AT A GLANCE
Conference DuPage Valley Conference
Home field 1014 S. Main St., Lombard
2007 record 1-11-4 (1-4-2)
Coach Josh Adler

Top returners
Nick Roth                sr.    D
Sean Little               jr.    D
Ben Arellano           jr.    D
Roger Samayoa     jr.    F
Sam Dennis           so.    M

Promising newcomers
Tyler Ford                    fr.    F
John Reece                 jr.    M
Dylan Ogolini              jr.    M
Fernando Palacios     jr.    F
Victor Grande              jr.    D
Elia Mrakovich            jr.    GK

KEY MATCHES
Sept. 9 vs. Naperville North Rugged trek through DVC starts with home date against Huskies
Sept. 30 vs. Willowbrook Neighborhood rivalry match doubles as youth night for Rams
Oct. 4 vs. Rockford Boylan Late-season test against defending Class AA third-place team

WHAT TO WATCH
The Rams went through a rebuilding mode last year and are hoping to take another step forward.

“We’ve set a goal to finish above .500, which I think is a great goal,” Adler said.

Led by senior captain Roth, the team’s anchor in the back, the Rams return several solid core players.

Roth and Little both return as central defensive backs and Adler said they work well with each other. Arellano brings more speed to the defense, which will be key as Mrakovich starts his first season in net.

The Rams are young up top, but not lacking experience. Samayoa is a dynamic player back at forward and has the ability to stretch out defenses, while Dennis, only a sophomore, is an athletic and talented player still on the rise. Ford, a freshman, will also get his shot up top.

Filling out the rest of the field will be a host of juniors, who Adler will learn more about once the season gets underway.

“I think we have some pretty solid depth,” Adler said. “That’s going to help this group, is it’s going to allow them to play much better as a unit on the field.”

The Rams opened the season with a 1-0 nonconference victory over Hinsdale South on Tuesday and started the Lake Park tournament on Thursday.

Coach speak
Josh Adler
How do you see the season shaping up?
“Last year was definitely a rebuilding year and there was a lot of frustration at times. But I’m hoping this core of guys can bring some of the juniors up to speed quickly and give us a chance to be more than just competitive.”

How do you adapt to playing 14 road games?
“It’s going to be a group that has to win on the road. I don’t think that’s such a bad thing. In the long run if we can learn to win on the road it’s only going to make us a little more dangerous when it comes to postseason play.”