Squad starts season strong
The CU men’s club soccer team has kicked off their season on a high, winning their opening three matches in convincing fashion.
And don’t expect the resulting enthusiasm to curb anytime soon.
“We were really focused on getting off to a good start this year, and we’ve done that,” said Dan Whittle, a freshman forward. “Coach Ellis has been telling us young guys about the talent that’s been here in years past that’s been thrown away by poor starts and by teams not being able to gel. Our goal this year is just to get better as a team each and every practice.”
Players said a lot of the credit for getting the team to mesh so early in the season goes to the upper-classmen, who have helped spread head coach Chris Ellis’ ideas throughout the squad and offer support and advice for the younger players.
“The seniors and guys who’ve been on the team a few years have been excellent this season at providing leadership throughout the squad,” said Ray Kerzner, a senior midfielder and fourth year player. “This is definitely the most talented squad I’ve been on and probably the closest in terms of togetherness and friendship.”
The ability of the team to come together has definitely been on display with wins coming over the Colorado State “B” team, Cloud Community College, and the University of Northern Colorado.
“We’ve played in three tough games so far and we’ve been able to come out with the win in each one,” Whittle said. “We have an extremely talented squad and on any given day someone different can step up and make the difference for us.”
The side displayed this talent in its demolition of Northern Colorado on Sunday. Players said they are hoping to continue this run of good form up until a pivotal clash with the Colorado State University “A” squad on Sept. 26 at Franklin Field.
“We’re a very confident team and we’re playing like it,” Kerzner said. “We always feel like we’re going to win regardless of the score or the opponent. We have a good, strong squad and we’re taking it one game at a time with a trip to nationals being the ultimate goal.”
This confidence has the Buffs eyeing a trip to Tuscaloosa, Ala., the site of this year’s NIRSA National Tournament, and coincidentally, the spot where the Buffs won their only national championship in 2005.
“The player talent this season is superior to any other time in the team’s history,” Ellis said. “This program has a winning history and our goal as a club is to win national championships. The potential for this year is exciting – we have a large group of talented players with a passion for the game.”
Contact CU Independent Staff Writer Connor Fleming at connor.fleming@colorado.edu.
