MaxPreps 2013 Soccer Early Contenders: Peoria Notre Dame boys

The strengths for the Notre Dame (Peoria, Ill.) soccer program should be a lot different this season.

The Irish are hoping the results are the same.

One of Illinois' top programs, Notre Dame has a slightly different mix of players this season but will shoot to defend its Illinois High School Association 2A title. The Irish are one of 10 boys programs MaxPreps is featuring as national title Early Contenders, presented by adidas and Dick's Sporting Goods.

The Irish blasted their way through Illinois behind strong scoring. This season, though, the strength will be in defense, according to head coach Mike Bare. In six games at a summer showcase the team only allowed one goal, and the best returning players are in the back near the goal.



See all of the 2013 Fall Soccer Early Contenders

"This team looks different than other teams I have coached at PND. Instead of a large junior or senior class, we are spread out evenly across the sophomore, junior and senior classes. We are a little young and inexperienced in some areas, but extremely committed and hard working," Bare said. "I see this being a group that will greatly improve as the season progresses."

The top goal scorer coming back only tallied seven last season (the top four scorers last season combined for 86) so that experienced defense will be pivotal early on.

In Illinois, Notre Dame has consistently been a state title contender and also gets strong consideration in the national title race. The Irish will get a shot to show off their talents and try to give their state some bragging rights in the Gateway City Classic, one of the nation's most prestigious events.

Opponents there will see the same school - but a different set of strengths than last year.

See our special Notre Dame soccer photo gallery

Local look: "The Irish lost two-thirds of their starting lineup to graduation from the Class 2A state championship team, which was ranked seventh nationally in the NSCAA poll. But the Irish, who have fielded the last five Journal Star Players of the Year, always reload. All-area defender Grayson McGraw will lead their quest in 2013 for a fourth state title in six years. The Irish also will try to duplicate their 2012 feat of going unbeaten against Illinois teams."
- Peoria Journal-Star sports (@pjstarsports)
{PAGEBREAK}

State classification: IHSA 2A

Enrollment: 802

Athletic director: Matt Blackford



2012 finish: 22-2-2 (IHSA 2A champion, No. 6 national rank in MaxPreps Computer Rankings and No. 7 NSCAA national ranking)

Head coach: Mike Bare

Years at school: 7

Career record: 113-19-6

Notable team achievements: Four IHSA state titles (2004, 08, 10, 12) and two NSCAA national Top 25 finishes (fourth in 2010, seventh in 2012). Thirteen state tournament appearances and 18 consecutive Mid-State 6 Conference titles.

Notable non-soccer facts about school: New York Yankees manager Joe Girardi is an alum, as is U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood.
{PAGEBREAK}

Key losses:



D Nick Arnold, Illinois Central College

MF Ben Fiddes, Western Illinois University

MF Alex Garcia, Bradley

F Drew Whalen, Western Illinois University

Key returners:

Sr. GK Justin Buck



Sr. MF/F Tommy Frampton

Sr. D Jerry Ivie

Sr. D Grayson McGraw

Sr. F JJ Slomba

Rising contributors:

Soph. MF Aidan Hill



Jr. MF Timmy Johnson

Soph. F Trey Knighton

Jr. M Cullen Kuntzman

Soph. D Stephen Stenger
{PAGEBREAK}

Toughest games: As the Irish showed last season, Illinois teams have a hard time keeping up. That's why their toughest game is likely to come in Bracket A at the Gateway City Classic (loaded with good teams) or in a matchup against Chaminade (St. Louis) on Sept. 6.

Question marks: The glaring question facing the Irish is how will they find a way to create offense. But, that can be ameliorated if the defense is truly stellar. Will this team win with offense or defense?

National look: Illinois placed three teams in the Top 100 in the MaxPreps Computer Rankings, and Notre Dame was the only team from the state in the NSCAA rankings. Bare said that Illinois is a very deep state and actually feels it may be the deepest state in the country in terms of depth and quality.



In summary: "I feel very confident that this team has the pieces to compete for a state championship this season. Based on summer training and competitions, this team has the potential to achieve their goal of winning back-to-back state championships.
- Head coach Mike Bare
{PAGEBREAK}