Cedar Rapids Rampage United find another Saint in Connor Ramlo

MARION — The Cedar Rapids Rampage United are going back to the Xavier Saints pipeline.

After Charlie Bales provided staunch defense along the back wall for the Premier League of America outdoor soccer team last season, another Xavier alum is set to follow the same path.

Connor Ramlo, who just completed his sophomore season with the Creighton University men's soccer team, has impressed throughout training camp and is expected to be in the starting lineup when the Rampage United open the regular season June 10 at Aurora Borealis.

'Very smart and his awareness on the field is great,' Cedar Rapids Coach Hewerton Moreira said. 'I think he is one step ahead of the other (college) players just because the way he possesses himself on the field, he thinks ahead of time.'

Ramlo red-shirted his freshman season for the Blue Jays and saw his first collegiate action as a sophomore last fall. He is studying finance with an eye toward law school once his undergraduate coursework is completed.

'I'm really enjoying it there,' Ramlo said. 'It's a great program, great history, a lot of success and they're great for my development.'

Once Bales accepted a graduate-assistant coaching position at his alma mater, Western Illinois, NCAA guidelines prevented him from rejoining the Rampage United as WIU players Alejandro and Fernando Pacheco are with Cedar Rapids.

Like Bales, Ramlo brings a physical playing style coupled with the ability to deftly handle the ball from the back wall, which allows midfielders and forwards to push forward on an offensive attack.

'I thought it would be a great place to stay fit for my season at Creighton, develop more as a player and get better,' Ramlo said.

Collegiate players are permitted to participate in the PLA provided they are not financially compensated. This loophole is an asset both for players and coaches like Mount Mercy men's soccer coach Amir Hadzic, who also coaches the Xavier boys' team. Ramlo started for four years under Hadzic and helped the Saints win boys' soccer state titles in 2013 and 2015.

'I am really glad we have a team here in Cedar Rapids,' Hadzic said. 'At Mount Mercy, I would send my kids to upstate New York or Wichita just to play because it's an opportunity for collegiate players to play over the summer. What's better than to be at home and be able to play?'

The regular-season PLA schedule is off to a rocky start. Both the May 27 opener at Elgin (Ill.) and Friday's home opener at Kingston Stadium were postponed due to scheduling conflicts with the host venues.

l Comments: douglas.miles@thegazette.com