Nolan rock solid St. Viator sweeper

In the not-too-distant past, wherever you looked at St. Viator's soccer team, you would find a star of some caliber.

It didn't matter whether it was on the field or on the bench.

Then coach Rory Dames, who led the Lions to three Class A state championships in 2002, 2003 and 2005, decided to devote more time to his club team, Eclipse, and he left St. Viator.

The Lions had some trouble adjusting to the change. They also had to endure players transferring to other schools.

Colleen Nolan was a freshman during St. Viator's last championship season, and she has been rock solid in her role of sweeper.

Or sort of a sweeper.

"Right now, she's a sweeper," said Lions assistant varsity coach Chris Fischer. "We play three in the back and two in front of them. She's the one in the middle. She's what we call the spine of the team.

"She plays with five across the midfield. We basically like players to push her up. We're still getting used to people playing different positions.

"Our form allows her to come up," Fischer continued, "but Susan Szymczak is very good at dead balls. Any time we have a game-winning ball, Colleen is good in the air. We like to push our best players up."

Nolan began playing soccer with the Palatine Park District when she was in kindergarten and then moved up to the Palatine traveling team. When she was 9 years old, she left to play for Sockers FC.

As for her position, Nolan said, "I'm the sweeper for now. He's (new coach Sam Donnelly) trying to get me more in the attack. They tried center midfield. I've played sweeper or defense all my life.

"Sockers FC traveled more," Nolan said. "The last two years I played forward. It's not that hard."

Nolan is one of three captains this year, along with Szymczak and Kailee Springer.

"I'm excited for this year," Nolan, a junior, said. "I'm one of the captains. I think it's just an obligation. Being on the team for three years, I know these players."

After some disappointments the last two seasons, Nolan is hoping to turn things around this spring.

"I think I'd probably correct the communication," she said. "We had seven seniors and almost all of them played at club. We had too many leaders. I don't think we have any problems with that this year."