Prized possessions

Ability to control the ball will be No. 1 strength for Salem's soccer team

  How will Salem's boys soccer team "Cope" without the services of Mr. Soccer, who traded his Salem blue uniform for a Michigan State Spartan green one during the off-season?
  Only time will tell, but judging by the strong cast of returning players coach Ed McCarthy will have at his disposal, the Kevin Cope-less Rocks should fare quite well.
  Leading the Salem charge this fall will be senior All-State goalie Sasa Miskovic, who is being recruited by several college programs -- most notably Cornell and Duqesne -- and Lachlan Savage, the leading scorer on last season's one-loss squad.
  "I like this team's ability to keep the ball," said McCarthy, who watched his team sculpt a stellar 22-1-4 record last season. "Possession should be our strength this season. We have a lot of players who know how to keep the ball. The key will be whether we get enough timely goals."
THIS KEEPER'S A KEEPER
  McCarthy welcomes the return of Miskovic, a high-energy keeper who yielded just a handful of goals in 2008.
  "He's certainly one of the top two or three goal-keepers in the state," said McCarthy. "He's a brilliant organizer of the back line. He makes the defense in front of him better with his ability to communicate, organize and motiviate."
  Savage is an electrifying attacking mid-fielder whose creativity and finishing skills are among the best in the area.
  The Rocks return a trio of forwards who all played key roles in last season's run for the state title: Sal Savage, Alex Trammel and Scott O'Connor.
  "Sal does a great job up top holding the ball," said McCarthy. "He also has good speed and is a good finisher.
"Alex is a good striker of the ball and he finishes well. Scott has a very good pace and his quickness is outstanding.
SOLID UP THE MIDDLE
  The Rocks' mid-field will be bolstered by the play of Dan Martin, Mohamed Pourmandi and Dan Adsit, who should prove to be a strong link between the top line and back line.
  John Kruddy is the lone returning starter on the back line. He'll receive plenty of support from junior Tommy Halewicz and sophomore Jake Genrich.
  "John Kruddy is very good in the air and he has good pace," said McCarthy. "Tommy Halewicz is excellent in the air and he passes very well, too."
  The Rocks open their season Saturday when they take on Novi Catholic Central in round one of the Gary Balconi Invitational. The opening kick is set for 10 a.m. on the varsity soccer field.