How do you feel heading into the last part of the season?
I’m pretty happy with where were sitting right now in the conference. You look back and stress on the hiccups or games that you’re not totally pleased with, but if you look back at almost every year and look across the country, teams are slipping up all the time. I just feel very good about this team and where we are at overall.
Was there a turning point in this season?
I think it’s hard to pinpoint where this team has shown drastic change for the better because I’ve seen throughout the season many things that have shown me this team will do well. A number of games like that of Rhode Island and George Washington have proven that this team can pull out wins. We’ve stuck to our game plan and almost came away with a win against top teams in the country. There were many indicators from the beginning that this team was going to be strong.
What does it take to win games?
It’s always about creating opportunities, keeping everyone healthy to play and trying to get our team in decent shape.
Who do you think has stepped up thus far this season?
I commend Brandon Barklage and Josh Heranda. Barklage has really been headstrong on the field and Heranda has filled a major void from injuries, and we just can’t take him off the field right now. I can go through the whole team with examples of players stepping up, but special attention goes to Brandon and Josh. In order for us to be successful, we need everyone contributing. Along the way, everyone has contributed, and that’s why I feel so strong about this team.
What do you think about Tim and Calum’s recognition?
It is great to see defenders get recognized because usually their play goes unnoticed. Not only can Tim and Calum get it done defensively, but they are also able to contribute on the offensive side of the ball, making them extremely valuable two-way players. This is a very well-deserved honor for the two of them.
How important was it to beat George Washington?
It was very important. We played a great second half of soccer [against them]. A lot of guys contributed in putting together the scoring sequences, and everyone in the lineup deserves credit for that result.
What have you been working on?
We’ve been doing a lot defensively. There are so many things you have to worry about with quality defending from everyone, since defense definitely wins championships. But if you don’t get the scoring, then you just don’t feel satisfied. There are so many things that come into play.
What needs to be done before the A-10 tournament?
We need to keep our focus and pay attention to the little thing, the details, and our players know what that means. What’s carries us this year is that the players make good decisions and focus on their responsibilities as individuals. Our guys have the mindset, and they know what it takes to buckle down and win. Our goal is to win all three games coming up. We have to take it one game at a time, and that starts tonight with St. Joe’s.
