Next: Fairfield junior varsity boys soccer
By Steven Matthews
Staff Writer
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
The goal for the Fairfield High School junior varsity 'A' boys soccer team is no secret — 10 victories.
But seven games into the 2008 campaign, that target appeared in jeopardy.
Coach Pat O'Leary, though, said he believes the Indians can still attain it.
"We still have some tough teams left," said O'Leary, whose squad will play 16 contests. "We could probably finish off with 10 wins; that's where we should be. We have a lot of work to do. I feel confident we can get to 10 wins."
Fairfield began the season 3-3-1, with wins against Finneytown, Lakota West and Northwest. Last year, O'Leary's club was 12-1-2.
"It's been an unexpected season because I figured we would not have as many losses as we do have," O'Leary said. "The guys that I have this year, I had a number of them last year."
With 20 players on the roster, O'Leary said he believes the one area that needs the most attention is the offensive side of the field.
"The major improvement needs to come with finishing, putting the ball in the back of the net," O'Leary said. "We've had several opportunities to score, and we've not taken advantage of the opportunities we've been given."
Junior Travis Frederick, an outside midfielder, is the team's top player, and he has been swinging up to varsity.
"He's a workaholic," O'Leary said. "He's a high-energy kid, and he's really improved."
Sophomores Addison Hoctor and Matt Feller make up the core of the defense, while a pair of freshmen — Brandon Hoover and Ian Donnelly — join Frederick in the midfield.
Other team members are: juniors Richie Davis, Drew Ecker, Ray Kuertz, C.J. Jackson, Nate Ducklo, Brian Robbins, Justin Baker and John Daughhetee; sophomores Ben Hasselbeck, T.J. Newbright, Alex Flores, Troy Wintermeyer, Ademir Asmat and Josh Pfaff; and freshman Joel Hansson.
"The majority of the talent is more defensive-minded," O'Leary said. "The kids are starting to think more offensively. You can't win games if you can't score."
O'Leary is assisted by Ian Lubbers.
"We have to make sure the kids are prepared for varsity," O'Leary said. "Understanding the work rate between JV and varsity — the game speed and physicalness. My job is to work them as hard as possible so that they're prepared."
By Steven Matthews
Staff Writer
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
The goal for the Fairfield High School junior varsity 'A' boys soccer team is no secret — 10 victories.
But seven games into the 2008 campaign, that target appeared in jeopardy.
Coach Pat O'Leary, though, said he believes the Indians can still attain it.
"We still have some tough teams left," said O'Leary, whose squad will play 16 contests. "We could probably finish off with 10 wins; that's where we should be. We have a lot of work to do. I feel confident we can get to 10 wins."
Fairfield began the season 3-3-1, with wins against Finneytown, Lakota West and Northwest. Last year, O'Leary's club was 12-1-2.
"It's been an unexpected season because I figured we would not have as many losses as we do have," O'Leary said. "The guys that I have this year, I had a number of them last year."
With 20 players on the roster, O'Leary said he believes the one area that needs the most attention is the offensive side of the field.
"The major improvement needs to come with finishing, putting the ball in the back of the net," O'Leary said. "We've had several opportunities to score, and we've not taken advantage of the opportunities we've been given."
Junior Travis Frederick, an outside midfielder, is the team's top player, and he has been swinging up to varsity.
"He's a workaholic," O'Leary said. "He's a high-energy kid, and he's really improved."
Sophomores Addison Hoctor and Matt Feller make up the core of the defense, while a pair of freshmen — Brandon Hoover and Ian Donnelly — join Frederick in the midfield.
Other team members are: juniors Richie Davis, Drew Ecker, Ray Kuertz, C.J. Jackson, Nate Ducklo, Brian Robbins, Justin Baker and John Daughhetee; sophomores Ben Hasselbeck, T.J. Newbright, Alex Flores, Troy Wintermeyer, Ademir Asmat and Josh Pfaff; and freshman Joel Hansson.
"The majority of the talent is more defensive-minded," O'Leary said. "The kids are starting to think more offensively. You can't win games if you can't score."
O'Leary is assisted by Ian Lubbers.
"We have to make sure the kids are prepared for varsity," O'Leary said. "Understanding the work rate between JV and varsity — the game speed and physicalness. My job is to work them as hard as possible so that they're prepared."
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