Central soccer regroups following big year, big losses to graduation

Central's second trip past the boys soccer sectionals will leave the Tigers retooling again following the loss of a massive senior class.

When the Tigers made a run to the state final four in 2003, Central lost 14 seniors and nearly its entire starting 11. Last season, the Tigers (22-6-1) were downed by Vianney 2-0 in the quarterfinals with a roster that included 15 seniors, including the bulk of their starters.

The Tigers open their season at the annual Notre Dame Soccerfest against Marion (Ill.) at 3:30 p.m. on Thursday.

"I think we'll surprise some people," Tigers coach Tom Doyle said. "We'll have to play really well with the schedule we've got."

Doyle has continued to find ways to reload in recent years. Central has won five straight district titles and dominated district play since the early 1990s, winning 11 titles since 1992.

Even with the loss of another large senior class, the Tigers' soccer program is healthy as ever.

"We had 55 kids come out this year, and that's the most we've had," Doyle said. "Some of these kids have played club ball, and the majority have all played CAYSA."

Seniors Matt Hester, Matt Compas, Asad Malik and junior Brooks Osburn all return from last year's squad, as does goalie Clayton Uptain, who was the primary backup for the Tigers last season.

"I'll say that I think we have good speed, good skill and hard workers," Doyle said. "The thing we're lacking right now probably is a proven scorer, and how quickly we jell. We'll probably be playing three or four sophomores, maybe as many as five. And as good as they may have looked on the junior varsity, it's still a step up."

The Tigers will get a boost from a trio of senior newcomers. Central baseball's pitching ace Brad LaBruyere, fellow Tigers pitcher Tyler Propst and three-year football player Andy Billmeyer all came out for the squad. Jared Roop will give the Tigers some added senior leadership.

"Brad LaBruyere played for me his sophomore year and helped as a JV player," Doyle said. "He'll definitely help since he's a hard worker and knows the game pretty well. Billmeyer hasn't played high school soccer but he's played a lot of soccer, and Tyler Propst hasn't played high school soccer, but I've seen him in indoor and he has skills.

"Along with Roop, there's four seniors where I only thought we'd have three or four. Now I have eight which will help, and they're all good kids."

Central's schedule includes an early stop at the Francis Howell Tournament and regular-season games against fellow Class 3 quarterfinalist Springfield Glendale, Lafayette and DeSmet. The Tigers also will compete in the Quincy Tournament, which has both Rockwood Summit and Vianney in the field.

Jackson to open against St. Pius

Last season, the Tigers had their hands full with rival Jackson in the district finals. Jackson (11-10-2) started its season off strong, reaching the finals of the season-opening Notre Dame Soccerfest. The Indians will open their season with St. Pius in the Notre Dame Soccerfest.

Notre Dame tries to end drought

Notre Dame will attempt to reclaim its district following three straight seasons as district runner-up.

Notre Dame opened its season Monday with a 10-0 win over Kennett. The Bulldogs are back in action Thursday at their own Soccerfest.

The Bulldogs had won five straight district titles prior to 2003, which included the school's first soccer state championship in 2002. Since then, Notre Dame has been denied a district title, including the last two against Sikeston.

Notre Dame has plenty of its own seniors to replace, led by first-team all-state forward Frankie Ellis and defender Andrew Buelow. The Bulldogs lost four all-state seniors in all.

Saxony Lutheran adds soccer

Area soccer fans will have another high school to watch this season, as Saxony Lutheran begins play at the Thomas Jefferson Tournament in Joplin, Mo., on Sept. 8.

The Crusaders will play a small schedule this season with just three home games: Sept. 18 against Fredericktown, Sept. 28 against Kennett and Oct. 12 against Festus. Central will host Saxony Lutheran on Sept. 25.

Saxony Lutheran will host the Class 1 District 1 tournament this season, which will include Bayless, Hancock, Kennett, St. John the Baptist and St. Pius X of Festus, Mo.

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BOYS SOCCER

Central

Coach: Tom Doyle

* Last year's record: 22-6-1, district champions, lost in Class 3 quarterfinals

* Returning starters: Matt Hester, senior, forward; Matt Compas, senior, defender; Asad Malik, senior, defender; Brooks Osborn, junior, midfielder.

* Other top returning players: Zach Zaruba, sophomore, midfielder; Nick Allen, sophomore, defender; Lucian Johnson, sophomore, midfielder; Clayton Uptain, junior, goalie.

* Key newcomers: Ben Patrick, senior, midfielder; Andy Billmeyer, senior, midfielder; Brad LaBruyere, senior, defender; Tyler Propst, senior, midfielder; Jared Roop, senior, midfielder; Ross McLeod, junior, midfielder.

* Coach's outlook: "Stengths -- Speed, hard workers, depth and attitude. Weaknesses -- Ability to finish, must jell as a team quickly. Goals -- We want to win two tournaments and repeat as conference and district champions."

Jackson

Coach: Zack Walton

* Last year's record: 11-10-2, lost in Class 3 district finals

* Returning starters: Chris Crossett, senior, midfielder; Chris Shelton, senior, forward; Andrew Lorenz, senior, midfielder; Derek Richardson, senior, defender; Tyler Holman, senior, goalie; Matt Mueller, junior, forward; Spencer McCormick, junior, midfielder; Garrett Stone, junior, defender.

* Coach's outlook: "We have several returning starters."

Notre Dame

Coach: Brad Wittenborn

* Last year's record: 17-4-3, lost in

Class 2 district finals

* Returning starters: Jordan Buchheit, senior, defender; Jack Wedemeier, senior, forward (11 goals, 4 assists); Abe Dirnberger, senior, forward (12 goals, 5 assists).

* Other top returning players: Austin Gelsheimer, senior, midfielder; Ty Williams, junior, forward (2 goals, 10 assists); Matt Rosenquist, senior, midfielder; Richard Marquart, senior, midfielder; Zach Capriola, senior, defender; J.P. Thompson, senior, midfielder; Brett Heischmidt, senior, midfielder.

* Key newcomers: Ryan Willen, junior, midfielder; Luke Moll, senior, defender/goalie; Joda Holloway, sophomore, defender; Mark Zimmer, junior, defender; Matthew Kiblinger, junior, defender; Mark Himmelberg, junior, defender; John Unterreiner, sophomore, forward; Ryan Bass, sophomore, goalie; Christopher McMillan, junior, midfielder.

* Coach's outlook: "We graduated a very strong group that went 17-4-3 while establishing a school record 18 shutouts. While we will miss them greatly, I have been impressed with this year's group. I believe that we will score more goals this season, but more importantly, I know that they will make me proud to be their coach."

Saxony Lutheran

Coach: Ryan Schweain

* Last year's record: Inaugural season

* Coach's outlook: "We're a young team with one junior and the rest being freshmen and sophomores. They are really excited about their first season and so far show a lot of promise. We hope as a team to show determination and improve our level of play each game."