|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
8.31.04 From left, Julie Jefferson, Kristen Gracien, Melanie Cloy and Shantika Britt Fresh Start For Erskine Men's, Women's Soccer Programs The Erskine College Flying Fleet soccer programs are starting fresh this fall with new coaches and new outlooks. Erskine men’s soccer has been through difficult times in recent years. The program has endured five coaches in six years, so it wouldn’t be surprising to find expectations low for the 2004 season. Coach Ben Freakley is determined to chart a new course for Erskine men's soccer. The highly intense new coach, who spent the 2003 season as an assistant with former Erskine coach Ralph Lundy at the College of Charleston, has brought an enthusiasm and desire to win that has Fleet soccer members excited. Senior Jason Windley of Simpsonville sensed the change immediately in the team’s first practices last week. "Coach demands that you work hard and because of that he will pull out the best from this team on a daily basis,” Windley said. “Guys are sticking together right now. “One of our biggest strengths this year is that we will support each other and that will cause much better teamwork,” the senior said. “Coach Freakley will not accept mediocrity.” Windley, an athletic training major, is especially impressed with Freakley`s commitment to defense. Freakley has made no bones about his team’s major goal —to keep the opposition from putting the ball in the back of the net. The Fleet has spent large chunks of practice time so far laying the foundation of Freakley's defensive philosophy. The Erskine men’s soccer program is coming off back-to-back 3-12 seasons. The men open their season at 2 p.m. Saturday when the Lander Bearcats visit Due West. On the women’s side, the team recently returned to Due West to begin pre-season conditioning for the fall campaign. Senior Esther Udall of Lindon, Utah, hopes to finish her collegiate experience with a winning campaign. Obstacles have been plentiful for Udall and her classmates during their careers. This year’s seniors are playing for their fourth head coach, resulting in a lack of continuity in the program. Serge Lipovetsky will guide the Fleet this season and he has the good fortune of coaching eight returning starters from last year’s squad that posted a 6-8-3 season mark. Udall is upbeat about the prospects for this year’s team. "We have the ability to qualify for the CVAC tournament and even be a contender for the title,” said Udall, a chemistry major at Erskine. “We have a good group of returnees, some excellent new players and a good coach.” The women open their season at 6 p.m. Thursday against Newberry College. |
Search | Netnews Home | College Home | Seminary Home | Academics | Alumni | Athletics | Mission | The Gold Campaign | The Drummond Center | |
Trouble viewing this e-mail? Go to: |
