Sports
Arundel Boys' Soccer: A Confident Bunch Of Wildcats
Veteran squad is expecting to challenge for a top spot this season. The team starts its county season tonight against Annapolis High.
Returning seven starters from last season's 10-6 squad, the 2010 Arundel High School boys' soccer team enters this year with heightened expectations.
Coach Nick Jauschnegg brings with him a squad filled with college prospects including forward Mike Kovach and midfielder Corbin McCarron, among others.
"They're a good, talented bunch," Jauschnegg said. "I think we are going to be one of the four best teams in our county."
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Wildcats players said they expect to push Anne Arundel County's traditional soccer powers this season.
"We are all confident in ourselves," Kovach said. "We don't feel like any team right now can beat us. This team is trained to win a state championship. We expect this to be our year."
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This season's team will be captained four returning seniors: Kovach, McCarron, midfielder Matt Lenz and defender Cody Madison.
"We're anxious to play," Lenz said. "Everyone on this team wants to win. That's what I like about this team, everyone has a competitive edge."
Arundel was strong defensively last season, shutting out its opponents on ten different occasions. Jauschnegg said that will be a strength again this year.
"So far we've been playing pretty well defensively, when we had to play defense," Jauschnegg said. "But I wouldn't say we have a strength or a weakness. We're trying to put together a total game."
On Saturday, the Wildcats drew in a pair of games at the North County tournament. McCarron scored in a 1-1 tie with Wilde Lake High School, while Arundel played Centennial High School to a scoreless finish.
Jauschnegg's feelings run similarly through his players, if not more so.
"I think everywhere [on the team] is a strength," McCarron said.
The Wildcats will look to play quality soccer on both sides of the field, offering a worthwhile and entertaining product for the fans.
"High school sports is one of the best entertainment value around," Jauschnegg said. "You get to see some real quality stuff out of these young student athletes."
Arundel will open its in-county schedule on Wednesday, hosting Annapolis High at Carroll Field at 7 p.m. The girls' varsity soccer will precede the boys at 5 p.m.
"We just want this game to happen," Kovach said. "We are going to come out and play our game."
