Men's soccer prepares in spring for next season

For the Norwich men's soccer team, spring means "hard-work and determination" so it can achieve its ultimate goal – winning the Greater Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) championship next fall, according to Coach Kyle Dezotell.

"So far we have tried to re-focus the team, a lot of programs try to use the spring season as the off-season," said Coach Dezotell. "But for us, we use this spring season as our pre-season, in terms of getting organized, chemistry and getting the fitness levels up."

"This spring season, we have been putting in a lot of hard work from top to bottom," said Ryan Robertson, a 24-year old junior from Northfield, Vt., majoring in communications. "And hopefully with the continuous hard work and commitment, it pays off and we have a successful season next year." 

According to Dezotell, the team endures Coach Kruger's (Norwich's strength and conditioning coach) workout three times a week. In addition, they have captain's practices, which consists of drills and conditioning.

"Even though the workouts have been difficult and tiring, the team has been able to press on and deal with it," said Jake Leclaire a 19-year-old sophomore from Las Vegas, Nev., majoring in political science. "No pain no gain."

"So far we have been doing pretty well as a team, our commitment level has been excellent," said Ryan Campbell, an 18-year-old freshmen from Damascus, Md., majoring in physical education. "We look to bounce back from the fall season and win next year."

The team ended its season with an overall record of 10-7-2 and a conference record of 6-3, as it lost to Albertus Magnus College in the GNAC semifinals. 

"Even though we were not successful in winning the championship, I believe we did well with our young group," said Dezotell. "Our young guys now have the experience and I believe we are prepared to make a significant run next year."

"Coming in as a freshman I did not know what to expect, how we were going to be, but each game we got better until the end and became closer as family," said Campbell.

The team played with 11 freshmen and is losing two seniors, so the team's chemistry is something that it has continued to work on, according to Coach Dezotell.

"I feel like the chemistry for next season will be more cohesive, we get along a lot better," said Collin Pope, a 20-year-old sophomore from Tunbridge, Vt., majoring in business and Spanish. "It seems as if it's not as much of individual mentality as it was last season, and the cohesiveness is better."

The team is implementing some new philosophies and strategies, according to Robertson.

"Our new philosophy is ‘be better than we have ever been before,' we have a solid squad and a couple key players coming next year," said Robertson.

In Division III soccer, the team is allowed one play date for the spring season, which means it can play as much soccer as it wants over an eight-hour period, according Dezotell.

"With only 14 players available, due to injuries and other players playing lacrosse, we have not set up a play date yet, but we are looking at something at the end of April," said Dezotell.

The team is looking forward to its trip to Spain the first week of August. It is using this trip as "preparation for the GNAC."

"We are pretty excited for this trip and look to learn a lot from playing against some of the teams overseas," said Pope.

"This trip to Spain and our spring season will definitely prepare for us for GNAC play," said Leclaire. "All of this preparation is leading up to a for-sure GNAC win and we will be in the NCAA tournament."

The Cadets look to their three rising seniors, Adam Ploof, Chris Kohn and Ryan Robertson, to lead them to a GNAC title and possible NCAA title as well.

"With it being my last year and the oldest, I look to lead the team by my actions and give it my all every day," said Robertson. "The whole team has been working hard this spring and we are coming into the fall with a chip on our shoulder."

On April 30, the Cadets hosted Johnson State College for a scrimmage. The teams tied at two goals each.