Roselieb headed to Missouri State

By Gary Larsen

Missouri State will be getting the services of Downers Grove South’s Cal Roselieb, and they’ll be getting those services earlier than they might have anticipated.

“I’m graduating early and I’ll be enrolling in time for spring practice,” Roselieb said.

The Mustangs’ senior is a defender by trade, spending his junior year for coach Jon Stapleton as a central defender. Roselieb was needed in the attack this season, and proceeded to lead the team in scoring with 10 goals and 2 assists.

“Cal is a very versatile player,” Stapleton said. “He’s very quick with the ball at his feet, he has the strength to hold the ball when needed, and he’s outstanding at creating opportunities in the air.”

The Mustangs needed more than Roselieb’s soccer skills in 2009. South struggled out of the gate this year before peaking down the season’s stretch.

“Cal was one of our captains this year and his leadership was instrumental in holding this team together during some of our early season struggles,” Stapleton said.

Fellow South senior Matt LaLonde saw Roselieb’s leadership up close. “He got the Will to Win award at our banquet, and that says a lot about the type of player he is,” LaLonde said. “He always gives a hundred percent and that’s what I’ll remember about him.

We’ve played together for six or seven years, and I couldn’t be happier for him. As a teammate, a person, a friend, it’s going to be strange not having him around. He’s going to be missed.”

Missouri State will graduate a few key defenders this year, giving Roselieb the chance to immediately compete for a spot on the Bears’ back line as a freshman.

“Whether it’s on the outside or in the middle, I’ll just be happy to be on the field,” Roselieb said.

Stapleton’s parting statement on his senior stands as the highest compliment. “He’s a role model for future Mustang soccer players, in our school, and in our community,” Stapleton said.