Downers Grove South Boys Soccer Team Aiming High

With only three returning starters and eight straight road games to open the season, ’s boys soccer team might get off to a slow start in 2011, but that does not mean the Mustangs are expecting to have a bad year.

“I think as a program we’ve always prided ourselves on high expectations,” said coach Jon Stapleton. “It may take more time than other groups, but the potential for growth might be greater than the other years because of the youth.

“We lack some experience, but that’s not always a bad thing, because I think these guys are hungry and they’re fresh. Some of these guys are young and they’re getting opportunities and taking advantage of them.”

The Mustangs graduated nearly all of the offense from last year’s 12-6-4 team, but the midfield figures to be a strength early on behind seniors Cory Mosiman and Gabe Diaz, both of whom are returning starters.

“It’s going to be hard to replace the guys that we had last year, but we have a lot of talent coming up,” Mosiman said. “We might not be as talented as most of the teams out there, but we’ve got a lot of guys working their butts off and giving it all they’ve got at practice. So hopefully we’ll be one of the best-conditioned teams out there.”

Diaz isn’t worried, even though , which opens the season Aug. 25 against Hinsdale Central at the Red Devil Cup, has no proven scorer.

“Scoring-wise, anybody can score any time,” Diaz said. “Our team is pretty much about playing as a team and scoring later. Eventually the goals will come. We’ll get there. We just have to have patience and see if we can get those in.”

Stapleton is excited about several of the younger players, particularly sophomore forward Andrew Grabavoy, who finished consistently for the sophomore team last season. Grabavoy is the cousin of former Lincoln-Way Central star Ned Grabavoy, who plays in MLS for Real Salt Lake.

“There’s going to be times when he’s overmatched, but he moves so well as a forward and he’s very dangerous when he gets opportunities to do it,” Stapleton said. “He proved last year that he could do it.”

Two other players who could find the back of the net are junior midfielder Sam Lalonde, who was a key reserve last fall, and sophomore midfielder/forward John Frecko.

Another impact newcomer is junior goalie Nick Tannenbaum, who is expected to start between the pipes and be backed up by returning senior Mark Dismang. Returning starter Joe Sombeck anchors an inexperienced back line that will be tested early against formidable opponents at the Red Devil Cup and the Great Midwest Classic in Indiana.

“I think eventually we’ll be pretty strong given a couple of games,” Sombeck said. “We’ve got a bunch of new guys coming in, but they work really hard. I think we’ll figure it out.”

Stapleton would like to see the Mustangs compete for the West Suburban Conference Gold Division championship, but defending champion Morton is one of the top teams in the Chicago area and will be heavily favored to win, while Leyden is also strong. But plays both of those games at home on its new artificial turf field.

“The turf will help,” said Stapleton, whose squad hosts Addison Trail on Sept. 13 in the home opener. “One strength of this team I think is that overall the collective fitness level is very high and they’re quick. On a turf field, the ball goes faster and over the course of 80 minutes … I think that turf is going to play into our hands.”