Men's Soccer Opens Season Versus Marist and LIU

8/25/2021 11:32:00 AM

Entering his 11th season as head coach of the men's soccer program, Don D'Ambra sat down to preview this year's team and talk about expectations, the roster, and this year's schedule ahead of the Hawks' season-opening match against Marist on Thursday. The Hawks will then host LIU on Sunday night.

Q: What are your expectations for the team this season?
We have set several goals for the season. We want to compete playing a style of play that is fun, aggressive, and with a sense of togetherness. We also want to advance to the conference tournament and make a strong run to win the A-10 championship.

Q: How does a quick transition from a spring season to a fall season impact the team?
One good thing with the quick transition is that tactical concepts are still fresh on their minds. So it's a matter of refreshing them for the returning players, but more importantly teaching them to the new players.

Q: What do the newcomers bring to the team?
We have a very talented incoming class, with four attacking players (Omry Perel, Matias Mancini, Blake Driehuis and Truls Brændvang), and they all have made a positive impact within their first two weeks of the season. In addition, we will have a lot of depth in other positions (Simon Chrétien in the midfield; Tevin Lessey, Brandon Barrett on defense; and Lars Haavie and Christian Matson in goal). There are also three returning impact players in Aidan Watkins, Daniel Morales and Alvin Dahn, who will all be major contributors this season. We have a lot of older and mature players, so the leadership qualities are spread throughout the entire team and very impressive.

Q: With a strong veteran presence on the roster, what roles do you see the upperclassmen playing as leaders?
Underclassmen understand that there are a lot of older players, but they have all been focused and competing to get minutes on the field. We have some younger players who we expect to contribute to the team's success this season.

Q: Will you look to continue to play a similar style as in the past, or adjust it from previous years?
Similar style, but we will be more explosive in the attack. We were able to bring in some very talented and experienced players, so their quality will enhance the ability to execute and create in the offensive end of the field.

Q: What are some of the matches fans should be excited for this year?
Atlantic 10 matches are always exciting, but we are hosting Navy, which is always a great game. And our matches versus George Mason, Duquesne, Saint Louis and Massachusetts will be very exciting contests.

Follow the Saint Joseph's men's soccer team on Instagram and Twitter.

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