Men's soccer fields young team with 15 freshmen

The Norwich men's soccer team has a lot of new faces for the 2010 season. A total of 15 freshmen have been brought in, while there are only two seniors on the roster. The team's goal is to win the Greater North Atlantic Conference (GNAC) and receive a bid to the NCAA Tournament.

"We have high expectations," said Head Coach Kyle Dezotell, who is entering his fifth year as head coach. "We have several young players, but we also return seven starters from last year."

Captain Mike Lee, 21, architecture major from Syracuse, N.Y., said Dezotell is the right coach for this team. "He is real talented and knows the game of soccer real well. He has a great ability to adapt to other teams' style of play, which gives us the confidence to adapt as well," Lee said.

With the large number of freshmen there is added pressure on the upperclassmen to provide a spark and goals for the offense. Dezotell said senior Captain Roger Motaze, who has been on the All-GNAC team all three years, will lead the way scoring.

Sophomore Jake Leclaire who is the team's returning leading scorer, has been off to a hot start.

After the first five games Leclaire scored six goals and added two assists. At least two of his four goals have been overtime winners, which were a big boost for the young Norwich squad.

Even with those talented scorers Dezotell says the offense is going to need more players to step up for the team to be successful.

"No one is going to score 20 goals this year; we are looking for a complete team effort and for four to five guys to score eight to 10 goals for us." Dezotell said.

"It is about us finding our identity in practices, and bringing that out to the field on game days. With only two seniors on the team we are trying to show them the right way to conduct themselves on and off the field. The college level is faster and better competition than high school, but with all the one goal games it is a testament to their progress," said Lee.

Dezotell agrees with his captain and says his team's biggest problem is staying focused for a full game.

"We are so young that a single mistake may cost us a game. We must pay attention to every detail and not have any mental lapses. If you are on a man you have to defend him and not allow him to score," Dezotell said.

With those struggles, Dezotell and Lee agree that this group of freshmen is ahead of schedule and heading in the right direction. "Due to the roster everyone is going to get playing time. That is something that other schools cannot offer these freshmen, a chance to learn by experience," said Dezotell.

"Our team works from the goalie up, he is the last line of defense, and starts up our offense. We just have to figure out a way to be dangerous and score goals," said Lee.

As of press time Norwich is 5-5-1. On Oct. 9 the Cadets continue their season with three GNAC contests. They play Mount Ida at home (2:30 p.m.), followed by a trip to Rivier on Oct. 11 before ending the week at home versus St. Joseph's (Maine) at home on Oct. 16 at 1 o'clock.