2008 Woodie Awards
Men's Soccer: Season Preview
Succesful 2007 brings high hopes for Koch and Co.
Scott Feldman, Collegian Staff
Issue date: 9/2/08 Section: Sports
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Starting a lightly-regarded squad looking to rebuild, the Minutemen shocked everybody but themselves as they made it to the College Cup of the NCAA tournament. This year they have a reputation to protect.
UMass set a new team-record for wins with 17 and boasted a 9-1 home record at Rudd field. The team won seven straight games on its way to an Atlantic 10 championship and was two victories away from a national title before losing to Ohio State, 1-0, in the national semifinals.
Last season's magical run will remain a fond memory for the program and its fans, but it's a new season and the team must look ahead to 2008.
"We're in here with the idea that we want to go back to the Atlantic 10 tournament, that's our goal, all the other goals come off of that," said UMass coach Sam Koch.
With 18 years of experience as UMass' coach, Koch knows that every season is different and he will not allow the team to look backward.
UMass enters the season ranked No. 13 in the nation and was picked to finish second in the A-10 by the conference's coaches. The team is returning eight of its 11 starters from last season, and they carry over a wealth of experience playing and defeating top-tier opponents, evidenced by last year's upsets of Saint Louis and Boston College.
In order for a team to succeed, all 11 players must play their particular role. No individual player would look good without getting help from their teammates. The Minutemen will have a great advantage because most of the team consists of returning starters who are familiar with each other's playing styles.
"The strength of our team, is that we are a team," Koch said. "I think we have good chemistry in the group, they understand how they have to work for each other and they're very good at making sure they work together as one unit."
This experience will be especially valuable because the Minutemen have a very difficult schedule; including matchups against No. 19 Saint Louis and last year's national champion and top-ranked Wake Forest.
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