Tigers poised for another strong season

By Gary Larsen

With nine returning players who got varsity experience last year and another annual influx of good young talent, Wheaton Warrenville South is in position to again do battle against the other top teams in Illinois.

“We have a total of thirteen seniors, and two sophomores who could be in the starting lineup,” Tigers coach Guy Callipari said. “And we have very good depth.”

This year’s squad will be quick, and naturally feature the attacking mentality to which all of Callipari’s teams ascribe.

“It really just about avoiding playing not to lose, and therefore being offensive-minded,” he said. “If you’re trying to play to win, hopefully that also carries on away from the field. You have to take risks if you want to be successful.”

Tigers’ senior Drew Bellmer sees promise for another strong season at WWSouth.

“We have a lot of returners and a lot of young talent, so it will be interesting to see what happens,” Bellmer said.. “Club soccer is big in Wheaton. We have kids coming in as freshmen who can play with some of the juniors and seniors that have already been here a while.”

The defense starts with senior Derek Babb, a two-sport athlete (basketball) who brings an athletic presence in net. “I tell most keepers two things – don’t get beat at the near post, and make the simple save,” Callipari said. “Derek can make the big save, and he’s just fun to watch.”

Seniors Colin Ringel and Matt Krieger will help anchor the back line in 2009. “Krieger can go forward and he’s a great athlete,” Callipari said.

Much of the attack figures to filter through Bellmer, right in the middle of the field.

“Bellmer is consistent, and the play can go through him. You can build around him and he can impact the game in that way,” Callipari said. “He can be a real catalyst in the middle.”

Seniors and twins Ricky and Manny Munguia add a flashy, skilled presence to the attack again this season.

“I’m hoping for a breakout year for them,” Callipari said. “They’re the kind of players that make you move to the edge of your seat. I like to see their imagination come out on the field.”

Senior Andy Guerrero adds yet more skill and a great work rate to the midfield, while workhorses in Nathan Fuster, Alden Marton, Joe Bianucci will also key the midfield.

Sophomores Alec Brazeau and William Huesing are vying for starting spots, with Huesing potentially finding himself as a central defender while Brazeau is slated for a forward’s spot.

“Young players have that wide-eyed admiration for the sport and that enthusiasm, and that rubs off on everyone,” Callipari said.

“Will is a lot like (former Tigers’ standout Scott Larson). He brings a lot of consistency. He’s not flashy but he reads it well, he’s sure-footed in terms of tackling, and he can get us in transition.”

The Tigers didn’t play summer league soccer, but that doesn’t mean they didn’t take it upon themselves to stay sharp in the preseason.

“Two or three days a week we had captains’ practices,” Bellmer said. “We got numbers and called all the guys we know. We got as many bodies as we could, split them into shirts and skins and just played.”

Between 20 and 30 players showed up for those practices, “and we’d play for sprints,” Bellmer said. “When you don’t have summer league, you have to get together and keep everyone active.”

2009 Schedule

2009 Roster