When speaking with the 2013 Collinsville High School boys soccer team, it quickly becomes apparent that the team believes improved team chemistry is the key to its success.
Head Coach Myles Hensler said the players on this year’s team are more friendly with each other. “I expect for us to be a little better because of improved chemistry,” Hensler said.
The 2013 Kahoks boys soccer team during a preseason practice / Photo by Roger Starkey
The 2012 Kahoks had multiple cliques that hurt team chemistry, junior midfielder and co-captain Grant Bauer said. The captains are trying to build a more cohesive unit, Bauer said, by having team dinners and other activities.
Bauer, who said he wants to be a better role model and leader this year, will also be counted on to score goals. Leading scorer Tyler Devine, with 19 points, graduated in the spring. Bauer’s 12 points were second on the team last year. He spent the summer watching video of last year’s games and getting in better shape in an effort to reach his personal goal of scoring at least 20 points.
The strength of the 2013 Kahoks may be their starting back four. Seniors Brandon Belobraydic, Austin Mefford and Matt Recklein, as well as junior Brendan Rosenburg, are all returning starters.
The back four will be counted on to take pressure off the goalkeeper, who will enter the season with no varsity experience. Brett Niedzwiecki and Roman Cahnovsky are battling to become the starting goalkeeper. The Kahoks lost their starting goalkeeper from last season, Jason Kusnerick, to graduation.
The Kahoks, who will play a 4-4-2 with a withdrawn striker, or a 4-5-1 – depending on who they are playing – will be looking to improve on their 9-10-1 record from 2012. Senior forward and co-captain Cory Sanftleben said the team’s goal is to get past the regionals. O’Fallon knocked the Kahoks off in the regional semifinals last year. O’Fallon has ended Collinsville’s season the last two years.
Brandon Belobraydic, senior defender and co-captain, has high expectations for the team.
“By the end of the season, I think we’ll be one of the top teams in the conference,” Belobraydic said. That is no small accomplishment in the Southwestern Conference. Hensler called the conference one of the toughest in Southern Illinois.
The Kahoks open the regular season Monday, Aug. 26 against Alton Marquette. The game kicks off at 6:45 p.m. at Kahok Stadium.
Related story: Collinsville High School boys varsity soccer schedule
