AT A GLANCE
Conference Suburban Catholic
Home field 555 Lombard Road, Addison
Coach Enrique Mendoza (4th year)

Top returners
Mario Grana    jr.    M
Andrew Strickland    sr.    D
Mario Arce    sr.    D
Tom Campbell    jr.    F
Evan Crouse    sr.    F
Eric Diaz    jr.    G

Promising games
Sept. 9 at Aurora Central Catholic Key SCC game for Driscoll which looks to make strides in the win column this fall
Sept. 23 at Montini Rivalry game a measuring stick for how far the Highlanders soccer program has come

What to watch
The Driscoll program is still in its initial stages and once again deals with the usual issues of experience and a lack of practice space.
But with a solid group of returners and some talented newcomers, along with increased numbers on the roster, this could be the year Driscoll takes a bump up in the win column.
“Right now, it looks like this season we might have depth,” Mendoza said. “We have numbers, which we never did. It looks like we will start with 18 guys which is a very good number. Not only that, we have six or eight young players that might be able to continue with the program. This season looks good.”
Grana spearheads the midfield unit while Strickland controls the defense from his sweeper position. Arce is back as the stopper while Campbell and Crouse will be expected to provide offense from the front line. Diaz also returns as the team’s goalkeeper.
“The key is basically scoring,” Mendoza said. “This season will be different than the others in that we are definitely going to try to go on the offensive.”

Coach Speak
Enrique Mendoza
What is your outlook for the season?
“To be honest, we’ve only had two weeks of practice and we haven’t really been able to get on a soccer field. But the quality of the players is looking good. This year more than any other, I see more individual quality. But I don’t know how they will respond as a team. Once we get on the field, it will give me a better sense of where we are standing. Last year we maybe only had five or six soccer players. This year we have at least 11 soccer players who know the game and who talk soccer.”

What are the goals for the season?
“The first goal is to beat some of the teams that you always want to beat — Montini, Aurora Central, Nazareth. We are hoping to finish games this season. And then depending on what I see the first week, we might start looking at the big guys like St. Francis and Marmion.”