While most sophomore students are worried about shedding the dreaded “freshman fifteen” from last year, Jason Cole and Jack Jewsbury of the men’s soccer team are busy trying to avoid a sophomore slump.

In their freshman campaigns, both players sparkled: Cole in the backfield and Jewsbury up top.

They helped lead the Billikens to a Conference USA regular season title and an NCAA tournament berth.

But there were some lessons along the way: a last second loss to Creighton, UAB taking out the Bills for the C-USA post season title, and being beaten at home by UCLA in the second round of the NCAA tournament.

All of these lessons have whetted Cole and Jewsbury’s appetites and made them even hungrier.

“We’ll surpass people’s expectations,” said Jewsbury.

“We have a different type of team-more offensive-minded, more exciting.”

“No one wants to lose in the second round at home,” said Cole.

“We can use that as motivation to take care of business on the field.”

“We’ve watched the tape of the UCLA game and we felt we were out-hustled and out-played that game,” Jewsbury said.

But the two sophomores are ready to do their part to help the team.

In 2000, the Bills are looking to be more offensive minded.

“We have more speed on the outside with [Nick] Walls and [Dave] Beck,” Jewsbury said.

“We can get balls into the attack more often.”

With All-American Jeff DiMaria lost to graduation, Jewsbury’s role will increase dramatically.

He led all freshman in goals and will be looked on to pick up some of the scoring punch.

“I’m trying to get the ball more. This year I’ll have a bigger role,” Jewsbury said.

With the addition of Brad Davis to the midfield ball distribution should not be a problem.

“This year I’ll have more chances and I have to capitalize.”

While Jewsbury plays the offensive catalyst, Cole will be looked at to keep the Billiken defense as steady as ever.

“I’m going to continue to do my job and shut down the other team’s top scorer,” Cole said.

The Billikens have always relied on their defense to win games.

Last season SLU put together nine shutouts, five of them consecutively.

Their goals against average was a meager 1.00.

“The team this year is more well-rounded,” Cole said. “We lost some good players, but at the same time we gained some. This team is solid all over the field.”

Cole and Jewsbury are ready for the season to start so they can prove last year was not a fluke.

“We’re building ourselves up to be better down the stretch, so we don’t wear down,” Jewsbury said.

“I have to constantly improve on my weaknesses and continue to do the things I do well and there won’t be a sophomore slump,” Cole said.