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2009 preview: Saint Viator
Saint Viator highlighted its summer soccer season by having 27 kids travel to Europe for a 19-day trip. The athletes were in Greece for eight days and in Italy for nine and got to compete in tournaments in each nation. With a veteran cast back from last year's successful 18-3-1 season, coach Mike Taylor hopes that the trip pays dividends. "I think the trip worked out well for us," Taylor said. "It was more than just soccer. The kids learned a little more about each other." Experienced players who know one another very well will be a big strength for the Lions this season. Taylor will have to make up for some big losses on defense but hopes to overcome that with a strong group of midfielders. "I think that our midfielders are second to none," Taylor said. "We have some of the top guys there in the whole Chicago area." Leading the midfield are a trio of seniors, four-year varsity performer Trevor Wheeler plus Kevin Cavers and Billy Hamilton. Seniors Petar Milenkovich and Alan Aboona are expected to hold down the striker position for the Lions. Wheeler is a two-time East Suburban Catholic all-conference pick while Cavers, Hamilton and Milenkovich were all-ESCC last year. The Lions face a big challenge in filling the holes left on defense, including the task of replacing all-stater Matt Riggio. Saint Viator's defensive unit will look to two seniors, goalkeeper Patrick Windle and defender Brendan King, to lead that group. "A lot of these kids showed me what they could do as juniors and sophomores so I don't expect anything less from them this year," Taylor said. "We have a lot of good seniors and juniors and from top to bottom they are close skill-wise. We'll have a true junior-varsity team this year." Other senior members on the 21-man roster are Mark Bernacchi, Mark Lada and Tim Phillips. The remainder of the squad's 13 seniors are Mark Rochetti, Joe Schmidt and Tyler Stanley. There's high expectations this season for the Lions, who have posted perfect 9-0 conference records in each of the last two seasons. Taylor is hoping that all of his senior experience and the close-knit nature of the squad results in big things before the year ends. "The seniors were undefeated as freshmen and they are a quality group with very good chemistry and you can see it in their play," Taylor said. "I'm excited about the season since a lot of these kids have been with me for awhile. Once we sort the baseline out then I think we'll be fine."
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2009 Roster
2009 Schedule
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