Every day this week, WBR will preview a different part of the 2012 Creighton Bluejays men’s soccer team. Today in part two of our preview we tackle the defenders for this year’s squad.
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Last year Creighton led the nation allowing ONLY 5 goals on their way to the College Cup in Birmingham, Alabama. Despite the speed and technical skills of first team All-American Ethan Finlay and talented attackers Jose Gomez, Dion Acoff, and Bruno Castro, the 2011 Jays were no doubt led by a stellar defense.
Seniors Andrew Duran and Jace Peters anchored a defense that held opponents to only 68 shots on Brian Holt’s goal all year. Duran and Peters were flanked by two of the better fullbacks in right-back Eric Miller and left-back sensation Tyler Polak. The Jays also utilized Brent Kallman and Jake Brown in the center of defense at times without little-to-no drop-off.
Brown and Kallman will be asked to lead the backline for the beginning of the year. The rest of the group has negligible collegiate experience; they’ll need to acclimate to the speed of the college game through a difficult non-conference schedule.
Jake Brown (#25)
The 6’3” defender started 10 of 20 matches last year, and will be looked to lead the 2012 backline. Brown is extremely physical, yet possesses good foot skills and the ability to whip dangerous crosses. Brown has been deployed in all positions of the backline through the spring and exhibition season. A surefire starter.
Brent Kallman (#27)
Apart from Brown, Kallman is the most physical player on the Jays roster. Kallman organizes the line, keeping shape and stability in front of the net. He played in all but two matches last season, and was a regular fixture next to Brown in the heart of the defense during the spring and exhibition season. Kallman can play either as a centerback or in an advance defensive midfield role. Kallman also is a safe be a regular contributor.
Eric Miller (#15)
Outside of Doug McDermott, Eric Miller might have had the most successful summer of any Bluejay athlete away from the Hilltop. Miller was a staple in new US U20 Head Coach Tab Ramos’ roster. Miller is one of a few players to be called up into each of Ramos’ camps. Miller traveled to Uruguay, Chile, and Northern Ireland to represent the USA, and with each visit the right-back continued to impress.
For the Jays this season Miller might see time all over the field. He has been used as a left- and right-back, left and right midfielder, as well as in the defensive midfielder role. One thing is for sure: Miller will be a key man for the 2012 Bluejays.
Benito Amaral (#3)
The junior college transfer arrived in the spring, gaining invaluable experience with the coaching staff and teammates. Amaral has an impressive background playing for one of the better academies on the west coast. Benito has been used mostly as an outside back while at Creighton, and will likely see time as a right-back to begin the season.
Eric DeJulio (#22)
At 6’2”, Eric DeJulio has an outside shot at capturing a starting role for this year. DeJulio impressed in the Blue & White scrimmage, and gave solid minutes in both the UNO and Maryland exhibition games. DeJulio has a sweet left foot and reads the game extremely well. Despite his frame he is more of a finesse central defender and would complement either Brown or Kallman perfectly in the heart of defense. DeJulio is also a proven leader, captaining the Sporting KC U18 for the last year.
Vincent Keller (#4)
Keller joins the Jays via SC Frieburg, a talented team in Germany. Keller showed well in the exhibition matches playing on the right side of the defense. He is a scrappy fullback who is unafraid to get forward, and seems to make quick decisions and timely challenges on opposing attackers. He should see plenty of time on the field.
JT Seger (#5)
I always come away impressed after watching Seger play. He plays with the confidence and poise of a 6th-year senior yet has only four collegiate games under his belt. Seger was injured during the spring, which has still limited his play coming into this fall. If he can regain his fitness and form, I think he is a starter in either a central defensive or defensive midfield role.
Brendan Hines-Ike (#6)
Hines-Ike could be the most highly recruited and decorated freshman in the Missouri Valley this year. He can play multiple positions in the defense or midfield. Like DeJulio, Hines-Ike captained one of the top academies in America, in Chivas USA U18.
At 6’1”, Hines-Ike is a commanding presence in the air as well as on the ball. Injuries, however, have limited our chance to see him shine at Morrison. Once those issues are resolved it is not out of the possibility to see Hines-Ike getting serious playing time and possibly earning a starting role.
Sean Moyo (#2)
Redshirt freshman Sean Moyo split time with Amaral during the spring and exhibition season at both the right- and left-back spots. Moyo is a solid defender and rarely gets beat for pace down the flank. His playing time this year will likely be a result of where the staff decides to deploy Eric Miller.
Benjamin Kucera (#21)
At 6’3”, Kucera could be the tallest member of this year’s squad. Along with DeJulio and Hines-Ike, Kucera completes the trio of talented freshman brought to Creighton with hopes of restoring the central defensive partnership built by Duran and Peters. Kucera is smart on the ball and wins loads in the air.
Gabe Garbin (#23)
Garbin is a very talented defender yet was used as an attacking midfielder in high school. He was so good as a midfielder it earned him Nebraska Gatorade Player of the Year honors during his senior campaign. Garbin played well during the exhibition season and it will be interesting to see if he receives the chance to earn the left-back spot vacated by fellow former Lincolnite Polak.
Verdict:
The backline formation will all depend on where the staff decides to use Eric Miller.
If Miller is used as a right-back, as he was in 2011, look for the Jays to start like this:
——–Miller———–Brown———–Kallman———–Amaral
If Miller is used as a left-back, as he was in a few of the exhibition matches the Jays could look like this:
——–Keller———–Brown———–Kallman———–Miller
If Miller is used in a midfielder, as he is listed first on the roster the Jays could look like this:
——-Brown———Kallman———-DeJulio———–Amaral
Whatever the case, it is apparent that while the Jays will let in more goals this year than last, the depth of this team’s defense is much more ready to deal with the grueling schedule ahead.
