To get a sense of the unity this fall of the Fenwick and OPRF boys soccer teams, you have to go back to the World Cup in June and July. Both teams used the United States’ performance in the global tournament as a way to get to know each other and build cohesiveness.
Fenwick traveled to Bettendorf, Iowa for a camp and, in addition to activities like bowling and playing against Herscher and York, the Friars took in the U.S. second group-stage game, a 2-0 win over Australia.
“It was pretty fun,” senior forward/midfielder Luke Menacho said, “a good chance to get to know the new players on the team.”
OPRF held their own camp at home, and the Huskies’ players got together for World Cup watch parties. A good time was had by all, according to senior forward Noah Barnett.
“Great to be together,” Barnett said. “I think our coach did a good job organizing the team.”
And as far as the Americans’ performance? They’re still a step behind Europe and South America, but the gap is starting to close.
“I think we did a good job and we’re starting to evolve,” he said.
Fenwick
The Friars went 14-6-1 a year ago under second-year coach Shannon Seymour, who is bullish about his club building on that mark this fall.
But that schedule … wow. Fenwick will contend in its Chicago Catholic League division with Notre Dame, Loyola, Nazareth, Providence, St. Ignatius, Saint Viator and DePaul Prep.
“It’s going to be a step above last year,” Seymour said. “Strength of schedule will be tough. I think teams may have taken us a little lightly (last year), given the year before we only had two wins. So there is a little more of a target on our back.”
The Friars, who play a 4-5-1 formation, will be led by Menacho and junior midfielder Alex Krasson, both of whom exuded confidence as the season got underway.
“Our mentality is, what happened last year doesn’t matter,” Menacho said. “We have to renew our mindset. A clean slate is a big deal. We haven’t done anything yet.”
Krasson added that his team is already showing its mettle by practicing at 7 a.m. on a Sunday.
“Other teams aren’t doing that,” he said. “We’ve been working really hard over the summer and trying to outwork the other teams.”
In addition to Menacho and Krasson, Fenwick will be tough up top with senior midfielder Beckett Javell, who played well in a supersectional loss to eventual state champion De La Salle. Sophomore forward/midfielder Emiliano Pereda will also help.
While the goalkeeper position is “up for grabs” after the departure of the graduated Dom Ballarin, Seymour said, the back line will be solid, with senior defender Kevin Jancewicz and junior defender Shane Kupiec, a converted midfielder.
Junior defender Estaban Jimenez should step into the limelight this fall.
“Estaban is a very physical specimen,” Seymour said. “He plays volleyball and basketball. He’s 6-foot-3 and will bring a dominant presence in the aerial game.”
OPRF
The unique thing about the Huskies is their 25 players are all seniors and juniors – no freshmen or sophomores, with 13 returnees from a 19-3 team a year ago that lost in a sectional final to Lane Tech.
In addition to a breakneck West Suburban Silver schedule, the nonconference schedule is tough as well, with the likes of Maine West, Taft, St. Laurence … and Fenwick on Oct. 3.
“It will force us to grow, play faster, play smarter and play tougher,” said interim coach Dave Bernthal, who is “keeping the seat warm” for head coach Jason Fried, who is in Croatia with his family. “Hopefully without too many setbacks along the way, we’ll find the holes and figure out how to fix them.”
Leadership will come from the three senior captains – Barnett, senior forward Cole Grining, and senior defender Johnny Natale. Grining said the conference, with Lyons, York, Hinsdale Central and others, will be a huge test.
“No conference game is a given,” he said. “It’s being mentally prepared. It’s chippy. It’s always a war, never 100% friendly. We want the ball. If we don’t have the ball, we’re suffering.”
Senior striker Joaquin Carlstom-Diega was the team’s second-leading scorer last year and Bernthal said, “When we can get the ball to him, we’re in good shape.”
Goalkeeper will be a dual affair with seniors Liam O’Shea and Kade Blecha. As for who will get the lion’s share of the minutes, Bernthal said he’ll see how it plays out. Both are shot-stoppers.
Defensively, senior Tomas Ibanez is the personification of lockdown and can be an offensive threat as well. Ditto for Jack Trask, a senior defensive midfielder with good field vision. Midfielder Chris Dennean’s task will be maintaining possession.
And what of OPRF’s limelight guy, the player that will step into a larger role this fall?
“I can’t wait to find out who he is,” Bernthal said. “I’m counting on all of them to step up. Let’s hope I have a long list by the end of the season.”