Marics take long, arduous route to success

Photo at left: The Maric brothers, from left, Bosho, Alex and Novica, were born in Bosnia and lived near the Croatian border. Tribune photo by Fred Bellet.

This article appeared in the Tampa Tribune on Dec. 27, 2002.

By DAVID NORRIS

NEW PORT RICHEY - The Maric brothers have a lot to be thankful for this holiday season. The oldest, Alex, 18, returned from his first year at Lenoir-Rhyne College, where he led the Bears in scoring as a freshman. Twins Bosho and Novica, 16, have the Gulf High soccer team at 9-1-2 and looking to make a run at the state playoffs.

The road to success wasn't as easy as kicking a ball in a net. Their bond as brothers as well as teammates has roots that go much deeper.

Born in Bosnia, the Maric boys remember a time when soccer wasn't the most pressing issue on their minds.

"We lived near the Croatian border," Alex said. "I could hear bombs going off and the windows of my house would shake. Then every once in a while I would see an airplane overhead."

The boys' father, Bono, quit his job and moved the family to Germany to escape war when Alex was 8 years old. Free from the worries of violence, the boys concentrated on the sport they loved, playing seven years of German club soccer. During that time they traveled to Italy, Austria and Spain, developing the technical footwork European players are known for.

All three started for Gulf last year. Alex was named The Tampa Tribune's Pasco County Boys Soccer Player of the Year with a county-high 41 goals, five fewer than the school record held by Gulf coach and former Buccaneer Sam Koleduk.

Bosho and Novica returned with Drew Roberts, Pasco County's second-leading scorer behind Maric last year, to form one of the most potent offensive lines in the state. The Bucs have scored 54 goals in 12 games, 20 of which belong to Novica. Bosho has nine.

"They hate to lose," said Koleduk, who plays with the Marics in the Florida Suncoast Soccer League in the off-season. "They have more skill than anybody I've seen in the county in years. When they get the ball, they're virtually unstoppable."

As has been the team this year.

The addition of two defensive starters, all-conference sweeper Devin Hill and stopper Tim Baker, along with center midfielder Jared Bagwill, all transfers from River Ridge, has made Gulf the team to fear in Pasco -- unless you're Land O'Lakes, a team that seems to hold the kryptonite to Gulf's dominance.

In the 2 1/2 years Koleduk has coached the team, he has yet to beat the Gators. They tied twice last year and lost in the district semifinals. Land O'Lakes is responsible for the one loss on Gulf's record this year, a 2-0 defeat.

Losses don't sit well with the Maric brothers, especially Novica, who Alex says is the most passionate of the three.

"We all love soccer, but Novica takes it to another level," said Alex, who receives several calls a week from his brothers, either looking for advice or wrapping up the events on the field. "One time, he got a red card vs. Wesley Chapel for arguing a call with a referee and he was so worried about it he couldn't sleep."

Combining for 29 goals and 20 assists this year, you might think the Maric twins concern themselves with statistics and personal satisfaction. You'd be wrong.

"It doesn't matter how many goals we score, we just want to win," Bosho said. "My brothers and I live for soccer. If we're not playing, we're watching it on TV. Alex is our role model and the one thing we learned from him is to be a positive player."

The boys say they couldn't have been so successful without the guidance of their parents. The war, the traveling and soccer have brought the family closer. A return to Europe may be a possibility some day. They still have grandparents and family in the rebuilding process in Bosnia.

"I feel good to have somebody to look up at me," Alex said of his brothers. "They are never apart. They do everything together. It's hard being away from them."