Friday, August 24, 2001
Boys soccer preview: Div. II-III
Defending state champ Turpin starts No.1
By Michael Perry
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Turpin coach John Basalyga hasn't been overly thrilled with his boys soccer team's preseason practices.
As the defending Division II state champions, he figured the Spartans would come out every day and work hard. But that hasn't been the case.
“It's just hard to figure kids out nowadays,” he said. “They take things for granted. Half the kids didn't have anything to do with last year.”
Still, Turpin is the No.1 team in the Enquirer's preseason Divisions II-III-IV poll.
Much to Basalyga's dismay.
“I don't like being No.1 in anything,” he said. “I find kids today don't know how to handle things mentally. They don't know how to handle things athletically. They don't handle that kind of pressure well.
“I believe kids have to have reality shoved down their throats by getting beat.”
That didn't happen much last year when Turpin went 19-2-2 in its 20th consecutive winning season.
But the Spartans graduated seven seniors, including five starters. They lost their center midfielder, a center frontline player and two in the back. Filling in those spots will be a key.
Turpin's top offensive weapon is senior Marc Burch, a first-team all-state selection who set a school single-season record last year with 39 goals; he's 30 goals shy of the Turpin career record. Senior Mike Vessels is one of the Cincinnati-area's top goalkeepers.
Both are being recruited by Division I colleges.
“How everything shakes out in between those two,” is what will determine h ow good Turpin can be, said its coach, in his 23rd year at the school.
Basalyga said Jason Seibert, the team's only four-year letterman, needs to step up and become a dominant player. He is also counting heavily on seniors Dan Matteucci and Wes Ernst.
“Potentially we could be very good,” Basalyga said. “The biggest thing is complacency.
“I don't think repeating is a viable option here. I think getting into the regional is a reachable goal if we're playing well. I tell kids, "If you get to the regional, then you're playing as good as anybody in the state.' ”
2. INDIAN HILL: The Braves went into the preseason with two main questions: Who will score and who will tend goal? Senior Mike Tuddenham should be a primary offensive weapon; he had 14 goals and three assists last season. But he'll need help. Sean Slattery had five goals and six assists in 2000, Andrew Ward had three goals and two assists. Matt Minor and Joe Hying are the top defenders, along with Ollie Musekamp.
3. MCNICHOLAS: The Rockets have depth and experience with 10 seniors and seven juniors. They have two senior goalies (Joe DiSalvio and George Fels), either of whom could start. Each position is strong up the middle. McNick has senior defenders Shawn Galvin and Drew Zaugg. Junior midfielder Michael Sanker is a skilled player who distributes the ball well, and senior Michael Honkonen is also in the midfield. And the top offensive weapons might be junior Adam Hamilton and senior Brian Crosby.
It should be a tough team defensively. But the Rockets also would like to be more offensive-minded than in recent years.
4. ROSS: The Rams, who were 17-1-1 a year ago, will count on their defense and conditioning. The roster includes five seniors: Halfbacks Joe Young, Brady Bosse and Micah Hitt, forward Ray Bulach and fullback Jake Richards.
5. ROGER BACON: The Spartans have talent but are young. Midfielder John Balish and defenders Chris Hardcore and Kevin Wagoner are the only seniors. Bacon has a solid junior class, including top returnees Drew Buller and goalie Lyonel Pearce. Charles Pride is another key defenseman.
The rest of the top 10: 6. Purcell Marian; 7. Summit Country Day; 8. Wyoming; 9. Badin; 10. Seven Hills.
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Boys soccer preview: Div. II-III
