In the world of sport, reloading is a much more flattering term than rebuilding. However, following last year’s 7-10 campaign and the loss of 11 seniors, Western’s men’s soccer team is merely attempting to rebound.

The Toppers finished 14-5 in 1999, but haven’t had a winning record since, after posting a 10-11 record in 2000 and last season’s disappointing mark.

Coach David Holmes successfully recruited six freshmen and one junior college transfer to help fill in the holes left by last year’s departing seniors.

Brandon Moore transferred from Meridian Community College, in Meridian, Miss. Moore has midfield experience, but will be the team’s back-up goalkeeper behind returning starter Daryl Sattler.

The freshman class is headlined by two forwards who are looking to helping improve the Toppers’ woeful offensive output last year.

Steven Medlock from Germantown, Tenn., and Jason Dugas from Southlake, Texas, are working to help bolster the offense.

“Coach (Holmes) brought in a lot of offensive-minded freshmen,” Medlock said. “All of the freshmen have really jelled together.”

Holmes has been pleased with how Medlock – the all-state forward who had 52 career goals when he signed with Western going into his senior year last spring – has performed so far this preseason.

“Steven has come in very fit and with a lot of enthusiasm,” Holmes said.

Medlock and Dugas are joined by Justin Augsback, a defender from Alexandria, Jake Isenhour, a midfielder from Lexington, Brian Kline, a defender from Carbondale, Ill., and Daniel Payne, a midfielder from Hickory, Tenn.

Isenhour comes in as his high school’s career leader in assists (25) and No. 2 in scoring, with 44 career goals. Payne, another Tennessee all-stater, is the all-time leading scorer at Goodpasture High School.

The pair round out a rookie class stocked with scorers.

“This is a nice group of freshman that can put forward some good minutes this season,” Payne said.

SUBHED Tops add two assistants

The Hilltoppers will also be joined by two assistant coaches. Jason Burr has been promoted from an administrative assistant to a graduate assistant.

Burr played his college soccer at Lindsey Wilson College for two years, where he won a national championship in 1996. He played his last two years at Mid-Continental College.

Tawanda Chitapa, formerly the Toppers’ iron man, will be a student assistant this season. Chitapa finished his Western soccer career last fall and has the second most career assists in Western’s history. Chitapa will be coaching while he finishes his degree.

“Jason Burr and Tawanda Chitapa have done a great job,” Holmes said. “They really have a great relationship with the players.”