Soccer coach Rockall leaving Hurricanes at season’s end

Almost a year after leading the Marian Central Catholic girls soccer team on their first trip to the IHSA Class 2A state tournament, head coach Kristian Rockall announced he will be leaving at the end of the season. 

Rockall, who also coached the boys team at Marian, recently accepted a position with the Crystal Lake Soccer Federation and, much to his chagrin, will not have time to coach at Marian.

“I talked through it with my new boss, and we tried to come up with a way for me to do my new job and keep coaching at Marian, but it just wasn’t possible,” Rockall said. 

Rockall coached both teams for two seasons. He was 30-13-4 as the boys team head coach with both seasons ending in the regional finals.

Last season with Rockall as coach, the Lady ’Canes started off the season 2-7 and it appeared they would struggle all year. Then the season turned around, with them winning 17 of the next 19 matches and getting to the state final.  Along the way they claimed the team’s first sectional and supersectional titles. The team finished 20-10, 8-1 in the Suburban Christian Conference, and lost to Triad High School, Troy, 2-1 in a penalty shootout in the state championship game. 

“It’s just been great,” Rockall said. “There are so many great memories in just two years. I’m never going to forget the time there. … I’ll always look back on it with the fondest of memories and hope that I had somewhat of a positive impact on the kids and the program, and more so, hope that I can help find a good replacement to keep the program moving in the right direction.”

Marian junior standout Robin Wenzel said the team is going to miss its coach.

“I’m really sad,” Wenzel said. “He’s been a great coach and has done a great job with us. But it’s good to know he’s getting a good job and will continue coaching. We’re all going to miss him.”

Rockall said his experience at Marian has been amazing and hopes to have the opportunity to return.

“I would love to return to it one day,” Rockall said. “I meant it when I say I hope to return to Marian to coach again sometime in the future.”

After starting slowly this season, the Lady ’Canes are currently 11-9-1 (6-3 SCC), and Rockall said he is hoping for another run like last year.

“We’re looking forward to it,” Rockall said. “We are just starting to play our best soccer of the season and were starting to look good. It’s going to be a fun last couple of weeks. We’re looking forward to what the next couple of weeks will bring.”