Northwestern University Athletics
NU Preps for Spring Season
4/2/2003 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
April 2, 2003
EVANSTON, Ill. - After posting the third best win total in school history last season, the process of building the men's soccer program into a national power continues with the spring season. NU kicks off its spring docket Sunday, April 6 at Lewis University.
"Spring ball is part of the process of becoming a better team," said NU head coach Tim Lenahan. "It is less about wins and losses, but having said that we still want to win every game."
Thanks to the return of seven starters, the potential is there for NU to have a successful showing. Jeremy Cook (Hudson, Wis./Hudson) and Jaro Pylypczak (Lombard, Ill./Benet Academy) were mainstays in the midfield and backfield last season, starting all 20 games, and figure to be there again in 2003. The coaching staff is also excited about the progress of Eric Brin (Westlake, Calif./Westlake), Alexander Renzi (Rochester Hills, Mich./Rochester Adams) and Sammy Semwangu (Getzville, N.Y./Williamsville North).
"Eleven of the 15 players we have were freshmen last season," Lenahan said. "This is where you see the biggest growth, from a player's freshman to sophomore years. They have what it takes, but can they embrace the challenge and do the little extra things to get it done?"
One of the biggest unknowns about the team is who will fill the shoes of All-Big Ten goalkeeper J.D. Martin. Martin logged the majority of the minutes in 2002, collecting a single-season school record seven shutouts. Brian Heckenbach (Algonquin, Ill./Jacobs) made three appearances as a freshman and is the likely candidate to step in.
"There's a definite void to be filled with J.D. gone," Lenahan said. "Brian is our only goalkeeper right now, so it's important for him to have a good spring."
Heckenbach and the Wildcats embark on their first spring test Sunday at 1 p.m., when they'll meet a familiar face on the opposing side. Tito Lara, who led the 'Cats in goals scored and total points last season, transferred to Lewis in the offseason.
"It's a challenging spring schedule," Lenahan said. "Lewis is a top Division II program, and it will be fun with Tito in there. The Play Day at Marquette is 180 minutes of soccer, and Bradley is an NCAA Tournament team. By the end of the spring we should be playing some pretty good soccer."
A complete spring schedule is below.
NORTHWESTERN MEN'S SOCCER 2003 SPRING SCHEDULE
Sunday, April 6
NU at Lewis University, 1 p.m.
Saturday, April 12--Marquette University Play Day
NU at Marquette, 11 a.m.
NU vs. Wisconsin-Green Bay, 1:30 p.m.
NU vs. Wisconsin-Whitewater, 2:45 p.m.
Wednesday, April 16
NU at Bradley University, 8 p.m.
Saturday, April 26--Blue Chip Classic Showcase
NU at Cincinnati, 7 p.m.
Wednesday, April 30*
NU vs. University of Chicago, 4 p.m.
NU vs. Sockers FC Chicago, 6:15 p.m.
Saturday, May 3*
Northwestern Alumni Game, 11 a.m.
*Games to be played at Lakeside Field
