The Saint Patrick varsity soccer team kicked off their season with an impressive 2-0 victory at Chicago Academy on Aug. 23.
Junior captain Chris Modrzejewski, selected last year as one of only four sophomores in the East Suburban Catholic Conference to earn All-Conference honors, was pleased with the result.
“Our coaches came up with a great game plan, so we knew all we had to do was come out and execute,” he said.
The Shamrocks soccer squad is well balanced, featuring five freshmen, four sophomores, five juniors and only five seniors. Although a small group, Coach Kyle McClure thinks his senior core will be the key to a successful season.
“These five seniors are a special group of guys,” McClure explained. “Not only have they worked hard to develop into talented soccer players, but they are great leaders for our younger guys.”
Those five varsity seniors – Erik Jachym, Tim Kreidler, Tom Krupa, Mateo Olvera-Sandoval and Anthony Sannicandro – are taking that responsibility seriously.
This year, the Shamrocks have decided to meet in the chapel immediately after school on every game day.
“We wanted to remind our younger guys what’s really important,” explained senior captain Mateo Olvera-Sandoval. “Plus, we figured we could use all the help we could get.”
On practice days, the varsity soccer squad also gets together after school, attending study sessions which allow the players to help each other with their school work.
“This is a close-knit group of guys that genuinely like each other,” McClure said. “They are committed to helping each other succeed both on and off the field.”
The Shamrocks will hope to continue that success this coming Saturday, when they will host Institute of Health for their home opener.
