 "Photo: AHMAD ALJURYYED")
The University of Missouri-St. Louis men's soccer team kicked off its 2009 season this past weekend with a game in Kirksville, Mo., against Truman State. The outcome of that game was not known at press time. Whatever that game's final score, the Tritons are focused on having a successful 2009 campaign.
"The team is in really good physical shape," Triton head coach Dan King stated. "They came back prepared to strive to improve on last year's record, which was one of our goals."
In 2008, UM-St. Louis had a 6-10-2 record and finished 12th in Great Lakes Valley Conference play.
This season, the Tritons hope its 16 returning letter winners and seven returning starters will help the team move up in the standings.
"I think they are prepared to strive to reach that goal," King stated.
Of UM-St. Louis' 16 returning players, ten are seniors. That makes the Tritons one of the more veteran teams in the league this year. King believes his many seniors are a group worthy of being trusted.
"We've decided that it's their team," King said. "We want to build a team concept with this group, especially. The seniors have taken control."
One of the senior leaders that King is relying on is center/back Ryan Vines, senior, business administration. A 5'11, defensive specialist, Vines is, according to King, "one of the best marking backs in the league."
Vines' job every time the Tritons take the field is to defend the other team's best offensive player. Vines understands that duty and accepts that challenge.
"I have no doubt if I have to mark anybody that I can shut them down," Vines said.
Another player UM-St. Louis will be relying on this season is midfielder Chris Clarkin, senior, accounting. Clarkin is a four-year starter for the Tritons and was team captain last year. Midfielder Andy Schaul, senior, biology, is a "dedicated role player" King cited as another important player this season.
King also stated that midfielders Ryan South, senior, business administration, Blair Spencer, senior, business marketing, and Paul Hummel, senior, liberal studies, will be counted on heavily.
The trio has known each other since tenth grade, when all were students at Glenwood High School in Chatham, Ill., Glenwood went 48-2-1 during their junior and senior years, and won a state championship.
The Tritons hope that long standing relationship among the three will translate to cohesion on the field.
"We know each other and how we play," South said.
Other veteran returnees to the team include Joe Randazzo, senior, media studies, Matt Burch, senior, business, Danny Muesenfechter, senior, media studies, and Eric Pitlyk, senior, accounting.
Among the underclassmen expected to make major contributions are Johnny O'Mara, sophomore, business marketing, Adam Giesegh, junior, accounting, Tim Boruff, sophomore, accounting and Kyle Wogtech, junior, nursing.
"I have a real strong feeling about this team this year," Wogtech said. "Team chemistry is better than it's ever been."
The Tritons also became a closer unit through their community service efforts and by pushing each other to work harder in the classroom, which are both clear athletic department objectives.
King made it a point to mention that his squad served at soup kitchens throughout the area and has three players in the Pierre Laclede Honors College.
"We're out here working hard," Schaul, a 2008 Academic All-Conference selection, said. "We want to show what we have. And it would be great to have some support out there (from the) students (and) faculty."
UM-St. Louis will take the field next, this Sunday, Sept. 6, when it visits GLVC rival Indianapolis for a 5 p.m. match.
The Tritons' home opener is Friday, Sept. 11. That evening, UM-St. Louis will host St. Joseph's College, at Don Dallas Field, at 7:30 p.m.
"Each season is a process," King said. "You don't know what road you're going to take until you get on that road. We're anxious to get on that road and get going. We're ready to beat up on someone else."
Be the first to comment on this article!