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Strongest schedule is Mooney’s goal
Photo
Cardinal Mooney coach Larry Lencyk
The Cardinals’ boys soccer team is taking on Ohio’s best.
YOUNGSTOWN — For Cardinal Mooney’s boys soccer program, there is no regular season anymore.
That happens when a state championship symbol sits in a trophy case.
Following Mooney’s ascension to the Division II title in 2002, the Cardinals saw the need to maintain a high level of competition.
Mooney, which also finished as state runners-up in Div. III in 2004 and 2005, went heavy on its 2008 schedule in hopes of benefiting in the postseason.
The Cards already have beaten state-wide powers Massillon Jackson, Perrysburg, Bay Village and most recently, Columbus DeSales.
Mooney had back-to-back losses to Lakewood St. Edward and Worthington Christian.
St. Edward was nationally ranked most of 2007 and Worthington Christian was a Div. III state semifinalist.
“We like playing a strong schedule,” coach Larry Lencyk said. “When you play the best, it makes you better.”
As has been the trend in high school, fortifying the regular-season segment usually makes for a longer-lasting tournament life.
“Teams we play prepare us for the postseason,” said Lencyk, who has been Mooney’s coach for two years after spending seven as an assistant. “Every year, we put together a more challenging schedule.
“It helps the whole program. We get calls from around the state from schools who want to play a strong schedule. Good programs have the same philosophy.”
Lencyk, who believes 2008 represents the most difficult schedule in his nine years, joined the Mooney staff under Lenny Krispinsky, when Lencyk’s son, Brian, was a freshman.
Although Brian didn’t play after his sophomore year, the class he was part of eventually won the school’s only state title when they were seniors.
“That group came in with a dream of winning a state title and they worked hard to achieve it,” Lencyk said.
Lencyk, whose oldest son, Larry Jr., was Div. I district player of the year at Boardman in 1998, understands the downside of a strong schedule.
“It could wear on you and leave players a little fatigued because there’s no letup week-to-week, but we think it’s worth playing a quality caliber of team.”
Mooney (11-2) has a 3-0-1 record against DeSales, the school the Cardinals beat for the state crown in 2002.
Mooney will play second-ranked Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy, the defending Div. II champion, at CVCA Tuesday. Then follows a road test at Walsh Jesuit, the 2006 Div. II state champion, Saturday.
“Hopefully, they’ll get us better prepared for the tournament,” Lencyk said.
Although Joe Merlo, Matt McWilson and Thomas Beck are those most likely to score a goal on this year’s team, Lencyk’s backfield may be the Cardinals’ strongest unit with Robby Fox, Nicola Frangopoulos, Sean Sikich and Eric Ehrenberg.
Senior goalkeeper Jonathon Critell and backup Brandon Fotiuk, also a senior, are the final line of defense.
“Jonathon used to be a field player for a year or two before he came to Mooney,” Lencyk said. “We have the luxury of having a quality backup in Brandon.
“It’s a challenge to see who starts each game. Brandon is a very capable backup. He would be a starter on most teams. It’s nice to have someone like that waiting in the wings if needed.”
Critell’s 1-0 shutout against DeSales Saturday was highlighted by a spectacular save in the last few minutes.
Merlo was a center mid-fielder until recently.
“He’s responded well,” Lencyk said of Merlo, who swapped positions with Beck.
McWilson was Mooney’s leading scorer in 2007.
“He’s doing more of the same this year,” Lencyk said of the forward, “but Joe and Thomas give him more help. It’s nice to have his speed up top,” the coach said of McWilson, who was on Mooney’s 4x400 state champion last spring.
bassetti@vindy.com