Elmar Bolowich and the Creighton Bluejays begin another quest for an elusive national championship Friday, August 30. Each day this week, WBR will preview the 2013 version of the Jays position by position. Click here to read them all.
Words cannot describe what the loss of a player like Andrew Ribeiro does to a team.
I asked starting goalkeeper Alex Bolowich just how the Jays plan to replace a player like Ribeiro.
“There is no way we will be able to replace a player like Ribs, it will have to be a team effort.”
During Ribeiro’s four year as a Jay he played every position apart from goalie. Last season he found a home next to true freshman Brendan Hines-Ike as the rock of the defense. This year Hines-Ike will be looked to lead the defense. Hines-Ike entered the 2012 season as a talented leader, but the true freshman went through some understandable growing pains. By the end of the season Hines-Ike was as dependable as any Jay. This year he will again need to elevate his game and assume a leadership role.
Hines-Ike will be joined by US Youth International Eric Miller in the middle of the defense. Miller starred for Creighton and the United States U20 National Team as a right back these last two years. However, Miller is versatile enough to make the switch to the center and form what will be one of the best center-back duos in the Country. Miller is extremely comfortable on the ball and reads the game well.
The left back spot is one often maligned by coaches, but Elmar Bolowich’s genius last season to move the feisty creative midfielder Jose Ribas back proved to be an excellent decision. Ribas is likely one of the top left backs in all college soccer and will likely make it to the professional ranks at this spot. Even from the left back spot he is likely one of Creighton’s most dangerous offensive threats.
The right back will be fought out between senior Benito Amaral and sophomore Vincent Keller. Amaral is similar to Ribas as he’s solid defensively but is also dangerous getting into the attack. Benito seemed to solidify the position toward the end of last season following a number of good performances. However, Keller’s too talented to leave out of the line-up and saw lots of minutes at right back last season. I predict Keller will see more minutes in the midfield this year, and Amaral will start at right back.
Reserves Eric DeJulio and Benjamin Kucera grew both physically and mentally in the off-season. Both played at a high-level and have looked rock solid in practices and matches so far. Both are more physically imposing than Hines-Ike and Miller and could see time throughout the tough Big East season.
Eric Miller (Junior)
Eric Miller (#15)
Junior Eric Miller returns to Creighton following a season-ending knee injury he sustained in the first half of the NCAA tournament match against Akron. Miller rebounded well enough to be included in the prestigious Under-20 World Cup under legendary American coach Tab Ramos. Miller played well in qualifying down in Mexico starting at right back for the young American’s and showing well. Miller was one of only four players on the U20 roster from the college ranks. Look for Miller to be one of the top 15 players in the nation again this season.
Brendan Hines-Ike (#6)
Brendan Hines-Ike (Sophomore)
Hines-Ike was a mainstay for the 2012 defense next to Creighton captain Andrew Ribeiro. Hines-Ike was one of the top freshman by the end of the season, and should again be seen as one of the top true center backs at this level. His growth is already evident as he has assumed the vocal leadership role on the back line left by Ribeiro. Hines-Ike has also improved his shot. Look for Brendan to be involved in a number of the set pieces that favor a right foot for Creighton this season.
Jose Ribas (Junior)
Jose Ribas (#8)
Uber-talented Ribas spent the off-season training with Portland Timbers PDL side along with Miller and Zach Barnes. Ribas was deployed as both a left back as well as an attacking midfielder. By all accounts Ribas was one of the more solid players on the team, especially impressive as the left back. Word around the MLS game is that Ribas could make a living at that spot. Look for Ribas to spark the Creighton attack on a number of occasions. His ability to attack the opposing teams back line, plays right in to Bolowich high pressure, offensive style. Ribas could turn out to be Creighton’s best player this season.
Benito Amaral (#3)
Benito Amaral (Senior)
Few players were playing as well as Amaral was at the end of the 2012 season. His runs down the right side, combined with those from Ribas on the left, made Creighton an incredibly difficult and complicated side to defend. Look for much of the same this year as Amaral should see lots of time at right back. He is fully fit and makes Creighton a very well balanced side.
Eric DeJulio (#22)
Eric DeJulio (Sophomore)
DeJulio was one of the surprises of the season last year. He has excellent size and ability to read the game. He is vocal and organizes a side well. He provided a good option for center back last season and should do the same this season. As Creighton enters the Big East they might look for someone like DeJulio to come in and help dominate the area and be that physical presence that the Jays could lack without Ribeiro. It would be a disservice to Eric if I did not mention his sweet left foot. He plays a solid ball out of the back to the midfield and is a natural left center back.
Benjamin Kucera (#21)
Benjamin Kucera (Sophomore)
Kucera like DeJulio is one of the more physical players on the squad. Ben had a breakout summer with Chicago Fire U19s helping them all the way to the title game. He’s a natural center back and has already shown he is not afraid to bump and enforce against opposing attackers. Ben has sneaky quick pace, and seems to thwart lots of quick strikers. He is a reliable option and will likely see time in the back throughout this difficult schedule.
Alex Prusa (#25)
Alex Prusa (Freshman)
Few players have been better over the last week than true freshman Alex Prusa. Prusa was the main cog for the Creighton Prep midfield along with 2015 Creighton target Peter Schropp in Prep’s 2012 state title team. Last season Prusa ran the midfield without Schropp and nearly took Prep to another title. With Creighton however he’s slotted in as a left back, because of his natural left foot. He has shown a great amount of composure on the ball and displayed a great ability to spring and attack and play the right ball. His skills as a defensive midfielder are apparent as he does not seemed fazed by bigger or tougher players. His play thus far has shown me that he is more than capable of seeing time if Creighton were ever to need to move Ribas higher up the field. Prusa’s already drawn comparison to former Creighton stand-out Seth Sinovic in some circles, and having seen Seth play I can say that Alex is further along than Seth was at this point his freshman year. If Prusa continues to work at this position he could be a vital member of this year’s team.
Ben Bakke (#19)
Ben Bakke (Freshman)
Bakke comes to Creighton after a successful career with the Minnesota Thunder Academy, the same Academy that produced Eric Miller. Bakke is a true defender with great size and defensive abilities. He needs to adjust to the pace of the game a touch, but should be a good player for Creighton in the coming years.
JT Seger (#5)
JT Seger (Junior)
Few players have been as unlucky as Seger. He has loads of talent but cannot seem to catch a break with injuries. He was looked to help fill in at center back this season, but rumors around Morrison seems to be that Seger will redshirt again this season due to knee problems. We here at White & Blue will continue to follow Seger’s situation. If Seger were to return he can play as either a right or center back or can be deployed as a defensive midfielder.