11/11/2008
Men's Soccer Places Three on All-NEWMAC Team; Kulik Earns Coach of the Year

WORCESTER, MASS. 11/11/08 - Clark University placed three players on the New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) men's soccer All-Conference teams, it was announced on Tuesday. Senior Peter Wise was the top vote getter for the All-Conference goalkeeper award earning him NEWMAC first-team honors, while junior Preben Gietz and sophomore Baran Doenmez garnered their first All-Conference recognition with second-team nods. Head Coach David Kulik was named the conference coach of the year for the second time in three years.

Wise, from Providence, R.I., backstopped the team to a first place finish in goals allowed (.62), goals against average (.60) and shared the top spot in shutouts (.62) in the conference. Individually, the senior captain tied for first in shutouts and finished top three in three other categories in the NEWMAC, including goals against average (2nd/.62), save percentage (2nd/.857) and saves (3rd/3.75). He had a career-high eight shutouts and held half of the league scoreless. Last year, Wise was named to the All-NEWMAC second team.

A native of Waterloo, Belgium, Gietz was Clark's most experienced defender this season. The junior center back dominated balls in the air and helped limit the oppositions' chances on net en route to 10 shutouts this fall. Gietz also chipped in offensively with three points on one goal and an assist.

Doenmez, a sophomore transfer from Dublin, N.H., has been a welcomed addition to Clark's attack this year. He led the team in scoring with eight goals, four of which were game-winners, and finished second on the squad in assists (4). Doenmez is tied for sixth in the NEWMAC in both goals (8) and points (20).

Kulik, in his ninth year coaching the Cougars, has led Clark to six consecutive winning seasons, continual regional acclaim, and its first NCAA Tournament appearance in 21 years.

Clark (11-4-2) will face Norwich University at host Middlebury College in an NCAA Regional Tournament game on Saturday (1:30 p.m.).