Fever Pitch: Orange Soccer Returns To The Field
8/15/2007 4:56:58 PM | Men's Soccer
The Syracuse men's soccer team began its preseason training with a pair of workouts on Wednesday, Aug. 15. The morning session consisted of a number of fitness tests, while the afternoon workout featured ball possession drills and a live scrimmage at the Hookway Fields Complex. While the field players worked on possession, the Orange goalies spent time defending corner kicks, as well as shots from various spots in the box.
"It feels good to be back," junior Ryan Teager said. "Everyone's been keeping in shape. We had a good round of tests this morning. Many of the guys passed on the first try and we're excited to be back out here."
"A lot of the players are experienced," junior keeper Robert Cavicchia said about this year's team. "There shouldn't be a lot of rookie mistakes because we know what to expect. Most of the guys have been through a BIG EAST season before and know what it takes."
Syracuse returns 12 letterwinners from a team that went 7-8-1 last season. That experience will be put to the test early as the Orange opens 2007 with pair of matchups against Big 10 foes at the Wolstein Soccer Classic hosted by Ohio State. SU will meet Penn State in the season opener on Aug. 31 and play the Buckeyes two days later.
"It's going to be tough," Teager said of the team's opening weekend. "It's a Friday-Sunday turnaround, but Coach (Foti) has been preparing us for it since the schedule came out in the spring. Hopefully, we can get off to a good start and gain some momentum.
The Orange will continue with double sessions for the remainder of the preseason. Syacuse will go to one practice session per day when classes begin on Aug. 27.
