Coach Garth Pollonais

Erskine Men's Soccer Preview

Garth Pollonais guided an amazing turnaround in his first season as men's soccer coach at Erskine College, overcoming a 1-7 start to finish the season on a 7-3 run.

During that stretch the Flying Fleet emerged as a feared opponent in the CVAC, and Pollonais earned conference Coach of the Year honors.

This year, Pollonais knows, will be different.

"Last season opened other teams’ eyes to what we can do," he said. "So our preparation has to be better. We won't get the breaks we got last year, so we will have to create our own.

"We no longer are a team that people will look at as a sure win."

Continuing the momentum will be difficult, however, with 10 players lost to graduation, including CVAC Player of the Year Dhoud Samba, who scored 27 goals.

"You can't replace that overnight," Pollonais said

"You always think that momentum will carry over to the next year, but we have had so much turnover on this team, with only nine players returning," he said.

"Our upperclassmen must do a good job of leading the new players," Pollonais said. "It is very important that we show leadership."

Leadership duties will fall to the team's only senior, Ruddy Rudder, a small but speedy forward from Trinidad, and a more physical forward, junior Trevor Tyler of Lake City, Fla. Both are team captains.

"Rudy and Trevor have played well and know what it takes to win," Pollonais said. "It is up to them to help us get to that level earlier, rather than late, this year."

Pollonais is working to develop his 15 freshmen during preseason practice, and he is awaiting the arrival of Trinidadian David Peters, a freshman who could give the Fleet needed scoring punch.

"He is quick, uses both feet and has a lot of soccer experience," Pollonais said.

"All of the freshmen have worked hard, and they have looked good at times, but we have a long way to go," Pollonais said. "But I like what I have seen. If everything continues to fall into place, we will be an exciting team."

Erskine opens the season Sept. 1 at St. Andrews, and plays its first home game Sept. 5 against Mars Hill at 7 p.m.

"At the beginning we will have to have a good, collective team effort to stay in games," Pollonais said. "Then hopefully one of our strikers will begin to stand out and be consistent in putting the ball in the back of the net."

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