The main focus of the Seton Hill University (SHU) men’s soccer team this season is to �try and post the best record possible as we move to the National College Athletic Association (NCAA),� according to Dan McCarty, head coach.
The team’s current overall record is 4-6-1. Although the team does have six losses, most of the games were close matches.
By Amy Dugan,
Contributor
The main focus of the Seton Hill University (SHU) men’s soccer team this season is to �try and post the best record possible as we move to the National College Athletic Association (NCAA),� according to Dan McCarty, head coach.
The team’s current overall record is 4-6-1. Although the team does have six losses, most of the games were close matches.
�Our biggest challenge this year has been scoring goals. We�ve outplayed most of our opponents but we haven’tbeen able to finish our chances,� said McCarty.
Mike Pistentis, a freshman player, said, �It has been a very long and challenging season, and we don’thave the record to show that. Our team has out shot our opponent 10-1 in at least three of our games that ended in a loss. However, I am still very impressed with the skill and heart on this team.�
This year’s team is lead by captains Chris Fawcett and Daryl Ferguson, both seniors.
�Both are excellent players and leaders on the team,� says McCarty.
There are currently seven freshmen on the varsity team, two of which have earned starting positions:
Garrett Fishaw from Michigan and Mike Pistentis of Greensburg, Pa.
Also, Mike Powers and Mike Oliver, both freshmen, are seeing a good amount of playing time as forwards.
There were no injuries from the previous season, however, the team did lose starter Adam Galando to a knee injury at the beginning of this season.
This fall 2006 season will be the team’s last season competing in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Conference, as SHU is making the move to the NCAA Division II. This leaves the team ineligible for the 2006 NAIA playoffs.
�It is a big blow to our team, especially because of how many seniors we have this year, but it is just one of those things that you have to forget about and just play,� said Fawcett.
With six games remaining in their season, the team will be working to improve their final record.
�We are a much better team then what our record says,� said Fawcett.
�I think the biggest game this season will be our last against Notre Dame of Ohio. It’s a rivalry and the last college game for a lot of our players,� Fawcett added.
This year’s team will be losing 13 seniors, leaving some big shoes to be filled by the younger players.
Powers sums up the mentality of this year’s team best.
�It’s awesome to finally be on a team with guys that want to win as much as I do,� said Powers.
�Growing up I had to push my teammates to win, each member of the Griffin squad wants to win as much as the next one, failure is the furthest thing from our minds,� said Powers.
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