The Dominican University men’s soccer team, gunning for their fifth straight Northern Athletics Conference (NAC) Championship, have been tabbed the unanimous favorite to win the conference crown in the annual NAC Preseason Coaches’ Poll.
The poll, voted on by the 12 head men’s soccer coaches in the conference, places the Stars ahead of Concordia Wisconsin, Edgewood and Aurora who came in second, third and fourth in the poll respectively. MSOE, Marian, Lakeland and Benedictine occupied spots five, six, seven and eight in the poll while Wisconsin Lutheran, Concordia Chicago, Maranatha Baptist and Rockford claimed the final four spots in the poll.
The Stars, 19-2-3 overall last season and an unblemished 11-0-0 in conference play, made a historic run to the semifinal round of the 2009 NCAA Division III Men’s Soccer Championship before falling to the Calvin College Knights 1-0.
“Last year’s run was fun and exciting,” commented Erick Baumann, the Stars’ head coach since 1995. “However, we need to understand that 2009 is now behind us and we have to focus on 2010. We cannot fall victim to our own success and expect teams to lay down for us. In fact, now we have an even bigger target on our back as teams will be looking to make a statement against a program that went to last year’s Final Four.”
Dominican has 15 letterwinners returning from last season, but will have to replace captains Juan Saldana, Trinidad Correa and Stan Micic, all of whom the Stars lost to graduation.
“Replacing last year’s senior class on the field is going to be difficult,” said Baumann, “but more importantly replacing their leadership is going to be a challenge and a goal for the 2010 squad.”
Leading the way for the returners is Mario Napiorkowski (Norridge, Ill.), Michael Kapusta (Bartlett, Ill.) and Max Gutbrod (Slinger, Wis.). Napiorkowski, a 2009 NSCAA Third Team All-American selection, and Gutbrod will anchor the Stars’ defense. Gutbrod, a six-foot junior goalkeeper, posted a 0.35 goals against average while logging about half of the team’s 2,200 minutes in goal.
“Max came up huge for us down the stretch last season and is showing no signs of tailing off,” said Baumann. “He came into camp this season in fantastic shape and has turned into a great competitor. I fully expect him to pick up right where he left off last season.”
Joining Napiorkowski on the Stars’ backline will be Kyle Boekeloo (Woodridge, Ill.), Andy Lynch (Hawthorn Woods, Ill.), Logan Simpson (Morton, Ill.) and sophomore transfer Dylan Osadjan (Green Bay, Wis.).
Offensively, Dominican will turn to Kapusta, Ryan Roberts (Elmhurst, Ill.), the 2009 NAC Freshman of the Year, and Edwin Lagunas (Waukegan, Ill.). The trio combined for 26 goals, with Kapusta and Lagunas tied for the team-lead with nine goals apiece. In addition, junior Lio Tovar (Cicero, Ill.) and sophomore Leo Elizalde (Wheeling, Ill.) will be counted on to emerge as offensive leaders.
"After injuries hampered his ability to make a major contribution as a freshman last season, Leo Elizalde has returned in top physical condition," said Baumann. "His fitness will help keep him on the field as we look to him to add to our depth in the offensive third."
Dominican will look to freshmen Trent Miller (Rockford, Ill.) and Ariel Godinez (Cobden, Ill.) to make an immediate impact. Miller, a 5’7 defender, comes in with a high soccer IQ and technical soccer skills while Godinez will play a role in the Stars’ midfield along with Kapusta and Northern Illinois transfer Jeff Atkins (Naperville, Ill.).
The Stars open the 2010 campaign on Wednesday, September 1, as they host the North Park University Vikings for a 4:00 p.m. kickoff. After non-conference tilts with Alma and University of Chicago, Dominican then begins its quest for a fifth-straight NAC crown on Saturday, September 11, when the Maranatha Baptist Bible College Crusaders travel to River Forest.
