Today is February 20, 2009 and I officially finished another grueling week of offseason activities. Since the soccer season begins in September and finishes in late November, the road to the next season is long, hard and tiresome. My Junior season with the team was a successful one as I became comfortable in my Left Defensive position. I started most of the games before a groin injury forced me to miss 3 games in the home stretch of the season. The team lost in the semi-finals of the Conference Finals, and the season that was suppose to end with an NCAA Championship, came to an end.
Here I am, months later, looking forward to next September already. With this new off-season came new responsibilities as I was elected captain of the new group. This huge responsibility really caught me off guard and was something that I truly did not expect. With this honor, comes just as many problems as does rewards. It is now my job to work the hardest on the team, and provide a good example for the others, many of which are younger and nieve. It has definately been a huge adjustment to being in charge of the other guys, and I think that it is safe to say that it is indeed scary. Obviously I do everything in my power to always remain confident and strong so that others believe in the cause, but many things run through my head on a daily basis. I wonder if the rest of the team really likes me in the leadership role, if I am doing a sufficient enough job, and what I can do better going forward. I think that even more than the physical aspect of the offseason, the mental part of it has been the biggest adjustment.
Here I am, months later, looking forward to next September already. With this new off-season came new responsibilities as I was elected captain of the new group. This huge responsibility really caught me off guard and was something that I truly did not expect. With this honor, comes just as many problems as does rewards. It is now my job to work the hardest on the team, and provide a good example for the others, many of which are younger and nieve. It has definately been a huge adjustment to being in charge of the other guys, and I think that it is safe to say that it is indeed scary. Obviously I do everything in my power to always remain confident and strong so that others believe in the cause, but many things run through my head on a daily basis. I wonder if the rest of the team really likes me in the leadership role, if I am doing a sufficient enough job, and what I can do better going forward. I think that even more than the physical aspect of the offseason, the mental part of it has been the biggest adjustment.
For an offseason program, our regimen has been particularly tough. We play 4 out of the 5 days a week, two times a day. In each day, we are in the weight room for about an hour-and a half, trying to get better physically. In addition, we are also playing at night for two hours to work on team chemistry and tactics. With all of this comes life as a student. Homework and projects must be fit into this schedule, as well as eating and SLEEP!
I am hoping that all of this work really pays off. I think that with the core group of players that the team has right now, the future looks very bright. ONLY IF WE CAN GET THROUGH THIS OFFSEASON!
I am hoping that all of this work really pays off. I think that with the core group of players that the team has right now, the future looks very bright. ONLY IF WE CAN GET THROUGH THIS OFFSEASON!
Check out the Manhattanville Men's Soccer Team!
Hey Anthony!
ReplyDeleteYour team is great and so are you!!! Congrats on becoming captain!! I know you and the team will do very well! Good luck next season! Remember hard work pays off