Future Bright for Squad with 14 Newcomers
Aug. 21, 2002
Evanston, Ill.-Week one of preseason camp for Northwestern's men's soccer team is in the books. The Wildcats have just four days until they get their first shot at an opposing team, DePaul, in an exhibition match, but Head Coach Tim Lenahan said his team is ready.
"Things are going well," Lenahan said. "We have more talent than past years, and the group seems to be happier so far. Team chemistry is very important for building a program. Obviously, the DePaul match will be a big test for us to see where we are as a unit."
The match kicks off at 4 p.m. Sunday at Lakeside Field, where the 'Cats have spent a good portion of the last week conducting conditioning drills and scrimmages. Senior co-captain Steven Jedlinski (Palatine, Ill./Fremd) said the team is coming together.
"The bar has raised," Jedlinski said. "The talent level is higher, the expectations are higher. Guys are willing to put in the effort, and the new guys are here to make a difference. Coach (Lenahan) recruited them because he knew that's what they wanted to do."
As it was last season, much of the team philosophy is geared toward defense. Freshman Tito Lara (Joliet, Ill./Joliet), a midfielder and forward for NU, cites the focus on defense as the biggest difference from his club days during high school.
"The college game is a lot more intense and physical," Lara said. "The coaches right now have had us focus on defense, while I played more forward before. We've only worked on attacking a little bit, but with a little more time I think it will all come together."
With the season opener set for Aug. 30 at Bradley, Lenahan said he wants to see his team get better every day.
"We need to go into games and give a full effort," Lenahan said. "The winning will take care of itself. If we get 26 guys to care about Northwestern soccer, then good things will start to happen."
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