Men’s soccer team will replace graduates with slew of freshmen
New goalie must emerge in 2007
Posted on August 27, 2007
The word “rebuilding” in sports is a word used often by the media that can force players and coaches to cringe.
With the loss of five starters and eight lettermen outsiders would think that the JMU men's soccer team is currently going through a “rebuilding” phase. But the addition of fourteen players, including ten freshmen ranked as the 10th best recruiting class in the nation could dispel this notion.
"The is a very young team, and it will be a learning experience for some," sophomore midfielder Nick Zimmerman said, "But the seniors that have left gave us a mentality of winning and a pride to always represent JMU in a positive and professional manner."
This year's team will be looking for their leadership from Zimmerman along with senior and three-year starting midfielder Tristan Murray, sophomore forward Kyle Morsink, and junior defender Jesse Baust.
Baust will be relied on to help the new goalkeeper make a smooth transition into the position with the most pressure. This goalie will face a large challenge as he needs to not only beat out the other three goalies but also stepping in for Kevin Trapp. Trapp graduated after recording 26 career shutouts. Four freshmen will be heavily relied on to step in and play right away for the young Dukes.
Of the seniors who graduated, five are playing professionally at some level, leaving a large void not only in terms of talent, but also in experience on the field, leadership on and off the field, and as Head Coach Tom Martin puts it, routine regularity. With so many holes on the field the coaches are looking to put together intense competitions for playing time.
"Things are wide open as we are trying to put together a competitive environment," Martin said. "There are a lot of things to be positive about and we are seeing a lot of solid energy."
The season opens on August 31 with a tournament at JMU against Marshall and UNC Greensboro before six other non-conference games including a game against Big East contender Syracuse. The CAA portion of the schedule opens on October 5 against Drexel.
"Hopefully we will be peaking and be playing our best soccer come conference games and in the CAA tournament. Teams in the league feel as if this might be the payback year for them to get even with us, but I can honestly tell you we definitely don't see it in that way," Zimmerman said.
Martin, entering his 22nd year of coaching at JMU and his 31st year overall, feels very good about the progress he has already seen out of his young team.
With 11 wins this year Martin will reach the 300 win plateau at JMU and with only one losing season during his entire coaching tenure there is little reason to believe he won’t reach the milestone.
"I like this group. They have a high degree of potential to be a good team," Martin said. "This group has the potential to have a very bright future."