Keith Buderus Named Head Coach
Nov. 27, 2018, Sterling, Colo. – Keith Buderus became the fourth head coach of the Northeastern Junior College Men's soccer program on Nov. 1, 2018. Prior to being officially named head coach, Buderus served as the interim head coach for the 2018 season. His tenure at Northeastern began in August 2017 when he worked as the men's and women's assistant coach.
As interim head coach, the Plainsmen finished the season as champions of the Region IX South Division, and continued the tremendous momentum within the program by setting numerous school records. Northeastern held an overall record of 14-5-1 while going 7-1 in division games, both of which are school records. For the first time in school history, the Plainsmen were nationally ranked. For four weeks, from Sept. 18 to Oct. 16 the team was ranked among the top 20 programs in the country, climbing as high as 12th.
Northeastern swept rivals Otero Junior College and Trinidad State, which was a first for the program. Other notable results include a 2-2 away draw with sixth-ranked Iowa Western, an away win at Region IX Tournament champions Laramie County (1-0) and beating Region IX North champions Gillette College (6-0).
The Plainsmen were one of the hottest teams in the country during a 10-game winning streak in October. That streak was the second-longest active streak in NJCAA at the time. The fantastic season in 2018 was anchored by a defense and goalkeepers who set their own school records with 10 clean sheets and 15 goals-against in 20 total games.
Numerous players were recognized for their fantastic season in 2018 with three being named to the First Team Region IX South and four named to the Second Team. Northeastern received the Region IX South MVP award, given to Jean Carre for scoring a school record of 21 total goals. The team's 49 total goals scored ties the school record set the previous season.
In his first season as the men's assistant coach under head coach David Groves, the Plainsmen finished with a 13-8 overall record. The Plainsmen finished the season as one of the most in-form teams in the country, winning seven games in a row during the month of October. Northeastern eventually fell 2-1 in the regional championship game to powerhouse Otero. The 13 wins set the school record at the time, and the Plainsmen were a game away from competing in the national tournament. Groves was subsequently named Region IX coach of the year and his entire coaching staff was recognized for the historical season.
Some notable results include sweeping Region IX North champions Western Wyoming, beating nationally ranked Trinidad State and beating rivals Western Nebraska both during the regular season and playoff run. The team scored 49 total goals which had never been done before.
In his first season as the women's assistant coach under head coach Ken McAlpine, the Plainswomen finished with a 5-11 overall record. Their 3-3 record earned them second place in Region IX North which resulted in the program hosting the first round of regional playoffs. In their first season at Northeastern and just the second season of the program's existence, some notable results include sweeping Region IX North rival Western Nebraska (2-1, 2-0) and earning the college's first win against Trinidad State (2-0 away).
Prior to Northeastern, Buderus worked for Westminster Soccer as a soccer coach. In the role, he created an environment where young men can push themselves physically and mentally in not only becoming a better soccer player, but better individuals as well. He coached primarily juniors and seniors in high school whose desire it was to play college soccer.
In addition to coaching for Westminster Soccer, he was the assistant boys varsity soccer coach for Mountain Range High School. Mountain Range is in the Front Range League, which is the strongest 5A soccer conference in the state.