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Central
Soccer Preview: Expectations unchanged for young
squad
August 24, 2010
• COACH: Mike Wiggins (121-55-16 in 8 seasons;
218-122-43 in 16 seasons overall)
• 2009 RESULTS: 16-7-2 overall, 5-1 in West
Suburban Conference Silver Division (2nd place);
lost to Lyons Township 3-2 (2 OT) in Class 3A
Hinsdale Central Sectional final n RETURNING
STARTERS: Seniors Taylor Cole, midfielder (2
goals, 8 assists in 2009); Mike Oleferchik,
defender (goal, 3 assists); and Andrew
Worthington, defender (assist); and junior Mitch
Reavis, midfielder (6 goals, 6 assists)
• OTHER VARSITY RETURNEES: Senior Michael
Hrisstov, forward (assist); and junior Will
Meyer, goalie
• VARSITY NEWCOMERS: Senior Steve Gianakas,
midfielder; juniors Aaron Cheever, forward; Alex
Chiaramonte, defender; Zach Chiaramonte,
midfielder; R.J. Dralle, defender; Gareth
Parsons, forward; Leondro Perez, forward; Andrew
Scott, defender; Mark Tyler, midfielder; and
Killian Wagner, forward; and sophomores Phillip
Gutman, defender; Mike Krohn, forward; and
Connor Oleferchik, forward
• OUTLOOK: The Red Devils have a relatively
young lineup in terms of varsity experience, but
their expectations haven't changed for another
successful season and peaking come playoff time.
Cole, Worthington, Reavis and Meyer are this
year's team captains with Worthington, Reavis
and Meyer also J. Kyle Braid Foundation
recipients.
The season opener was scheduled for Tuesday
against Metea Valley. The annual Red Devil Cup
begins Aug. 31 with pool play against Hinsdale
South.
"It's a hard-working group, probably the hardest
working group I've had since I've been here,"
Wiggins said. "They don't fall short of a high
energy level and spirit. They're very positive.
On that end, we've been very happy. Now it's
time to take that and channel it into something
that'll work. We have a good group to work with
so that makes for a good combination."
Last year was another perfect example of the Red
Devils' plan. After losing to rival LT 3-0 Sept.
29 in the annual Silver Brick game at a packed
Bennett Field, the Red Devils took LT to the
limit in a memorable sectional final that was
moved to Naperville North because of poor field
conditions. It was the longest playoff game in
the Lions' trek to their first boys soccer state
championship.
Cole is a fourth-year starter, Reavis was last
year's No. 2 scorer and Oleferchik and
Worthington were part of another stingy defense.
Meyer played in eight games, starting two,
behind graduated standout Jack O'Donnell, and
Hrisstov played in six games with one start
before a season-ending injury.
"(Our key) is just keeping up that spirit and
energy that we've showed up to this point,"
Wiggins said. "The way we line up now doesn't
mean it's the way we'll line up at the end of
the year. The goal is to be prepared at the end
of the year. It's a constant assessment of the
players."
Cole was second in assists last season and has
career totals of four goals and 14 assists. The
projected center midfielder was a key
contributor in the Red Devils' 2007 fourth-place
Class AA finish and 2008 state quarterfinal
finish.
A third-year varsity Reavis may be counted on
for more offensive punch after being second to
graduated Michael Oleszkiewicz's 19 goals and
five assists.
"What we're looking for from (Cole) is a
leadership role more by example. We need him to
demonstrate composure in stressful situations,"
Wiggins said. "What we need from (Reavis) is
more responsibility from an attacking point of
view. He's a very capable player who is going to
go on and have a great future."
Defensively, Oleferchik and Worthington give the
Red Devils a good base to create the best
formation possible. Other early possibilities
include Alex Chiaramonte and Gutman, one of four
sophomores on the roster.
"Those two players (Oleferchik and Worthington)
are smart enough tactically and technically to
make adjustments," Wiggins said.
Going for their first Silver title since 2006,
the Red Devils will be challenged by LT and
area-rated Downers Grove North. The Silver Brick
game versus LT is Sept. 28 at Centennial Field.
• QUOTABLE: "For this group, really just what
we're looking for is a soccer personality, a
style of play, and we're still looking for
that," Wiggins said. "We need to get the first
game out of the way for a sense of where we're
at. (Assistant coach Michael Smith) and I are
eager to get the first game under way to get a
feeling of what the shortcomings are and where
we need to move forward."
-- by Bill Stone
© Copyright 2010 Sun-Times Media, LLC
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