Ever since a high school career fihled with honors, former Clarkston soccer defender Mike Holody has been making his mark with University of Michigan and the Michigan Bucks of the Premier Development League.
Holody and the Bucks, 2006 PDL champs, nearly had their second consecutive title in hand Saturday. Against the Laredo Heat, the Bucks lost in a shootout following 120 scoreless minutes in the PDL finals.
Holody, a 2005 Clarkston High School graduate, finished his second season with the Bucks. Now he heads back to the grind in Ann Arbor, and the maize and blue have their first exhibition Aug. 23.
As he prepares for his junior season with the Wolverines, Holody has his eyes on a Big Ten championship.
‘If we’re going to win (it), this is the year. We’re ripe for it,? he said.
?(The last two seasons) talent wise, we had a lot of great players (but) we couldn’t bounce back when things weren’t going well,? Holody said.
Holody, 20, was ready for the jump to college, he said, because of a four-year (2001-?05) stint with the Olympic Development Program.
‘In terms of soccer, it wasn’t that big of a jump for me,? he said.
The biggest change in Holody since high school has been in body mass. The defender has bulked up by hitting the weights because the college game is more physical than in high school.
‘There’s not many guys who are going to push me off the ball,? Holody said. ‘That gives me confidence as a defender.
‘I’m really comfortable using my body to keep the other player away from it.?
After college, Holody wants to have a professional soccer career. He worked out with Major League Soccer’s Columbus Crew the past two summers and received a good response.
?(A pro career) is something I definitely want to pursue,? Holody said. ‘It’s always been a dream of mine.?
Michigan Bucks coach Dan Fitzgerald can see Holody going further, too.
‘He’s got a good shot to play at a higher level. He’s got the potential to play in the MLS,? he said.
‘If he continues to improve at this rate, eventually he could become a starter on an MLS team.?
Holody’s unassuming personality will lead him to keep working hard to be better, Fitzgerald said.
Fitzgerald, Clarkston soccer coach from 1991-2003, worked with Holody during his freshman and sophomore seasons in high school.
‘He was very talented. At a young age you could see he had a good brain for the game,? Fitzgerald said. ‘He’s gotten physically stronger and his defending is much stronger.?
If for some reason soccer doesn’t work out for him, Mike is studying electrical engineering and operations at UM.
?(Soccer’s) my first option, but it’s nice to have something to fall back on,? Holody said.
The Wolverines and others came knocking, or mailing, during Holody’s junior season. His final decision came between UM and Wake Forest University, but Michigan’s offer was ‘Tough to turn down.?
‘It’s an honor to play for University of Michigan. I like representing the school,? Holody said.
During his four years with Clarkston, Holody was named All-State first team in 2004 as a senior, twice named All-State second team and he was a two-time team MVP (2002, 2004).
At UM, Holody earned Big Ten All-Freshman honors and in 2006 was named Big Ten All-Academic and Big Ten All-Tournament. In addition to being a team captain for the Bucks, UM coach Steve Burns has named Holody a captain for the Wolverines for the upcoming season.
Holody started playing soccer at age 6 through a parks and recreation league and at 8 he began to play for Vardar, which he continued until college.
Follow Holody and the Wolverines this season at www.mgoblue.com. Holody and his teammates play at Oakland University Sept. 26.