"When the teams were announced for the tournament and we weren't one of them, that was probably the worst feeling I've ever had," said senior forward Brad Evans, the Big West Offensive Player of the Year in 2005. "I think all of us, deep down, knew we didn't want to experience that feeling again."
So, Evans, Dunn, a veteran nucleus of returners, and a talented crop of newcomers, committed themselves to making 2006 a historic season.
Though just three games into the Big West schedule, this team has already achieved unprecedented success. On the heels of conference triumphs at Cal State Fullerton (3-2 in overtime Wednesday) and Cal Poly San Luis Obispo (1-0 Saturday at home), UCI is ranked No. 14 by Soccer America, No. 15 by College Soccer News and No. 22 by the National Coaches' Assn.
The Anteaters (8-1-1, 3-0 in conference) have never been ranked as high. They are also alone atop the conference standings, after being picked to finish third behind Cal State Northridge and UCSB.
UCSB (6-4, 2-1), ranked No. 22 by Soccer Times, will play host to the Anteaters Saturday at 7 p.m. in an early showdown between the conference's top two teams. UCI visits UC Davis for a nonconference contest Wednesday.
"It's a group we've worked extremely hard with in the offseason and during the season to try to build, and I think what we're seeing is the fruition of that," said Kuntz, who boasts about his players' dedication and selfless pursuit of excellence.
"We have some guys who have been through some trials and tribulations here [the current crop of seniors went 6-11-3 as freshmen]," said Kuntz, in his 12th season at UCI. "And we've also had some new guys come in and really assimilate well."
The veteran nucleus is led by Dunn, Evans as well as seniors Anthony Hamilton, Sergio Rivera, Branon Tario and Kenny Schoeni.
