Indiana University Athletics
Men's Soccer Opens Preseason Camp
8/19/2009 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Aug. 19, 2009
VIDEO: Lee Hagedorn discusses preseason camp and the upcoming year
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - The 2009 season finally got underway for the Indiana men's soccer team as they opened preseason camp with a pair of practice on Wednesday at the IU Practice Field on the Bloomington campus.
The morning session saw the team work on individual drills and small-sided games under a hazy sky and in muggy conditions. The weather did not seem to have an effect on the team as the spirited small-sided games were eventually won by the white team.
The afternoon session gave the players the opportunity to get out and play as the two hours was spent playing 11 v 11 matches. The first match featured upperclassmen vs. underclassmen, while the second effort pitted last year's starters against the younger players.
"It seemed like we started late this year, so I have been waiting since April to get back out here," said head coach Mike Freitag. "I like this group. I think they work hard and this was a good first day. I like what I saw. The young players, the older players, everyone is on the same page. We have a lot of talent out here and it is going to benefit us."
The team will continue with its two-a-day training through Saturday before a team scrimmage on Sunday. Training continues through Aug. 27 when the Hoosiers travel to Ft. Wayne, Ind. to take on Drake at the National Soccer Festival. Their final preseason game comes on Aug. 29 against DePaul, also at the National Soccer Festival. The first match of the season is Sept. 4 against No. 5 St. John's in the adidas/IU Credit Union Classic.
NOTES: A couple of familiar faces were out at practice today ... Legendary head coach Jerry Yeagley took in both sessions ... Also in attendance for the afternoon session were recent graduates Brian Ackley and Brad Ring ... with the exception of a few minor dings, everyone came into camp healthy ... all three goalkeepers looked solid in practice today as redshirt freshman Luis Soffner, sophomore Nate Mitchell and senior transfer Nemanja Kostic battle for the starting spot.
Players Mentioned
