But he was largely ignored by opposing coaches, who crafted their defenses with an emphasis on containing All-American Brad Evans, now playing with the MLS’s Columbus Crew, and Anthony Hamilton (Chivas USA).
UCI also utilized the talents of defender Cameron Dunn (signed but did not stick with Chivas USA) and goalkeeper Kenny Schoeni (Chivas USA), ascending at one point to a No. 7 national ranking.
But after a 6-3-1 Big West mark that included a loss in the regular-season finale at Cal State Northridge, UCI was snubbed by the NCAA Tournament selection committee.
That snub, questioned even more after Big West Conference champion UC Santa Barbara went on to win the national championship (a 2-0 setback to UCI was the Gauchos’ last loss), hit Murphy and his teammates like a point-blank free kick below the belt.
“I think [the snub] is a big motivational factor for all the players and coaches who are returning,” said UCI Coach George Kuntz, entering his 13th season at the Anteaters’ helm. “It doesn’t sit well with us.”
Murphy still recalls the sting of seeing his season end while watching the televised NCAA Tournament pairings show.
“I think the very second we found out we didn’t make the tournament, [the returners] started looking forward to the first game [Friday at home against Gonzaga at 7 p.m.],” Murphy said. “It was extremely frustrating. But I think we have the team to make up for it this year.”
This year’s team includes 18 freshmen, 23 underclassmen and only three seniors. And only one of those seniors — defender Brandon Foster — is expected to get significant playing time.
Other than Murphy, the combined scoring totals of the other returners amounts to three goals and seven assists.
Still, Murphy and Kuntz, the 2006 Big West Coach of the Year, whose next win will be his 100th at UCI, are upbeat about 2007.
