The Raider Men’s Soccer team will host their final home match of the 2011 season at the Washington Premier FC Complex. The WPFC Complex is located at 5702 – 44th St. E., in Puyallup. The match will take place this Wednesday, starting at 3 pm, when the Raiders host the Clippers of South Puget Sound CC. The Raiders sit 3 points behind the Clippers for 3rd place in the Southern Region, and must win Wednesday’s match if they have any hopes of making it to the NWAACC playoffs. A Raiders win could force a possible playoff tie-breaker match on Monday (11/7), dependent on the outcome of SPSCC’s final match against division leading Chemeketa on Saturday.
Athletics
October 31, 2011
August 30, 2011
2011 Raider Soccer Alumni Scrimmage a huge success!
The 3rd Annual Raider Alumni Scrimmage was a huge success, as Coach Bill Pearson and the members of the 2011 Raider squad welcomed 20 alumni from Raider teams from years past, for a friendly afternoon on the pitch. This year’s squad had their hands full with alums, as the teams played to a 4-4 tie after regulation. The teams opted to go straight to the tie-breaker shootout, which was won by the 2011 Raiders, 3-1.
Most of the alums played for Pierce in the past 3-5 years. However, there were several from the early glory days of the Raider Soccer program. Joel Balmer played for the old FSCC Raiders in 1982 & 1983, and coached the Raiders from 1987 -1993, winning the NWAACC championship in 1992. Balmer was inducted into the Raiders Hall of Fame in 2009. Two members from the ’92 championship team were also on hand, Lindy Blankenship and Bill Custer. The ’92 championship team was also part of the inaugural Hall of Fame class of 2009.
The 2011 Raider Alumni Squad:
Seth Baker (’07), Joel Balmer (’83), Lindy Blankenship (’92), Rick Bowen (’00), Andy Cho (’07), Bill Custer (’92), Ryan Edwards (’09), Joey Fletcher (’07), Chris Hanson (’07), Matt Herrera (’06), Dan Hicker (’01), James Holmes (’00), Mark Lee (’09), JD Maldonado (’10), Ryan Moss (’07), Kyle Ritz (’08), Kent Sanner (’10), Chris Sherman (’08), Kyle Slone (’07), and Kyle Tuohy (’06).
Gentlemen, t
hanks again for a great day on the pitch!
February 3, 2011
Raiders earn Fall Academic Honors
Members of the Raiders Volleyball and Soccer teams were recently recognized for their outstanding accomplishments in the classroom. Nissa McCormack, Wes Caldwell, Alex Garza, and Kent Sanner, were all selected the NWAACC All-Academic Team for Fall Quarter. The All-Academic team recognizes those sophomore student-athletes who have maintained a 3.25 grade point average or better during the 2 years of college coursework. In addition, McCormack and Caldwell were also selected as recipients of the NWAACC Academic Leadership Award. This award recognizes sophomore student-athletes who have maintained a grade point average of 3.50 or better.
Raiders Soccer earn All-Star and All-Region Honors
The Raiders Men’s Soccer squad garnered a pile of awards in the recent announcement of the All-Star and All-Region awards. Sophomore defender Nathan Montoya, freshman forward Suku Hudson and freshman midfielder Femi Akinniyi, were selected to the South-West All-Star team. Sophomores Kent Sanner (defender), Nick Creveling (goalkeeper), and Nathan Jung (defender), were named to the South’s All-Region team.
March 20, 2009
Raiders Soccer to hold Youth Soccer Academy
Pierce College Men’s Soccer Program is proud to offer a local Youth Soccer Academy. The Academy will be held at Heritage Park through the month of April for all boys and girls ages 9-13 looking to improve their game. Pierce College Men’s Head Soccer Coach Bill Pearson, members of his staff and members of the Raiders men’s soccer team will be on hand for a fun, but challenging month of soccer. Coach Pearson has 14 years of experience at the youth level and holds a USSF “B” National License. His focus for this academy will be player development. For more information and to register, go to our Camps page: www.pierce.ctc.edu/athletics/camps
November 11, 2008
Raiders named to NWAACC All-Academic Team
The Northwest Athletic Association of Community Colleges has announced the conferences 2008 All-Academic Teams for Fall Sports. Pierce College is well represented this Fall, with 6 Raiders garnering this prestigious award. Two members of the Raiders Volleyball team – Sara Cusato and Cami Medlock – and four members of the Raiders Soccer team – Jordan Hanson, Kyle Mikkelsen, Kyle Ritz, and Stephen Stabbert – have been recognized by NWAACC for their outstanding achievements in the classroom.
Sophomore student athletes who have completed a minimum of 36 credits and have earned a cumulative GPA of 3.25 or better qualify for consideration for this award. Of the 31 sophomore volleyball players from across the NWAACC who received this award, the Raiders Cami Medlock has the highest GPA, with a 3.95; and, of the 21 sophomore male soccer players in the NWAACC recognized, the Raiders Stephen Stabbert has the highest GPA, with a 3.75.
Congratulations to these outstanding young women and men for their accomplishments in the classroom, as well as their achievements on the court and field of competition.
July 15, 2008
June 10, 2008
Dan Hicker leaves Pierce for NCAA coaching position
Dan Hicker has stepped down as the head coach of the Raiders Mens Soccer program, having accepted a new position as the Head Assistant Coach at Colorado State University-Pueblo. In his three seasons at the helm of the Raiders Soccer program, Hicker led Pierce to two playoff appearances, and compiled an overall record of 16-23-8. Hickers Raiders were 2-2 in their two trips to the postseason.
Hicker returns to CSU-Pueblo, where he enjoyed two very successful seasons as a player under current head coach Roy Stanley. The Thunderwolves finished the 2007 season with a record of 6-12, and expect that the addition of Hicker to their staff will help the team back into the playoff picture in Fall 2008.
Hickers impact with the Raiders program has been significant as he has rebuilt the program to a strongly competitive level in the NWAACC. Pierce College Puyallup President Dr. Tana Hasart shared the following on Hickers time at Pierce, “The three things I most appreciated about Dan were his professionalism, his ability to set and support high academic and sports standards for his student athletes, and his commitment to setting in place a strong foundation of success for Soccer. We will truly miss him, but also celebrate this wonderful opportunity to move closer to his dream of being a head coach at the 4-year level.”
Athletic Director Duncan Stevenson, who has known Hicker since his playing days as a Raider (2000-2002) said the following, “Dan is the consummate professional. He goes above and beyond what is asked of a coach in order to put his program and his student-athletes in the best position possible to be successful. We will miss his enthusiasm, his energy, his positive attitude, and his dedication to Raiders Soccer and the Pierce College Athletic Department.”
“I have found that words simply cannot express how much I appreciate my time here at Pierce College and the positive experience I have had coaching within the NWAACC. There has been great support of the efforts and progressions towards the development of the mens soccer program and our student-athletes. I have had the opportunity to get to know some wonderful people and truly feel that I was given the chance to be part of something special. There will certainly be some amazing stories to tell. I am very excited to accept the assistant coaching position at Colorado State University-Pueblo and look forward to my coaching career within the NCAA. While this is an exciting achievement for me, I cannot and will not ever forget what it means to be a Raider.” -Dan Hicker
June 2, 2008
2008 Men's Soccer Alumni Game Joins Familiar Faces Once Again
On Saturday, May 3rd, for the second consecutive year, Raiders mens soccer held its annual spring season alumni match. A wet afternoon kickoff still brought great spirits to the pitch as 17 alumni faced off against the Raiders standing 2008 spring roster. A timeline of exceptional talent, the match revealed some familiar skill, and moments of spark from the alumni. However, it was not enough to earn yearly bragging rights as the Raiders standing spring roster defeated the Alumni 6-1.
A great way to show a continuing respect and pride for athletics at Pierce College, the mens soccer annual alumni matches are more than just 90 minutes of soccer.
“These games are great, and go well past the playing field. It is a time to reconnect with our programs history and continue to build for the future. It is an absolute pleasure to have our alum back on the field and have a moment to catch up on some good memories. My hope is that these matches will continue for many years to come!”
-Head Coach, Daniel Hicker
Participating alums included:
Andrew Helmers (06), Brett Perry (04-05), Chris Sherman (07), Dominick Cusato (06), James Holmes (99-00), Mike Holmes (05), James Tunison (06), Jmaar Aina (05-06), Kyle Touhy (05-06), Matt Herrera (05-06), Phil Munoz (06), Rob Anderson (99-00), Thomas Burphy (05), Travis Pettibon (99-00), Trent Pettibon (00), WaWa (06), Ryan Price (04-05)
May 7, 2008
Raiders Mens Soccer to hold Spring kickarounds
The Raiders Mens Soccer team will be holding kickaround sessions for returning players, recruits, and prospective team members.
Dates: Thursdays, May 15, 22, 29, and June 5
Times: 2:30 – 4:30 pm
Place: Heritage Recreation Center, Puyallup (next to Rogers High School)
All prospective players interested in attending these kickaround sessions, please contact Head Coach Dan Hicker at (253) 208-2632 for more information.