St. Joseph Chargers

AT A GLANCE
Conference East Suburban Catholic
Home Field St. Joseph High School, 10900 W. Cermak Rd., Westchester
Last year’s record 8-11-3 (5-4, T-4th in ESCC)
Coach Stan Niemiec

Top returners
Ricardo Rodriguez sr. MF
Steve Kvansicka sr. GK
Frank Petrich sr. D
Daniel Gomez sr. D
Roberto Almazan sr. D/MF
Juan Perez sr. MF
Jovani Castanon so. GK
Marco Guitierrez jr. F
Alex Gutierrez jr. D

KEY MATCHES
Sept. 15 at Benet Benet is traditionally a tough team and this game went down to the wire last year.
Sept. 22 vs. Carmel Carmel is one of the top teams in the ESCC yet again, and the Chargers’ placing in conference will be dictated by this game.
Oct. 11 at St. Viator The Lions are perennially one of the top teams in the state and ESCC champs. The Chargers have a chance late in the season to make a statement.

WHAT TO WATCH
St. Joseph is traditionally a strong soccer school, though it comes into this season with its fourth new head coach in as many years. Stan Niemiec comes to St. Joseph after a few years coaching at Fenwick and follows Victor Herrera and Karl Pretzer — both of whom coached one year after the retirement of Ray Fligel a few years back.
The Chargers should be solid yet again this year, if only because they should allow goals at a very infrequent rate. Considering goalkeeper Castanon is only a sophomore, it would seem the Chargers are skating on thin ice, but Castanon did a splendid job last year as only a freshman. He also has a more-than-capable sidekick in Kvansicka.
They will also be solid back to front as they have returning players in midfielders Rodriguez, Perez and Almazan, defenders Petrich, Gomez and Alex Gutierrez and forwards Marco Gutierrez, the Chargers have talent and experience at every major position.

COACH SPEAK
Stan Niemiec
Q: What is your outlook for the season?
A: Our team is looking very good and competitive. We have 33 varsity players on the roster and since I am new I have allowed everyone to battle for spots. It has been very competitive. I expect this group to give 110 percent and they have responded by working hard at all of our practices.
Q: What kind of players do you have that make you so optimistic?
A: It is probably one of the most talented teams I have had a chance to coach, as well as their attitude on and off the field. These guys are all very good academic and athletic players, making it easier to coach them.
Q: Seeing you’re new to St. Joseph, what is your soccer background?
A: I have coached since I was a sophomore at St. Joseph's College. I played four years there while coaching the small town teams. After helping the St. Joseph coach during spring season in 2005, I came home to Oak Park to start coaching club ball in (the area). I was hired as the Fenwick boys varsity assistant in 2006 and girls’ JV head coach. I then finished my masters in education and coached the lower levels at Fenwick. I now teach biology and physical science to freshmen and juniors (at St. Joseph).