COACH SPEAK: Cleveland State Women's Soccer Preview
Aug. 15, 2008
Cleveland State women's soccer head coach Derrek Falor takes time with www.horizonleague.org to preview the Vikings' 2008 season. This year CSU tied for seventh in the preseason coaches' poll. Last season the Vikings tallied their first-ever win in the Horizon League Championship.
Q: What are your expectations heading into the 2008 season?
A: "We will work to build on our offensive improvements from last year and strive to become more defensively sound. We hope that we are able to challenge for a spot in the top half of the Horizon League standings.
Q: How would this team compare to teams you have coached in years past?
A: "I think this year's team is a little deeper, more talented and have finally developed some team leaders. Our demeanor has much more of a "can do feel" to it every time we step onto the field."
Q: What is one thing you have tried to preach to your team in the preseason so far?
A: "So far this season, I have tried to preach confidence and attention to detail. We have ten freshmen and we cannot afford to overlook small things or lose belief in our individual strengths if we want to keep improving."
Q: In 2006 your team scored 16 goals and then in 2007 your squad scored 23 times, how pleased have you been with your team's continued improvement?
A: "I am relatively happy with our steady offensive improvements the last couple of seasons and I am looking forward to continuing that trend. I don't believe we took as big a step forward defensively last year as we had originally set out to do. Defense is a major focus point for us this season."
Q: How much did your team's first-ever victory in Horizon League play boost its morale?
A: "The regular season victory, as well as the first round conference tourney win, proved to our players that hard work will pay off if we keep positive. That certainly carried over during the spring and summer, which has led to a great start to training camp.
Q: Over the offseason you signed a strong recruiting class for this season, how have these players developed so far in the preseason?
A: "It's a little too early to really know without a few games under our belts, but overall, the freshmen have significantly improved our midfield play. They are clearly still getting accustomed to a lot of variables of the play at this level and have to take things in small doses in order to be effective."
Q: How have the incoming freshman adapted to the speed of the college game?
A: "A handful have met that challenge and are playing well in practice. For others it's a constant reminder of what they used to do in 4-5 touches just does not work now. It's fair to say they're getting reminded of that on a pretty frequent basis."
Q: Last season, Jennifer Wieand made a nice recovery from an ACL injury in 2006 by breaking four school records, what do you expect from her this season as a senior leader?
A: "Jen is just fantastic both on and off the field for us as she has become a total team leader. She is one of those players that makes my job very special. With more talent around her she's eager to break her records from last year and help us take a big step forward. Her energy and passion are so infectious."
