Success in the Details for Scots' Men's Soccer
Monmouth, IL (08/28/2019) — A large senior class with plenty of experience, talented newcomers and attention to detail could add up to success for the Monmouth College men's soccer team in its quest for a Midwest Conference Tournament berth in 2019.
Kooten Johnson's team features 11 seniors and a host of newcomers who could get the Fighting Scots over the hump after the squad finished just outside the playoffs a season ago. All but two of last fall's losses were by two goals or less as the Scots' were just percentage points on the short end of goal differential.
"We were just about .500 all the way around last year," said Johnson whose team finished 7-7-1, giving up 24 goals and scoring 23. "We'd like to score a few more goals, but we'd also like to give up fewer goals. In the end, it doesn't matter how many goals you score as long as you're ahead at the end of the game. We've been good defensively and expect that to continue."
Offensively, the Scots lost only one scorer from last year. Seniors Lucas Sondgeroth (Mapleton, Ill./Illini Bluffs) - a forward - and midfielder Martin Zafirov (Sydney, Australia) return as the top two scorers with six and five goals, respectively, last season. Classmate Duh Thang (Monmouth, Ill./Monmouth-Roseville) will join Sondgeroth up front as the Scots look to replace the three goals and five assists lost by the graduation of four-year starter Agustin Miranda - the Scots' lone all-conference selection last season.
"Augie's presence will be tough to replace, but we think we've got some guys who can add to our offensive threat," reported Johnson. "I don't believe we'll have one individual with a huge number of goals, but I think we've got a large number of guys who can score and set up their teammates for scores. It will be a collective effort in the attacking third and that will make us tough to defend."
Sophomore transfers Kenneth Adiyiah (Wauconda, Ill./Mundelein) and Nicolas Esparon (Saint-Denis, Reunion, France) bring maturity to the team and could be counted on to supply minutes in the early season.
"Kenneth and Nicolas have college experience, so they already know to a degree what to expect in the college game," said Johnson. "They may be 'rookies,' but they're experienced rookies. It won't be as big a transition for them as it will for true freshmen. Practices have been good and competitive. Really, all of our newcomers will have a chance to see action."
Johnson's midfield looks to be set, with Zafirov teaming with fellow senior Mario Sanchez (Chicago, Ill./Farragut) and junior Alvaro Alvarez (Madrid, Spain).
"Those three have played a lot of minutes and have done a really good job," praised Johnson. "They bring the experience to the position, but it's good to have some balance with newcomers and veterans as we continue to build the program."
The back line of defense will have a slightly different look with the graduation of Connor Oltman, a four-year presence at center back. Junior Martez Johnson (Peoria, Ill./Peoria Christian) will return to his usual spot in the back, joined by senior Lukas Nilsson (East Malvern, Victoria, Australia), who was a midfielder a season ago.
"Lukas has made a smooth transition to a defensive position," said Johnson of the three-goal scorer from a season ago. "Martez has a lot of minutes in the back. They'll have to fill the void created by Connor's graduation. We'll probably have a couple of freshmen round out the back line. It will be a matter of who steps up and makes the fewest mistakes to decide the final spot."
There will also be a change in goal where senior Cadan Glattback (Coffs Harbour, Australia) moves back to the field after playing the entire 2018 season in goal. Junior transfer Kieren Marshall (Melbourne, Australia) and freshman Marcos Garibay (Waukegan, Ill./Waukegan) are locked in a battle as the new 'keeper.
"They're both doing very well," reported Johnson. "It's about 50-50 on who will win the job. Right now, we just can't put one ahead of the other. We'll continue to give them both minutes and see which one rises to the occasion."
Johnson predicts taking care of the smallest of details could produce the Scots' return to the Midwest Conference Tournament. It would be their first appearance since 2001 when the team entered as the third seed before winning the tournament and advancing to the NCAA Tournament. Johnson's 2014 team nearly qualified, tying for third in the MWC, but dropping out of the qualifying ranks when the tiebreaker placed them fifth.
"It's really about taking care of the details," claimed Johnson of the difference between qualifying for the postseason and turning in their gear. "We'll have to have good defensive discipline and score a few more goals in key situations. If you want to contend and be in the top four, you've got to be sound defensively, but you've also got to be able to get through those tough moments and score a crucial goal down the stretch. Taking care of the details should lead to more wins and ultimately a tournament berth. It's going to be a battle."
Three of last year's four playoff teams will visit Peacock Park in October for matches that will likely affect the Scots' postseason chances.
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