Men's Soccer Preview Part 2: UW-Milwaukee

Aug. 24, 2005

With league titles and NCAA Tournament berths in each of the last four seasons, expectations for the 2005 season are high for the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee men's soccer team. Repeating the success of last season will not be an easy task, as head coach Louis Bennett must replace a decorated senior class that included a quartet of four-year starters.

The key to furthering the success of the program, as Bennett says, is finding players to fill the roles left by the departed seniors and playing together.

"We will not try to replicate the players that have left," Bennett said. "Our style and our system helps everyone in their specialized roles, and we'll need to see how they gel together."

With a talented class of newcomers and the emergence of key reserves into starting roles, the 10th-year head coach is optimistic that his Panthers are up to the task.

"The major key for us this season will be getting our existing squad and the new guys coming in to gel together," Bennett said. "Our guys will each be playing distinctive roles for us."

FORWARDS
One role that was left open by graduation is that of Antou Jallow's central forward position. Bennett does not expect to replace Jallow, the school and league's all-time leading goal-scorer, but rather use a rotation of players at the position that are each capable of scoring for UWM.

Junior Steve Sperl will look to emerge as a consistant scoring threat in his third season. Sperl scored a pair of goals and assisted on another in 15 games last season, but no goal was bigger than the game-winner at No. 16 San Francisco in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.

"We'll look for the next two years to be Steve Sperl's time to shine," Bennett said. "He's an extremely good finisher that will emerge from the shadows of other players. Per minute, he is probably one of the top goal-scorers we've had, but he's just not gotten the minutes."

On the outside, junior Dale Weiler returns after a standout sophomore campaign. Last season, he finished second in the nation in assists per game, helping on 16 goals from his outside forward/midfielder position. Weiler added four goals of his own to finish second on the team with 24 points.

Sophomores Martin Castro, Tenzin Rampa and Garrett McCabe have each been tabbed as players that have the potential to contribute in a more pronounced role. Castro was the only one of the three to score last season, scoring a goal and assisting on another at Loyola, but the trio emerged in the spring season for UWM.

"Dale and Steve are our most experienced returning forwards," Bennett said. "Martin Castro, Tenzin Rampa and Garrett McCabe have all shown the potential to do well. It will be exciting to see who steps in to fill the roles we have open."

With a number of incoming players that can play forward, the team will have added depth in that area. Sophomore transfer Andre Francois joins the team after finishing as the second-leading scorer at UW-Parkside last season. Adam Skolecki, Josh Curry, Colin Baker and Chris Frazier can expect an opportunity to play as freshmen, while Jon Stillwell could also see time in the central forward position. Stillwell, the 2004 Minnesota Player of the Year, could see time all over the field.

"Most of the people we brought in are forwards," Bennett said. "They will be our new young guns. They will have to fire shots, as we expect many of our points will come from our newcomers. We have a fresh young look this season."

MIDFIELDERS
With the exception of Chris Brisson, Milwaukee returns the bulk of its interior midfielders from last season. The corps will be led by seniors Kyle Zenoni and Neil Dombrowski, with junior Craig Mallace and sophomores Troy Spielmann, Dan Zelasko and Ken Ogorzalek filling out the team's strongest area. Dombrowski (2g, 7a) and Zenoni (3g, 2a) combined for 19 points last season, while Mallace supplied added firepower with three goals and an assist of his own.

"The interior midfield is our strength," Bennett said. "We have depth and experience coming back with a number of guys pushing for playing time. There is no doubt our midfield will get the job done, but the question is who will be doing it."

Sophomore Dan Horst, who figured to play a key role in the midfield this season, is expected to miss the season with a knee injury suffered over the summer. Horst was named the team's newcomer of the year last season, finishing fourth on the team with eight points on four goals, including three game-winning scores.

"The central midfield could be a catalyst for our success this season," Bennett said. "Our ability to win the midfield game, stopping other teams from getting through, was the key last year and will have to be again."

While Weiler will see time as an attacking outside midfielder, sophomore Zeke Dombrowski will be called on to provide a defensive presence in the other outside midfielder position. The coaches like the way the younger Dombrowski matured last season and have high expectations for his sophomore campaign. He played in all 22 games as a freshman in 2004, making 14 starts.

Freshmen Travis Phillips and Nkuti Ndely, Orgorzalek and Stillwell are each in the mix for an outside midfield position. Phillips had a strong spring after redshirting last season as a true freshman. Ndely is returning from an off-season injury and could also see time at central defender.

"Travis Phillips showed signs in the spring of becoming a consistent player," Bennett said. "His challenge will be putting 20 games together. Also, we may give Ken (Ogorzalek) a chance to see what his comfortable level is at an outside midfielder position."

DEFENDERS
UWM's back line is one area where depth could be an issue, especially in the central defender position. Sophomore captain Steve Bode will man one of the positions, but the key for Bennett and staff will be to find a player that can play consistently alongside Bode.

Injuries to junior Billy Meier and Ndely have certainly had an effect, as both players may not be ready at the start of the season. Meier is recovering from an ankle injury, while Ndely will be coming off a minor knee surgery. Both players could see time on the field before the end of September.

To combat this, sophomore Chris Lins could see more action and Zeke Dombrowski could see time at central back.

"Going into preseason we will have some question marks back there, with Billy being injured in the club season and Nkuti having minor surgery," Bennett said. "We are hoping Chris can break in and get some minutes this year and there is an outside chance Zeke may play inside defender for a while.

"Our ability to have multiple players that can play that position will be important."

Bode knows the injury bug all too well, as he missed all of last season after an off-season knee injury. As a freshman in 2003, he started all 23 games and played almost every minute of the season. Last season Meier made 15 starts in 18 appearances and Lins saw time in five matches.

"Steve is our sophomore captain and is fit and ready to go after a year off," Bennett said. "We had planned on teaming him with either Billy or Nkuti but, with injuries, we will see some other people playing alongside Bode."

GOALKEEPERS
With new personnel at central defender, the need for leadership from the goal is as important as ever. That being said, Milwaukee has three very talented goalkeepers, in junior Eric Mickschl, redshirt freshman Grant Fernstrum and true freshman Matt Pyzdrowski.

"Right now we have three unbelievably talented goalkeepers," Bennett said. "It's very important that our goalkeeper starts well and organizes well. The one that comes in and takes leadership will be our starter. We need a goalkeeper that will take charge and be a leader."

Mickschl enters the season as the incumbent keeper. He started 15 games last season, posting an 11-3-1 record and shutting out five opponents. He also led the league with a 0.85 GAA and .787 save percentage. His GAA put him among the top-25 nationally.

"Mickschl has the most experience of the three," Bennett said. "He started most of last season and played in our NCAA Tournament matches. He will need to come into the season and demand the number one position."

Fernstrum gained valuable experience as a redshirt last season, and could vie for the starting keeper spot. Splitting time with Mickschl last spring, Fernstrum impressed coaches, then had a tremendous club season with the NPSL Bavarians.

"Grant had a good spring and a great summer," Bennett said. "He has a real chance to be our top keeper when the season starts."

As a freshman Pyzdrowski will first need to get college experience under his belt before establishing himself as a third option in goal for UWM. At Fenwick High School, he was one of the top keepers in the Chicago area, garnering all-region and special mention all-state honors from the Chicago Tribune. Pyzdrowski also has good size, standing 6-2.

"Matt is a bigger keeper and is quite agile," Bennett said. "He only lacks a college identity. When he gets that, we will definitely have another player we have to look at."

2005 SEASON
Despite the new players in new roles, Bennett knows the important to another successful season will be a strong start to the campaign.

"This season we will have to work hard to get results in the early season," Bennett said. "What's different this year will be our team's strong drive, and the desire to start well.

"There will be a number of new faces in our lineup. Opponents are going to think there will be an opportunity to upset the Panthers. Meeting those early-season challenges will be important for us to make a return to the NCAA's."

Story Provided by Chris Zills, UW-Milwaukee Sports Information