Jimmies return solid group

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The Jamestown College men’s soccer team opens the season today.

The Jimmies are looking to build on their best season in the program’s four-year history. The Jimmies went 11-8 last fall and advanced to postseason play for the first time.

On paper, the Jimmies appear to have the pieces in place for another strong campaign. They return their top five goal-scorers from last season.

They play their first official game at Bellevue, Neb., tonight.

Dominic O’Connor (8 goals, 12 assists) leads the returning attackers. The England native is a two-time all-A.I.I. selection. Also back are five-goal scorers Jade Johnson and Austin Dillard, both West Fargo products.

Matt Balshaw, another two-time all-conference performer, returns to anchor the defensive third. Balshaw and fellow Englishman George Gauld each rattled the onion bag four times last season.

Thomas Cooke, who also hails from England, returns as the team’s goalkeeper. Cooke had a save percentage of .802 last season.

Also returning for coach Phillip Bohn’s team is former Blue Jay Ross Perleberg, who can play forward or in the midfield. Jonathan Jacobs, a 6-foot-3 defender, is back.

Newcomer Jack Keeling should contribute up top. Jonathan Lodge and Ellis Riley also are listed as key additions in the midfield.

Forward Michael Whyte played in 18 games last season, while Jack Hartley saw action in 14 games and both return for the Jimmies, who outscored their opponents 36-20 last season.

The Jimmies are back on the road Saturday against Graceland (Iowa) in Blaine, Minn. Their first home game is Sept. 3 against Morningside.

Tags: sports, jimmies, basketball