Temple University Athletics
Men’s Soccer Uses Spring Season as Momentum for Next Year
5.1.15 | Men's Soccer
PHILADELPHIA – After a disappointing 2014 season, Temple Men's Soccer Head Coach David MacWilliams entered this spring season knowing his team had to work hard to improve. MacWilliams believes he saw that when the spring season concluded last week and thinks his team can put it behind them.
"The coaches know we came up short last year," said MacWilliams. "I can tell by the work rate and determination all spring that we are all set to put that past behind us and really focus on moving forward. It wasn't a great year last season, so we know we have to improve on that. We've got to be more disciplined and aggressive on the field, and I think we worked hard at that this spring."
MacWilliams and his staff came into the offseason knowing that the Owls needed to step their determination and make sure they practice the fundamentals. Each game of the spring season, the results indicated that.
"I think we wanted to get back to basics. We needed to make sure our effort, work rate, discipline is there. Mentally we were ready to compete and play. This spring we wanted to really work on defending and making sure we were organized defensively. We never gave up more than one goal in the spring season, so that was pretty positive."
Last season the Owls' roster consisted of 22 underclassmen, tying for the most in the American Athletic Conference. Mark Grasela, Felipe Liborio, and Brendon Creed were three freshmen that started at least half the season. They have all had a full offseason to train with the team, mature and improve their game. Creed is one player that caught MacWilliams' eyes. Creed actually started the offseason playing in CONCACAF U-20 Championships, representing his country Trinidad and Tobago.
"I think Brendon Creed stepped up his game. Whenever we initially recruited him we thought Brendon was going to be a defensive midfielder. He stepped up as a center back, and I really think that's where he's going to excel at. The coaching staff is really hoping he's going to come in and take that center back position."
One key battle in the offseason is the goalkeeper position. Dan Scheck finished his career in the fall as one of the best ever goalies in Temple history, finishing third in career goals allowed average (1.03), ninth in career saves (198) and fourth in career wins (14). Patrick Lestingi and Alex Cagle have been competing for the position and will continue in the upcoming training camp.
"Alex Cagle and Patrick Lestingi worked very hard during the spring. Both will be fighting for the starting position next year. That competition really helped those guys in the spring, and both of them did really well in the games."
MacWilliams saw improvement from his team during the spring season and thinks the offseason has provided a great opportunity for the young team to mature.
"Overall I think our shape was much better. When you have as many freshmen as we did last season and play with some of the sophomores and changes, I think our formation and shape on the field has drastically improved. I think it's the players getting a better understanding of their roles on the team, and I think that's helped us out a lot."
"The coaches know we came up short last year," said MacWilliams. "I can tell by the work rate and determination all spring that we are all set to put that past behind us and really focus on moving forward. It wasn't a great year last season, so we know we have to improve on that. We've got to be more disciplined and aggressive on the field, and I think we worked hard at that this spring."
MacWilliams and his staff came into the offseason knowing that the Owls needed to step their determination and make sure they practice the fundamentals. Each game of the spring season, the results indicated that.
"I think we wanted to get back to basics. We needed to make sure our effort, work rate, discipline is there. Mentally we were ready to compete and play. This spring we wanted to really work on defending and making sure we were organized defensively. We never gave up more than one goal in the spring season, so that was pretty positive."
Last season the Owls' roster consisted of 22 underclassmen, tying for the most in the American Athletic Conference. Mark Grasela, Felipe Liborio, and Brendon Creed were three freshmen that started at least half the season. They have all had a full offseason to train with the team, mature and improve their game. Creed is one player that caught MacWilliams' eyes. Creed actually started the offseason playing in CONCACAF U-20 Championships, representing his country Trinidad and Tobago.
"I think Brendon Creed stepped up his game. Whenever we initially recruited him we thought Brendon was going to be a defensive midfielder. He stepped up as a center back, and I really think that's where he's going to excel at. The coaching staff is really hoping he's going to come in and take that center back position."
One key battle in the offseason is the goalkeeper position. Dan Scheck finished his career in the fall as one of the best ever goalies in Temple history, finishing third in career goals allowed average (1.03), ninth in career saves (198) and fourth in career wins (14). Patrick Lestingi and Alex Cagle have been competing for the position and will continue in the upcoming training camp.
"Alex Cagle and Patrick Lestingi worked very hard during the spring. Both will be fighting for the starting position next year. That competition really helped those guys in the spring, and both of them did really well in the games."
MacWilliams saw improvement from his team during the spring season and thinks the offseason has provided a great opportunity for the young team to mature.
"Overall I think our shape was much better. When you have as many freshmen as we did last season and play with some of the sophomores and changes, I think our formation and shape on the field has drastically improved. I think it's the players getting a better understanding of their roles on the team, and I think that's helped us out a lot."
Players Mentioned
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