. The ‘Cats open the Northwest Conference schedule on the road Sept. 15-16, but then get to enjoy the comforts of home for six straight contests.