SLU Hopes To Tap Creve Coeur Talent To Regain Glory Days

The 2010 season was a forgettable one for the Saint Louis University men’s soccer program as the Billikens went 9-7-3. That’s not a bad record for most schools, but not good enough for a program that’s won 10 national championships and has produced some of the best soccer players in America.

“Obviously, as most people can see, our last season was pretty disappointing,” junior goalkeeper Mark Pais said. “Based upon how SLU normally performs, how we’re accustomed to performing and what our standards are, it was a very disappointing season for us.

“(We’ve) still got a bitter taste in our mouths from that, and unfortunately (we) lost some good guys to other places. But we’re also getting in a lot of good guys. We’re looking to have a really good season and I know the coaching staff is working really hard.”

That coaching staff is headed by Mike McGinty, who is in his second year at SLU. McGinty was named the Billikens’ head coach in March of 2010, three months after he helped the University of Virginia capture the NCAA championship. McGinty is optimistic that the upcoming season will be better than his inaugural one.

“We’re returning a lot of guys with a lot of experience,” McGinty said. “We’re getting some freshmen and transfer kids that are upgrades as far as talent and ability. There’s no doubt in my mind, we’re going to be much better than what we were a year ago.”

If the Billikens are to improve, local players will almost certainly be the ones leading the charge. Of the 27 players currently listed on SLU’s 2011 roster, 15 played high school soccer in Missouri and 11 played prep soccer in the St. Louis metropolitan area.

Creve Coeur Area Impact Players

Pais, a graduate, started 10 games in goal for the Billikens last season and recorded a 1.27 goals against average. Even though SLU’s regular-season opener isn’t until Aug. 27, Pais said many members of the team are already hard at work. Pais said the team is motivated to capture the Billikens’ first national title since 1973.

“It’s an honor to be a part of a program that has had so much history and success in the past,” Pais said. “It’s been quite awhile since we’ve been able to get another one of those championships, but that’s our goal every day when we step onto the field.

Five of SLU’s 11 local players attended Junior midfielder Michael Robson, who graduated from Chaminade in 2009, said the familiarity among the local players benefits the team.

“It’s awesome being able to play with the local guys,” Robson said. “That’s a lot of kids from one high school to play on a top Division I college team. It just makes the transition from high school to college that much easier.”

Also from Chaminade are SLU seniors Mike Roach and Chad Vandegriffe, as well as junior Cal McKee. The trio, along with Robson, led Chaminade to a 2006 state title. SLU freshman defender Brendan Westerfield helped the Red Devils to a 20-7 record last year.

Robson said there is pressure playing within a men’s soccer program that has SLU’s history, but the players are aware of this before committing to the school. Additionally, Robson hopes local soccer players will continue selecting SLU, creating a domino effect.

Freshman forward Robbie Kristo is following that path as well. Kristo, a graduate, had a terrific career for the Vikings. During his senior campaign, Kristo was one of the area leaders in goals scored (27).

“A lot of the kids now are seeing that SLU is a great choice. It’s a great college,” Robson said. “Hopefully they see some of the local guys staying, so more and more people will stay here and we’ll make SLU a top program again.”

Senior defender Blake Schneider, a graduate, is one of the fish that got away and has come back. He transferred to SLU after playing three years at the University of Evansville. While at Whitfield, Schneider helped the Warriors win three Missouri Class 1 state championships.

McGinty said that having so many local players on the team is beneficial for a couple of reasons.

“The kids that grow up in and around our school obviously have more of a passion, more of an affinity for the program,” McGinty said. “They bring a certain spirit and approach to being a member of the team. It’s hard for other kids to have that same emotional tie.

“The other thing is, often times when those kids graduate, they’re working in St. Louis. They’re important alumni in and around our community. So having that connection with the city of St. Louis is important for us.”

The Billikens will be tested early this season in what McGinty calls “what is most likely the hardest schedule in the country,” including a September 10 home game against Akron, the defending national champion. SLU begins conference play in the Atlantic 10 on October 7.