In the MCLA D2 last few years we have had some amazing talent come through the ranks. With the likes of Joe Costello, Cam Holding, and now Jack Dumsa as last three huge names to come through the D2 level. We now have to look for the new faces of the MCLA D2.
These are just some of the players that I see making the biggest contributions to their teams getting to either the National tournament or to the National championship game.
Peter Flock- NDSU: After being thwarted by conference rival St. Thomas to end his Sophomore season, Flock will look to lead the Bison once again to new heights in his Junior campaign. He will look to improve on his team leading 66 points and 41 goals and firmly plant his name atop the Player of the Year lists and 1st Team All- American Honors.
Jeremy Pouba- Grand Valley State: This Senior for the Lakers has been overshadowed the last few years by the great talent that Grand Valley has had at attack, but I see this being Pouba’s year to do great things in Michigan. With 3.55 points per game last season and 71 points Pouba is no slouch and will be a major contender for one of the 1st team all- American slots at the end of the year.
Killian Spicer- Torreblanca- Southern Oregon: Killian Spicer- Torreblanca is one of those goalies any coach would kill to have on his team, pun intended. His has poise, he has maturity, and he has the skill to keep the Raiders in games late. As a Freshman Spicer- Torreblanca put up 8 goals against per game and a save percentage of 57.9%. I only see things going up for Killian and the Raiders from Southern Oregon.
Kyle Sturgeon-NDSU: While leading the Bison in assists as a Freshman and as a Sophomore Sturgeon will look to add a little scoring touch too his game and spark a new facet to the NDSU offense and give opposing defenses even more to worry about than already do. This could be the year that we see Sturgeon come out from behind Flock as the main threat on this Bison offense.
Joe Palermo-St. Thomas: Coming in as a transfer student from Quinnipiac and winning a National championship your first year is a pretty big deal, backing it up is what is going to test Palermo and the Tommies. Joe Palermo is a big, athletic midfielder, with a big shot. After netting 26 goals and 36 points last season and having a whole extra year under Moosbrugger’s systems I see Palermo having an even better year than he did last year and ending up near the top of the list for midfielders on the All- American lists.
Scott Wheeler- NDSU: This young close defender is one of the strongest one on one defenders in the UMLL, probably in the MCLA, and he is only going to be a Sophomore. The Bison will look for him to take up the leadership role on back end of the field even though they bring back their top 4 poles. Look for Wheeler to be at the top of everyone’s lists come the time to pick the All- Americans.
Kurt Tobias- Liberty: This lanky Junior from Liberty had a huge jump this past year and will look to repeat his success this season and lead Liberty to Greenville. Tobias had 4.67 points per game last season and had 56 points in 12 games played. He’ll be a force to be reckoned with if Liberty can get past some the better teams in the SELC.
Now I know what you’re saying I’m leaving some big names out, but here is what I’ll tell you, this is the top of my list right now and these are the guys at the D2 level who I will be paying attention throughout the year.
