Q&A with first-year head coach Jaime Frias:
What would you say is the greatest strength of this team?
Their commitment to excellence. What I mean by that is the hours our players put in week in and week out to contend for a conference championship next fall. Each player has taken personal accountability for their own development. Whether it’s coming out early for an individual session or rehabbing their bodies with our training room staff throughout the day, these women want to do something special next year and are doing whatever it takes to reach their goals and further their development as soccer players.
After being able to coach the team and get to know them through spring practice, what are you most excited about?
I’m most excited about the potential of this team. They’re putting in the work on their end and will hopefully reap the benefits of this spring next fall.
What are your goals for this team for the remainder of the spring season, in the fall and in the future?
The spring for us is really about individual and group development. Because of the number of players we have this spring (12) we can’t really focus a great deal on tactics. During spring games our coaching staff won’t give players much instruction in order to develop the individuals leadership qualities and ability to problem solve through different tactical challenges. In the fall however, everything will revolve around tactics and winning games. Our goal in the fall is about winning championships and developing a winning mentality within the squad.
This year’s senior class has helped Nevada qualify the program’s first WAC Tournament as freshmen in 2005 and every year since. How important is their leadership going to be this season?
I place a big emphasis on leadership with every team I coach. The seniors know how important 2008 is for them and what a great opportunity they’ll have to do something special in the fall. Everyone on the team is doing a fantastic job of leading themselves, through hard work and commitment to the sport.
What is one thing about Nevada soccer that sells the program to a potential student-athlete?
I think when you look at a program like Nevada you have to look at the realistic chance of us winning a conference championship and participating in the NCAA tournament on a yearly basis. What sets us apart from other teams I’ve worked with is our Team Chemistry and commitment to excellence. We give all of our student-athletes the necessary tools to be champions on the field, in the classroom and life. This is truly a unique place.
