Preseason at Fairfield University started for us last Sunday. The first session we had as a team was an inter-squad eleven a side game. College soccer is unique because every year you have to deal with the departure of players and incoming ones who all play with a different style. The first few training sessions are always a little crazy because everyone is playing with a lot of energy but at the same time trying to gel with all the other players. At Fairfield, our incoming class consisted of local players who I’ve known for a few years, two walk-ons, and an international striker from England. He fit right in with all the other international players in our locker room, where there are now five from England and another three from New Zealand.
Since that first day, we’ve had a few days of two training sessions a day and have played friendly matches against Fairleigh Dickinson, a 0-0 draw, and Quinnipiac University, a 2-1 win. Against FDU, we struggled to keep possession and build out of the back, but after a full training session with the emphasis on keeping the ball, we played much better in the win over Quinnipiac. Instead of bypassing the midfield with a long-ball into the striker as we did in the FDU game, we were connecting passes from our defensive midfielder and getting our outside backs and wingers involved. We scored two good goals from a string of 5 of 6 passes which culminated in a great through ball for the first goal and an excellent second goal off a cross from the right flank.
We have our final friendly against Adelphi on Tuesday night as we continue our tune-up for the season opener against Boston College on August 28th. I think our team is continuing to look better and better after each training session and I know our attack is going to be much more potent then the mere 17 goals we scored during the 2010 season.
Since that first day, we’ve had a few days of two training sessions a day and have played friendly matches against Fairleigh Dickinson, a 0-0 draw, and Quinnipiac University, a 2-1 win. Against FDU, we struggled to keep possession and build out of the back, but after a full training session with the emphasis on keeping the ball, we played much better in the win over Quinnipiac. Instead of bypassing the midfield with a long-ball into the striker as we did in the FDU game, we were connecting passes from our defensive midfielder and getting our outside backs and wingers involved. We scored two good goals from a string of 5 of 6 passes which culminated in a great through ball for the first goal and an excellent second goal off a cross from the right flank.
We have our final friendly against Adelphi on Tuesday night as we continue our tune-up for the season opener against Boston College on August 28th. I think our team is continuing to look better and better after each training session and I know our attack is going to be much more potent then the mere 17 goals we scored during the 2010 season.
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