Newsfeed
Printer-Friendly ModeTeam excited to rebound from spotty season
August 31, 2009 —
A year removed from a disappointing season, the men’s soccer team heads into the 2009 season with high expectations, brought on by themselves.
“The expectations for this year are to win a championship. We came close last year and our goal this year is to win what we came so close to last season, a GLIAC championship.” senior defender Brock Humphries said.
The championship Humphries was referring to was the GLIAC tournament last season, in which the Cardinals qualified as the fourth and final seed. They knocked off top seeded Ashland University to advance to the championship game, before falling to Tiffin University, 4-2.
Junior forward Adam Julien believes the team made the necessary adjustments in the off- season to compete on a regular basis with the upper echelon teams of the GLIAC.
“I think that this season is different than last season because we have meshed together and gotten along better as a team.” Julien said.
They were picked in 2009 preseason polls to finish in a tie for fourth place, something that neither player agreed with.
“We brought in a lot of new talent that I think with that talent, along with the talent we already have, we will finish above what they projected us to finish at. We have a lot of workhorses on this team that will help us scrap out wins against the tough GLIAC opponents.” Humphries said.
Julien agreed. “I think we have what it takes to pull out a lot of wins. As long as we play to our potential, we feel that we can compete with any team in the GLIAC.” Julien said.
Experience shouldn’t be an issue with this team, because 15 of the 31 players are upper classmen. “We have a lot of experience returning and the hope is that the veteran guys will be able to show the younger talent what it takes to win.” Humphries said.
The team opens with three away games, with the first home game scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 8, against GLIAC foe Ferris State.. About halfway through the season, the Cardinals play six consecutive games at home. It is a part of the schedule that Julien looks forward to.
“Even though we take a gameby- game approach, we are excited to have a nice home stand like that. We love our fans and the energy that they bring us,” Julien said.
After the season is all said and done, both Julien and Humphries hope they can call themselves one thing: “GLIAC champions.”