After a tough 1-0 loss to Cary in the regionals last year and losing 14 players to graduation, one wouldn’t think that 11-year head coach Scott Steib was thinking anything other than rebuilding this year. However, during the summer session Steib saw something.
“Four of the six returning players have been in very good form during our summer programs,” Steib said. “So there is some optimism, despite the massive turnover on our roster since last season.
Some of that returning experience that Steib will be looking for leadership is from a couple of third year varsity players, senior Grant McAndrew and junior Craig Zahour.
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“McAndrew is a crafty and technical player,” Steib said of his midfielder. “He is poised on the ball and distributes very well.”
Steib believes that the ample field time Zahour has had over the years will allow this junior to easily be a factor on both ends of the field.
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Zahour “has been a starter since Day One as a freshman,” Steib went on to say of his midfielder/defender. “Overall he is a very versatile player with excellent intelligence, smooth technical skills and a strong physical game.”
The team also will rely on the emergence of forward and second-year varsity player Reid Strain, to help ease the loss of some of last year’s firepower.
Strain “is a potential leading scorer for our team,” said Steib.
The Bronco coach would like the team to start this year’s campaign similarly to how it ended the regular season last year: as co-champions of the MSL-West (10-2, 13-7-3 overall). But he is aware that there may be some hiccups.
“A tough early season schedule will likely result in growing pains,” said Steib. “This year’s team will be loaded with an abundance of first year varsity players, but many of the ‘new guys’ will be seniors who have been in the program for the last three years.”
Steib believes that there are a few potential candidates who could step in and play big roles throughout the season and said to watch for some other returning players who should be factors: Ethan Claes (junior midfielder), John Guntin (senior forward), and Dylan Nelson (junior midfielder/defender).
“We believe that we will be able to compete in the MSL,” said Steib. “Hopefully we gain enough experience during the season to make some noise in the IHSA playoffs.”
Barrington begins its season on the road Aug. 22 against Niles West at 7 p.m. before hosting the Barrington Tournament starting Monday, Aug. 29.
