The Pioneers look to celebrate more goals in 2009

Posted April 3, 2009

By Paul Erickson, Sports Information Director

The UW-Platteville soccer team returned to the field March 25 for its spring practices. Coach Enzo Fuschino talks about the 16 spring sessions.

What are you looking to accomplish this spring?

"The women are coming off a pretty good season and have the core back. We're working more on the technical stuff and conditioning. I've already seen a lot of improvement, a lot of good play. One thing we struggled with last fall is finishing and creating opportunities. That's what we're working on, and we've seen the results already. There have been some nice goals scored, lots of chances and lots of creativity on top. So that's definitely a plus. That makes for a bright fall."

There seems to be a lot of enthusiasm with this year's team. Do you have the sense they are ready to turn the corner?

"That's our goal for next season. We definitely want to be a contender in the conference. I think they have the right mentality. The girls are determined not to just play close in games but to win some of those games. We're heading in the right direction. It will depend on how the new players coming in adjust to our style and our system, but I believe with the winning mentality we are creating right now, we can hopefully achieve those goals."

You talked about the recruits, and it appears to be a very good class coming in. Is that motivating your current players as well?

"It is motivating, and I know everyone is working very hard. They have to earn their spots on the teams or their starting spots. That's the environment we want to create, a challenging one. We had the in the fall with the guys where all 28 players could play, and their training was very intense. That's what I'd like to see on the women's side, and we're headed in that direction."