Smell that? That’s fall. Well, kind of.
Is this Heaven? Maybe, its Creighton Soccer Season
Tonight the Creighton men’s soccer team begins a journey Bluejays coaches, players, and fans hope will end in Philadelphia. Coach Elmar Bolowich will lead this team once again in hopes of reaching the College Cup, the “Final Four” of soccer in which Creighton’s played its final match the past two seasons.
Creighton lost core members of the program Ethan Finlay, Brian Holt, Greg Jordan, Kris Clark, Jace Peters, and Andrew Duran after a run to the national semifinals in 2011. No way Bolowich could guide a fairly inexperienced team back to the pinnacle of college soccer in 2012. Right?
Wrong. Last season Bolowich tinkered with line-ups, put players in foreign positions, and battled injuries. However, the German mastermind once again struck gold. Leaders Andrew Ribiero, Brent Kallman, Jake Brown, and Jose Gomez took the squad to Birmingham for a second straight year.
No one, not even the biggest Creighton homer, could have predicted that. Gomez was a finalist for College Soccer’s version of the Heisman Trophy. He and Ribiero were both named first team All-Americans, and both are playing professionally, as is Kallman. No way Bolowich could guide another team back to the pinnacle of college soccer in 2013. Right?
Stay Tuned.
The 2013 version of the Jays has more experience than the 2012 team. They have natural leaders. Tremendous depth. Excellent and hungry new players. And, oh yeah, the best coach in NCAA soccer.
Tonight the team scrimmages each other before there a real test as top 15 team Notre Dame rolls in to town. We will continue to breakdown the roster at WBR, but here are some of the things to watch for tonight:
Where does U.S. Youth International Eric Miller Play?
Miller has been superb wherever he has played as a Jay. Whether that has been at right or left back, defensive or offensive midfielder or out wide right. Miller spent most of his time with the U.S. as a right back, however senior Benito Amaral was incredible last season at RB. This could see Miller shuffle next to returning starter Brendan Hines-Ike in the center of defense. If Miller were to slot into a CB role, that would make one solid returning unit in front of Alex Bolowich.
Who starts up top with the first team?
Last season Sean Kim, Christian Blandon, and Carlos McCrary all split time up top. In the spring we saw Bolowich deploy the hard-working Blandon as a center midfield, a spot where he impressed. Kim got many of the starts last year, but as the season wore on he seemed to lose his goal scoring confidence. McCrary is one striker who does not lack confidence, but might not be ideally suited for Bolowich’s 4-2-3-1 formation which requires lots of running from the front man. Look for Zabarle Kollie, a former Bolowich club forward, to also see time at the position.
What will we see from the new Germans?
Last spring game we were all introduced to the skill and power of Timo Pitter. It was clear from the first 15 minutes that Pitter would be a force. Same went for Vincent Keller. Keller was solid the entire year both in defense and in the midfield until injuries slowed him. Bolowich again brings in two rather unknowns in Fabian Herbers and Marvin Iskra. One thing is for sure, if they are half the talents Pitter and Keller are, then Creighton will have some serious depth.
How will Alex Bolowich lead the back line?
Bolowich split time last season with the talented Jeff Gal who is off to Virginia. Bolowich injured himself in the later part of the season allowing Gal to step in. Gal made the most of his opportunity and played out of this world helping to lead Creighton to the College Cup. This season the #1 spot is undoubtedly junior Alex Bolowich’s. Bolowich will be behind experienced defenders Hines-Ike, Jose Ribas, Amaral and likely Miller. However, this is a back four we never saw last year, so Bolowich will have his work cut out for him to help organize and talk to these four.
What will Ricardo Perez do?
Not since Andrew Duran has Creighton soccer signed a more highly regarded player out of the high school ranks. Perez is a tremendous midfielder with vision, technical ability and power. I was able to watch Perez play for the Colorado Rapids Academy teams a number of times and can honestly say he has as high a ceiling of any player on Creighton’s roster. He plays in a very similar role as outgoing star-man Gomez, but Perez does a little more of the dirty work than Gomez was willing to. Don’t be surprised if Perez is a starter by the beginning of the conference season.
Who will play in the “Choco” role?
The safe bet is that two time returning starter Bruno Castro is the favorite to play there. Sonny Mahk and Ribas are other options. As is the aforementioned Ricardo Perez. Don’t get it twisted though, not one of these players, or frankly all of them combined, could replace what Choco brought to Creighton.
Will Ribas play as left-back?
At media day Jose confirmed to White and Blue Review that he believes he will start off the season at left back and remain there as long as coach needs him. Ribas played this summer for Portland Timbers PDL squad as a left back and attacking midfielder, reports suggest he impressed much more as a left back.
Who will captain the side?
Creighton returns a bevy of seniors, many with tremendous resume’s they could present the coaching staff as to why they should captain. Ultimately I feel Zach Barnes will captain the side, with either Miller or Alex Bolowich. Those three will be asked to provide the leadership throughout the season.
These are just a few questions I think we will get a slight answer to come Thursday night at 6:00 at Morrison Stadium.
Here is how I see the teams:
2013 Blue Team (Starters)
2013 White Team (Reserves)