|
|
|
|
Saturday, October 4, 2008
2008 Game Changers
Greater Louisville, KY
|
|
|
Meet some outstanding metro players who will have a big say in where district, sectional, regional and state boys’ soccer titles go this month.
Taylor Hafling, Louisville Male
There are a number of reasons why junior goalkeeper Taylor Hafling is among not just the best players in the state, but in the country. To find out why, just ask his coach at Male, Damien Sweeney.
Hafling received deserved recognition when he was named 2008 Eurosport Kentucky Youth Soccer Association Player of the Year after guiding his club team, Javanon ‘92, to the US Youth Soccer Region II crown this summer. He was also rated in the top three keepers when he participated in this year’s adidas ESP soccer camp for boys in Colorado.
Hafling, who currently stands at 6’ 3”, is one of those players who will put in the work when no one else is looking, says Sweeney.
“There aren’t too many kids these days who do this,” says the Male coach. “He is one of the most disciplined and hard working kids that I’ve ever had the pleasure of working with.”
Sweeney believes another reason Hafling is one of the best players in the country is his unassuming nature.
“Everyone is always telling Taylor how good and great he is, but he doesn’t seem to believe it,” says Sweeney. “He is harder on himself than anyone I know, and he analyzes every part of his game constantly.”
And finally, Hafling is simply athletically gifted.
“There aren’t too many kids who are top-tier goalkeepers that can very well be a top level field player,” says Sweeney. “Taylor’s athleticism and soccer IQ are what make him a game changer for Male and Javanon.”
Kevin Bick, St Xavier
last year’s Kentucky state champion St Xavier is a team bursting with talent. The Tigers went 25-0-2 in 2007 and defeated Clark County 5-1 in the state championship game, giving St. X its fourth state title since 2000. One player who will be instrumental in whether St. X retains its title is central midfielder Kevin Bick.
Committed to Indiana University following courtship from the likes of Notre Dame and University of Louisville, Bick has played a key role in the Tigers’ success since he was a freshman. He scored 15 goals and had 20 assists last year.
Bick plays club soccer at the highest level, having moved from Javanon to Chicago Magic Academy. Plus, he represented the US U18 youth national team in an international tournament in Uruguay in August, starting in games against the hosts and Venezuela.
St Xavier coach Andy Schulten says Bick has a vision and an anticipation he’s never seen in a high school player.
Another player worth noting is Kyle Schickel, who had 23 goals and nine assists last year, and will be heading to Northwestern after high school.
Zach Torp, duPont Manual
It says a lot for the quality of goalkeepers in Greater Louisville when two of them are regarded among the best in the nation.
In fact, after Manual’s recent victory over St Xavier, which snapped a 26-game unbeaten run for the Tigers, goalkeeper Zach Torp was described by St X coach Andy Schulten as “the best keeper in the nation.”
Manual coach Bob Ramsey says Torp, bound for the University of Louisville, is “an extremely active goalie who is technically and physically capable of playing for a quality Division 1 program.”
Another player who will have a say in how far Manual progresses is Tony Wilbar, a four-year varsity player.
“He is versatile and can defend, but also has been responsible for the majority of Manual’s goals the last four years,” says Ramsey.
Also look out for Cole Page and Turner Uligan, experienced seniors who add speed and quickness to the midfield and defense. Cole will be attending Evansville and Turner is undecided.
And then there’s William Frentz, who was a member of the US deaf team, which reached the World Cup semi-final in Greece this year, losing agonizingly to Turkey in a penalty shootout.
“William brings intensity and speed to the outside midfield, while he excels at running by defenders and making quality crosses,” says Ramsey. “He has also proven he can finish.”
Lepe Seetane & Sunny Jane, Trinity High School
the Rocks lost to St. Xavier in the state quarterfinals last season, but if they are hoping to progress further, a lot will fall on the shoulders of All-State members Lepe Seetane (first-team) and Tsotleho “Sunny” Jane (second-team).
Juniors Jane and Seetane moved to Louisville from Lesotho in 2005 after the coach of their United club travel team, Thabane Sutu–who is from the same southern African nation—urged them to come to the States.
Since then, the two have been making a name for themselves at various tournaments, including a trip to Austria and Germany earlier this year as part of the Olympic Development Program, which is used by US Youth Soccer to identify the best players in the country.
The diminutive Seetane was rated the number one midfielder at July’s adidas ESP camp in Denver, Colorado, which featured the best of the best. Lightning fast, his technical ability is second to none and he is a joy to watch when going forward.
Jacob Kemper, Oldham County High School
mark Robson, the coach of defending eighth region champion Oldham County, says “they only hope” to be in the mix for the state championships, but one player who “can change games for sure” is sophomore Jacob Kemper.
“He is a hard working player and his desire to win is unmatched,” says Robson of the first team All-State midfielder. “His strongest attribute is his ability to bring other players into the game. When he plays this way, OCHS is a strong team.”
Also look out for honorable-mention All-State forward Sean Parker.
Southern Indiana Standouts
Following the reformation of one competitive, large sectional for the area’s teams across the river in southern Indiana to two smaller ones in 2006, the titles usually come down to who’s the better of Floyd Central and New Albany, and Jeffersonville and Providence.
Christian Academy of Indiana, which is getting stronger, made it to the final against the Red Devils last year after Jeff was drawn against Providence in the semi-final. That was an exhausting clash that went to penalty kicks, and this year’s prospective battle between the two should be equally close.
Providence will be hoping to turn the tables with the assistance of midfielder Ben Hughes, defender Nathan Marshall, and Keenan Sparks of Region II winning team Javanon ‘92.
Pioneers coach Adam Giovenco says, “Nathan Marshall has been a stud for me in the back for several years now. One of two four-year varsity players on the team this year, Nathan not only brings a ton of experience, but an unbelievable toughness.”
The other four-year varsity player, and only returning All District player for Providence, is Ben Hughes.
“Ben is a more natural forward, but has stepped up and accepted a role as playmaker in the center midfield,” says Giovenco. “His feints put even the best defenders on their heels. He is a very smart player, and has a knack for getting the ball in the right places.”
Jeffersonville has had a successful run the past four seasons, winning three sectional championships—including last season—and two regional crowns. If it is to repeat, it will be looking for big performances from the likes of seniors Dylan Abrahamson and Scott Meneou, and junior Spencer Whiteman.
“Dylan is having a very good senior season for us,” says coach Ryan Bixler. “He controls the midfield and creates most of our scoring opportunities.”
In the second sectional, Floyd Central has had the better of New Albany the past two seasons and will be hoping to retain the title under new coach Zach Watson, a former Floyd player and assistant to departed coach Scott Hollis.
A lot will depend on the performances of striker Jordan Adams and goalkeeper Daniel Neeld, the hero of the hour last season when the Highlanders prevailed against the Bulldogs on penalties thanks to four of his saves.
New Albany will look to Stephan Kossis and Brandon McLaughlin up front, and a stronger defense which includes Chris Newland and goalkeeper Zach Litzelswope.
The winners of the two sections will go on to the regional finals at Floyd Central (October 15 & 18), which will also include the winners at Seymour and Madison Consolidated.
The Road to State
Kentucky
There are 33 district tournaments in boys’ soccer in Kentucky, held at various sites from October 13-18. The finalists in each district go onto regional play (October 20-25) and the winners move onto the last 16 (sub-sections) and last 8 (sections) on October 28 and 30 respectively. The KHSAA State Tournament series will be held at Toyota Stadium at Georgetown College on November 6 (semi-finals) and 8 (final).
Indiana
The Indiana High School Athletic Association’s soccer tournament has 64 sectionals, held on October 9 and 11. These include the two held at Jeffersonville and Floyd Central. The winners progress to the four-team regional finals (with Seymour and Madison winners), to be held at Floyd Central on October 15 and 18. The victors of that progress to semi-state at Evansville Central on October 25, with the final to be held at Kuntz Stadium in Indianapolis on November 1.
Aidan Kelly is a freelance writer living in New Albany. He is originally from Dublin, Ireland, where he edited a newspaper for 11 years. Read his blog at soccerindiana.blogspot.com.
|
|
| No comments added! Click [ add a comment ] to be the first! |
|
|
|
®
™
™
™
