With the mens soccer season just days away, there’s no better time to catch up with UD mens soccer Head Coach Dave Schureck. The Flyers finished 2002 with a somewhat disappointing 9-10-1 record, but Schureck’s club was never far from putting it all together. With nearly everyone returning and significant playing time for last year’s talented freshmen in the rear view mirror, Dayton must once again be considered among the favorites to capture the Atlantic-10 crown. We asked Coach Schureck all the pertinent questions and received all the pertinent answers as usual.

UDP: Quickly recap the end of last season and the impressions it left you with after finishing 9-10-1 in what might be described as a year of many peaks and valleys.

DS: I think you put it very well by calling it a year of peaks and valleys. At home we were 7-2, and on the road we went 2-8. That says a lot, but most of all it points to maturity. Young teams often have trouble dealing with adversity and you will all have things go a little different than expected on the road. Talent wise, I believe it was much better than 9-10-1; but as a team that is a fairly accurate record. We needed to grow up and handle situations better and I believe we did do that. We showed a much better attitude and were more confident in different situations in the spring. The goal is to carry that confidence over into the fall when it counts.

UDP: The shoes of several players must be filled this year, including the lost of last year’s seniors. Leadership is always key. Despite many underclassmen making an impact in 2002, is senior leadership in 2003 any more or less important and what intangibles might they bring to the table compared to other senior classes?

DS: Our seniors really stepped to the plate in the spring by playing key roles during our games, but even more importantly they led the team off the field and in the strength room. We have exceptionally strong leaders this year. Even though Denny is the only captain among the seniors, they have all stepped up to carry this team. This class reminds a lot of the Schulte and Tenoff class. There is some serious talent but they are willing to do what they don’t like in order to win.

UDP: Looking ahead to this season, what comfort level do you have with the 2003 team after last year’s struggle and where do you see the team’s primary strengths and weaknesses?

DS: I have said this before, but I really like what I have as a team. Even with the struggles last season, I believed this team has the ability and talent to win. Our biggest strength is numbers. We have a legitimate 17-18 guys who can start and I am not even counting the newcomers. We can train hard and not worry about someone possibly getting hurt. We should be very strong in the back as well. We are athletic and return a lot of experience. The question mark will be scoring goals; losing Isename is a big deal. Many teams focused a lot of energy on Sunday which opened room for others. This year they will focus their energy on Rolfe, we are going to have to have another option for scoring goals.

UDP: Many coaches believe players improve the most from their freshman to sophomore years. In 2002, the large freshmen class received major minutes on the field and deservedly so. What expectations do you have from the sophomores this year?

DS: I expect them to play a major role on the team at every position. They have experience and talent. It is a our largest class among the four and they have to produce in their roles. Their leadership and guidance to the newcomers will be their most important role.

UDP: The 2003 edition of the Flyers is your first year with a program made up of players recruited entirely by your coaching staff. Looking back to former Head Coach Jim Launder, it appears recruiting has remained as competitive or even improved under your direction. What’s been the secret sauce and where do you place most of the credit?

DS: Easy. The Dayton campus and atmosphere. Once we get a recruit on campus the community does the rest. My assistants do a large amount of scouting and recruiting and put their work into the mix, it makes my job much easier.

UDP: The 2003 schedule looks very favorable on paper. Wisconsin Milwaukee should be nationally ranked and Michigan continues to improve in giant steps after years as a club national power. Along with Wisconsin and a couple other foes, the schedule appears stiff, but advantageous for a very good year. As you look down the schedule yourself, what impressions do you have as it relates to this year’s team?

DS: There are no easy games. Every team can play and has a proven track record. Many of these teams have a much bigger athletic department and our the kinds of teams and games we need to be against to put ourselves in the NCAA’s. Some teams, I believe we have more talent and there are some teams that have more talent than us. We don’t have to be the best team in the country, we just need to be better than our opponent on game day.

UDP: Offer a few bones for the Flyer fans. What should the Flyer Faithful keep an eye on for 2003 so at the end of the year you can tell them “I told you so.” Perhaps a couple players to watch? Different formations? Quicker pace?

DS: We will attack and we will go forward with numbers. We have some proven goal scorers [Rolfe and Tenende] and our defense should hold the fort. Man, I could go through the entire team and tell you to watch out, but a few to look for playing major roles might be Jeff Suzuki, Tye Stebbins, and Christian Porto.

UDP: The mens and womens soccer programs received a major gift this summer as the surface at Baujan Field was rebuilt from the ground up and turned into a soccer pitch that would make Manchester United jealous. What’s been the vibe in the office and among the players about the renovation?

DS: Everyone is juiced to play on it. There is a definite buzz among both teams, but also in the soccer community around Dayton. It should make for a better game and hopefully more enjoyable. We are hoping more fans will come out to see us in action.

UDP: Finish this sentence: “Dayton will be highly successful in 2003 if…”

DS: We limit our mistakes on and off the field.