Aug. 21, 2007

ROMEOVILLE, Ill. - A mere two games separated first place from fifth in the Great Lakes Valley Conference men's soccer standings last season. And while Lewis University was that fifth-place team, Flyers' head coach Evan Fiffles believes his squad can make up the difference in 2007.

"Our goal is to claim the regular season championship and go from there," said Fiffles, who is in his 16th season as the Flyers' boss. "With just a two-game difference among the top five teams, we were right in the hunt. I feel we will be there this year."

The Flyers finished the 2006 season 12-6-1, posting a winning record and winning at least 10 games for a 15th consecutive season. Half of the team's losses were decided by one goal.

Fiffles' optimism for the upcoming campaign is supported by the fact he returns nearly his entire roster, and has added a talented group of freshmen. The Flyers lost only one senior from last year's team while returning 19 players, including four who earned all-region recognition. And, much like last season, the Flyers are still a very young team. The 2007 roster features one senior, six juniors, 12 sophomores and seven freshmen.

"We have our core of experienced talent," said Fiffles, who earned his 200th career win last season. "But we're also going to have six or seven freshmen starters right away. This is a deep team at all positions."

The one constant for Fiffles throughout the years has been defense, and this season's team is not lacking. But it's the Flyers' offense that has Fiffles the most excited.

"We are strong and much better offensively than a year ago," Fiffles said. "We have a lot of guys that can put the ball in the back of the net with regularity.

"For the first time since I can remember, I have a true scoring threat from both sides," Fiffles added. "I think we can score 40 goals this season."

The Flyers totaled 28 tallies last year, paced by junior forward Cory Mastey's 12 goals. Mastey, an all-region first team selection by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) and the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA), ranked second in the conference in scoring.

"Cory is our scorer," Fiffles said. "He is the fastest guy on the field, and he has that ability to win one-on-one. I think we can get 15 goals out of him this season."

On the other side, Fiffles has several options, including senior Anthony Marsico, an NSCAA all-region second team pick in 2006, junior Jorge De Jesus and freshmen Mardoche Beya and Armin Vrebac.

"Anthony Jorge and Armin are all guys that will score goals for us," Fiffles continued. "They are all major scoring threats. Any one of them can step in and our offense won't miss a beat."

"Mardoche is a guy who has the ability to score 10 goals as a freshman," Fiffles said. "He has good speed and size, and he is a smart player. He's going to play bigger than a freshman."

In the midfield, Fiffles has a number of viable options. Juniors Chris Buczkowski and Craig McIntosh and sophomores Tim Vance, Nestor Hernandez and Kipp Cartwright combined for over 60 starts last season. The group accounted for eight goals and 12 of the team's 27 assists.

"Chris worked very hard during the offseason," Fiffles said. "He's a big, quick kid and a workhorse. Craig is a ball-winner and hard tackler. Tim is always on the ball. Nestor has some speed, and he earned a lot of time last year."

Sophomores Charlie Bucio and Art Rodriguez should also compete for playing time in the middle.

"Charlie is great at holding the ball," Fiffles said. "Art had a great spring and came in to training in top shape. It's going to be hard to keep those guys off the field."

The Flyers' defense consists of experience and depth, backed by a goalkeeper who emerged as one of the top keepers in conference last season.

Sophomore defender Justin Vander-Heyden earned all-region honors as a freshman, but injury has sidelined him for 2007.

"Justin is a complete player," Fiffles said. "He was our best defender last season. Having him out of the line-up changes they way we're going to do some things, but I'm confident our defense will still be among the best in the conference."

Returning players to the Flyers' backfield are senior Ryan Doody, who started 14 games last season, and juniors Joey De Francesco (19 starts) Mark Switalski and Alex Koprowski. Freshmen Zac Bond and Brian Chrencik also figure to vie for time.

"Ryan is a senior who will provide great leadership," Fiffles said. "Mark is our best ball-winner in the air. Alex won a starting spot toward the end of last season. He has above-average speed and not too many guys get by him. Joey is a natural lefty who brings good size and is great on the ball.

"Zac leads the crop of freshmen defenders," Fiffles added. "Other than Cory, Zac is the fastest guy on the team. He's aggressive and a hard player."

Junior goalkeeper Anthony Szymel won the starting spot last season and earned all-region recognition. He posted the conference's sixth-best goals-against average (0.97) and ranked fifth in the GLVC in shutouts (5).

"Anthony is in great shape," Fiffles said. "He has good size, and he has worked on his quickness. He's improved each season since he's been here, and I know he's going to be even better this year."

With a roster as deep and talented as the one the Flyers have this season, Fiffles figures to receive valuable contributions from whomever he calls upon.

"The key is going to be how the guys react if they aren't playing," Fiffles said. "Top to bottom, these guys need to work hard and maintain the right attitude for our team to have success. Our conference has good competition, and we have an opportunity to be right there."

The GLVC coaches selected defending conference champion Southern Illinois Edwardsville as the favorite in the preseason poll, but Fiffles thinks Northern Kentucky is the team to beat.

"NKU brought back a lot," Fiffles said. "But there are a number of teams who can get it done. Depth-wise, I think this is one of the best conferences in the country. There's more of a commitment going into the programs, and it shows. One through nine in the conference is very strong."

Lewis opens it regular season on the road at Tusculum on Aug. 24 and plays at Lincoln Memorial on Aug. 26. The Flyers open the home schedule on Aug. 29 against Upper Iowa. Lewis went 6-1 at home last season.