Chris Bobowski

Clay Scott

The Titans will welcome a new coach and a new outlook on the 2001 soccer season in hopes of improving on a 9-9-2 record in 2000.

First-year coach Dave Barrett will have quite a blend of new and returning talent to work with in leading the Titans in 2001. In addition to 16 returning players, Coach Barrett will add 10 freshmen to the roster, which should make for an exciting and competitive environment for the players.

The first order of business for the Titans will be shoring up the defensive side of the team. In 2000, the Titans conceded as many goals (34) as they scored "If we want to become a legitimate contender in the CCIW," says Coach Barrett, "we must make defending a high priority."

The Titans will have some experienced goalkeeping to lead the defensive charge. Senior Adam Wachholtz (Newburgh, IN) and junior Ryan McCleary (Glen Ellyn, IL) both return as the most experienced goalkeepers after sharing time in goal last season. The Titans will also welcome two freshmen into the squad, Matt Robertson (Arlington Heights, IL) and Jeremy Witt (Waukegan, IL). "With four good goalkeepers in our team, I am hopeful that one will emerge from the competition as the clear-cut leader among the four," says Coach Barrett.

In the back the Titans will look to senior captain Chris Bobowski (Darien, IL) for leadership in what may a talented but inexperienced group of defenders. Juniors JP Fyans (Springfield, IL) and Szymon Krzyzanowski (Park Ridge, IL), along with sophomores Marques Rice (Hawthorn Woods, IL), Rob Kohaus (Bloomington, IL), and David Munz (Mt. Prospect, IL) will all compete with a talented group of freshmen for playing time in the Titan backfield. Leading the way among the freshmen will be Alan Mila (Bartlet, IL), an All-State selection in 2000 at Wheaton Academy. Other members of the Class of 2005 to whom Coach Barrett will be looking to challenge for a starting spot are: Scott Hernandez (Oswego, IL), Reed Grimwood (Eagan, MN), and Nick Hogren (Metamora, IL).

In midfield, Coach Barrett will look to his other captain, Clay Scott (Gurnee, IL) to play an important role when the Titans have the ball. Scott, the team’s leading scorer from a year ago (7 goals), will assume the role of playmaker in addition to improving his goal scoring from 2000. "Clay must be the conductor of this team if we are to have a successful season," says Coach Barrett. "We must have a leader and a presence in midfield and I expect Clay to rise to the challenge in his senior year."

Finding the right combination of players to insert in the midfield with Scott will be a top priority. The Titans have some talented candidates, however, for Coach Barrett to choose from. Leading the way is junior Dan Lau (River Forest, IL), sophomore Paul Abraham (Arlington Heights, IL), and freshmen Matt Wall (Bartlet, IL) and Clint Warren (Ottawa, IL).

At the striker position, the Titans will have seniors Paul Zidron (Barrington, IL) and Larry Kociolek (Oak Forest, IL), junior Matt Harris (Bloomington, IL) competing for playing time. Additionally, Coach Barrett expects Lau, Warren, and Wall to be considered for roles up front.

The Titans face a tough schedule ahead, with the addition of DePauw, Centre College, UW-Whitewater, and Marian College. The Titans non-CCIW schedule also includes Chicago and Washington University, with Wheaton looming again as the team to beat in the conference.

"Although we have many new faces, including my own," says Barrett, "I am excited about the season and the potential for success with this group of players."