COACH SPEAK: Milwaukee Women's Soccer Preview
Aug. 22, 2008
Milwaukee women's soccer head coach Michael Moynihan takes time with www.horizonleague.org to preview the Panthers' 2008 season. This year UWM was picked to win the regular-season league title preseason coaches' poll. This year Milwaukee will be in search of its ninth straight league crown.
Q: For the past eight years Milwaukee has won the Horizon League regular-season title, what will your team have to focus on this season to win your ninth straight crown?
A: "Each year we have a new team and we have to start fresh. The past championships are owned by teams from the past, not this team. We have a lot of new players on the roster and we have a lot of new faces in our defense, so there will be a number of things to sort out to get everyone on the same page. I'm confident that we will continue to improve as the season progresses. With the level of competition in the league continually rising, we'll need to do that in order to earn this season's championship."
Q: How have your preseason workouts been so far? Which areas have you've been pleased with?
A: "The pre-season has been great. Our players are hungry and they've progressed steadily in the time we've been together. Our chemistry is phenomenal and the atmosphere in general has been tremendous. We've been pleasantly surprised by the proficiency of our finishing by our freshmen. They've been lighting it up in our training and in both exhibition games thus far."
Q: Last season your team won seven games by just one goal, what would you say has been your team's secret in close games?
A: "I'm not sure there are any secrets. They want to win, they believe they can win any game, and they work hard to get it done. Maybe past success adds to their belief that they are capable of winning. Soccer is a sport where 1 goal is often the margin of victory, so I don't think it's an unusual. We play a very difficult schedule and our conference is getting better and better, so we expect games to be close."
Q: How comforting has it been for you knowing that you will return seven starters, including All-League First Team members Erin Kane, Sarah Teegarden and Kate Megna?
A: "It's fantastic to have them back. Their experience and leadership are extremely valuable to our program and all three of them have returned in exceptional form. In the end though, it will require a team effort to have success, and we'll need a number of other players to step up in different positions."
Q: You have five seniors on the roster. Talk about that group and what they've accomplished during the past three seasons.
A: "The five seniors have been through a lot in their time here so far. Their years have been the most successful we've seen and they are all a big part of that. They have all contributed significantly. As I said earlier though, each season is a new team and these seniors still have a lot of work to do to influence this team's success. They are not finished yet and they still have an unwritten script ahead of them for their final year."
Q: Discuss your newcomers. Who has stood out to this point?
A: "Honestly, they've all looked good. They still have some adjusting to do to be fully ready for the pace and intensity of the collegiate game, but they are all talented individuals with great potential. If a big scorer emerges out of the group, I won't be surprised in the least.".
Q: What kind of goals have you set for this year's team (both on and off the field)?
A: "Our goals are always the same. Most importantly, we want to continue to improve as the season progresses and we want players to improve through the course of their careers. We want to get to the NCAA Tournament and we want to advance when we get there. We believe we have the talent to do that and that's what we have our sights set on. I think our league has the potential to have multiple teams in the NCAA Tournament and I'd love to see that happen this year.'
Q: You have been at Milwaukee for 11 years. Talk about some of your greatest memories so far.
A: "Wow! It's been a long time and there have been so many good memories. One of the things I look forward to most though, is hearing from our alumni and reconnecting with them every year. It's rewarding to relive their experiences and rehash the memories, both the good and the bad. It's exciting to hear about their lives after soccer and the successes they enjoy. We are trying to give them a good experience while they are at UWM and we are also trying to prepare strong confident women for the rest of their lives."
