The 2011 men’s varsity soccer team has called up five sophomores due to only having six returning varsity players from last season. This reinvented team has gotten off to a solid 3-1 conference record, trailing one game behind Evanston.
Senior captain Branden McGarrity is aware of the youth of his team but also the potential that they possess.
“We’re definitely a young team, and in the beginning of the season you could tell we weren’t together,” McGarrity said. “But, I think we’re almost hitting our stride now.”
According to Seong Ha, assistant head coach, the team had a few struggles in the beginning, but he is happy with the team’s performance as of late.
“What’s nice is in the last four to five games we’ve gotten much better on the defensive end,” Ha said. “And our offense is very potent.”
An example of the strong, wide range of talent on this team would be the 5-0 shutout win over Maine East. Five different players on the team scored a goal, including senior captain Mark Ishkhan.
“I would say that’s the first game we really clicked and played really well as a team,” Ishkhan said.
In terms of the other weapons on the offensive end, Ha and head coach Paul Agombar turn to junior Simone Kolodezh and sophomore Kosta Brkovic, along with senior Luis “Bola” Bautista.
A very big loss for these Titans is junior Stephen Lee, who Ha refers to as “a mini Branden McGarrity.” Lee, a center midfielder, suffered from a fractured tibia, resulting in the inability to play the rest of the season.
“He [was] the hub and the centerpiece between our defensive and offensive threshold,” Ha said.
With the defense coming along behind senior leader Anestis Gavrilopolous, and a strong offensive group, the only remaining position is the goalie. According to both Agombar and Ha, the team is in good hands with senior goaltender Drew Maki.
Ishkhan refers to Maki as a “beast in the net,” and McGarrity is in complete agreement noting the critical saves Maki has been making, especially in breakaway situations. Agombar also comments on what a crucial asset Maki is to this team.
“[Goalkeepers] don’t always get enough recognition, but Drew has made a really big contribution to the team,” Agombar said.
Not only does Maki help by putting a wall up in front of the net, but according to Ha, he is also a large asset to the offense’s success with his distribution skills.
Ha believes that his team will definitely “hit the right stride” in their upcoming games but also realizes the team aspect of the game will have to improve.
“Our team right now is very technical with the ball; they move it very well, and they have great individual skill,” Ha said. “But the thing that we need to progress better to the second half of the season is the tactical component.”
McGarrity feels that they are improving and that the camraderie is coming along nicely as the season progresses.
“I feel like we’re just playing as more of a team and getting our team chemistry down,” McGarrity said.
The biggest win in Agombar’s eyes thus far is the 1-0 shutout over eighth ranked Niles West. This was the first conference game, and Agombar’s first win against Niles West in his three years as South’s head coach.
Also, the early season tournament game against Loyola proved to the team and coaches that anything can happen at anytime.
With seven minutes to play, Agombar sent in McGarrity to forward, usually a center midfielder, who went on to score three consecutive goals and tie the game for the Titans.
“That’s what makes the game so unique and so interesting; it can all just change on a dime,” Ha said.
According to Ha, these seniors have done a great job of really making this season their own.
“[This year’s seniors] have taken ownership and the leadership role of creating their own team and their own season,” Ha said.
Ishkhan looks forward to getting even closer with the rest of the team and feels that they can do even more damage late in the season.
“As long as we stay in shape, avoid injuries and stick together as a team, we should go far in the playoffs,” Ishkhan said.
