Slug: 090831_sp_MSoccerPreview8_31
Edits: kz
Notes:
Headline: Men’s Soccer Preview
Teams: UC Davis at San Jose State
Records: Aggies 0-0; Spartans 0-0
Where: Spartan Stadium
When: Tuesday at 7 p.m.
Who to watch: Dan Reese rose to the occasion in his first time on the collegiate pitch in the Aggies exhibition match against Chico State.
Reese, a freshman out of Jesuit High School, teamed with sophomore Lance Patterson in the center of the Aggie defense in Sunday’s 1-1 draw at Aggie Soccer Stadium.
“It’s a great combination,” coach Dwayne Shaffer said. “They are both really fast and athletic. Dan is great in the air and Lance is extremely fast for how big he is at 6-foot-5.“
The pairing of Patterson and the 6-foot-3 Reese should serve to solidify the Aggies in-air defense on set pieces and threaten the opponents‘ net coming forward on corners.
Did you know? UC Davis has only three seniors, but possesses a plethora of young talent, including 10 true freshmen and five redshirt freshmen.
Shaffer’s Aggies have been one of UC Davis‘ most successful teams since joining the Division I ranks in 2007. The Aggies have appeared in the NCAA Tournament in both of its seasons of eligibility.
Shaffer does not expect a lack of experience from this season’s squad to interfere with the teams continued success.
“I think we have the makings of a great team with all the talent we have,” he said. “Now it is going to depend on how quickly the team can adapt to playing as a top-20, Division I program.“
Preview: The Aggies will take their young energy and physical presence they demonstrated in Sunday’s tune up against Chico State to Spartan Stadium. The game will also be the Spartans‘ season opener.
UC Davis came out of the box quickly in the 2008 campaign with an 8-1-1 record in its first 10 games on its way to a 13-5-4 record including postseason play.
The Aggies hope to start fast again at the expense of the Spartans who are coming off of a 2008 season in which they netted a record of 11-4-5.
With the departure of UC Davis‘ top three scorers from 2008 comes an opportunity for some of the Aggies‘ young talent to find the back of the opponents net.
Much of the goal-scoring responsibility will fall to Miles Hadley, Chris Leer and Paul Marcoux, the only returning offensive players who found the back of an opponents‘ net last season.
– John S. Heller XXX
