Central Michigan University Athletics
Soccer Enjoys Successful Spring Campaign
5/3/2007 12:00:00 AM | Soccer
MOUNT PLEASANT Replacing graduated players is always a challenge for any team, but sometimes the challenge is more daunting. That’s certainly the case for the Central Michigan University women’s soccer team, which began its spring season knowing it needed to fill more than half of its starting spots with the departure of a record-setting group of six seniors that played their final season in a CMU uniform in 2006.
CMU finished its spring schedule with a record of 7-1-3 overall. The Chippewas enjoyed success despite only having a limited number of returning players, and competing without several key contributors at various times due to injuries. For instance, in a regulation-length match against the University of Michigan last month, CMU played to an exciting 1-1 draw despite having only 12 players available.
Head coach Tony DiTucci and the coaching staff used the spring season to focus on individual player development in order to prepare for the 2007 season.
“As a staff, we were pleased with most of the things that we were able to accomplish during this spring season,” DiTucci said. “Our returning veterans played with a greater amount of consistency and demonstrated a greater sense of leadership and maturity both on and off the field. Our freshmen from this past fall season each had an opportunity to play a great deal during each of our matches this spring, and they have started to find more permanent roles that we hope they can continue to grow into this coming fall.
“We were able to focus more on specific areas where each individual could improve themselves as a player. We are still not where we need to be yet, but we have definitely worked hard to reestablish a new foundation for the upcoming year. The next step will be for every player to continue the work they have already begun by focusing on their preparation this summer so that everyone comes back in the fall extremely fit and well-prepared for the upcoming season.”
When the team reconvenes for the start of practice this fall, eight incoming freshmen will join the 14 current members of the Chippewa squad to form the 2007 roster. At that point, the next transition phase for the CMU women’s soccer team will begin.
“We have to replace six starters productive players who all made valuable contributions throughout the past few seasons and that can sometimes make for a challenging transition,” DiTucci said. “However, this transition also creates a great deal of opportunity for other players who are ready to rise to the occasion. It is also an opportunity for all of us to work together in creating a strong team identity and new sense of chemistry as we move forward in an exciting direction. Our goals remain the same: to grow as a team, and to continue to win. Overall, this spring was another positive step in that direction, and we’ll look to continue making even greater strides when we return together in August.”
The Chippewas also enjoyed continued success off the field during this spring season, receiving a pair of prestigious awards from the CMU Athletics department. The squad earned the team academic award for having the highest cumulative grade-point average among the 10 women’s varsity sports at CMU, and was given the first ever Dick Enberg Leadership Award as well. The Enberg award recognizes the team that best meets four criteria a high grade-point average, good APR (NCAA Academic Progress Rate), community service involvement and team athletic performance.
CMU will begin fall practice on August 14 in Mount Pleasant. It will open the season with a match against Elon University on Friday, August 31 at 7 p.m. The complete 2007 schedule will be released later this week.
CMU finished its spring schedule with a record of 7-1-3 overall. The Chippewas enjoyed success despite only having a limited number of returning players, and competing without several key contributors at various times due to injuries. For instance, in a regulation-length match against the University of Michigan last month, CMU played to an exciting 1-1 draw despite having only 12 players available.
Head coach Tony DiTucci and the coaching staff used the spring season to focus on individual player development in order to prepare for the 2007 season.
“As a staff, we were pleased with most of the things that we were able to accomplish during this spring season,” DiTucci said. “Our returning veterans played with a greater amount of consistency and demonstrated a greater sense of leadership and maturity both on and off the field. Our freshmen from this past fall season each had an opportunity to play a great deal during each of our matches this spring, and they have started to find more permanent roles that we hope they can continue to grow into this coming fall.
“We were able to focus more on specific areas where each individual could improve themselves as a player. We are still not where we need to be yet, but we have definitely worked hard to reestablish a new foundation for the upcoming year. The next step will be for every player to continue the work they have already begun by focusing on their preparation this summer so that everyone comes back in the fall extremely fit and well-prepared for the upcoming season.”
When the team reconvenes for the start of practice this fall, eight incoming freshmen will join the 14 current members of the Chippewa squad to form the 2007 roster. At that point, the next transition phase for the CMU women’s soccer team will begin.
“We have to replace six starters productive players who all made valuable contributions throughout the past few seasons and that can sometimes make for a challenging transition,” DiTucci said. “However, this transition also creates a great deal of opportunity for other players who are ready to rise to the occasion. It is also an opportunity for all of us to work together in creating a strong team identity and new sense of chemistry as we move forward in an exciting direction. Our goals remain the same: to grow as a team, and to continue to win. Overall, this spring was another positive step in that direction, and we’ll look to continue making even greater strides when we return together in August.”
The Chippewas also enjoyed continued success off the field during this spring season, receiving a pair of prestigious awards from the CMU Athletics department. The squad earned the team academic award for having the highest cumulative grade-point average among the 10 women’s varsity sports at CMU, and was given the first ever Dick Enberg Leadership Award as well. The Enberg award recognizes the team that best meets four criteria a high grade-point average, good APR (NCAA Academic Progress Rate), community service involvement and team athletic performance.
CMU will begin fall practice on August 14 in Mount Pleasant. It will open the season with a match against Elon University on Friday, August 31 at 7 p.m. The complete 2007 schedule will be released later this week.
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