Career record: 50-41-7 Coach Vitalis “Odi” Otieno enters his sixth season at the helm of the men’s program looking to build on last season’s NCAA tournament appearance.The Panthers went undefeated in the SLIAC Conference and won the conference tournament to get the AQ to the NCAA tournament.The Panthers efforts however, fell short in the second round as they were outmanned by the #1 ranked team in the Nation, Trinity University from Texas.As 2008 approaches, the Panthers are looking to shore up in several departments including the backline and midfield where the Panthers lost four seniors.“We should see a steady performance from the team as it returns its whole nucleus.We do have some spots that we must shore up but ultimately we should be as competitive if not more competitive than last season even though that will be a tall order” says Otieno.The incoming recruiting class looks solid as they look forward to strengthening the backline while also shoring up the midfield.With this combination the Panthers expect to once again be in the hunt for the conference title and a shot at another run at the NCAA tournament.
In his five seasons in charge of the program, the panthers have made it to the conference playoffs three times losing twice in the semifinals and winning it all this past year. They have qualified once to the NCAA tournament, his players have earned seven central and south central region awards, 22 all conference awards, one player of the year award, one conference tournament MVP and eight SLIAC all-tournament team recipients’.
Otieno was a two-year letterman and a two-year ABC-League selection at the Principia Upper School. In college, under the tutelage of Coach Seth Johnson, Otieno was a four-year starter, four-year team MVP, a conference MVP, four-year All-Conference first team, and a three-time All-Midwest region player. Otieno also holds the Principia scoring and points records and ranks second in career assists. He also spent two seasons playing varsity basketball at Principia College.
After college and some professional tryouts, Otieno played for several MLS feeder clubs in Northern California. An opportunity to reunite with Coach Johnson brought him back to Principia as an assistant coach from 1997 through 2000. Otieno currently holds both an NSCAA National and Advanced National coaching licenses. He is also a USSF B licensed coach. He also serves as the sports information director.
Travis is happy to be rejoining the men's program since graduating from the College in 1995. He is a four-year player who has spent time as a high school soccer coach as well as a soccer trainer. For the past 5 years Travis has been living in south Florida where he started his own life-coaching practice and is the co-founder of an improv comedy troupe. He recently created a two-day anger and stress management workshop now being used in juvenile detention facilities in Florida. His comedy and speaking has taken him all over the country, and he is excited to be back in the midwest with his wife and three kids.
Matt Munhall is returning to Principia after graduating in 2007 to share his knowledge of goalkeeping and defense to both the men’s and women’s soccer programs. Matt had a successful soccer career as a three year starting goalkeeper and two year team captain for the Panthers. In 2005, Matt was selected by the team as Most Improved Player, and followed that the next two years by earning 1st and 2nd team SLIAC All-Conference team recognition and SLIAC All-Tournament player in 2007. Also in 2007, the Panthers made it to the second round of the NCAA Division III tournament with a record of 17-2-1. This record helped Matt be selected to the 3rd team All-Midwest to end his playing career with the Panthers.
Matt is excited to be back at Principia for another fall and is hoping that he can help both the men’s and women’s soccer programs become SLIAC champions in 2008.
