Aug. 25, 2008

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MILWAUKEE -- Marquette men's soccer was back out on the practice field Monday, a day removed from their final exhibition contest of the 2008 preseason, gearing up for their home opener next Monday, Sept. 1 against Bryant University. Head coach Louis Bennett has been pleased about the developments his young squad has made, but admits there's plenty of work ahead for the Golden Eagles and their faithful fans.

"Overall, from day one to now, I think we've seen progress and we're better equipped," said Bennett. "I'm a lot more optimistic when we get into the attacking third. We're not running out of ideas. We have a distinct way of playing. We're going to get opportunities. Now it's just tightening up our midfield."

Marquette tallied a total of five goals in its three preseason matches. MU defeated Cardinal Stritch 2-1, tied 2-2 at Northern Illinois, then posted a 1-0 victory over UW-Oshkosh all in the past week.

Junior Nick Kay, who led the Golden Eagles in goals scored a season ago, scored the game-winner against Cardinal Stritch and was credited with the first goal at NIU. Junior Billy Von Rueden and sophomore Anthony Colaizzi also found the back of the net, while sophomore Hector Navarro and junior Tom Lynn each garnered a pair of assists.\

"I'm sure when we sit down as a coaching staff and watch the body of work over this entire preseason, I think we'll be relatively happy with it," Bennett said. "There's definitely a set lineup, that could vary two or three players right now."

It was learned near the start of training camp that lone senior Dan Addis will have to sit out the 2008 campaign due to injury. Addis also missed the non-traditional spring season with a similar ailment, but is expected to return in 2009.

Of more immediate concern are the injuries to sophomore central back and team leader Scott Miller, along with freshman midfielders Amilcar Herrera and Calum Mallace, who have each earned starting spots during the preseason. Timetables for their return is indefinite -- due to the varying extent of their injuries -- but each is expected back early in the regular season.

"I don't think right now we're necessarily 27 deep," said Bennett. "Right now, with all of our injuries, we may only be 13 or 14 deep. The hope is the guys that are injured get healthy and you hope in the meantime a few guys step it up a bit. How long it takes them to do it, we'll have to see."

Marquette will kick off against Bryant at 7:05 p.m. next Monday at Valley Fields. Although Bennett does not promise results, he does guarantee his team will play a gritty style of soccer that will be sure to entertain Golden Eagles fans.

"We need the kind of supporter that -- through rain or shine, thick and thin, win, loss or tie -- they're going to be there," he said.

"We're going to upset someone this year. I think it's important for our fans to know that we're not the favorite in many of the games that we'll play this year. We're the underdog. And by being and underdog, we need fans who believe just like we believe."