Zach Barnes, Adam Still and Ben Hill face the head during two-a-day practies in preparation for the upcoming season. (Erica Penunuri/The Daily Campus)
Currently ranked fifth in the nation by both College Soccer News and Goal.com, the SMU men’s soccer team will be taking the field by storm this 2011 season.
“In our non-conference schedule we play everybody,” SMU men’s soccer head coach Tim McClements said. “I think we’ll see some of the best teams in the country with this schedule.”
Last year, the Mustangs advanced to the NCAA Elite Eight and posted an impressive 16-2-2 record, winning the Conference USA regular season title.
The SMU Men’s soccer team has dominated in pre-season games, as well as endured an intense two-a-days schedule in the Dallas heat.
For senior Arthur Ivo the training goes beyond just the physical.
“I think it’s [training] harder mentally, for me at least, because it’s such a long summer,” Ivo said. “I’m training by myself so I’ve got to stay positive and stay motivated to come out here every year and make sure I’m fit, make sure I’m prepared mentally, physically and technically so I can do whatever it is that I need to do in order for us to win.”
Ivo was recently named to the College Soccer News 2011 Preseason All-American First Team.
In addition, Ivo and teammate Juan Castillo were just named to the Hermann Trophy watch list, which is the highest individual honor in college soccer.
Five out of six of SMU’s top-scoring players are returning this season.
The team is also welcoming seven freshmen.
“Freshmen come in and compete for spots on this team and veterans need to guide the team and help build a strong relationship with the team and make the freshmen feel comfortable so they can perform without being nervous,” junior TJ Nelson said.
Freshman Aaron Simmons, named 2011 Texas Gatorade Player of the Year, plans to work hard in order to end this season better than last season.
“I just want to make the team better in any way I can—coming out to practice and working hard, by bringing a stronger side to the defensive and athletic side to the game,” he said. “Hopefully we can get further than the Elite Eight because that’s not good enough.”
As a team, the Mustangs plan to go farther by competing harder.
“As you go farther into a tournament the teams and competition are a lot harder, so the opportunities you get are a lot smaller so you got to be able to finish those,” said freshman Juan Castillo, who was named 2010 Conference USA Freshman of the Year.
The Mustangs host a pre-season game Wednesday on Wescott Field at 7:00 p.m. against Houston Baptist.
