Wildcats' Anticipate a "Reloading" Season
After a genuinely successful season in 2006, many people may think that the Great Bridge Wildcats boys' soccer team is facing a rebuilding year in '07.
Great Bridge finished third in a very competitive Southeastern District last season, and went on to finish second in the district tournament. The Wildcats even made a legitimate run in the Eastern Regional tournament before losing a 1-0 thriller to the Kellam Knights in the semifinals.
When the season ended, the program was faced with the reality of not only losing 12 experienced seniors but their head coach, Dave Lawrence, as well.
As this new campaign has gotten underway, first year head coach Paul Duval refuses to look at this season as a rebuilding year, as he is much more optimistic about his team's chances.
"Because of our tradition, we're just reloading," Duval says, "We have some outstanding players on this team and our junior varsity team."
Duval firmly believes that his squad will be one of the top teams in the district at season's end. For Great Bridge to accomplish that goal, it will take a lot of effort from a talented - albeit somewhat inexperienced - core group of returning Wildcats.
Starting in goal, junior Adam Klink will serve as the team's heart and soul as he looks to continue to recover from a bruised liver injury and concussion that hampered his playing time last year. Klink is widely considered one of the top goalkeepers in the region and has already garnered some collegiate interest from the likes of Bucknell, Rutgers, and Penn State.
On the defensive side of the ball, senior Drew Malsbury returns and offensively, Great Bridge appears to be in great shape. Junior Stevin Rossman, who led the team in scoring last season with 14 goals is back along with junior midfielder Matt Meier.
"We had a strong supporting cast of juniors and sophomores last season," Duval says, "They just have to realize that it's their time to step up and face the challenge in front of them."
