MONROE - Several players integral to the success of last year's Monroe boys soccer team graduated in June, leaving only three seniors. That was before they received international aid.
Thanks to foreign exchange students, the squad now has five seniors with the addition of Aleksi Vainola of Finland and Evgeny Kondratev of Russia. Both players bring much needed experience to the Cheesemakers as well as a slightly different skill set that comes from the different approach to the game found in the boys' home countries.
"I think they've worked a bit more on individual skills," Monroe coach Tony Vasquez said. "They have good ball handling and a great ability to finish when they get a chance to score. They take the time to control the ball more before they shoot."
Both Vainola and Kondratev are being counted on as the Cheesemakers look to make a run to the program's first regional championship. Monroe opens up WIAA Division 3 regional play at No. 2 seed Delavan-Darien Tuesday, Oct. 15.
Though soccer is an ever-growing sport in the U.S., it still is not as popular as football or basketball among America's youth. Not so in Finland where it is the most popular hobby among minors and in Russia where its popularity approaches that of hockey. That may contribute to what Vainola considers a difference between soccer in his home country and in America.
"The (talent) level in America is a little lower," Vainola said. "Also in Finland most of the practice is not physical conditioning and more about fundamentals."
He also benefited from plenty of informal practice.
"I started soccer when I was 9 years old," Vainola said. "I played four to six hours a night with my friends."
Kondratev began playing at age 8 and, unlike his European counterpart, would like to play in college or for the Russian national team. Despite his goal to continue to play at the collegiate or even Olympic level, Kondratev said he feels that he most helps the Cheesemakers by being a good teammate. He did, however, admit he had a good day at the Lake Geneva Tournament Sept. 28.
"I scored two goals in one day," Kondratev said. "I played with a lot of heart."
Though the two come from vastly different places, they agree about what brought them to America.
"It's a pretty big experience to come to America and learn a new culture," Vainola said. "I got to meet a lot of new people. People here are very nice. One of the bad things is America doesn't have much public transportation," Vainola said.
Though they didn't exactly come here for the soccer, Vasquez is happy to have them.
"Part of it is that it makes us deeper," Vasquez said. "They both bring some creativity, a different style than they learned in their country. It's been good for us because they're both good athletes."
Thanks to foreign exchange students, the squad now has five seniors with the addition of Aleksi Vainola of Finland and Evgeny Kondratev of Russia. Both players bring much needed experience to the Cheesemakers as well as a slightly different skill set that comes from the different approach to the game found in the boys' home countries.
"I think they've worked a bit more on individual skills," Monroe coach Tony Vasquez said. "They have good ball handling and a great ability to finish when they get a chance to score. They take the time to control the ball more before they shoot."
Both Vainola and Kondratev are being counted on as the Cheesemakers look to make a run to the program's first regional championship. Monroe opens up WIAA Division 3 regional play at No. 2 seed Delavan-Darien Tuesday, Oct. 15.
Though soccer is an ever-growing sport in the U.S., it still is not as popular as football or basketball among America's youth. Not so in Finland where it is the most popular hobby among minors and in Russia where its popularity approaches that of hockey. That may contribute to what Vainola considers a difference between soccer in his home country and in America.
"The (talent) level in America is a little lower," Vainola said. "Also in Finland most of the practice is not physical conditioning and more about fundamentals."
He also benefited from plenty of informal practice.
"I started soccer when I was 9 years old," Vainola said. "I played four to six hours a night with my friends."
Kondratev began playing at age 8 and, unlike his European counterpart, would like to play in college or for the Russian national team. Despite his goal to continue to play at the collegiate or even Olympic level, Kondratev said he feels that he most helps the Cheesemakers by being a good teammate. He did, however, admit he had a good day at the Lake Geneva Tournament Sept. 28.
"I scored two goals in one day," Kondratev said. "I played with a lot of heart."
Though the two come from vastly different places, they agree about what brought them to America.
"It's a pretty big experience to come to America and learn a new culture," Vainola said. "I got to meet a lot of new people. People here are very nice. One of the bad things is America doesn't have much public transportation," Vainola said.
Though they didn't exactly come here for the soccer, Vasquez is happy to have them.
"Part of it is that it makes us deeper," Vasquez said. "They both bring some creativity, a different style than they learned in their country. It's been good for us because they're both good athletes."
