Last season Brian McMahon had a hand in nearly 63 percent of the goals for St. Francis’ boys soccer team.
If anything, he and Spartan head coach Tim Dailey are hoping that percentage drops.
McMahon’s 19 goals and six assists in 2006 contributed to a majority of the Spartans’ 40 scores on the year. It showed he has a nose for the goal, but it also showed that aside from McMahon, St. Francis had a dearth of scoring options.
| 5 things to know about McMahon Favorite pro athlete LeBron James. Sports fantasy To win a high school state championship. Hobbies I hang out with my friends. I do the usual stuff — watch TV, listen to music. Best high school sports memory Probably in basketball when we beat Benet in their gym (earlier this year). Team goals We talked about winning conference, but we didn’t go much farther than that. |
Hopefully 2007 will see McMahon increase his scoring totals while the rest of the Spartans do the same. As a co-captain, he said he feels he’s ready to do precisely that.
“Now that I’m a senior and a captain, I have to show more leadership qualities on the field,” said McMahon, who shares captain duties with David Cox, Greg Fetter and Andy Hammes. “It should be easy to do that.”
His coach believes the same thing.
“He’s improved each year he’s been here,” Dailey said. “I think he was one of the better players in the area last year.
“He’s a big kid, strong, highly skilled with great fundamentals, and he’s tremendous up top.”
McMahon used his size to achieve his superb goal total last year, and he’s worked to get even better.
“I’m usually bigger than our opponents,” he said. “I play forward so I’m pretty good at finishing. I’ve developed it; I don’t know if it’s a natural thing.”
McMahon may be just the most prolific scorer, but he won’t be the only Spartan entering the scoring column. He will have help in that department from midfielders Greg Fetter and Brad Gorecki and a balanced midfield that should help spread out attacking opportunities.
The return of senior defender David Cox, who has played varsity since freshman year, and the drastic improvement of Andy Hammes on the back line — “He’s improved at least 50 percent since last year,” Dailey said — should stifle opponents’ attacks and keep the Spartans on the offensive.
“We thought we had some really nice midfielders last year,” Dailey said. “This year they’re a year older and more skilled and we’re much more balanced.
“And when Brian attracts the attention of defenses he has a great nose for distribution.”
Aside from the year older, year wiser, year better mantra, Dailey and the Spartans have high hopes after performing well in a summer league at Wheaton North and in two tournaments downstate.
“We’re excited. It’s like 2005,” Dailey said, referring to the season in which St. Francis went 24-3-1 and won the last of four consecutive regional titles.
“We’re not quite at that level (as 2005) yet, but we’re getting the same feeling. They know if they work hard, they’ll accomplish good things.”
Aside from capturing more postseason hardware, the Spartans would like nothing more than to topple Suburban Catholic Conference heavyweights Marmion and Marian Central Catholic on the way to a conference title.
“They both did a number on us last year,” Dailey said. “We want to win those games, but it’s not payback. We have something to prove.”
And McMahon is along the front line leading the charge.
“We’re looking forward to this year,” he said. “Everybody believes we didn’t play as well as we could have last year. We have a strong group of juniors and seniors, so this is our year to show what we can do.”
Q&A with coach Tim Dailey
Is the defense ready to match the level of play of the offense?
Jake Rio has improved enormously, David Cox has played since freshman year and Andy Hammes and Tommy Purdom have improved as well. They all played in 2006 but now they’re playing like veterans.
Is there an area of concern with this team?
Our problem is we’re young and small. When you’re as small as us you have to work harder. Everybody has to prove themselves.
Will the schedule toughen this team for the postseason?
Our schedule is up and down. The Rock Island Tournament (in late September) is always a good one and the Addison Trail Tournament (starting Thursday) will be a good early test to see how we match up and where we need to improve.
Spartans at a glance
Last year’s record 11-10-2
Coach Tim Dailey (9th season, 116-63-14 overall record)
Home field St. Francis High School, 2130 W. Roosevelt Road, Wheaton
Top returners David Cox (sr. D), Greg Fetter (jr. MF), Brad Gorecki (sr. MF), Andy Hammes (sr. D), Brian McMahon (sr. ST), Jake Rio (sr. SW)
Promising newcomers Matt DuBois (jr. MF), Jake Kohl (jr. GK), Tom Purdom (jr. D), Justin Riesenbeck (sr. GK)
Key games at Marmion, 4:30 p.m. Sept. 11; Marian Central Catholic, 4:30 p.m. Sept. 18; at Wheaton Academy, 6:30 p.m. Oct. 1.
Home opener Lyons Township, Aug. 20; next home game Sept. 18 vs. Marian Central Catholic
