Senior-led defense provides foundation for Berkley soccer’s success

BERKLEY — Berkley High School’s varsity boys soccer season didn’t end the way coach Steve Wloszek or the team expected it to in 2021 after being the No. 1-ranked team in the state for the majority of the season.

After a 2-1 loss to Oakland Activities Association-Red rival Troy High School in Berkley’s second playoff game, the team returned this year showing why it is one of the best in the state.

“I think the kids returning this year knew the kind of work they needed to put in over the summer to get to where we needed to be,” Wloszek said.

Currently ranked No. 7 in the state, according to the Michigan High School Soccer Coaches Association, Berkley (16-2-1) dominated out-of-conference play early, winning 11 straight games with eight straight shutouts.

Headlined by a senior-led back line, Berkley’s defense continues to dominate on the field, collecting 14 shutouts on the year.

Berkley’s defense is led by seniors Luke Winter, Henry Robertson, Landon Pugh and Griffin Straske.

“Our defensive success this year has been based upon the history and grit that has been a staple amongst Berkley defenses,” Winter said. “This year, we have the benefit of having an all senior-led back line, which has a great load of experience; our defense has been playing alongside one another ever since we began our soccer careers.”

According to Wloszek, the majority of the varsity team has played together while playing club soccer for DCFC Youth South Oakland. Winter, Robertson, Pugh and Straske are all a part of DCFC Youth South Oakland, and Wloszek said that’s been a significant part of their defensive success.

“I think those four guys have played on the same club team for 10 years or more,” Wloszek said. “They know how to play with each other, and they know each other’s strengths and weaknesses.”

Alongside the team’s established back line are two three-year varsity players in net. Senior Hunter Robertson and junior Seth Davidson have made significant impacts between the pipes for Berkley.

Berkley’s offense has produced just under three goals per game this season.

Led by senior and 2021 second team all-state honoree Andriy Bilous, a forward, and senior Chase McAvoy, a midfielder, Berkley’s attack also has a lot of experience.

And while experience is undoubtedly one of Berkley’s biggest strengths, so too is its chemistry.

“As a team, we all understand each other while on the pitch, and we’re all good friends off the pitch, as well,” Henry Robertson said.

Berkley will rely on its chemistry now that it is in the home stretch of the 2022 regular season.

Berkley (3-2-1 OAA-Red) currently sits fifth in the OAA-Red with Troy (4-1-0 OAA-Red) in first, and the two teams likely will meet again in the playoffs if both teams continue their successful runs.

Competing in one of the toughest conferences in the state, Berkley will be ready for the playoffs.

“We’re battle tested by week two in the OAA-Red; that was always our goal years ago, when I took over 13 years ago,” Wloszek said. “We were in the White when I took over, and our goal was always to get in the Red, and by the time we get to regionals, it’s just like another OAA-Red game.”