Prep Soccer Preview: Vikings Have Tough Act To Follow In 2011

On the heels of a triumphant season that was cut short in the postseason, the boys' soccer team has its sights set on a bigger and better agenda.

After the best record in school history (17-5-2) last season which included a league-best 7-1 mark in the Suburban South Conference, the Vikings were eliminated from the Class 3 district playoffs by . They went into that match on a five-game winning streak.

"With graduating the caliber of class we did with our (seven) seniors, a lot of people think it's going to be sort of a rebuilding year," third-year Vikings coach Dave Beck said. "I consider it a reloading year. We're a young team. We'll have young kids starting who've been varsity players for two or three years. So the expectations are high."

But as 2011 is in full swing now, Parkway North must find a way to offset the lost scoring of SSC player of the year Robbie Kristo, who graduated after being one of the area's leaders in goals (27) and points (62) last season.

"I don't know if you can replace (Kristo)," Beck said. "It's kind of like Taylor Twellman from St. Louis U. High. You can't really replace him. You just sort of hope you can balance it out, and to look at it in a positive way, the team will be more balanced because last year, we looked to Robbie for a lot of our offensive firepower. This year, it's going to be a lot of people contributing."

Also graduated is goalkeeper Sam Muzik, who was 13-4-2 with a 1.11 goals-against average and six shutouts.

Offense

The Vikings will try to get an influx of scoring from their midfield, where senior Joe Brinkwirth returns on the heels of a two-goal, 19-assist season. He led the team in assists a season ago. Junior Alex Deblaze, who netted five goals and added a pair of assists, was behind Kristo in goals last season. Sophomore Tim Brinkworth, who played in the backfield as a freshman, will get a look up top.

Defense

Taking over for Muzik in goal is senior Justin Rosenthal, who went 3-0-1 with a 1.11 GAA to go with a pair of shutouts last season.
"He's been patiently waiting to play," Beck said of Rosenthal. "We expect a lot of good things from him."

The Vikings will bring back the most experience in their backfield. Anchoring the unit in the 4-4-2 formation will be senior sweeper Jeremy St. Armand as well as seniors Mike Brooks and Dan Scribner, who have been in the program for four years."They're going to lead the charge now as older and well-versed in the system," Beck said. "The most experienced part for us will be our back line."

Junior Marc Hansell will play stopper, moving from wingback.

Coach

Beck returns for his third season with a career record of 28-14-2. It's been an uphill climb thus far and Beck expects the Vikings to pick up where they left off last season and advance further when the postseason rolls around.

"We want to win our conference," Beck said. "We want to win the district. It's a new year and a fresh slate, but I feel like we have the caliber kids to do that."

"Losing to De Smet (last year) was a good lesson for us. I think the kids got to see what it takes to get to the next level. We hung in there, it was a 1-0 game, but it was a real learning experience. We hope to build off that this year."