Sophomore Bobby Budlong chips a ball during Thursday's practice. (photo by Ed Wright)

Chiefs have high hopes on heels
of spectacular finish in 2009

BY ED WRIGHT
Aug 20, 2010, 5:15 p.m.

  Ten months after their impressive run to the Division 1 quarterfinals, members of Canton's soccer team are not resting on their laurels.

  The Chiefs recently completed a series of demanding two-a-day practices that they hope will propel them into a season that holds a ton of potential.

  "Two-a-days were a lot more intense than the past couple of years," said senior captain Phil Baciak. "They're definitely getting us in shape. We're dragging a little bit now, but when the games start next week, the hard work will pay off."

  Relying on several underclassmen along with a strong nucleus of seniors, the Chiefs (14-9-2) advanced all the way to the round of eight last fall before falling to Salem, 3-1.

  "In all honesty, we didn't expect that last year just because of how young we were," said Baciak. "It gave us a taste of what we can do this year.

  "This year's team has a lot of chemistry and we've set really high goals. We think we can win a state championship. I think it's a very realistic goal."

  The Chiefs will be veteran coach George Tomasso, who knows what it takes to win a state title. Tomasso was the starting goal-keeper for the Chiefs' last state title team in the mid-90s.

  "We were playing our best soccer at the right time last year," said Tomasso. "The boys were playing at a high level and they overcame adversity to make a deep playoff run. We beat the No. 10 team in the state, Walled Lake Northern, in the Regional and played very well in the loss to Salem."

  Tomasso said familiarity should breed success for the Chiefs this fall.

  "It's basically the same team as last year, only everybody has matured so much in one year's time," the popular coach said. "We have guys like Connor Shennan, Connor Furgason and Bobby Budlong, who are playing in the Wolves Academy. I'm looking forward to the season."

  Starting between the pipes for the Chiefs will be senior captain Brandon Laabs, who split time in net as a junior.

  "Brandon is a very good shot-stopper," said Tomasso. "He's very brave in one-on-one challenges and he makes a lot of saves that many goalies can't make."

  Laabs will be backed-up by senior Garren Carr.

  The Chiefs' back-line of juniors Connor Furgason and Tyler Winningham; sophomore Connor Shennan and senior Kyle Krause should be stellar.

  "It's a very talented group, but they still have to go out and prove themselves," said Tomasso.

  Budlong, who sparkled as a freshman, will anchor the mid-field along with senior captain Sean Balmaves and junior Shean Krolicki.

  Canton's forward line of Baciak, Daniel Ovesea and Mitch Posuniak has the potential to give defenders fits.

  Senior Garrett Derian-Toth will also be a solid contributor to the Chiefs' fortunes this fall, Tomasso said.

  Winning the KLAA South Division will be a challenge, said Tomasso.

  "Plymouth and Churchill are always very competitive," he noted. "It will come down to how we perform in the games against those teams."

  Canton will defend its Gary Balconi Invitational title on Saturday on the P-CEP campus.

  "Last year was the first year we won it in a long time," said Baciak. "We definitely took a lot of pride in winning it last year and we're going to try and do it again. Even though it's pre-season, it means a lot to us."

  Ed Wright can be reached at (734) 453-1980 or info@plymouthcantonsports.com.

Junior captain Connor Furgason will be one of the standouts of the Chiefs' strong back wall. (Ed Wright photo)