Dunn excels for the Lansing United

In April, Olivet College men's soccer player Austin Dunn decided to attend one of several tryouts for the Lansing United, Michigan's newest team in the National Premier Soccer League (NPSL). A few days later, Dunn received a phone call to invite him to a practice where the group had been narrowed down to the top 30-35 players from all of the tryouts. A short time later, the official roster was announced and Dunn found his name on it.

Dunn, the only player from an NCAA Division III school on the roster, started the first-ever game for the United on May 16 against the Indiana Fire at the center-back position. Despite playing a man down for the final 24 minutes of the game, Lansing battled to a scoreless draw against the Fire.

Dunn continued play with the United throughout the summer and on July 13, they battled to a 2-2 deadlock against Detroit City FC in their season finale to advance to the NPSL Playoffs. Lansing was rewarded with home games for the opening two games of the playoffs, beating beat Minnesota United Reserves, 4-1 and Fort Pitt, 2-1, to win the Midwest region and reach the NPSL Final Four. The United's dream season came to an end a week later with a 2-0 loss to the U23 team of the New York Red Bulls.

When the final numbers were tallied, Dunn was the only player on the United roster to start all 16 games and log every minute, 1,560, on the field. For his play, he was named to the NPSL Supporters' XI.

"I got a chance early on to play because of a lack of center backs on the roster," said Dunn. "I believe I was able to start every game because they were really impressed with my hard tackling and how I did not let much through the back line of our defense."

Dunn's season with the United is over but now his focus turns to his junior season at Olivet. In his first two years in a Comet uniform, he has started 31-of-41 games played, with the majority of his playing time on the defense.

"Playing for the United this summer made me a lot more confident on the ball," said Dunn. "It has also helped me develop my technical ability and playing every minute has definitely increased my fitness level. Furthermore, it feels good to be a champion and I am hopeful I can carry that winning attitude to the 2014 season at Olivet."

The Comets have already begun preparations for the 2014 season. Returning players have been on campus for preseason training for the last eight days in preparation for a trip to England Aug. 2-11. In England, Olivet will train and play four games against club teams.

The 2014 season officially kicks off for the Comets on Friday, Aug. 29, against Carthage (Wis.) College. The game starts at 7 p.m. on the turf field inside the Cutler Athletic Complex. All of Olivet's home games in 2014 will be played on the turf and start at 7 p.m., with the exception of the Oct. 26 match against Dominican (Ill.) University has a 2:30 p.m. start.