Games decided by a single goal became customary last season
Posted on August 28, 2008
Last season the James Madison men’s soccer team played 19 games, 14 of which were decided by a single goal. The Dukes finished 7-9-3 overall and 6-5 in CAA play, but know the outcome of their season easily could have been very different.
“One flip of the coin and [the season] would have been real good or real bad instead of middle of the road,” coach Tom Martin said.
Madison finished tied for seventh in the conference. Only the top six teams qualify for the CAA tournament, all looking for a conference title and automatic bid into the NCAA tournament.
“The games were close last year,” senior midfielder Nick Zimmerman said, “and they were decided on a few mistakes that we made or other teams made. It’s a very competitive conference and I think it comes down to the little things.”
One of the first little things evaluated when Madison arrived from summer break was the level of fitness of the players. Playing 10 overtime games last season highlighted the importance of fitness for both the coaching staff and the players.
“I think everyone came back fit,” Zimmerman said. “You learn some things in preseason games about the team and everyone’s excited about the year.”
Preseason practices also allow teams to get to know each other better. Martin pointed at the improvements in chemistry, leadership and academics. As each little thing develops on and off the field, the Dukes step closer toward their CAA and NCAA goals.
The two preseason scrimmages, against Georgetown and Navy, respectfully, were each won by JMU by a score of 1-0 and provided the first glimpse of collegiate soccer for five freshmen.
In order to take the CAA tournament championship, which JMU has not won since 2001, the Dukes will rely heavily on seven returning starters from last year’s team. Zimmerman, a preseason All-CAA pick, will be called on to lead the attack.
“[Every player] must be able to stop another player from scoring, help another player score or be the scorer,” Martin said. “We need Nick to help and score [and] we’re confident he can.”
Joining Zimmerman in the Dukes’ attack will be sophomore forward C.J. Sapong, who was also named to the preseason CAA team. Last season, Sapong took little time adjusting to college soccer, leading Madison with 10 goals and 21 points.
“I came in feeling like I had to prove myself off the bat,” Sapong said. “I realized I just had to be myself because it’s a lot easier playing [and] not worrying about outside factors.”
Coming out of the very competitive CAA will not make it easy for Madison to reach the NCAA tournament. Defending champion Old Dominion was picked to finish first in the conference and has qualified for the NCAAs in 11 of 13 years.
JMU will begin the season this weekend in the Lousiville Tournament in Lousiville, Ky. The Dukes will open with Butler, who is returning every starter from a team that finished in 9-7-6 in 2007. Then Monday they will take on the hosting Louisville Cardinals, a NCAA tournament team last year.
A tough out-of-conference schedule will not make the road to the NCAA’s any easier, but the Dukes know if they can knock off teams like Louisville early in the year, it makes their case that much stronger come November.
“The goal is to get into the [NCAA] tournament,” Martin said. “To do that, JMU and the other schools have to play a good out-of -conference schedule.”
