Wildcats aim to improve on most successful season in school history

BY ED WRIGHT
Aug. 18, 2010, 12:45 p.m.

  The player with the strongest leg on the Plymouth boys soccer team's roster probably won't score a goal this season.

  But taking into consideration the rocket right leg of  Wildcat goalie Kyle Brindza, you never know.

  Brindza, who has committed to play collegiate football at Notre Dame beginning next fall, will anchor a stellar Plymouth back wall that clamped down on opposing forwards in 2009 when the Wildcats recorded their most-successful season in school history.

  Throw in a talented mid-field and the quick-strike potential of forwards Nick Russ and Derek Austin, and Plymouth head coach Jeff Neschich has plenty to feel good about.

  "We're starting off with a positive attitude and the kids are working really hard," said Neschich, who in June led the Wildcats girls team to the Division 1 final-game appearance against Novi. "We're working on getting good team chemistry."

  Neschich said he has brought up the girls team's amazing run at recent practices.

  "I'm trying to make them feel a little jealous of what the girls did," Neschich joked, smiling. "This group has a lot of potential. The thing is there are so many really good teams within a stone's throw of here. You can be a very strong team around here, but there are 10 other teams in Livonia, Ann Arbor, Northville, Novi and the other teams at the Park that are  just as strong."

  "We definitely have a seasoned group," said senior mid-fielder Joey Klonowski. "We have eight or nine starters back, so we should be pretty decent."

  The Wildcats will be led by a trio of solid captains: Brindza, mid-fielder Andrew Yoder and Russ, who led the team in scoring last fall.

  "Kyle is a phenomenal athlete," said Neschich. "He brings a presence to our defense by how he can take charge in the goal. He's a real difference-maker.

  "Andrew and Joey give us two seniors who are experienced and skilled in the middle of the field. Andrew brings a breat explosiveness and he reads the game so well. He'll be our quarterback from the center-mid position.

  "And Nick up top has to be our goal scorer up there. He's coming off a great season last year. He's flashy, he has good moves and he's a good finisher around the net."

  Bolstering the defense in front of Brindza will be starters Stephen Jahn, Michael Ambrose, Brent Zuzo and Zack D'Agostino.

  Evan Lewandowski and Mitch Yoder - Andrew's twin brother - will join Andrew Yoder and Klonowski in the starting mid-field while Russ and Austin will handle the bulk of the forward responsibilities.

  Handling the back-up goal-keeping duties will be Rene Mejia.

  "Rene is a very capable goalie," said Neschich.

  The Wildcats open their 2010 campaign Saturday at 10 a.m. against Midland Dow in the first round of the Gary Balconi Invitational. The game will be played on the P-CEP freshman soccer field that is located on the corner of Joy and Canton Center roads.

A pair of Wildcats square off during Tuesday afternoon's practice (Ed Wright photo)

Senior Kyle Brindza gives the Wildcats a strong presence between the pipes. (Ed Wright photo)