Three Olivet College men’s soccer players earn 2011 second-team All-MIAA honors

OLIVET, Mich. – Three Olivet College men's soccer players, junior defender Cole Dehen (Kentwood/East Kentwood) and sophomore midfielders Fred Smyser (Grand Rapids/Forest Hills Eastern) and Adam Wright (South End, England/Walled Lake Western) have earned 2011 All-Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) second-team honors. All-league honors are based on a player's statistics during the 14-game league schedule.

Under the tutelage of third-year Head Coach Chad Wiseman, the Comets finished with a 9-5 MIAA record. Overall, Olivet had a 14-7-1 record, with the 14 wins being the most in school history.

Dehen was the leader of the Comets' defense, which posted eight shutouts. From his center back position, he scored five points on two goals and one assist.

"Cole was the anchor to our backline," said Wiseman. "He is tough and  very smart, which is a great combination to have in a center back. He was a team captain with many responsibilities on his shoulders. Cole is a straight up winner in all facets of the game and life. Much of our team's success can be credited to the work he does on and off the field as a leader. Cole has proven himself to be one of the very best defenders in all of Division III soccer."

Smyser played in all 14 games and finished MIAA play with eight points on three goals and two assists. He also scored the game-winning goals against Alma College and Calvin College.

"Fred really came into his own late in the season," said Wiseman. "For a sophomore, I asked a lot of him. He was also named a captain and he really worked hard on those responsibilities. Fred is a very talented player with loads of technical skills. Scoring two game-winning goals at Calvin six days apart  was absolutely unbelievable. There are not many players in the MIAA or nation for that matter who can say they did that. The sky is the limit for what he can accomplish here at Olivet. Fred has and will continue to leave his mark on the Olivet soccer program."

Wright also had eight points (three goals and two assists). He also topped the team with 19 shots-on-goal and was second with 33 shots. All three of Wright's goals were game-winners (twice against Kalamazoo and once against Trine), and his two assists led to game-winning tallies.

"Adam had an outstanding sophomore campaign," said Wiseman. "There were many games he was the best player on the field. I think he is the most creative midfielder in the MIAA. He is a flashy player who likes to make the unthinkable play.  The thing about Adam is there is no play he cannot make on the soccer field. He is so talented and very deserving of the honor. I do not believe Olivet has ever had a player that can do the things Adam can on the field."