Chemistry is high for Mavericks

The Mavericks can certainly be described as independent in thought as they get ready to take on the state's elite.

Southern Indiana United's U14 team has been training hard in preparation for its first spring campaign in the prestigious Indiana Soccer League.

They will be joined by SIU's U15 and U17 boys, as well Net-Surfers U14 girls, who were all recently accepted to play in the league, considered the state's best, and a precursor to the Midwest Regional League.

Mavericks coach Mike Vejar said its off-season conditioning program was very well attended, and should have prepared his troops well.

"Most of the boys played on the same indoor team, so chemistry should be high," he said. "Ultimately, I see my job as simply preparing them for the next level - that being high school and ODP teams. If we happen to win a few games and a few tournaments along the way I'm happy for them and most of all, proud of them."

Amongst Mavericks' opponents in a nine team Division One will be such power houses as Columbus Express, who it faces in its first game on April 5; Indy Burn, Fishers Force and FC Indiana.

Vejar said competing in the ISL will stand them in good stead when it come to competitions such as the Indiana Challenge Cup towards the end of the season. Last year, the boys fared well in the preliminary rounds of the competition, losing to the eventual runner-up. This year, they hope to emulate the SIU U14 team which won the Challenge Cup.

"I don't like to put a lot of undue pressure on these kids," said Vejar. "After all, they're 13-14 years old, but if they focus like coach (Bruce) Rigsby's team did last spring, they can compete with any team in the state.

"In the ISL, we'll be continually pitted against the teams we'll be facing in this tournament. Our talent level is there, our players are more mature, and their motivation to enter high school next fall as Challenge Cup champions is already a point of discussion among them. So, do I think we can bring the trophy back to Southern Indiana? Yes, I do."

Vejar saluted the area's three other teams selected to play in the ISL this spring.
"It's a great deal for our local clubs to get four teams in the league," said Vejar. "It is far more balanced and tougher than the Kentucky Select Soccer League, where most of our clubs have been playing."


Photo (above) Mavericks are ready for action in the Indiana Soccer League.