‘Ironman mentality’ for small-roster Riverview boys soccer team

By: George Guido
Monday, August 26, 2019 | 5:51 PM

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Like many small schools, Riverview doesn’t have the preferred turnout numbers for various sports and other activities.

But for Riverview boys soccer, it doesn’t stop a belief that the Raiders can return to playoff contention.

“On a good day, we’ll have 14 players. For a (recent) scrimmage, we took 12,” 12th-year coach Mickey Namey said. “We have an ironman mentality this year. What’s good is that the 11 on the field are solid players. It’s just getting conditioned to play 80 minutes most days.”

Last season, the Raiders finished 5-10 overall and 3-9 in Section 3-A play. That came on the heels of a Class A quarterfinal finish in 2017.

“The people we had last year didn’t get much playing time the previous year when we went to the quarterfinals,” Namey said. “We had seniors on the team for three or four years that really didn’t have a lot of play time under their belts.”

That, coupled with injuries, got Riverview off to a slow start. Four losses were by two or fewer goals late in the season.

The Raiders start the new season Sept. 3 against Carrick, later than many teams that will get underway this weekend.

With a smaller roster, Namey is using practice time more efficiently.

“We’re running through things so cleanly, since there are a lot of skilled players,” he said. “There’s not a lot of standing around time. We’re getting a lot more done than we had in a two-hour practice with an hour or hour-and-a-half practice. It’s more chalkboard work. We just need to keep them healthy. We’ve dialed it back a bit.”

The fact the team played well late into last season raised hopes for this year.

“I was excited and proud of our team how we turned it around about halfway through,” said Nick O’Toole, a four-year starter. “We got a new formation, got a new groove and I’m looking forward to keeping it going this season. I think a lot of new guys who are now understanding the game more are back this season with a new fire.”

Twins Jackson and Nico Catanzaro also are back for a fourth season.

Senior Mark McClelland will be back for another season as goalkeeper. Namey lauded his work last year in keeping matches close.

The future for Riverview soccer looks bright. A junior high team was reinstated this year, with Patrick O’ Toole serving as volunteer coach.

The junior high program was disbanded for two seasons, resulting in low numbers on varsity. Athletes were going to football and cross country and others joined the band.

More than 30 players are on the co-ed junior high team.

All home games will be played at Riverside Park, including the Oct. 10 game against rival Springdale under a set of rented lights.

“I’m excited. I think we have a good shot at Springdale,” Nick O’ Toole said. “They lost their goalkeeper (Mike Zolnierczyk), and I think it’s going to be a whole new game.”

Tags: Riverview