Friday, August 20, 1999
BOYS SOCCER: DIVISION I PREVIEW
Eight returning starters make LaSalle favorite
BY DAVE SCHUTTE
Enquirer contributor
The vote in the Enquirer preseason coaches' poll wasn't unanimous, but the result left little doubt that LaSalle is the Division I boys soccer team to beat.
With eight returning starters, coach Pat Albrinck's Lancers received 10 of the 13 first-place votes with McNicholas, Lakota East, Moeller and Lakota West rounding out the top five.
Based on the assessment of the coaches, defense will reign this season as most teams struggle on offense.
“It will be defensive football, which won't make the crowd happy,” Albrinck said.
• 1. LaSalle: There's good reason for the Lancers' ranking.
Coming off a 13-2-3 season, the Lancers return 12 letterwinners, nine who started, including standout goalie Phil Stockburger (.77 goals against in 1998).
Experienced defenders Nala Voeun, Mike Obert and Dan Hicks, along with part-time starter Sean McManiman, will make it even tougher on opponents.
At the midfield positions, LaSalle is loaded with Eric Eckes, Nick Thompson, Josh Dunaway (out with a broken leg in 1998) and newcomer Tim Clifford.
• 2. Lakota East: There's little doubt that the Thunderhawks will field the strongest defensive team in Cincinnati.
Starting with goalie Craig Salvati and including Casey Fisher, Jeremy Hilen and Trevor Snowden, Lakota East hasn't allowed a goal in three preseason scrimmages.
• 3. McNicholas: Unlike most teams, offense will be the strength of the Rockets, who graduated four players, all defenders.
Senior strikers Scott Tilford and Mike Zoller will spearhead the offense, and Josh Miller and Brian Crosby will anchor the midfield.
• 4. Moeller: Replacing leading scorers Scott Lyons and Brian Boroff won't be easy for a Crusaders team that will be strong defensively.
“We'll be solid at midfield,” coach Randy Hurley said. “We'll create opportunities, but the question is do we have anyone who can finish.”
Rob Honkonan, Evan Lyons, Vikram Mathur and Carson Morey will start at midfield with Brian McClure, Chris Carpenter and Jon Allman and Vasso Chronis on defense.
Pat Murphy is the only returning striker.
• 5. Lakota West: Replacing three offensive players who combined for 62 goals and 27 assists will be a tough task.
“I don't know if we'll score much, but we won't give up much,” coach Steve Cummins said. “Last week in a scrimmage, we only allowed five shots in 90 minutes.”
Seniors Isi Enaiho (defense), Collin Jewett (striker) and Kyle Winkler (midfield) will be the mainstays for a team that will start two freshmen, Steve Gilday and Matt Fuller.
• 6. Sycamore: Like most coaches, Doug Gausmann is concerned about offense.
“We only scored 30 goals in 18 games last year, but we have the same kids back,” Gausmann said. “There's no sure striker (scorer) on the team, and it's wide open for the starting positions.”
The Aviators will be strong at the midfield and defensive positions with Ryan Posey in the goal, Dave Germain and Matt Roberts on defense and Chris O'Neal and Pete Joukov at midfield.
• 6. Anderson: The loss of one defensive starter to an injury and two others to eligibility has coach Frank Zuccala concerned.
“Until we lost these players, I thought this may be the best team I've coached,” Zuccala said. “We'll be an exciting team to watch, and some of our scores could be 6-5 or 7-6.”
Stu Scheller, T.J. Messerschmitt, Brian Griffin and Andy Heinleim will handle the midfield positions with Davor Rom, Robert Anthony, Sam Miller and Bobby Foreman at the striker positions.
“This may be the most dangerous offensive team I've coached,” Zuccala said. “But we'll have to rebuild the entire defense, and I guess we'll find out how good a coach I am.”
• 7. Milford: If coach Tom Kilgore comes up with a consistent scorer, the Eagles could rise quickly in the poll.
“We'll be solid at midfield and in the back,” Kilgore said. “Up front we have a host of players, but we need one who can score 10 to 12 goals and be a consistent threat.”
Clayton Owens, Mark Fansler and Matt Carrington will handle the defensive duties.
• 8. Roger Bacon: The loss of 17 letterwinners to graduation will be a tough obstacle for coach Dick Arszman and the Spartans to overcome early in the season.
Defense will be one of the strengths with Chris Hunt in the net and Ken Kreidenweis, Dan Mouch, Chris Ott and Peter Weidendacher at the sweeper and fullback positions.
• 10. St.Xavier: The Bombers are another team hit hard by graduation, but it would be a mistake to count out coach Mark Pablo's crew.
“We have good balance and some talented young players,” Pablo said. “We will be small compared to past years, and a tough schedule will test our maturity and leadership.
• 10. Turpin: The Spartans graduated 10 letterwinners and will field an inexperienced team.
“I've never had a team this young,” coach John Basalyga said. “We only have two back who played significantly and we'll start five sophomores and a freshman (Jeff Bamber).”
Jordan Bell, out most of 1998 with a broken leg, will anchor the defense.
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