Matt Weir/Collegian File Photo
‘Dogs play home-opener today against Long Beach State
With a travel-tested schedule and roster packed with returnees, the Fresno State soccer squad has the tools to restore its winning ways from the past.
The burning question, however, is how second-year head coach Brian Zwaschka’s will utilize his 17 players from last year’s 6-13 outing in which the ‘Dogs were outscored 14 goals to 26 and failed to win consecutive matches.
One significant hurdle Zwaschka’s team will face early in 2010 is its rigorous out-of-town schedule. Of the Bulldog’s 19 regular-season matches over half are away from the friendly confines of Bulldog Stadium, including two in Miami, Fla. and two in El Paso.
“It’s going to be difficult in terms of back-to-back weeks of travel and they both happen right after classes begin,” Zwaschka said. “So, it’s not the perfect setup, but I think it will be interesting in that it will give the team a little bit more time to bond on the road as well as the idea of playing out-of-region opponents.
Guiding the ‘Dogs through the rough schedule will be preseason All-Western Athletic Conference selections Kendall VanDine and Kaitlyn Revel. Both carry defensive mindsets with VanDine being the Bulldog’s top defender and Revel holding the Fresno State all-time shutout record with 24.
“They’re both really good leaders,” Zwaschka said. “It tends to be easier to lead from defensive positions because you’re behind everything in support and you see what’s going on. With Revel in goal, she has the best vantage point and she has a very strong leadership presence and a voice that helps guide the team.”
Despite the on-field leadership from VanDine and Revel, Zwaschka stressed the importance of a complete team effort for the duration of a match. The ‘Dogs battled tough with Cal-Berkeley in an exhibition match, but fell 2-0 to Pepperdine in the season opener on Aug. 20.
Matt Weir/Collegian File Photo
Zwaschka also welcomed six new faces in his first Fresno State recruiting class, a group he is confident will contribute early and often.
“It’s a combination of freshman that are capable of playing from the get go, they are ready to contribute just like the returners,” Zwaschka said.
Fall camp began on Aug. 4, and since then the ‘Dogs have taken few breaks, practicing two-to-three times a day in preparation for what lay ahead. Zwaschka, who is in his second year leading Fresno State soccer, hopes the rigorous offseason work put in by his team will pay off in the long run.
“We have done a really good job in our preseason building up in our ability to hold the ball,” Zwaschk said. “I think Pepperdine was a hiccup in that we kind of panicked in our first real game situation. But everybody knows that we’re better than that and I think that once we get passed one more step of trust as a team, we’re going to be in really good shape because this team is very capable of holding the ball and dictating play.”
Fresno State last won a regular-season WAC soccer title in 2006 but has finished second place twice and sixth place each of the last three seasons. The ‘Dogs won’t begin WAC play until Sept. 30 when they host reigning conference champion San Jose State, but realize the opportunity on the table during preconference play.
“There is definitely value, in particular if we can get results,” Zwaschka said. “But to see teams that we aren’t going to see or hear of regularly, to be able to go away and play our game, and hopefully get some results out of regional that can also play into RPI.”