What are you most excited about for this season?
"I'm excited to see how all of our training and hard work over the last eight months has prepared us for the fall season. We began preparation for this fall back in January. We had a fantastic off-season this spring and the players carried that momentum with them into their summer training. That preparation is the foundation for the fall season and I'm excited to see it all come together."
How has your team improved since last year?
"I think we're a better team on both sides of the ball. We're a more cohesive defensive unit and have improved our possession-style mentality. Our players have committed to these areas and put in the effort and understanding to be more organized on defense and take care of the ball in the attack. I think we have grown as a team across many dimensions technically and tactically."
Here is the last piece for the soccer guide....the Q&A with Missy:
You have good core of returners coming back including your All-WAC and WAC-All Tournament selections from a year ago...how will they help your team this year?
"We return many starters and impact players this year. I'm excited to see how they continue to make an impact beyond their contributions from last year. I think our All-WAC and All-tournament players got a burst of confidence from their selections and used that leading into the 2010 season. I also know that each of them is extremely competitive and will work hard to demonstrate they can be a repeat selection. Beyond that, I think we're special in that each of our players understands they have an important role on our team and our success is a result of every player's contribution. I know that our student-athletes will come into training camp with the mentality of competing for a starting position and doing whatever it takes to help the team achieve our goals."
How will this year's recruiting class make an impact?
"We have four very strong freshmen coming in this fall. I believe that from day one, each will have a positive impact on the team. I think they are all good enough to compete for a starting position or playing time. They are technical players and smart on the ball. I think their experiences as club players have prepared them for success in their freshman year and beyond."
Talk a little bit about the goalkeepers for this year:
"Our goalkeeping position returns with experience and depth. We have very good goalkeepers who will compete for playing time this year. Lauren McAdam, assistant coach, worked closely with the keepers this spring to improve their range and decision-making. I truly believe we have solid performances awaiting us in the goal."
Talk a little bit about the defenders for this year:
"We're tough at the back with some good 1v1 defenders. I think we're going to be well-organized and able to shift in and out of multiple formations at the back. We have players who can play wide and centrally for us, adding some diversity to our system of play."
Talk a little bit about the midfielders for this year:
"We're also deep in the midfield. We have core group of central players who are able to set play for us, change the point of attack, and control the middle of the field. I think our wide midfielders are going to be good at beating players 1v1 and serving quality balls into the box. Players like Jill Erickson and Erin Smith, who are great in the air, provide a much needed ball winning presence and will help us control midfield play."
Talk a little bit about the forwards for this year:
"We have creative forwards and have been working on their ability to score goals in tight spaces or under pressure. I think our forwards have developed their runs off the ball and positioning, which will make our attack more dynamic. We encourage them to take risks and be inventive with the ball and I'm excited to see how this results in goal scoring opportunities for us this year."
How has your team built a relationship with the community?
"Between our coaches and student-athletes, we have been very active in the community working with both soccer and non-soccer organizations. We host free clinics, go out to local clubs and provide opportunities for youth to interact with our student-athletes. We also spent time last year volunteering our time with the Marvin Picollo School in Reno. We pride ourselves on being active and visible members of our community and try to create an open relationship with the public. The players come to me all the time with new projects or ways that we can reach out. It's refreshing to know they care about how they can help, be a positive role model and give back."
How will your non-conference schedule prepare you for WAC play?
"We have a tough and diverse non-conference schedule. We are playing some WCC schools as well as some out of region opponents. I think the diversity, travel, and competitiveness of our non-conference schedule is just the right recipe to prepare us for WAC play. We'll face some difficult battles and opponents with varying styles of play that will provide a good test leading into October."
