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Men's Soccer Team Aiming for CCIW Crown
The 2008 season was filled with ups and downs for the Elmhurst College men's soccer team. The Bluejays raced out to an 11-2 record and earned their first-ever national ranking before a rash of injuries contributed to a 1-4-1 record in the team's final six games. Now healthy, the 2009 Elmhurst squad is eyeing a run at a College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW) Championship and a berth in the NCAA Tournament.
"In our program's short history, we have always been competing for a conference championship," said head coach Dave Di Tomasso. "We've been very close before and our players are hungry to take our squad to the next level. Last season, our demise was inexperience and our lack of depth brought on by injuries. This season we'll look for the combination of experience, health, and talented newcomers to take our team to new heights."
The Bluejays have prided themselves on playing strong defense in the short five-year history of men's soccer at Elmhurst. This year appears to be no different as Elmhurst welcomes back a strong core of defensive players.
Junior Sebastian Domczewski (Des Plaines/St. Viator) returns to anchor the Bluejays in goal. Domczewski started every game in net in 2008 and compiled a 1.17 goals against average.
"Sebastian had a very strong season for us," said Di Tomasso. "He's become an experienced leader for our defense. With his athleticism and ability, I can see him as a prime candidate to earn all-conference honors."
Di Tomasso expects freshmen Morgan Brown (Indianapolis, Ind./Pike) and Ryan Miller (Oswego/Oswego East) to also battle for time in the net.
Despite the loss of Matt McKinniss and Kevin Davey to graduation, Di Tomasso feels that the Elmhurst defense will remain solid. Seniors Brandon Violette (Sarasota, Fla./H.S.) and Brian Chrencik (Darien/Downers Grove South) both return to their starting roles.
"Brandon and Brian are two experienced and poised leaders of our defense," said Di Tomasso. "We're fortunate to have two of the better defenders in all of the CCIW."
Junior Randy Warren (Sarasota, Fla./Cardinal Mooney) returns to the field after a three-year absence caused by injuries and is expected to fill a starting role on the Bluejays' defense. Sophomore Cary Kendzior (Sarasota, Fla./H.S.) is the frontrunner to fill the final starting vacancy, while freshmen Sean Sullivan (St. Charles/St. Charles North), Dave Griggs (Warren, Mich./Detroit Jesuit), and Ben Van Airsdale (Ada, Mich./Forest Hills Northern) could also contribute to the Bluejays' defense in their first season with the squad.
The Bluejays are stacked with talent and depth at the midfield with two-time all-conference and all-region selection Jon Brehm (Sinking Spring, Pa./Wilson) leading the way. Brehm, who may also play forward at times this season, led Elmhurst with 16 goals and 35 total points in 2008.
"Jon is a dynamic player who is incredibly difficult for opposing teams to stop," said Di Tomasso. "We expect him to continue the outstanding success he's had in his first two seasons."
Adding to the depth at midfield is junior Lukasz Masolak (Downers Grove/Downers Grove South) and sophomores Tim Piotrowski (Schaumburg/H.S.), Keith Thurman (Lombard/Willowbrook), Kyle Wright (Rochester Hills, Mich./Brother Rice), and Henrique Boscolo (Marshall, Mich./H.S.). Piotrowski, Wright, and Thurman all started games for the Bluejays last season and combined for seven goals and 16 points. Masolak was sidelined for the entire 2008 season with an injury, but totaled four goals and 12 points in 2007.
Freshmen Ken Miller (Roselle/Lake Park), Luke Froehlich (Columbus, Ohio/St. Francis DeSales), Nick Santos (Ft. Myers, Fla./H.S.), and John Stewart (Burbank/Brother Rice) are also capable of contributing to the Bluejay midfield.
"Our midfield is loaded with unlimited possibilities," said Di Tomasso. "We have a lot of different scoring combinations that we can put on the field that should give our opponents fits."
While the Bluejay coaches stress defense, Di Tomasso believes Elmhurst will have no trouble putting the ball into the back of the net. Elmhurst returns players who accounted for over 85 percent of the team's 67 goals scored in 2008.
Senior Jake Pahr was ranked among the conference's leaders in goals scored before being derailed by an injury. A two-time all-conference selection, Pahr finished the season with nine goals and 22 points.
Sophomores Matt Sterner (Naperville/Naperville Central) and Brian McMahon (St. Charles/St. Francis) are both returning after solid freshman campaigns. Sterner ranked second on the team in both goals (10) and points (24) while McMahon ranked second on the team in assists (seven) and fourth on the squad in total points (17).
"I believe our offense will be one of the most potent attacks in the country," said Di Tomasso. "We have several dynamic goals scorers who are incredibly quick and deceptive, making them difficult for any defense."
Once again, the Bluejays' road to success will not be easy. In addition to a highly competitive CCIW schedule, the Bluejays' non-conference schedule is full of challenging opponents, including a pair of preseason top-25 teams in Loras College and Dominican University.
"Our non-conference schedule is very challenging," Di Tomasso said. "I expect to be tested early with difficult road contests against Wabash, DePauw, and Dominican. With our schedule, we're going to really have to get off to a good start."
After failing to make the CCIW Tournament in 2008, Di Tomasso is confident that his team has the talent to reach new heights.
"This team has the talent and drive to get us over the hump," he said. "I expect us to get back to the conference tournament and be vying for a CCIW Championship at the end of the regular season. With commitment, hard work, and attention to detail, this team is positioned to do great things this season."
Elmhurst opens the 2009 season by traveling to Monmouth College on September 2.
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