Indiana University Athletics
A Freshman Perspective: Eric Alexander
8/22/2006 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Aug. 22, 2006
Freshman forward Eric Alexander is in his first season with the Hoosier men's soccer team. He saw action in both of Indiana's first two exhibition games. Alexander sat down with IUHOOSIERS.com to talk about his experiences in his first training camp.
What are some of the things that you have learned on and off the field?
It's really hard. It's a lot harder than some of the normal high school things. It's a transition moving up to the different level of play. I've been learning a lot from the coaches, and just watching the older players play. Their experience shows on the field and in the scrimmages.
Do you look up to any of the other players on the team?
John Michael (Hayden) and Josh (Tudela) both play the same position that I do. They're both really good players to watch and really good players to play against and have on the team.
What is the biggest change from high school soccer to college soccer?
The amount of work that you have to put in, along with the intensity of the practices and the competitiveness. Even in practice, it's so much different from anything I've ever experienced. I really like it though, everyone is on the same level, so the competition is all really good.
You played in both of the first two games (against No. 1 Maryland and UIC). Talk about the experience.
It was a lot of fun. I thought I did alright, I'm still adjusting to the quickness of the play. I made a couple of mistakes, and I learned from them, but I hope to get better. It's a little different environment when you are playing against the No. 1 team in the nation.
How have you adjusted?
I've been doing alright. Two-a-days are pretty tiring. I keep trying real hard, and I think everyone's been doing a really good job. Everyone is trying hard to do their best, and it showed in the games.
