2009 preview: Marmion

By Gary Larsen

Marmion coach Kevin O’Connor likes the technical skill he’s seeing around the pitch from his Cadets this season, but he points to an old truism that applies to every quality program.

“One of the keys to our whole program is how well we defend,” O’Connor said.

“The key for us really will be keeping possession, Sam and Max finishing for us, and how much the team commits to defending all over the field this year.”

Senior captains Sam Duffield and Max Rosenfelder will roam the final third looking for dangerous space this season.

Duffield is a big target with exceptional skills while Rosenfelder has a shot capable of lighting up a scoreboard.

“That combination of those two guys up front will give us some firepower and that will be critical for us,” O’Connor said.

Should O’Connor at times require Duffield’s considerable presence at midfield, Connor Lefelstein, Joe Romanos, and Michael Frasca are all candidates to join Rosenfelder in the final third.

The Cadets have a senior captain in back and at midfield. Senior Tommy Cruger brings vast experience to midfield, where he’ll stir the pot this season.

“Tommy is a four-year varsity player, a good strong leader on our team and he’ll be our center midfielder,” O’Connor said. “He plays with great, great heart and has a very good vision of the field. He’s just a tough, hard-nosed kid.”

A talented freshman in Matthew Switzer joins Cruger in the center of the field, while Jeff Martin, Casey White, John Riordan, and Lefelstein will all play key roles at midfield.

A solid and tough defender in captain Steve Anderson headlines the back line, where sophomore Mike Maley will join him in the

middle.
“Those two guys should be very strong in the middle for us,” O’Connor said. “We just have to make sure our other players in back learn their roles.”

Elliot Anderson, Sam Soliz, Alex Ruble, and Antonio Ortiz will all contribute to Marmion’s back line this year. O’Connor expects Evan Lefelstein and Bradley White to compete hard for time in net all year, and he’s comfortable with either one between the pipes.

Class 2A Marmion opened the season with wins over Willowbrook and Montini, setting up an annual dogfight against Class 3A programs Rockford-Boylan, Lake Zurich, and Wheaton Warrenville South, at this year’s Barrington tournament.

Last year’s Cadets went 13-0-1 when scoring two goals or more, and 0-10-1 when they didn’t.

“I think we’ll be a better possession team this year and we’re more skilled all over the field,” O’Connor said. “That skill will help us have better possession.”

2009 Schedule

2009 Roster