Jesuit seeks perfection

Jesuit Seeks Perfection

By Jeremy Rasmussen
Times Correspondent

TAMPA – After winning three consecutive state titles and compiling more than 80 wins over the past three seasons, what’s left for Jesuit to accomplish?

A perfect season would be nice.

"I don’t want to jinx it, but I think we could (go undefeated)," Bauman said. "If we play up to our potential, I think we could run the table. Of course, that’s just bulletin board material for everyone else, but these guys know we have a bull’s eye on our backs. Three time state champs. Everyone gunning for you. It just comes with playing for our program.’’

Bauman is hesitant to say that this year’s team is his best ever, but after achieving an 18-0 mark by Christmas break, winning two tournaments, defeating three champions from other states, and outscoring opponents 103-6, he said the team compares favorably with his "best" squad from two years ago.

That team went 29-1-3 and garnered a state title and No. 7 national ranking behind the leadership of Florida Athletic Coaches Association player of the year Shea Helmle.

"The team two years ago was extremely disciplined and focused,’’ Bauman said. "This year’s team has surprised me how cohesive it is on the field so far, considering we graduated 11 seniors, and nine of those were starters.’’

Bauman partially credits the seasoned appearance of this year’s squad with the fact that many of his underclassmen saw playing time in blowout wins over the past couple seasons. In fact, the same thing has happened in several matches this year, which will probably keep senior forward Rob Daly out of the record books.

Daly has 34 goals and 12 assists this season, but he usually sits down in the second half when Jesuit is winning in a rout.

In a season-opening tournament at Sarasota, Daly scored all four Jesuit goals in a 4-1 win over Bradenton Southeast and two goals in a 4-2 tournament final win over Bradenton Manatee. In an 11-0 win against Tampa Robinson on Dec. 3, he took five shots and scored five goals—in 12 minutes of playing time.

Bryce Wegerle (19 goals, 31 assists) has also been a fearsome offensive force. According to Bauman, Wegerle has the raw talent but is still realizing his potential.

"Bryce is starting to show how good a player he can be," Bauman said. "He still needs to add other parts to his game, but offensively, there is very little to be found in the wrong.’’

Defensively, the Tigers might have been looking at a question mark after the graduation of four-year starting sweeper Jeremy Poklemba. But after spending two years as a reserve forward, Erol Belli took over as sweeper and has delivered in a big way.

"(Belli) showed a lot of leadership for being willing to help out the team where we needed him," Bauman said. "He’s a good forward, but now he’s showing college coaches his versatility."

Belli was named the defensive MVP of the Elite bracket in December’s Puma Invitational Tournament, and Daly was named offensive MVP.

The Tigers aren’t taking the easy road to an unbeaten record. Before heading into the Puma tourney, they faced two brother schools, Stake Jesuit of Houston and Loyola Jesuit of Los Angeles. Both schools were state champions in their own right, and the Tigers beat them 6-0 and 2-1, respectively.

In the Puma tourney, Jesuit knocked off California’s Santa Maragrita, which was ranked No. 2 nationally last year. The Tigers also topped tough Class 4A Lake Mary 1-0 and won their first Puma title 3-1 over longtime rival Clearwater Central Catholic.

"Playing eight games in eight days including two double headers is a grind, but it made us tougher,’’ Bauman said.

In the second half of the season, Jesuit faces CCC on Jan. 8 in a rematch of the Puma final. It also has matches against state-ranked Melbourne Central Catholic (Jan. 15) on the road, Satellite Beach Satellite, and Sarasota Riverview--not to mention the state playoffs.

"The second half of the season will be even a bigger test than the first half,’’ Bauman said. "But I think playing against these well-skilled, disciplined teams so far has been a great leap forward for us.’’