Ben Terpening is the top returning scorer

Posted 8/27/07

The Enzo Fuschino era begins Friday night for UW-Platteville, as the Pioneer men's and women's soccer teams open 2007 play at Marian College in Fond du Lac.

Fuschino (pronounced FOOS key no) comes from Madison La Follette High School and brings an enthusiastic style to the program. He has 13 returning lettermen from last year's 14-5 men's team and seven from the 12-7-2 women's team. Fuschino is not the only new face, as he brought in many talented newcomers who will fight for immediate playing time.

"We had more than 60 players trying out for the men's team this year, with a talented freshman class and a handfull of players who did not play last year wanting to return," the new coach said. "It was a good problem to have. The players worked extremely hard during tryouts, and it was clear that they had also worked hard all summer long. The morale seems to be really high, and I am very happy with how the team is shaping up, and how the pre-season is going so far."

The men return starters Ben Terpening, last year's leading scorer with 33 points, as well as Eric Christensen, Tyler Holle, Mario Millonzi and Josh Sweno. For the women, starters Paula Duerst (one goal), Vicki Hrbar (10 starts), Shannon Jacoby (18 starts), Kim Schneckloth (eight goals), and goalkeeper Laurie Trifone (11-6-2, 1.05 goals-against average) return.

"All the returners seem to be hungrier than ever," Fuschino said. "They have raised the bar at trainings, pushing the rest of the squad to strive for the best. On the women side, with so many new freshman, we will need their leadership, plus positive and enthusiastic attitudes."

While the Pioneers have plenty of talent, they also face much more demanding schedules. The men have added perennial power Wheaton, as well as Carleton, Wartburg, Augustana and Dominican, while the women will now face nationally ranked Augustana and Carleton, Loras and the usual rugged Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference play.

"Our schedule has been significantly updated from last year," Fuschino said. "The men will face five nationally ranked teams, plus in-state powerhouses UW-Oshkosh and UW-Whitewater. The women play in one of the toughest conferences, and will face some very good non-conference teams.

"In order to be successful we will need to work very hard at every single training, find team chemistry as quick as possible and be very organized. The teams must learn to work as a unit very quickly. It will be harder with the women since we have many new, inexperienced and young faces. It will be a learning experience for many of them, but a positive stepping stone for the future. My philosophy is that you must play the best to be the best, and I see a very bright future for this program."

The home openers are Sept. 13 against the University of Dubuque, with the women playing the Spartans at 6 p.m. and the men at 8 p.m.