Providence and Jeffersonville be warned: Christian Academy of Indiana boys' varsity soccer team intend to do more than make up the numbers at sectional this year.
As a new high school soccer season kicks into gear this week, the Warriors have sounded a battle cry to the two powerhouses ahead of what should be an interesting fall.
Coach Will Lorigan said he is intending to build upon last year's foundation of 9-3-3. One of those wins included a 4-3 triumph over Providence.
That victory raised expectations going into the sectional championship, coming as it did days before its post-season game against Jeffersonville.
However, CAI was downed by the Red Devils 2-1 after a below par performance. It was a valuable experience they can learn from, said coach Lorigan, who has five returning senior starters.
"We felt we had a decent shot of competing last year for a sectional title but the Jeff game was one of our worst of the year," he said. "Maybe it was stage fright, or maybe it was being overwhelmed playing on a big field in front of a big crowd. Anyway, I think the team has learnt from that experience."
Key to their challenge will be goalkeeper Drew Mattingly and striker Andrew Rosenberg.
Mattingly, who Lorigan believes is the best keeper in southern Indiana, has been a starter since freshman year, a captain for two years, and the team MVP three times.
He has recorded 16 career shut outs - seven of them registered last year. His 2008 performances earned him a place on the Indiana Soccer Coaches' Association's All-District 5 first team.
Andrew Rosenberg, meanwhile, racked up 24 goals last season, including a hat-trick in that win against Providence. He was ranked ninth in goals scored in Indiana last year, while also providing 10 assists.
"Andrew has great footwork, explosive speed and can put away shoots on goal with both feet," said CAI varsity coach Will Lorigan. "He has emerged over the last two years as a genuine goal scoring threat regardless of the opposition."
The team also a solid core of lower and upper classmen to add strength, experience and ability to the line up. This is highlighted by junior sweeper Ross Heinz and sophomore midfielder Chris Smith.
"Building on last season, they should provide valuable skill and leadership from their respective positions," said Lorigan.
CAI plays its first game of the new season away to South Ripley on Friday (5.30 p.m.), while its first home game is against Scottsburg on Saturday (10 a.m.). It is also scheduled to take part in the very competitve Hoosier Cup in Bloomington on September 4 & 5.
And if ever a confirmation of growing respect from its opposition was needed, CAI has now been added to Jeffersonville's regular season schedule for the first time (August 29), while Providence has moved them to earlier in the fall (September 14), from a slot traditionally a few days before the big show.
CAI, it seems, is no longer considered just a warm up act.
Photo above: Christian Academy of Indiana's Andrew Rosenberg is hoping to add to the 24 goals he scored last season
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