On the line: Mount Si defenders link up in push for league glory

Published 9:02 am Friday, May 4, 2012

They may not make all the goals, but they do their part to ensure glory for the whole team.

They’re the line: Mount Si soccer team’s defenders, and they face a major test with the rest of the team as the Wildcats face Mercer Island in the quest for the league crown.

Mount Si’s keeper, Hunter Malberg, and defensive core, helmed by sweeper Johnny Cramer and stopper Aaron Baumgardner, look to step up their game, especially their critical role as the all-seeing eyes and strategic voice of the team.

“On the back line, it’s crucial to communicate all the time,” Baumgardner said. When they’re linked up, the team plays cohesively. “We’ve gotten a lot better throughout the season, and we’re definitely going to be prepared for playoffs,” Baumgardner said.

Following Mount Si’s narrow win Tuesday night, May 1, over Bellevue, head coach Darren Brown and assistant Ben Tomlisson emphasized balance and tighter talk for the defense.

The transition during games from defense to offense and back is a major focus as Mount Si heads for a showdown against Mercer for the league crown Friday, according to Brown.

“It’s now or never,” Brown said.

Mount Si grabbed victory on May Day, 3-2, by the skin of its teeth—on the strength of two goals by just-returned senior Dane Aldrich and a penalty kick by iceman Davis Karaica.

“I’m too excited right now!” said Aldrich. “It was a great game to come back to.”

Tomlisson praised the team’s “ability to roll up our sleeves and come back, not give up.

“We’ve got some dynamic forward players who, given the right opportunity, will get us goals,” the coach said. “There’s a balance between going forward and doing the right defending.”

The line

Defense is about control and connectivity, with players filling roles or changing them as needed.

Stopper-sweeper combo Baumgardner and Cramer compliment each other. Strong and fast, Cramer helps make for the perfect duo, his teammate says.

“Our senior, Johnny Cramer, is a really strong sweeper,” Tomlisson said. “Aaron has been injured, but is an exceptional talent as a stopper or right-D.”

Mount Si’s group of outside backs that include Tyler Cruz, Connor Williams, Colton Oord, Cameron Van Winkle, Chace Carlson and Matt Eichler.

Cruz has worked hard and spelled a lot of minutes, coaches say, while Carlson is a forward who came back to fill an outside defender role, looking sharp in the process. Van Winkle, as a junior Mount Si’s star football kicker, is a talent as an outside defender.

Chief goalkeeper Malberg, spelled by fellow junior Alex Anderson, is often shouting hints and comments, telling teammates where the ball is, promoting game awareness. Forwards can get caught up in the game. Defenders give them a deeper sense of the field, as part of the overall strategic symphony that is soccer.

Defense “tells me what’s working, what’s not, where I need to go, how I need to show for the ball,” said senior forward Aldrich.

Physically, every game is different for the defender. Against stronger opponents, “we’re taking heat the whole game,” said Baumgardner said. Against weaker opponents, it’s mostly passing the ball.

Regardless, Baumgardner loves the flow and freedom of the game.

“I’ve been playing since I was a little kid,” he said. “I love how there’s no set thing you have to do, no time outs. When you’re out here, no one can tell you what to do.”

Mount Si plays at Mercer Island this Friday. Game time is 7:30 p.m.

You can follow Mount Si soccer at http://mshsboyssoccer.com/