For the past four years, it has been impossible to think of Penn men’s soccer without thinking of senior defenders Jake Levin and Thomas Brandt.
Levin is one of the top defensive prospects in the nation and, barring injury, will likely be drafted into the MLS in early 2012. Brandt, meanwhile, is a two-time captain who received first-team all-Ivy honors last year.
Though all eyes are on the two seniors, fellow defender sophomore Jonny Dolezal doesn’t mind.
“I like not being in the spotlight,” the sophomore said, “because, that way, other teams aren’t targeting you.”
For the past two years, Dolezal has been able to learn from Brandt and Levin, and the effect he has had is not lost on coach Rudy Fuller.
“Jake and Tommy are two of the better center backs in the country, and to be an understudy to those two for the last two years has done a lot of good for Jonny,” Fuller said. “Now Jonny’s become a dominant defender in the Ivy League.”
After playing sparingly in his freshman campaign, Dolezal has started every game this season for the Red and Blue. He attributes some of his improvement to Brandt and Levin.
“They tell me what I’m doing right, and what I’m doing wrong,” Dolezal said. “They’re guys I look up to.”
Despite the acclaim Levin and Brandt receive, Fuller doesn’t believe Dolezal feels overshadowed.
“Jonny loves playing with Jake and Tommy, and respects the hell out of them and knows that he’s benefiting by playing along side them,” Fuller said.
Dolezal echoed his coach’s sentiments.
“Jake and Tommy deserve all the attention that they get.” Dolezal said. “I’d like to be one of them eventually, or maybe even better.”
That reality is closer than Dolezal may realize.
“As coaches, when we look to the future, Jonny’s a guy who we’re going to be counting on, because he’s been so close to Jake and Tommy for the last two years,” Fuller said.
With their current personnel, the Red and Blue attempt to utilize Dolezal’s athletic abilities by giving him free reign on balls in the air.
“We leave Jonny free, because he may be our most athletic kid in terms of getting up and getting balls in the air,” Fuller said.
Until his time comes, Dolezal is more than alright staying out of the spotlight.
“You don’t always need attention,” Dolezal said. “I’m free in my role, and I like that.”
