Posted: Sep 24, 2014
"Hungry For Success" - Tommies Men's Soccer Aim For Playoffs
The men's soccer team at St. Thomas University has been chasing the same goal for the last two years – playoffs.
The benchmark for the 2014-15 season is no different, but as hosts of the Atlantic Collegiate Athletic Association Soccer Championships there's added motivation to finish as one of the top four teams in the conference.
"I am excited as always, but there's a lot of pressure because the past two years we didn't make playoffs and we're hosting this year," said Tommies Head Coach Darren Cann.
The Tommies are coming off a tough, injury-ridden 2013-14 season, which saw the departure of seven players including team captain Dylan Hughes. Cann will be looking to his senior players – Corey Arsenault, Guillermo Bergeron, Diego Ponce and Daniel Steeves – for leadership on and off the field.
Joining the green and gold this season are rookies Nick Brown, Bradley Johnson, Luke Garagan, and Nizeyimana Emmanvel.
"Nick is an athletic defender who will bring strength and athleticism to the back line, while Bradley brings a good attitude and strong presence in the midfield," Cann said.
"Luke is a solid, physical player and Nizeyimana will add technical ability and skills to our front line."
Despite the playoff pressure, Cann's coaching philosophy is the same.
"The team has to play like a well-oiled machine with each player as a working part. They have to know what all the other components are doing and what their jobs are," he said.
With each player knowing his role and focusing on the common goal, Cann is hopeful the team will hit the ground running.
"I think this team will be well-organized, have good work ethic, and be hungry for success."
The benchmark for the 2014-15 season is no different, but as hosts of the Atlantic Collegiate Athletic Association Soccer Championships there's added motivation to finish as one of the top four teams in the conference.
"I am excited as always, but there's a lot of pressure because the past two years we didn't make playoffs and we're hosting this year," said Tommies Head Coach Darren Cann.
The Tommies are coming off a tough, injury-ridden 2013-14 season, which saw the departure of seven players including team captain Dylan Hughes. Cann will be looking to his senior players – Corey Arsenault, Guillermo Bergeron, Diego Ponce and Daniel Steeves – for leadership on and off the field.
Joining the green and gold this season are rookies Nick Brown, Bradley Johnson, Luke Garagan, and Nizeyimana Emmanvel.
"Nick is an athletic defender who will bring strength and athleticism to the back line, while Bradley brings a good attitude and strong presence in the midfield," Cann said.
"Luke is a solid, physical player and Nizeyimana will add technical ability and skills to our front line."
Despite the playoff pressure, Cann's coaching philosophy is the same.
"The team has to play like a well-oiled machine with each player as a working part. They have to know what all the other components are doing and what their jobs are," he said.
With each player knowing his role and focusing on the common goal, Cann is hopeful the team will hit the ground running.
"I think this team will be well-organized, have good work ethic, and be hungry for success."