Short on Returning Starters, CBC Leans on Tradition in 2011

A loss to SLUH in last year’s sectionals might have brought the end to CBC’s 2010 season, but it was May’s graduation that truly brought down the curtain. More than half of last year’s 24 Cadets donned the cap and gown last spring, sparing just 10 lettermen and only 3 starters for this fall.

However, the numbers matter not; the name is still the same.

This is CBC soccer.

“When I was a student and played here back in the 60s, the CBC soccer program was already well-established and had a championship tradition and reputation to it,” said CBC coach Terry Michler, who enters his 41st year as coach. “Coming back into it (as coach), it was kind of easy for me because I played in it and respected that tradition, and I’ve looked at it the same way over all these years. I’m just the keeper of the castle. It’s my responsibility to uphold it and keep it at a high level as possible.”

It’s a castle that has been kept quite well over the past four decades. Michler has tallied a career record of 826-206-98 as the winningest soccer coach in the nation, including 7 championships in 13 state final appearances. He was honored as the 2010 boys soccer Coach of the Year by the National Federation of State High School Coaches Association last January.

Representing the now nationally recognized coach and program this fall is the returning strength of the midfield. Four-year varsity player and smooth lefty Justin Bileyu will take on much of CBC’s control, adding great vision to an excellent touch, and the ability to change the game’s tempo with one move.

Fellow senior and third-year varsity player Corey Nolte will find familiarity back in the midfield in 2011. Caught behind an elite group of seniors last season, Nolte dropped back to defense to find playing time, but his hard-nosed playing style should make a perfect complement to Bileyu’s finesse in the center this year.

Also returning is senior Carson Leach, CBC’s leading scorer from last season – a feat he accomplished despite spending a third of the season sidelined with injury. Another lefty, the quick and crafty forward brings great touch and is lethal in front of the net.

Defensively, the Cadets find themselves with the most questions to answer. Junior Austin Ledbetter will be the lone familiar face and a solid defender to build a unit around; he’ll likely team with an overflow of midfielders who fall back to find playing time. Junior keeper Nate Griffin will mind the net after being in the backup role last season; he did not give up a goal in 120 minutes played.

“Only three starters back, it’s a pretty new starting lineup,” Michler said. “It’s all about how well they respond to being starters now. The key is always challenging their environment. We don’t want anyone set in their ways.”

The Cadets will find their challenges early this season, running up against Metro Catholic Conference foe Vianney on September 6, and then SLUH just four days later, as part of the CBC tournament.