Reprinted from the Crystal 99, September 25^th, 2002

qby Daniel Rubin

Success has always needed a building block.  That building block is on the lowest level.  In high school soccer, the starting block is the freshman level, where the players are brought together and taught to gel as a team so that they can compete at the next level.  This year’s team already took their first steps towards the next level, competing in three games as of press time.

            The freshman team has a history of putting the right foot forward.  Under the direction of head coach Éamonn Casey, the team posted a 7-9 record last season in a schedule that included four games against St. John’s Prep and three games against Xaverian.  “(Last season) we were a good team that just played some great opponents,” said Coach Casey, currently in his second season as the team’s braintrust.  “The players from last year are split 50-50 right now on varsity and JV, and they are looking better every day.”

This year, there are the same hopes.  “I hope that (the players) will get into the routine of MC soccer,” said Coach Casey.  “I want them to get the experience, and I want them to try really hard (on the field).  Everything they do this year should build them up so that they can compete at the next level.” 

There is also the quest to gel the players as fast as possible, since the whole team now has to play together, most for the first time with their teammates.  The coach wants the players to get to know each other as soon as possible, so that they can play as a team and improve even more throughout their schedule.

            The schedule has once again not been an easy task.  The first two games have been against Xaverian and the Prep, two teams that are competing for the conference title on the varsity level with equally tough lower levels.  In the first game, the Lancers saw themselves fall down 5-0 to Xaverian before mounting a comeback that just fell short with the final score being 5-3.  Against the Prep, the Lancers were shut out, 3-0.

            For the team this year, the leaders have been: Jacob Lewis, who is now lost to the top squad, Nick Yeomolakis, Ray Gravallese, Alex Sullivan, and goalie Steve Haniford.  “Steve has been an absolutely incredible goalie,” said the coach, “but we also have good forwards and defense.  Our midfielders are good at getting the ball from the opposing team, but they are having a little trouble right now sending to the forwards.  We are going to work on that and correct it as soon as we can.”