Soccer News | Brother Rice High School

The Standard: Crusader Soccer Experiences Hardships During 2011 Season

November 22, 2011 By admin

This past season, the Brother Rice kicking Crusaders suffered their first losing season in Brother Rice history. The season was labeled as a rebuilding year after they failed to meet expectations from last year’s second place regional squad. The Crusaders faced one of the toughest schedules in the state, competing against schools such as Morton, Hinsdale Central, and even top teams from other states such as Edwardsville of Missouri.

This year’s team consisted of returning varsity players seniors Pat McLauglin, Joel Andrade, junior Jordan Rand, and sophomore Brian Kane. Varsity new comers included freshman Asanti Herring, Matt Pikowski, and Gerardo Guittierez. With the amount of talent among the players, the Crusaders were unable to turn the season into a success.A losing season is unfamiliar territory for the Crusaders; having captured 23 regional titles, and finishing top four in the state multiple times in the past.

Despite the disappointment of the season, Crusader players received honors for their efforts on and off the field. Senior Kevin Kozek was named to the All-State All-Academic First Team for the Chicago Fire. Senior Pat Mclaughlin also was named to the All-Sectional team with Brian Kane receiving honorable mention. Mclaughlin competed in the All-Star game Saturday November 19, 2011. Coach Markulin and his coaching staff hope to take from this season what they can, and make sure next year the Crusaders return to their winning ways.

Filed Under: Athletics, Crusader Clips, Soccer, Soccer News, Students, The Standard

Determination Helped Brother Rice Standout Savarino Enjoy Record-Setting Career

October 19, 2011 By admin

Even before Billy Savarino stepped on the soccer field at Brother Rice for the first time, he was determined to be the most prolific goal scorer in Illinois history.

He had Hinckley-Big Rock standout John Thurow’s record 142 career goals etched in his mind.

“It was a personal goal of mine to break that record going into my freshman year,” said Savarino, a 1993 Brother Rice graduate. “Growing up, I played at a high level and I worked hard to break it. I used to take 500 shots a day and was always working to get better.”

Longtime Brother Rice coach Nick Markulin never discounted the lofty goal when it was broached to him, but knew it would be extremely difficult to achieve.

Soccer Alumni, Welcome Back to BR for Homecoming!

September 1, 2011 By admin

Time to dust off those soccer cleats, alumni! As a part of this year’s Homecoming festivities, the Brother Rice soccer program will host its 2nd annual alumni soccer scrimmage. On Saturday, September 17, alumni soccer players are invited to join Coach Markulin and his staff for the soccer scrimmage, followed by a barbeque for the alumni players and their families, graciously hosted by Brother Rice Circle of Champions inductee Bill Savarino ’94.

Festivities for the Homecoming alumni scrimmage begin at 10:00 A.M., when alumni players will suit up and chat with classmates. The alumni scrimmage game begins at 10:30 A.M., followed by the varsity soccer game at noon.

Last year’s game was a great success, with over 40 alumni playing, including one who traveled from Michigan to participate! This year’s game builds from last year’s enthusiasm for a tradition of Homecoming soccer that all alumni can enjoy. Come out and play, or watch, some great Crusader soccer action on Homecoming weekend!

Filed Under: Alumni, Athletics, Crusader Clips, Events, Soccer, Soccer News

Crusader Soccer Players Competing Nationally

June 7, 2011 By admin

Crusader Soccer players Greg Healy '12, Brian Kane '14, and Jurgen Carabez '13

Three of the top rated youth soccer programs in the nation ranked by the number of state, regional and national championships they have won in the past decade are the Chicago Fire, the Chicago Magic and the Sockers FC. Brother Rice High School has three soccer players representing each of these top clubs.

Greg Healy, Brian Kane and Jurgen Carabez competed recently in the Dallas Cup with their respective teams. The Dallas Cup is recognized worldwide as the oldest international youth tournament in the United States. Since its inception in 1980, Dallas Cup has played host to teams and referees from over 45 states, 100 countries and 6 continents. The benefits of such cross culture exposure are unlimited. Players walk away making friends for life through the love of the beautiful game.

Greg Healy ’12 (Forward/Defender) – Greg is a member of the Chicago Fire Developmental Academy. He is one of the most outstanding all-around players in Brother Rice Soccer history. Greg is a forward, yet he also can play defense with control and confidence. He not only was a varsity starter as a freshman, but was an impact player and top goal scorer as well. When he was needed on defense, he could be depended on to fill that role. He helped the Brother Rice varsity advance to the Elite 8 in State playoffs two years in a row. Greg received the Brother Rice “Golden Boot” Award (top scorer) the past three years. In 2008, as in incoming freshman, he went to Hamburg, Germany with the Brother Rice varsity team to train and compete. While playing with the Chicago Fire, Greg’s team won the Illinois State Cup in 2009 and 2010 and was a finalist in 2011. They also were MRL champions in 2009 and Super Y champions in 2009 and competed at the Dallas Cup the past two years. Greg’s hard work and commitment will continue to make him not only an outstanding player for Brother Rice and the Fire, but in his collegiate soccer career and beyond.

Brian Kane ’14 (Midfielder) – Brian is a pre-academy member of the #1 nationally ranked Chicago Magic Soccer Club. As a freshman, he starred on the varsity team as an attacking midfielder. Brian possesses ball control, technical and tactical components and visual awareness that makes him an outstanding talent. Brian continues to travel with the Chicago Magic. He was a member of the 2010 US Club State, Regional and National Championship team and participated in this year’s Dallas Cup. His team was also 2010 Super Y League champions as well as 2010 Best of the Midwest finalists. Brian’s excellence is the result of continuous club training and top level club competition. The Chicago Magic has earned this recognition not only because of the success of their youth teams but also because they have graduated a number of their players into professional ranks such as Major League Soccer.

Jurgen Carabez ’13 (Goalkeeper) – Jurgen is one of the most outstanding goalkeepers in the state. He plays for the nationally ranked #2 club Sockers FC of Arlington Heights. He has competed at the Dallas Cup the past two years and has also won numerous state and regional championships with his team. Jurgen is part of the Sockers FC “Top Talent Program”, training with the best goalkeeper coaches as well as attending a number of nationally recognized goalkeeper camps and schools. This summer, he is planning to travel to Spain to train with the renowned Real Madrid Goalkeeper Academy.

Filed Under: Articles of Interest, Athletics, Crusader Clips, Soccer, Soccer News, Students

2010 Brother Rice Soccer Banquet

November 10, 2010 By admin Leave a Comment

We would like to invite you to spend the evening with us so we can celebrate the end of another exciting “Kicking Crusaders” soccer season. We will reflect on team and individual accomplishments for all three levels. It will also be time to give special recognition to our seniors and their parents.

Dinner is being catered by Fox’s Pub. Soft drinks, coffee and cake are included. Immediately following dinner, there will be an awards presentation.
Please plan on being with your fellow soccer families and coaches as we celebrate another year of legendary Brother Rice Soccer!

Date: Monday, November 22, 2010
Where: Pilon Library
Time: 7 PM until 10 PM
Cost: $10 per person

Please fill out the form below and return the bottom portion with payment to Peggy Healy by Thursday, November 18th.

Soccer Banquet Registration Form

Filed Under: Athletics, Crusader Clips, Events, Parents, Soccer, Soccer News, Students

Alumni Soccer Players Return for Reunion and Scrimmage

October 25, 2010 By admin Leave a Comment

On Saturday, October 9th, more than 40 alumni, past members of the Brother Rice soccer team, gathered for an afternoon at Gary Little Stadium. The day began with a scrimmage; players divided into teams and played two twenty-five minute halves. Alumni ranging from the Classes of 1973 to 2010 came out to play. One alumnus even traveled in from Michigan!

Following the game, everyone gathered for a barbeque sponsored by Bill Savarino ’94. Alumni Director Jim Casey ’70 came out to man the grill during the festivities while the varsity squad defeated Loyola 1-0.

Plans are already in the works for next year’s reunion. Preliminary discussions entertain the ideas of having the event next year during Homecoming Weekend and including family activities. Details will be announced when they are finalized.

Filed Under: Alumni, Athletics, Crusader Clips, Events, Soccer, Soccer News

The Standard: Crusader Soccer Off to Rocky Start

September 29, 2010 By admin Leave a Comment

With a quick start, the Crusaders have quickly cooled off, but now are rebounding with a full head of steam.

After starting off the season with an electrifying five to zero win over Catholic League rival Providence. The kicking Crusaders went on to lose four out of five, including a poor showing in the highly competitive Hinsdale Central tournament. In the tournament the Crusaders faced some top competition, along the likes of number one in state Morton high school. Also Downers Grove South and Hersey provided tough competitive games. In total, the showing at the tournament is not what the Crusaders had intended.

The Crusaders rallied after a tough week, by defeating Stagg two to zero. Stagg proved to be very tough, and provided the Crusaders with a hard fought win. Goal scorers in the game were Greg Healy on a penalty kick, and Juan Pintor on a thirty-five yard rocket that flew into the top corner of the goal.

Some key contributors to the Crusaders’ this year are Greg Healy, Ryan Nielan, Uriel Gonzalez, Juan Pintor, Giovanni Valdez, Pat Mclaughlin, and freshman Brian Kane. All of these players have played a major part in the Crusaders three and four start. Brian Kane has especially stood out, his play is remarkable for just being a freshman.

The Crusaders schedule doesn’t get any easier, with a lot of top teams on the horizon. Head Coach Nick Markulin always says, “We play the toughest non-conference schedule in the state, and it pays off for us in the long run.” Hopefully the Crusaders can continue their winning ways, and excel last season’s record. They have improved their record to four and four, look for them to keep adding wins to the record.

After falling to St. Ignatius 2-0 last night, the Crusaders will travel to St. Louis this weekend to take part in the St. Louis Invite.

Filed Under: Athletics, Crusader Clips, Soccer, Soccer News, The Standard

Markulin and Crusaders concentrating on return to state

September 1, 2010 By admin Leave a Comment

Seven times the Br. Rice High School soccer program has reached the pinnacle of the state tournament and the state finals.

Longtime Coach Nick Markulin thinks it’s about time for appearance number eight.

The Crusaders return several key contributors from a squad that lost a heartbreaking 1-0 decision in four overtimes to Eisenhower in the Homewood-Flossmoor sectional championship game.

It was the second straight season that Br. Rice lost 1-0 in overtime of the sectional championship game.

“Our goal is always to go downstate because we’ve been downstate more than any other school on the South Side,” said Markulin. “Our objective is to train and develop the kids for a run at the state championship. If you have the talent, maximize their potential, and learn with each game, then you feel like you belong in the final four. That’s in the back of our minds, and we want to go a step farther than we have.”