2009 Season Review

The record-breaking 2009 soccer season was the most successful season in the history of the Hampden-Sydney soccer program, with numerous new team and personal records. The team's final record was 16-4-0, including an 8-2-0 ODAC mark. The 16 wins are the most ever in a season, surpassing the 1994 team's 15 wins. The eight ODAC wins ties the most ever, matching the 1994 team. The team advanced to the ODAC semifinals for the third consecutive year, falling in a tough match against Lynchburg College.

Some of the major highlights of the year include: winning the Tiger invitational with resounding wins over Wesley College and Marymount University, winning nine consecutive games between September 19th and October 21st, knocking off arch-rival Randolph-Macon in double overtime on a sudden death goal, and thumping ODAC power Roanoke College 5-1 on senior night. With this season's 16 wins, head coach Josh Laux moved into third place on the career wins list at Hampden-Sydney with 62, just one game behind second place. His 31 ODAC wins are the second most in school history.

Several individuals had outstanding seasons for the Tigers, with many of them moving into the program's record books. Sophomore Bryan Wharton scored 14 goals for the second consecutive season to lead the Tigers in scoring. The 14 goals tied for the most in the regular season in the ODAC. His 28 career goals place him just outside of the top five in that category, and if he keeps up his torrid pace he could finish his career as the leading goal scorer in Hampden-Sydney history. Junior goalkeeper John Robert Plyler led the ODAC this year in shutouts, goals-against average, and save percentage. His nine shutouts were the second most in a season in program history, and his 19 career shutouts are also the second most in Hampden-Sydney history.

Freshman Nick DeProspero had a stellar rookie campaign, finishing the season with five goals and 10 assists. His 10 assists were good enough for second in the ODAC. Right behind him in that category was junior Matt Hampton, who finished the year with six assists which was the third most in the ODAC. The team's defense also had a record-setting year, setting a new program mark for shutouts in a season with 11. They allowed only 12 goals in 20 games, which was tied for the best mark in the ODAC. On the season, the Tigers outscored their opponents by a margin of 42-12.

The 2009 soccer seniors will leave as one of the best classes to ever play for Hampden-Sydney. The senior class of Cooper Anderson, Brett Chonko, JoJo Howard, Will Robertson, and Christopher Tait compiled a career record of 49-22-6, including a 25-9-4 ODAC mark. They helped turn the Hampden-Sydney soccer program back into a perennial contender in the ODAC and served as excellent leaders to their teammates both on and off the field.