Men's Soccer Preview, Part 2: Detroit
Aug. 20, 2007
Goals are common for any team and the University of Detroit Mercy men's soccer squad is no different. After coming off an injury-plagued season in 2006, the Titans are optimistic about 2007.
"We do our best to attain many of the small goals we set each year," said head coach Morris Lupenec. "Some of the goals for 2007 include going undefeated in Horizon League play, winning the conference tournament and making the NCAA Championship field, where anything is possible."
The Titans return 12 players from last year's squad, including seven upperclassmen. Among this mix is senior forward Mark Djurovski, who played 17 games for the Titans in 2006 and closed out the year tied for first among teammates in goals (7) and stood alone in second with 16 points.
"We are looking for to Mark to have a successful senior season," commented Lupenec. "We also need him and Jordan (Veit) to step up due to the number of young athletes on our squad."
Joining Djurovski at the forward position are junior Nick Servedio, who saw action in 14 games last season, junior Tristan Horvath and freshmen Chet Skamera, Christopher Mulchay, as well as Jacob Mechlowitz.
"Mark returns to the forward spot as the leading goal scorer from last year," commented Lupenec. "He will be joined by a number of athletes in Servedio, Skamera, Mulchay and Mechlowitz, who all have the potential to compete for time at that spot."
At the midfield position, which is where Detroit's strength lies, many young athletes gained experience last season because of the injuries.
"We have a group of technically talented players in the midfield," stated Lupenec. "Our depth in this position will be deeper than most years because of the experience the young players gained last season."
Returning to the midfield are junior Brandon Powell, as well as sophomores Michel Jonca and Brett Windecker. Joining these athletes are freshman redshirt Ken Simon and junior redshirt Renato Susnja, who both had their season cut short in 2007 due to injuries. Fresh faces that will be vying for playing time are Skamera, Jacob Munchiando, Matt Spencer, Charlie Hancock and Simon Zahra, who is a transfer from Schoolcraft College.
"Renato and Ken (Simon) are both healthy this year and may be the best midfield duo in the Horizon League," expressed Lupenec. "You can complement this duo with any of the newcomers.
"Because of injuries last season, our role players became starters and our reserve athletes became role players," stated Lupenec. "These individuals stepped in and did a great job, but when we are playing against top level competition, little mistakes that were made meant the difference between wins and losses."
At defense, the Titans return a senior, Veit, and junior Christian King, each of whom played in 17 games for Detroit in 2006. Newcomers that will help to fill this position are freshmen Mateusz Szwed, Corey Martin and Matt Spencer.
"Defensively, we have two solid returners in Jordan and Christian," said Lupenec. "We will also be looking for some freshmen to step into that role."
In goal, Detroit has Rich Fatyma and Bryan Kloss. Fatyma did not see any action in 2006, while Kloss played in one game and helped lead the Titans to a tie as he earned a goals-against average of 1.67.
"With the loss of Sasha Boskovic at goalkeeper, we will look to either Rich or Bryan to fill his shoes," expressed Lupenec.
The Titans open up their 2007 campaign with a road trip in California, competing first against Cal State Northridge (Aug. 31) and then Cal State Fullerton (Sept. 2). Detroit's first game in Michigan is at Oakland (Sept. 5) and then the Titans continue their schedule with four more road games.
"We have created a tough competitive schedule where I feel we have a chance to win every game if we play our best," stated Lupenec. "At the same time, if we do not come to play, every team on the schedule can beat us."
Detroit will open up its home season on Sept. 23 against Buffalo, but the home field will have a different look than past years. There is a new stadium expansion occurring on-campus, but it will not be complete by the start of 2007, so all of the Titans home games will be played at Bishop Gallagher Field in Clinton Township, Mich.
"I am extremely excited to see the new field when it is complete," expressed Lupenec. "Obviously it is a bit frustrating not being able to play on our home field. But, I am willing to accept playing off campus because of the long-term effects the new stadium will have on the success of our program."
Detroit opens up Horizon League play at home against the newest member of the conference, Valparaiso (Oct. 3). The Titans will then host two schools that played in the 2006 NCAA Championship in Loyola (Oct. 5) and UIC (Oct. 7).
"The parity in our conference is so tight that on any given day, any team can beat anyone," stated Lupenec. "We really need to step up our game once League play starts and be at our best, because anything can happen.
"I am excited to be hosting both teams that made it to the NCAA Championship last year. We also have a tough road trip to Wisconsin in the middle of October."
The Titans' final regular-season home game is against Wright State (Oct. 19) and Detroit wraps up the regular season at Cleveland State (Oct. 26).
A new chapter in Detroit men's soccer history is about to be written and, once it is finished, it will be known if any of the goals were attained.
Story provided by UDM Office of Sports Information
