Men's Soccer Preview Part 5: Loyola
Aug. 29, 2005
After an up-and-down season last year, the Loyola men's soccer program prepares for the 2005 season with a fresh mindset and plenty of talent under new head coach Brendan Eitz. A 1995 graduate of Loyola, and disciple of former Rambler head coach Ray O'Connell, who retired after 25 years at the helm, Eitz inherits a program that returns nine starters and 15 letterwinners and is hungry for a return to the upper echelon of the Horizon League.
"One of the things they learned last year was how to compete," said O'Connell. "They learned how to adjust to the many facets of the game and forged a better sense of cohesion and mutual respect in the cauldron of Division I soccer. Now, this team knows how to win and expects to win."
"This team shares many of the characteristics that all special teams possess - honesty, chemistry, truth-telling, respect and, most importantly, an ability to focus on the task at hand and persevere."
One of the strengths of the 2005 squad is undoubtedly its depth and creativity in the attacking third of the field. Despite the loss of two-time All-Horizon League honoree Mark Eckerle, Loyola still has plenty of weapons at its disposal to help put the ball in the back of the net. Seniors Joe Nierzwicki and Dino Melitas and junior Matt Marek give the Ramblers an experienced trio up front and will be counted on to be efficient around the goal.
After struggling through an injury-plagued sophomore season in 2003, Nierzwicki returned to form last season, finishing second on the team with five goals and 11 points in 18 appearances to earn All-Horizon League Second Team honors. Possessing the combination of both speed and strength, Nierzwicki also possesses the experience and savvy to be one of the most dangerous players in the Horizon League. He will be counted on to turn in a strong senior campaign.
In just his second season, Melitas continued to give the Ramblers an offensive boost. Strong on the ball, Melitas is an inviting target for LU's midfielder in transition and his ability to continue to hit the mark will be one of the keys for Loyola this fall.
Marek is an extremely talented player who is excellent on the ball and can create chances for his teammates as well. A member of the Horizon League All-Newcomer Team in 2003, Loyola will look to him to continue to make strides in front of the goal.
Behind the strikers, Loyola returns a quartet that is as talented and experienced as any in the Horizon League. Seniors Eric Spiess, a First Team All-Horizon League honoree last season, Bill Metzger and Lee Zarzecki lead the group that is rounded out by sophomore Tony DeLuca, a Horizon League All-Newcomer Team selection who burst on the scene last season with a pair of goals in LU's win over Detroit. The four should help create a seamless transition from one end of the field to the other and their creativity and skill will add a different dimension to the Rambler attack from year's past.
One of the team's most consistent performers from the moment he stepped on the field as a freshman, Spiess stepped up his game last season, netting four goals en route to earning conference accolades. A versatile player who has played both in the middle and on the flank, Spiess brings on-field leadership and an unflappable poise to the 11 on the field.
After posting a team-high 21 points during the 2003 season, Metzger's statistical production dipped slightly last season due to increased attention from the opposition, but his presence on the field gives the Ramblers a boost. His anticipatory skills and ability to find creative and effective ways to distribute the ball make him one of the more exciting players to watch in the Horizon League and as he settles in to a more-defined role his production should increase.
One of the most talented on-ball players in the League, tri-captain Lee Zarzecki also returns to give Loyola a major weapon on the outside. With his ability to beat defenders one-on-one as well as provide dangerous crosses, Zarzecki is a multi-talented performer who is also being counted on to have a successful senior campaign.
DeLuca, who saw increasing action as the season went on, closed the regular season with his first two career goals against Detroit, a fitting end to a season in which he stepped up as one of Loyola's top young players. Seeing action in 15 matches, DeLuca's development will be a key component this season.
Sophomore Markian Zyga, who saw action in seven matches last year as a forward, will assume a midfield role this season and heads a group of eight freshman and first-year sophomores that will compete with each other for playing time. Sophomore Keum Sung Kim, a highly-touted recruit last season, and freshmen Luis Paiva, Matt Kilday and Zach Lewis give the Ramblers talented, if inexperienced, depth.
Although the Rambler defense must overcome the loss of Second Team All-Horizon League performer and four-year starter, Drew Sypura, the group is extremely young and talented and features more depth than in years past, headed by returning starters Steven Graner and Iradj Farahmand.
Graner enters his third season as a starter and will be counted on to be a leader and communicator on the back line. Having started on the outside as well as in central defense last season, he brings versatility and knowledge to the field and should become the anchor in the defensive third.
Farahmand stepped right in and was an immediate contributor, giving the Ramblers a stabilizing influence while starting 17 of Loyola's 18 matches as an outside back. His athleticism and ability and willingness to enter the attack make him a threat in both halves of the field.
Senior Brian Sisson, who missed all of last season through injury, returns as do juniors Jon Zabikow and Tim Baldes. All three will see extensive playing time in the back, as will converted midfielder Javier Lopez, a junior with a high skill level who is a threat in the air on set pieces.
Loyola also has a contingent of talented newcomers who will be in the mix for playing time in the back row. Sophomore Jordan Hoeft started three matches last season while freshmen Lubo Boris, Kevin Harrigan, Tanner Krause, Mike Wesoloski and Chris Wurst come in hungry to contribute.
Anchoring the Loyola defense will be some combination of junior Sean Bond and freshman Brad Sommer, a pair of capable keepers.
Bond, who has seen significant action in each of his first two seasons, has the edge in experience. A steady presence in the net, he understands what it takes to succeed at the collegiate level and should enter training as the frontrunner. Sommer is a highly-touted freshman from Naperville who has the ability to contribute immediately.
Despite the presence of so many underclassmen on the field over the last three seasons, the Ramblers seemed poised to put the lessons they learned into practice this year and make a run at the Horizon League crown. The Ramblers open by hosting the Fr. Leo Sweeney, S.J. Jesuit Cup, christening their new playing surface with a match against Gonzaga. Loyola then hits the road for a stretch that includes away matches at nationally-ranked Creighton and South Carolina prior to Horizon League play.
Story Provided by Leo Krause, Loyola Sports Information
