2009 Preview: St. Francis

By Gary Larsen

When eight of your starters are either freshmen or sophomores and brand new to varsity play, you take the long view.

“They have a little of everything. They have speed, skill, and they’re very hard-working," St. Francis coach Tim Dailey said of this year's squad. "They're just young."

"Our skill level is higher than it's been and it's a great group. They're just they’re so young. They have a lot of skill and they'll be good by next year and certainly by the following year. But this year will be a building year."

Jamie Pigott, Danny Wright, and Kyle Wood are the lone seniors on the 2009 squad. Pigott will be the team's big offensive gun, a forward who figures to prove himself one of the area's best.

Wright will play a marking back's role and Dailey will use Wood as either a defender or at midfield.

Three sophomores with varsity experience return in goalkeeper Ryan Suerte and midfielders Drew Mascari and Adam Fetter, who started every game as freshmen.

"They're typical dedicated, committed soccer players," Dailey said. "It's their sport, they're highly skilled, and highly intense. And Ryan is doing a great job for us. He's not a big kid but he's technically very skilled and has a high desire to compete and do well."

Freshmen Jon Mifsud, Andy Wood and Matt Bonner join sophomores Dave Kaminky, Perry Poulos, and Anthony Farace on the roster. Juniors Kyle Bhatiaa, Mike Vale, T.J. Kliebhan, West Dorman, and Andres Pena will also be expected to contribute.

With long-time local rival Wheaton Academy and a handful of other programs joining the former Suburban Catholic Conference, the maiden season for the Suburban Christian Conference now includes another program with a long tradition of strong soccer.

This year's Spartans will also face exceptional conference teams in 2009 in Marmion and Marian Central Catholic. Dailey hopes his young squad gets the most out of those encounters.

“We’re telling them that it’s going to be a learning year," Dailey said. "With young kids like this, they’re playing up to three years above their heads. They have to acclimate to the physical nature of the varsity game.”

"The sooner they become assertive and realize they can play at a skill level with these guys and it’s just a matter of matching their physical play, the better they’re going to be.”

“As coaches we’re going to have to be patient, positive, and encouraging. It’s okay if we get pounded by really good teams because in the end it will pay off for us.”

2009 Roster

2009 Schedule