News - Sports

Thursday, Aug. 21, 2008

Eagles focused on talent, chemistry

Much is made about team chemistry.

If it's missing, highly touted teams can stumble out of the gate, never meet expectations and grab the label of underachievers.

Such was the case for Winthrop's men's soccer team in 2007.

Coach Rich Posipanko's Eagles were coming off a championship campaign and started the season ranked 30th nationally, picked No. 1 in the Big South Conference poll and boasting a veteran lineup that was led by preseason league player of the year Saidi Isaac.

Everything appeared in place for a strong run at a second straight BSC tournament title and another spot in the NCAAs, the Eagles third since 2002.

Winthrop finished 11-4-3, a disappointing 3-2-1 in the Big South and suffered a 2-1 overtime loss to Liberty in the tournament semifinals at Eagle Field.

"The chemistry just wasn't there for some reason," Posipanko said. "We did a lot of good things, but the bottom line is we didn't win the championship. We had some key people that didn't have the kind of year we needed.

"The season was a disappointment because of the talent level."

Senior goalie Patrick Mitrovich, a two-time All-Big South Conference first-team selection, said it was easy assessing the season.

"In '06, we all wanted the same thing," Mitrovich said. "We all wanted to win the championship. That's all we thought about.

"There were a few people last year that had more than that on their minds, and that hurt us. After all the hype after '06, we came in thinking '07 would be a walk in the park, and it wasn't."

Daniel Revivo, another two-time All-BSC first-team selection, agreed.

"For some reason, we just weren't clicking together last year," Revivo said. "We knew we had the talent, but we could never get it together."

The team set out to change its mindset and chemistry in the weight room soon after the loss to Liberty. That attitude followed through spring practice and preseason drills.

"This year, we're all on the same page," Revivo said.

Once again, the Eagles are the overwhelming favorites in the BSC preseason poll. Revivo has followed Saidi Isaac by being named to the watch list for the prestigious Hermann Award, soccer's equivalent of the Heisman Trophy. He's on CollegeSoccerNews.com's preseason All-America list and the list of players to keep an eye on.

The native of Ontario, Canada, is confident the Eagles won't get distracted by any preseason predictions.

"All the guys know that we can't let things like that get in our heads," Revivo said. "Whether we're first or eighth in August doesn't matter. All the rankings and our record go out the door when the tournament starts. That's what it's all about."

Posipanko, who picked up his 300th collegiate win last season when the Eagles defeated Gardner-Webb 5-1, feels the Eagles have what it takes to return to the NCAA tournament.

"Our talent level is as good as it's been the last two or three years," Posipanko said. "In some areas, it's even better. This year, the chemistry is much better. It's been better from last spring on."

The Eagles return seven starters and have bolstered the roster with a solid recruiting class and several transfers who are expected to contribute immediately.

Last year, the Eagles boasted one of the top offenses in the country. Isaac is gone, but Revivo led Winthrop with 13 goals and has found the net 36 times in his three seasons.

"There's a lot of pressure on him to perform," Posipanko said. "Anything less than what he's done in the past would be considered a letdown. He has a lot to live up to.

"It's like Saidi had a good year last year, but it wasn't what he had the previous two years."

Revivo will be joined up top by sophomore Said Abdi and freshman Josh Mort, the only forwards on the roster.

"The midfield is definitely the strength of the team," Posipanko said. "We have probably seven or eight midfielders that are all capable of starting."

Starters will include junior Stephen Nsereko, the 2006 freshman of the year, and senior Grant Wise. Battling for the other spots will be transfers Matt Lucy (Lees-McRae) and Michael Luk (St. John's).

Returnees Miquel Casajuana, Magnus Leung and Andrew Murphy will also figure in the mix, along with late addition graduate student Rafael Aruajo, who played at Cumberland University in Tennessee.

Mitrovich, who allowed just 12 goals and posted four shutouts, anchors a solid defense that includes all-league selections Henry Kalungi and Otto Loewy. Ben Kieffner, who started 16 games, is back. Cameron Alkinis, Jordan Osborn, Tomo Koyano and possibly Matthew Skonicki will compete for the spot vacated by John Gilkerson.

Winthrop opens the season with four straight tournaments against some formidable competition that includes Charlotte, Davidson, Appalachian State, UNC Greensboro and Elon.

This year, there are nine teams in the Big South, with the addition of Gardner-Webb and Presbyterian. Both will play full league schedules and be eligible for the regular season title, but Presbyterian, which still is transitioning to NCAA Division I, will not be eligible for the conference tournament and league's postseason bid.

"I really think the league is going to be the best it's ever been," Posipanko said. "With the exception of a team or two, everybody's improved. Balance-wise from one through seven, it's pretty good."