Reason for
optimism
The
talent pool is deeper than ever for Plymouth Christian's boys soccer
team
Plymouth
Christian Academy boys soccer co-coach Larry Machonga has been around
some talent-rich squads during his tenure as the Eagles' mentor, but
not many have matched the potential this year's contingent brings to
the pitch.
It's a good thing, too, considering the Michigan Independent
Athletic Conference Blue Division became a whole lot tougher during the
off-season with the additions of traditionally strong soccer powers Ann
Arbor Greenhills and Lutheran Westland.
"The No. 1 thing for us this year is that we have more depth
than we've ever had before," said Machonga, who coaches the team along
with Evan Baker. "In years past, we'd lose our leading scorers and
defenders to graduation, then we'd have to rebuild a little bit.
Although we lost some very good players from last year's team, there
isn't a big drop-off.
"I'm especially excited about our senior class. We have more
seniors than we've had before and their level of play is really good."
RAVE
REVIEWS
Baker echoed Machonga's glowing review of this year's Eagles.
"This is the most individual skill I've seen on a PCA team,"
said Baker, who coaches the Waterford Mott girls soccer team in the
spring. "We have a lot of attacking options and, because they're so
talented, we can team more in-depth concepts with this team
rather than just focusing on how to keep the ball out of the back of
the net.
"We've been able to coach offensive creativity and how to create
one-v-one and two-v-two situations. We have a lot of dangerous players
this year at every position."
The Eagles will be led onto the pitch by a trio of talented
and motivating captains: seniors Matt Zandee and Jordan Machonga; and
junior Travis DeKruyter.
"We're like a family, on and off the field," said Jordan Machonga, when
asked what he likes about this year's squad. "We're always there for
each other and we're always looking out for one another. We have each
other's backs."
"We seem to get along better this year," said
DeKruyter. "On the field, it seems like we're working off
one another a lot better. We're on the same page."
MACHONGA
KNOWS HOW TO SCORE
Machonga was the team's leading scorer in 2008 and his electric play up
front has drawn the interest of several college programs, including
Tiffin University in Ohio.
"Jordan provides us with great vocal leadership as well as
leadership with his skills," said Baker. "He's our No. 1 scoring
threat."
Zandee, who doubles as a member of the Eagles' tennis team,
has come a long way in the past couple of years, Baker added.
"Matt's soccer skills have increased exponentially since last
year," said Baker. "He's a great guy from a leadership standpoint, too.
He's a person of character and he has the respect of all of his
teammates."
No one works harder than DeKruyter, the lone junior captain,
Baker said.
"You could see his leadership qualities even when he was a
sophomore," Baker explained. "He's a very demonstrative player on the
field; Travis is a very hard worker. He encourages his teammates by the
way he plays."
ADDITIONS
FROM AGAPE
The Eagles' roster was upgraded during the off-season by the
addition of brothers Don and Dan Mullett, both of whom excelled for
Canton Agape Christian last fall. Don Mullett, a senior, was named the
MIAC Red Division's "Player of the Year" in 2008.
"Both Don and Dan will be great additions to our team this
year," said Machonga.
Along with Jordan Machonga, Zandee and Don Mullett, the Eagles'
senior class includes goal-keeper Jordan Allen; mid-fielders
Josh Johnston and David Baum; forward Blair Robinson and defenders Nate
Howard and Chad Ibach.
The only two juniors on the roster are DeKruyter and Kelly
Kramer, a mid-fielder.
The sophomore contingent is plentiful with David Bixler, Alex
Chapman, John Cook, Kurtis McKenzie, Josh Middleton, Dan Mullett and
Chris Scagnetti.
Four freshmen made the team: Trevor Baloga, Ethan Levack, Matt
Read and Dan Ross.
Ed Wright can be reached at
info@plymouthcantonsports.com or (734) 578-2767.
