Boys Soccer
The Riverside Brookfield boys soccer team took a hit last season with a disappointing 2-11-3 record. The Bulldogs are ready to strike back and prove that last year’s debacle was merely an aberration.
Recent history-consecutive Metro Suburban Conference championships in 2005 and ’06-suggests a quick turnaround, but the primary cause for optimism among the Bulldogs is improved chemistry.
“The chemistry on our team is excellent,” said fifth-year head coach Danny Makaric. “The players are joking with each other and having fun in scrimmages. They are always talking soccer and acting as a team.”
If RB enjoys a return to prominence this season, a talented quintet of seniors assuredly will lead the way. Forward Thomas Ferenac, who possesses good vision and scoring ability, is expected to provide plenty of offensive highlights.
“We have speed in the middle of the field,” Ferenac said. “Last year, we were a pretty young team so we were building chemistry. Everything is strong now.”
Midfielders Patrick Thor-Larsen and Tim Polanski possess solid ball skills, speed and experience. Karol Buczakowski occupies the left midfielder position-a problem spot last season.
Team catalyst Matt Waas triggers RB from the defensive backfield.
“Matt is our motor,” Makaric said. “He’s always run, run, and run while talking to everybody on the field.”
Another defender to watch is junior Matt Kenahan. After spending a productive summer playing with several of his fellow Bulldogs on travel teams, the middle stopper senses a special season on the horizon.
“Technically, we’re playing good soccer as a team,” Kenahan said. “I think we are definitely the most skilled team in our league. If we don’t win the conference, it will be a disappointment.”
While the Bulldogs have a good shot of reclaiming the Metro Suburban title after a brief hiatus, the real challenge may be their non-conference schedule. The team opened its season by competing in the Leyden Tournament, which kicked off earlier this week. A game against Brother Rice at Toyota Park, along with stiff tests against Oak Park and Morton, headline a difficult slate of games.