In soccer, like most sports, offense usually receives the majority of accolades. For defensive players, name recognition and media attention are not part of the routine. That doesn’t bother Mark Rehklau, a sophomore defender for the Ohio State men’s soccer team.’You don’t get the glory, but that’s fine with me. I definitely like it,’ Rehklau said.A lot of the credit for OSU’s 5-2-3 record goes to the Buckeye defense which has allowed only 1.1 goals per game this season.Rehklau has used his experiences with the Under-17 national team in the 1993 Youth World Cup in Japan to adapt to the rigors of college soccer.’I’ve played with a lot of the guys that we do play against and I know how they play,’ he said. ‘So, it’s a little easier for me.’After starting every one of OSU’s 18 games last season he was expected to anchor the Buckeye defense with fellow sophomore Matt Sprague, who was named second team all-Big Ten last season. OSU head coach Gary Avedikian was pleased with Rehklau’s off-season work. ‘He came back in this year in probably, minimally 200 percent better shape than he was in coming in as a freshman,’ he said.’This year when he showed up he was ready physically to match his mental abilities in the game,’ Avedikian said. ‘Immediately his ability to perform at the level he plays the game in his mind was there. His play so far has been outstanding.’Assistant coach Mike Thomas is optimistic about Rehklau’s future. ‘I think he’s having a good year,’ Thomas said. ‘If he continues to listen and work hard then I think he’s going to be obviously a choice for the Big Ten team at the end of the season.’ Rehklau is happy with the Buckeyes’ start and, like his teammates, wants to win a Big Ten championship this season.’I think we’re coming together more as a team this year and playing together,’ Rehklau said. ‘We’re playing for each other.’Despite being recruited by national powers James Madison and the University of Connecticut, who are both ranked in the top ten, he is happy with his choice of OSU.’I don’t think I could have gone anywhere else and had a better time,’ he said. ‘I’m definitely pleased with this school.’A native of Sylvania, Ohio, Rehklau was a Parade All-American at Southview High School. He is majoring in education.