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 The Madison 56ers' injury problems at center back have now enveloped the team's goalkeepers, too.
UW-Parkside's Ryan Onwukwe is expected to be sidelined for two weeks because of a dislocated finger suffered in training this week, while Kyle Dillman (Madison La Follette) likely will be out for at least two more weeks as he recovers from a broken finger.
That leaves the University of Wisconsin's Max Jentsch (Hartland Arrowhead) as the team's only keeper for tonight's National Premier Soccer League Midwest Division match at Eau Claire Aris FC. Kickoff is 5 p.m. at Bollinger Fields.
56ers coach Jim Launder said UW-Green Bay forward Sam Krenzien (Wauwatosa West) will serve as the emergency backup keeper.
Jentsch missed the entire spring season for the Badgers because of a herniated disc in his back, meaning his start against the St. Paul Twin Stars two weeks ago for the 56ers was his first match since last fall.
"I feel a lot better than I did before," said Jentsch, who played in 11 matches as a freshman at UW in 2010. "I think I'm still trying to get kind of back into the swing of things, get some of the rust off."
He'll have plenty of chances to do that now.
Jentsch is aware that even though he's the incumbent starter for the Badgers, there will be tough competition this fall. Incoming freshman Eduardo "Lalo" Fernandez has impressive credentials, while transfer Ciro Martinez saw significant action in the spring with Jentsch out.
"I just want to play in the fall, that's my main goal," Jentsch said.
Lysak healthy ... just not today
The 56ers also will be without their leading scorer for tonight's match, as Adam Lysak (Milton) won't face Aris (1-2-0) because of shin splints.
Launder said Lysak probably could have played, but the coach wanted to make sure the Marquette forward is healthy for a crucial stretch coming up – Madison plays at the Quad City Eagles next Sunday, then plays Chicago's AAC Eagles in the first round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup two days later.
"It was like, if I lay him off for one game, then he's probably 99 percent ready to go," Launder said.
Lysak put the ball in the net twice for the 56ers last Saturday night, but both goals were ruled out for offside – incorrectly, in his opinion – as Madison lost to the Chicago Fire 2-1 at Breese Stevens Field.
He has been in fine form, first for the Golden Eagles during the spring exhibition season and continuing with the 56ers. He had scored in three straight matches until last weekend.
Lysak has been bothered by foot injuries the past two years, which is part of the reason he redshirted last fall. While he still has to deal with some pain in the foot, he feels healthy – shin splints notwithstanding.
"When I got injured, it happened right before season both times so I missed preseason and it was really hard to get back into shape and get to the game shape where I need to be," Lysak said last weekend. "Now that I am in game shape, I can concentrate on playing instead of running out of gas."
Lysak, who has American and Polish citizenship, has made several trips to Europe for training stints and trials with professional teams over the past few years.
"For now, I'm firmly focused on school and playing here," said Lysak, who would like to attend dental school at Marquette.
Mixed news on injured center backs
Launder said Sean Ronnekleiv-Kelly, trying to come back from a lingering groin injury, trained three times this week and reported no problems.
The plan is to have Ronnekleiv-Kelly, an All-NPSL Midwest pick last season, play in Friday's friendly against the Latino League All-Stars and hopefully the U.S. Open Cup match.
Marquette's Paul Monsen (Stoughton) likely won't play again this season because of an ankle injury that could require surgery, Launder said, while UW's Arnel Zahirovic could be cleared to start training next week. UW-Green Bay's Andrew Stone (Green Bay Preble) continues to deal with a knee injury.
Looking at the lineup
Other absences for tonight include UW-Green Bay midfielder Luke Goodnetter (Brookfield East), who has strep throat; incoming UW freshman defender Carl Schneider (Madison La Follette), who is playing with his Madison 56ers Under-18 team at the Wisconsin State Championships; defender Demba Camara (Sun Prairie), UW defender-midfielder Derek Pitts (Middleton) and midfielder Alfredo Ramirez, who all have other personal commitments.
"It's interesting coaching these teams, because you never know who is going to be there," Launder said.
The probable starting lineup, in a 4-2-3-1 formation: Jentsch; David Kommavang, Colin Mani, Henry Aiyenero, Aaron Nichols; Trevor Banks, Keenan Newallo; Anthony Santaga, Andrew Wiedabach, Cody Banks; Jed Hohlbein.
Elsewhere in the NPSL Midwest
The Milwaukee Bavarians have a two-game weekend, playing host to the Chicago Fire (1-1-0) at 5 p.m. today before heading to Eau Claire to play Aris at 4 p.m. Sunday. Tonight's match originally was scheduled to be played in Illinois, but was switched to Bavarian SC.
The Bavarians (2-0-0) haven't played since May 21 because of a postponed match and a weekend off, and are in prime position in the division as the only team in the Midwest without a loss.
Quad City (2-1-1), which is tied with the 56ers atop the standings, plays the Twin Cities teams, facing Minnesota Kings (1-2-0) tonight and the St. Paul Twin Stars (1-2-0) on Sunday.
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