University of Massachusets Athletics
Deren Enjoys Senior Season
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Oct. 21, 2002
When Jeff Deren came to UMass four years ago, the Minutemen had just come off one of their worst seasons in school history, a 4-12-2 mark in 1998. The 1998 team scored a mere 19 goals in posting the program's worst record since 1990.
Since Deren arrived on campus, the Minutemen have recorded a 48-23-1 record, won two Atlantic 10 Conference titles and earned the school's only NCAA Tournament berth in 2001.
Deren has been a major factor in the program's resurrection. Nearly cut because of budget cutbacks in the early 90's, the program, guided by Head Coach Sam Koch, has become a model of consistency, and one of the Northeast's top college soccer programs. Three straight 10-win seasons and nine double-digit win seasons in the last 11 years, and perhaps the school's biggest win ever, an NCAA Tournament victory over the 2000 national runner-up, Creighton, in last year's tournament.
It was an experience that Deren wants to live again.
"The NCAA Tournament was a once-in-a-lifetime experience," said Deren. " It was something that I had hoped for and an experience that I want to get back to so bad. We had realized what we had done and the hard work that we had put in for months was finally paying off. To set your goals at the start of the year and then to accomplish them is just an unreal feeling. Being there once last year makes us want to get back so bad."
Deren was one of the main reasons that the Minutemen were in the NCAA field a year ago. The senior forward from Chicopee scored 38 points (16 g, 6 a) on his way to earning 2001 Atlantic 10 Player of the Year honors. He was named a 2002 College Soccer News Preseason All-American.
However, it wasn't until lately that Deren broke onto the national scene. He scored five goals in an impressive weekend sweep of Xavier and Dayton to open Atlantic 10 Conference play. Four of his goals, including three in a 10-minute second-half span, came in the win over Dayton and earned him College Soccer News National Player of the Week. The amazing performance has made Deren, barring injury, almost certain to break the school's all-time scoring record.
Despite all of the individual success, Deren knows how important it was to get off to such a strong start in the Atlantic 10 Conference team race.
"Everything has started to fall together," said Deren. "We got two huge wins to start off the Atlantic 10. Dayton and Xavier are both right around the top four. Now everyone is playing the way we can and we are playing extremely well."
Deren also knows the only way for the Minutemen to get back to the NCAAs is an Atlantic 10 Conference tournament title.
"Getting those two wins is a great start for us. Every year we play these two teams it is a toss-up." said Deren. "To come out and get two big wins at the start of the year sends a statement to the rest of the league. Even though we had lost a lot of players and struggled early, we are for real and ready to compete and win again."
A big reason for the team's success has been the switch of Derek Rhodes to back from his midfielder position he occupied for the previous three years. Before the switch, the Minutemen were 2-3-0 and had allowed an average of 2.8 goals per game. Since the switch, UMass has posted a 6-1-0 record and allowed only 0.4 goals per game, including recent back-to-back shutout wins over La Salle (1-0) and Fordham (3-0).
"Derek has made a huge difference. We started off back there with very little experience. They played well at times, just not consistently," added Deren. "Derek has a lot of experience and knowledge and he has really been able to solidify the defense and organize and tell everyone where they should be. It just makes it easier for everyone, and Derek has really assumed the role."
Another reason that Deren has been so successful at UMass is the support he has received from his family. Being from Chicopee, it is a short drive for family and friends to see Jeff play. It was one of several reasons that Jeff chose UMass.
"My family has been here every single game. I can count on my parents and my grandparents being there," added Deren. "They are there after the game to support me whether we're winning or losing. They'll always pick up my spirits and tell me not to worry and what to do. They've been there since I started playing soccer and they'll be there for as long as I am going to play."
On the field, Deren is in constant motion and lives on the edge. Despite being smaller than most players, Deren isn't afraid to mix it up. It's a trait that enables him to score in tough situations and to come out unscathed.
"A lot of me being fiery on the field is due to intensity and momentum," commented Deren. "You have to be ready to play every game for 90 minutes. If you give up for a little bit, that is all it takes for the other team to score. You have to be in incredible shape. You have to be ready for anything and we play a lot of games, so having intensity for every game is a challenge in itself. That's what needs to be done in order to win."
Glancing through the UMass media guide, one would see Deren's name littered throughout the recordbook. He ranks third on the all-time career scoring list with 89 points (38 g, 13 a), only seven behind Mike Butler's record of 96 points. On the goals scored chart, Deren is in second place with 38, two behind Randy Jacobs' 40 career goals. His 16 goals in 2001 is second all-time, and his 13 career assists ranks 10th all-time. He is one of only eight players in school history to score four goals in a game. Through 12 games this year, Deren has scored 27 points (12 g, 3 a).
Deren knows it wouldn't have been possible without his teammates.
"I think it says a lot more about the team than me as a player," said Deren. "I came to UMass and the team hadn't scored many goals the year before, so that was one of the reasons I came here, hoping that I could play right away. I didn't play much my first year, but we had a great recruiting class with Yuri (Morales), Derek (Rhodes), Andrew (Eicher) and myself. Through my four years, we've gone to the A-10 Tournament all three years, won two A-10 Titles and appeared in the NCAA tournament. It just speaks volumes about the group and what we have done and how we have put this program on the map. Without them, none of this would be possible."
As Deren winds down his playing career at UMass, he is committed to the rest of the season. However, he would love a chance to play at the next level, preferably with an organization in Major League Soccer (MLS)
"If someone wants me to play for them, I'd love to play," commented Deren. "That's my ultimate goal. That's why you play the game. If I could play after college, I would absolutely love to."
After the season and career that Deren is having at UMass, one would figure that playing at the next level is a definite possibility.