By Dale Miller
dale.miller@theindependent.com

Last year the third in Crusader history saw the team pick up its first four wins at the varsity level.

GICC wants to make even bigger strides in 2008.

"This year we hope to do better than that (go 4-10)," said Gary Witmer, who again is co-coach along with Bruce Bombeck. "We have a full schedule 17 games. With our outlook, we'll try to be above .500. We want to put ourselves in better position in districts.

"Our schedule having more games helps us in points for districts."

With some of the growing pains of a start-up team now past, experience now can be a positive factor for Central Catholic.

"The freshmen who started four years ago are now seniors," Witmer said. "They're a good group.

"We have more depth this year. We have more players with soccer experience. That will help us."

Among the seven returning starters are four seniors -- goalie John Lilley, defender Nick Karn, and midfielders Luke Wagoner and Zach LaBrie.

Midfielder Aric Mousel, forward Cody Clegg and midfielder John Czaplewski, who is out for the first time, round out what Witmer says is a strong senior class.

"That's a strong nucleus," Witmer said. "With our senior leadership and some young new freshmen and our sophomores, I think we have a good team."

Having Lilley back in goal is a big plus. But Witmer said it's also nice having sophomore Zach Karn to back him up, allowing Lilley to play in the field at times if so desired.

Sophomore midfielders Erick Ortiz and Austin Witmer and defender Casey Wiens are also returning starters.

Coach Witmer said a dedicated group regularly went to Lincoln over the winter to compete in an indoor soccer, or futbol, league.

"They competed against Class A and B schools and did well," he said. "It was a mixture of our sophomores and seniors."

With higher numbers of players, an increase in the coaching staff is also helping out. Assistant coach Jerry Lyons returns to help with forwards and midfielders, and he's being helped by new assistant Tyler Erb. Also Ben McCaslin is a volunteer coach working with the goalkeepers.

The Crusaders get their promising season kicked off Thursday at the Fonner Park Soccer Complex against Columbus Lakeview.

Schedule

March13, Columbus Lakeview; 18, at Holdrege; 20, Lexington; 24, at Omaha Brownell-Talbot.

April3, at Crete; 5, at Grand Island Northwest Tournament; 7, at Seward; 12, Gering and Scottsbluff; 14, Schuyler; 15, at Columbus Scotus; 17 and 19, at Elkhorn Mount Michael Tournament; 22, at Kearney Catholic; 25-26, at Conestoga Tournament.