2007 SEASON PREVIEW
The Milwaukee School of Engineering men's soccer team enters its first year of Northern Athletics Conference competition in what most coaches would call a rebuilding year. Losing seven seniors, MSOE will have to mature on the field quickly if they plan to compete for the conference title.
The Raiders are led by head coach Jimmy Banks, a former member of the 1990 USA World Cup team. His eighth season on the job could be his toughest challenge of his career.
Despite losing a solid core of veterans, Banks will look to senior captains Spencer Cook (Sioux Falls, S.D./Washington High School) and Chris Shurtliff (Grayslake, Ill. /Grayslake Community High School) to take a leading role on a young team.
Cook started all 18 games in 2006, scoring six goals and adding two assist. Banks says he brings valuable playing experience and leadership to this team and expects him be a vital part of the Raiders' 2007 success.
Shurtliff, a senior goalkeeper has the most experience in the net, he logged over 720 minutes and allowed just 24 goals last season, but he will be challenged by returning underclassmen Andy Blau (Waukesha, Wis./Pewaukee High School) and Alex Mejac (Greenfield, Wis./Whitnall High School).
Blau played in 11 games, and has 1.56 goals against average. Mejac allowed an average of 2.00 goals in four games with the Raiders. The veteran will start the season with the job, but Banks is expecting a competition to develop.
"Shurtliff is our number one goalie at the start of the season, however we have a very talented group this year," Banks says. "The coaching staff will have a tough decision to make as the season gets underway."
Aaron Crass (Neenah, Wis./ Neenah High School) and John Varebrook (Elm Grove, Wis./Marquette High School) will be the lead threats for MSOE on the front line. Crass made just one start in 2006 but gained significant playing time coming off the bench, connecting on a pair of goals with an assist in 17 games.
Varebrook was hampered most of the season by a leg injury but managed to score a goal. Newcomer James Burns (Appleton, Wis./Xavier High School) was a first-team all conference selection in high school and could bolster the offense while adding another scoring threat to the team.
In the midfield, the Raiders lose key position players in Bob Klauck and Ben Hermann, anchors to both the offense and defense. Filling that gap will be Cook and Brandon Crozier (Hartland, Wis. Arrowhead High School). Cook returns to a position that he knows well, but may also see some time as forward. Last season, Crozier started in 14 games and added one goal for the Raiders.
On the defensive side of the pitch, sophomore Rock Ridolfi (Kenosha, Wis./Tremper High School) and junior Tony Mente (Muskego, Wis./Muskego High School) will be joined by freshman Joeseph Westrich (Racine, Wis./St. Catherine's High School), a four-year high school letter winner and first team defense all conference will be counted on to see playing time for MSOE.
Besides Westrich and Burns, look for newcomer Danny Kolokoski (Sussex, Wis./Arrowhead High School) to see valuable playing time either at the midfield or defenseman position.
Key Northern Athletic Conference games for the Raiders, include national powerhouse Dominican University (Sat Oct. 20), Concordia-Wisc. (Wed. Oct. 17 ), and longtime rival Lakeland College (Oct. 23). This year, MSOE opens on the road at Beloit on Saturday, Sept. 1) and end on the road against Lakeland on Tuesday, Oct. 23. The NAC tournament begins on Monday October 29.
