Coach Rick Benben (right) and his assistant Fred Schlicting

Coach Benben fills in, works on 2007 Roo roster

Soccer

By: David Cordill

Posted: 4/9/07

University of Missouri-Kansas City soccer head coach Rick Benben doesn't have much time to rest during this particular off-season.

Gearing up for his ninth season as top dog coaching Kangaroo soccer, Benben has been busy recruiting, conducting spring practices, and assisting athletic director Tim Hall in overseeing UMKC basketball operations.

That's right: While a search committee looks for a new man to head the Roos on the hardwood, Benben is watching over the men's basketball team, helping them maintain their athletic and academic continuity until a replacement for the recently terminated Rich Zvosec is found.

"I don't think I have an official title," said Benben. "It's just to help out in the transition. Basically, I'm just someone there for them during their weight training and to follow-up with them on their academic stuff if they're having any problems; someone to be visible with them so that they know they have someone that they can talk to."

But Benben's primary concern this spring has been signing recruits. So far, four players have committed to the UMKC soccer program.

The addition of local product Jaime Zarse, a 6-foot junior midfielder transfer from Marquette University, has Benben "real excited." Zarse, who attended St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Overland Park, Kan., played in 10 matches for the Golden Eagles in 2006.

Also joining the squad for the Roos this fall is Matt Kopsky, a defender from Christian Brothers College High School in St. Louis, Mo.

"Matt's a real athletic kid," Benben said, "He's a real fast kid ... and is a fantastic student too, which is nice."

Benben said that he was also impressed with the speed of signee Brian Harris. Harris, a junior college transfer from Southwestern Illinois College in Belleville, Ill., was a National Junior College Athletic Association Honorable Mention All-American in 2006.

"Brian just has jets," Benben said. "He's a fast, attacking player."

Benben reached to the east one more time to get Ken Cooper, a quick-footed first-team all-metro goalkeeper last season at Oakville High School in St. Louis, Mo. Cooper should lend depth and support for the Roos at that position in 2007.

Over the past month and a half, the UMKC soccer team has scrimmaged Drake University and the Kansas City Brass, a United Soccer League professional development league team. Thus far, Benben has been pleased with the play of his squad, but said he isn't too concerned with the outcome of these exhibition matches.

"I don't really think about the results," Benben said. "It's about getting the kids in the positions and experimenting with them to see where they might be able to help you next year ... try a few different things to see where they might fit in."

UMKC will scrimmage against the Hawks of Rockhurst University and the Mid-American Nazarene University Pioneers Saturday, April 14, on the campus of Rockhurst University. The first match begins at noon, when the Kangaroos face the Hawks. At 1:20 p.m., the Roos take on the Pioneers for the second game.

dcordill@unews.com