Following a preseason schedule that had them facing a men’s Super League team, and 3 of the top 5 teams in the country, the Penn State men’s team opens their 2013 league season in Happy Valley this weekend against familiar foe, the University of Delaware.
“Clearly going into the schedule we put together for our preseason we knew the team would be challenged like never before, and that we were going to struggle” stated Head Coach Don Ferrell, “that was the point”. “You cannot replicate the pace, power, and precision of these types of teams in training, and you cannot hope to play that way, if the players don’t know what it looks and feels like”.
The spirit of the team is high, and they have a very clear understanding now of what their strengths and weaknesses are, and things they simply must do better in order to compete at that level. Further, they understand the focus, discipline, and work rate required of them as well. All of these lessons should serve them well as they enter the season, but in the end it is up to the players to put what they have learned into their play on the pitch.
Kickoff for the Delaware match is scheduled for 1:00pm, Saturday March 23rd, at home on our West Campus Pitch (weather permitting). Everyone involved in the program is excited for the season to begin, and sincerely hopes to see you on the touchline at a match this spring!
