Men's Soccer Preview, Part 4: Loyola
Aug. 18, 2006
Fresh off of a year in which it posted the most League victories since 2000, Loyola heads into the 2006 season looking to take the next step and earn the Horizon League title. Despite the loss of five key players from last year, the Ramblers return a host of talented individuals, led by 2005 Horizon League Newcomer of the Year, Keum Sung Kim.
"Our program has gotten to the point where our main goal is to win the League and go to the NCAA Tournament," second-year men's coach Brendan Eitz said. "Our expectations are clear. We want to be among the best teams in the Horizon League and the region and we want to earn a chance to participate in the NCAA Tournament. We can only achieve these goals by working extremely hard, staying injury free and playing against opponents who have similar goals."
Kim, a junior forward, recorded 17 points, on six goals and five assists, a year ago en route to First Team All-Horizon League and Newcomer of the Year honors. The ultra-talented and quick Kim, who possesses unique one-on-one skills that allow him the ability to create his own scoring chances as well as set up his teammates, will look to improve on those numbers in 2006.
Senior Matt Marek is a versatile player who most likely will play forward, but also can play midfield, and possesses speed, and terrific dribbling and shooting abilities. As a junior, he registered four goals to rank tied for second on the team in that category. Junior Markian Zyga and sophomore Matt Kilday also will vie for playing time at forward. Zyga, who has seen limited action in his career, had a strong spring season, and is one of the best players on the roster at finishing in and around the box.
A pair of freshmen, Alex Jones and Michael Ferguson, will also be in the mix for time at the forward position. Jones brings athleticism and poise to the table, while Ferguson, the Missouri Class 1 Player of the Year in 2005, scored 108 goals in his career and helped his team to the state title.
Eitz does not have to worry about a lack of experienced midfielders however, as five players who saw extensive playing time in 2005 return this fall and will be supported by several newcomers who could work their way into the lineup.
Senior Javier Lopez, who scored four goals a year ago and has battled injuries throughout his career, assumes the task of vocal and organizational leader on the field. His experience, tenacity and superior work ethic should give him a spot in the midfield from which he will be the backbone of the entire Rambler unit. Marek is an athletic and dynamic midfield player who gives Loyola a long-range scoring threat thanks to his powerful leg. Fellow senior Tim Baldes appeared in all 18 contests in 2005, brings defensive skills as well as an ability to restart the offense to the table, and will compete for time in the midfield again this season.
Junior Tony DeLuca notched a pair of scores in 13 matches last season, and the team hopes to receive a boost from senior Jon Zabikow, who sat out the spring season, but can be an imposing player and contributor as a defensive midfielder. Sophomore Lubo Boris is a defensive midfield player who had an impressive spring campaign and will look to contribute this fall, while Matt Kobussen, Chris Wurst and Tim Puttkammer will also compete for time in the midfield.
Jones and a pair of other rookies will vie for action in the midfield. Chris Matsch was a successful left-sided player at both the high school and club levels, while Eric Gehrig was a first team all-state as well as a National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA)/Adidas All-Region IV selection as s prep senior.
Defensively, Loyola is anchored by Second Team All-Horizon League honoree, center back Iradj Farahmand. He will be joined by a host of returning players, including sophomore Kevin Harrigan, junior Reed Cataldo and senior Steven Graner. DeLuca also could see time as a right back. Those veterans will compete for playing time with sophomores Tanner Krause and Zach Lewis and freshmen Malcolm DeBaun and Chris Fox. DeBaun and Fox both come from successful backgrounds. DeBaun was the captain on his high school squad that was ranked No. 16 in the nation by the NSCAA, while Fox anchored a defensive unit that produced an undefeated season and state title season last year and ranked No. 6 in the nation.
Between the pipes, the Ramblers return a pair of solid performers and add rookie Andrew Biggs, who was selected to the 88 ODP Regional Team in 2005. Senior Sean Bond, who began the 2005 season as the starter, returns for this fourth season, while sophomore Brad Sommer, who was steady in 15 matches a year ago, also will compete for time in goal. Sommer went 6-8-1 with a 1.85 goals against average as a freshman last fall.
"We go in with an open mind with regard to our keepers," Eitz said. "We want all three keepers to be well prepared and then we will see what happens as the season progresses. They are all very capable players so if we played one or the others, it really wouldn't affect our confidence level in them. We trust all three to do a good job."
Once again, Loyola will play a challenging schedule that features home contests versus Big Ten foes Michigan State and Northwestern. The Ramblers play 14 of their 17 matches versus teams in the Great Lakes Region and nine of their contests will be played at Loyola Soccer Park, where the club went 5-0-0 a year ago.
"To be successful, I believe our greatest strength has to be how well we play defensively as a team," Eitz said. "Coming off of a positive season last year, we will continue to build a foundation and the personnel capable to move forward."
Story provided by Loyola Office of Sports Information
