ND takes crack at another final four in boys soccer

Notre Dame boys soccer coach Brad Wittenborn made a push to bolster his team's schedule this season.

He wanted to test his team early and often, and he's already seeing the benefits.

"We went into the game with Farmington and we're just a game or so above .500 and they'd only lost one game," he said. "We were able to hold on and win against them. I think the schedule we played had us well-prepared. I think that as the game went on, they maybe weren't used to not being ahead in the game.

"It helps you to know that you have to stay the course. You might give up the first goal, but we've been there before and we've battled back from that."

The Bulldogs (14-12) will try to qualify for their fourth consecutive Class 2 final four today when they play Bishop DuBourg (9-14) in a state quarterfinal at 7 p.m. in Farmington, Mo.

Notre Dame's Tyler Buelow controls the ball as Central's Michael Denmark follows during their game in October. (Kit Doyle)

"They're a pretty athletic team," Wittenborn said of DuBourg. "Their record's not great, but they've played very good competition so they'll be well-prepared."

Patrick McCaffrey leads the Cavaliers with 11 goals and six assists, while Mike Cebulski has 10 goals, according to stltoday.com.

"He's a nice player," Wittenborn said of McCaffrey. "He plays forward for them and he's their leading goal-scorer. He's a fairly athletic kid and he's got some skills. He'll deserve special attention."

The Bulldogs are coming off an exhausting week. They needed overtime in all three games during the Class 2 District 1 tournament, and went to a shootout in the semifinal and championship games.

"Last week I think I got home before midnight once and that was the night I went to scout DuBourg and I got home about 10:30 or so," Wittenborn said. "It wasn't just legs. All of us, the kids, myself, we're in school at 8 in the morning and didn't miss a class. I think it was just a very tiring week overall."

Close games are nothing new to this year's Notre Dame team. Five of the Bulldogs' first six losses were by one goal, and Wittenborn said his team learned from those early setbacks.

"I think a lot of times you learn more when you lose than when you win," he said. "We tightened up some things defensively and we're not giving away as many opportunities as we maybe did earlier in the year."

A pair of seniors lead Notre Dame's offensive attack. Joe Froemsdorf has 12 goals, while Jacob Pewitt has added 11.

"Our senior leadership's just been wonderful," Wittenborn said. "The focus of those guys, and you could see it in their eyes, that they were going to give it their best shot. They did everything they could to keep the season going, and that's just a tribute to them."

Notre Dame earned a trip to the final four the past three seasons and won the state title in 2006 and 2007 then finished third last year. Wittenborn said the key to advancing again this year will be capitalizing on opportunities.

"I'm a big believer in there are going to be those opportunities in a game for a guy to step up and be a hero and make that big play," he said. "I ask them to picture themselves and rehearse that they're going to fly to the ball and make a big play.

"I'm pretty sold on the power of positive thinking. That's where we're at, that there will be opportunities in the game, like corner kicks or throw-ins, where you have to make a play, whether it's on the offensive end or defensive end."