Spring Training Helping To Prepare Teams
Jay Kwon
Issue date: 4/15/09 Section: Sports
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Both teams share the same goal of successfully qualifying for the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletes tournament. Their final goal is not a better record, but engaging in the post-season playoffs. To accomplish this feat, the head coaches of both teams, James Barlow and Todd Poitras, have formulated spring training plans that they hope will produce the changes needed to reach the playoffs.
The men's head coach, James Barlow, said, "Again, we do not have many new recruits coming in next year. They are mostly returning players, so now it is getting that physical toughness and aptitude to reach our goals."
The men's soccer team has been training ever since spring break. This training has been very physically focused, involving activities such as running around Willow Creek and extreme workouts in the weight room.
"I am definitely pleased with the men's performances. They have shown great improvement and growth physically and mentally," said Barlow. Coach Barlow hopes that with all these positive occurrences and happenings in pre-season, next year's goal will be achieved.
The women's head coach, Todd Poitras, said, "We will be having [a] very young team next season, with fourteen new players that are freshmen, and eleven returning players." The inexperience of the team should not be an obstacle between them and the playoffs because Poitras plans on integrating bonding and team relations into their training.
"Then the spring training will eventually come later; however, the physical activity will not come in until later, and will not be as fitness-directed as the men's activity, but more game-play focused," added Poitras.
In the history of the women's team, it hasn't been often that a majority of the players were recruits. As a result, some are nervous about the team's potential. However, the women are excited that each member is competing for a starting and travelling position; this should lead to better game play.
The last ingredient for a more successful season next year for both teams is the support factor. The teams can always use louder cheers and more energetic crowds of blue and gold. This can boost their motivation to carry on and become victorious.
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