The men’s Mustangs soccer team enters the fall season coming off their best season as an intercollegiate program. We are extremely excited to get back to the playing field and prove once again that we are one of the premier soccer programs in the Rocky Mountain region.
The Mustangs return four players from last year’s squad. Omar Jaimes, from West Valley City, UT, is a midfielder who was a regular starter for the Mustangs last season, as he started 20 matches. Omar was one of the leading scorers on the squad a season ago with 6 goals and 2 assists. Kyle Howe, hails from Rock Springs, WY, will be asked to solidify the defense and may also get some looks in the midfield. Last season Kyle had 2 assists and started 12 matches. Chris Byers, who is from Bountiful, UT, is a defender who also has the skills to play midfield. Chris notched 2 goals and 2 assists in the 2008 campaign. Taylor Ford is our last returner, he is from Wallsburg, UT. Taylor is a midfielder who has a never die attitude, he was credited with 3 goals a season ago.
We had several players from the 2008 team move on after playing here. Nic Gonzalez and Chase Talbot have both signed on to play at Adams State College (CO) and Patrick Ritter has agreed to play at Dakota Wesleyan (SD) for another 2 seasons. Three players on the 2008 squad are currently serving church missions, one in Brazil and two in Argentina. With the departure of these players and others we will be welcoming a big group of new students into the Western Wyoming soccer family this fall.
Newcomers to this year’s forwards are: Brandon Bushman, Joe Lake and Gilbert Gonzalez. Brandon played at Bingham High in South Jordan, UT. Brandon is a tenacious forward who has a knack for scoring big goals. Joe Lake was part of Bountiful High in Bountiful, UT, and was twice a state champion in soccer in high school. Joe was also named to the state tournament team as a junior. Joe’s senior season was cut short by injury but we expect him to continue his stellar play and be a nightmare for defenses. Rock Springs High in Rock Springs, WY, is where Gilbert Gonzalez played before becoming a Mustang. Gilbert has outstanding foot skills and a rocket of a shot. He lead his high school team to back-to-back state tournament berths. Gilbert was a 1st team 4A All-State player for the state of Wyoming his senior year. There is a load of talent in these forwards and we are looking from some individual and team records to fall this season.
The midfield has added Josh Beck, Braxton Hamilton, Erick Mata, Michael Palacios and Kyle Seljaas for the 2009 campaign. Josh Beck is from West Valley City, UT, and is a transfer student from Salt Lake Community College. Josh brings some stability and experience to the Mustangs from the midfield not to mention an offensive punch. Braxton Hamilton comes to the Mustangs from Riverton High in Riverton, WY. Braxton has a motor that does not quit and should be contributor for WWCC from the start of the season. Erick Mata is from Rock Springs, WY, and a 2009 RSHS graduate. Erick is very skillful and extremely quick, he was a 1st Team All-Conference player. Kyle Seljaas, from Bountiful, UT, and Bountiful High, is a versatile player who may play in the midfield or as a forward. His versatility helped out his high school team his senior season and we are sure that his abilities will keep him on the field as a Mustang.
The Mustang’s back line has been bolstered by the additions of Phillip Angerhofer, Colter Miller, Cody Rall and Jordan Ross. Bingham High and the city of South Jordan bring us Phillip Angerhofer who will help out our defenses. Phillip is a solid defender who we expect to contribute a lot this fall. Colter Miller is a graduate of Campell County High and is from Upton, WY. Colter will bring physicality and experience in running a defense. Colter was named a 1st Team All-State player his senior season. Cody Rall is another local product from Rock Springs High. Cody is a natural leader who size and passion will help him becomes a great Mustang. Cody as a senior was named a 1st Team All-Conference player. Jordan Ross from Kaysville, UT, and Davis High is our final defensive recruit. Jordan is an integral part of his high school’s successes. He brings a winning attitude and superb physical abilities to an already tough WWCC defense.
Within the net at goalkeeper for the Mustangs will be Oscar Delgado, Mika Goodman or Taylor Whetman. Oscar Delgado is from Big Piney, WY, however he played his soccer at Pinedale High School. He is very talented with a great upside and potential. Oscar’s other soccer skills are high and may seem time as a keeper or as a field member. Mika Goodman is a Springville High graduate and from Springville, UT. Mika had a great career as a keeper in high school and also has the ability to use his speed to play forward. Mika has the ability to be a great keeper at WWCC. Taylor Whetman is from Kearns, UT, and Kearns High. Taylor was a four-year starter at his high school, and was a very reliable keeper for them. Taylor has the experience and skills to be very successful here as a Mustang.
The 2009 Mustangs finished with a 8 - 8 - 2 record for the season. Here was their schedule and results.
Tues August 18th - Salt Lake CC - Salt Lake City UT - 5:30pm (Scrimmage WWCC 3 - SLCC 4)
Thurs August 20th - Adams State - Alamosa CO - 2:30pm (Scrimmage WWCC 3 - ASC 2)
Sat August 22nd - Rocky Mountain Rival - Rock Springs WY - 11:00 am (Scrimmage WWCC 2 - RMR 2)
Fri August 28th - Community Colleges of Spokane - Spokane WA - Won 1 - 0 (1 - 0 - 0)
Sat August 29th - North Idaho College - Couer D' Alene ID - Lost 0 - 4 (1 - 1 - 0)
Sat September 5th - Southern Utah - Cedar City UT - Won 1 - 0 (2 - 1 - 0)
Fri September 11th - Western Nebraska - Rock Springs WY - Tie 1 - 1 (2 - 1 - 1)
Sat September 12th - Westminster - Rock Springs WY - Tie 1 - 1 (2 - 1 - 2)
Wed September 16th - LCCC - Cheyenne WY - Lost 0 - 6 (2 - 2 - 2)
Fri September 18th - University of Wyoming - Laramie WY - Lost 0 - 3 (2 - 3 - 2)
Sat September 19th - Salt Lake CC - Rock Springs WY - Won 5 - 2 (3 - 3 - 2)
Tues September 22nd - Air Force Prep - Colorado Springs CO - Won 4 - 2 (4 - 3 - 2)
Sat September 26th - Madison Dragons - Rock Springs WY - Lost 0 - 1 (OT) (4 - 4 - 2)
Sat September 26th - Central Wyoming - Rock Springs WY - Won 8 - 3 (5 - 4 - 2)
Wed September 30th - LCCC - Rock Springs WY - Lost 0 - 1 (5 - 5 - 2)
Fri October 2nd - North Idaho College - Rock Springs WY - Won 2 - 1 (6 - 5 - 2)
Wed October 7th - Rocky Mountain Rival - Provo UT - Won 2 - 0 (7 - 5 - 2)
Sat October 10th - Westminster - Salt Lake City UT - Lost 1 - 2 (7 - 6 - 2)
Tues October 13th - Madison Dragons - Rexburg ID - Lost 0 - 1 (7 - 7 - 2)
Fri October 16th - Western Nebraska - Scottsbluff NE - Won 4 - 3 OT (8 - 7 - 2)
Fri October 23rd - Region IX Semi-Final vs WNCC- Cheyenne WY - Lost 1 - 2 (8 - 8 - 2)
Here is the 2009 WWCC Mustang Roster
| 1 | Taylor Whetman | GK | FR |
| 2 | Logan Bailey | DEF | FR |
| 3 | Brandon Bushman | FOR | FR |
| 4 | Kyle Howe - Capt | DEF | SO |
| 5 | Joe Lake | FOR | FR |
| 6 | Jordan Ross | DEF | FR |
| 7 | Oscar Delgado | GK/ F | FR |
| 8 | Kyle Seljaas | MID | FR |
| 9 | Colter Miller | DEF | FR |
| 10 | Omar Jaimes - Capt | MID | SO |
| 11 | Erick Mata | MID | FR |
| 12 | Taylor Ford | MID | SO |
| 14 | Mika Goodman | GK/ F | FR |
| 16 | Cody Rall | DEF | FR |
| 17 | Josh Beck | MID | FR |
| 21 | Gilbert Gonzalez | FOR | FR |
| 22 | Chris Byers | MID | SO |
| 24 | Phil Angerhofer | DEF | FR |
| 25 | Braxton Hamilton | MID | FR
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