Part Two: SLU Soccer Counting on Local Talent

During Jon Roeckle’s four years at , he scored 49 goals and had 38 assists for 136 points. He is definitely part of a large cast filled with local standouts.

(Read part one of this story: .)

Junior midfielder Nick Maglasang, a 2009 St. Louis University High School graduate, played in 39 games for SLU in his first two years. During his senior season at SLUH, Maglasang was named an all-American by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA). The St. Louis Post-Dispatch picked him as their Player of the Year.

Sophomore forward Adnan Gabeljic, a Mehlville High graduate, scored three goals in 2010 as a freshman. That tied him for the team lead. During his senior season at Mehlville, Gabeljic notched 23 goals and eight assists en route to being named the Gatorade Missouri Boys Soccer Player of the Year. Gabeljic has high hopes for the Billikens this year.

“We have a lot of potential, a lot of the pieces,” Gabeljic said. “We’re coming in early, training together, getting the chemistry right and getting our fitness and conditioning. If it comes together in the right way, we could really do some damage this year.”

Gabeljic also said he has loved playing alongside the other St. Louis-based players.

“You’re coming in and you’ve heard about these guys. They’re all the best players from the area,” Gabeljic said. “And you’ve got other good players from outside of St. Louis. It’s great to be a part of that elite group. Being able to train, compete and play as a team with those guys, it’s really exciting and fun.”

Senior defender Blake Schneider, a Whitfield High graduate, is new to the Billikens. 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.

Freshman forward Robbie Kristo, a Parkway North graduate, had a terrific career for the Vikings. During his senior campaign, Kristo was one of the area leaders in goals scored (27).

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

“One, 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.”

SLU plays five matches against teams that qualified for last year’s NCAA Tournament. That includes a September 10 home game versus Akron, the defending national champion. SLU begins conference play in the Atlantic 10 on October 7.