The UD mens soccer team is just days away from the season opener against Virginia Tech, and in Dave Schureck’s first Coach’s Corner of the season, expectations run extremely high for a banner year. Find out where he thinks things are headed in the 2001 season.

UDP: Looking back at last year — your first as a D-I Head Coach — the Flyers had one of the program’s best seasons ever, finishing 14-4-2 and just missing the Top-25 polls. With a year under your belt, what have you learned since last summer that you’ll apply to the 2001 team and upcoming season?

DS: One major aspect of coaching that I have developed over the last year is understanding the limits of my players. I believe I have become a little better atuned to pushing them harder. I have also done quite a bit of studying over the past year. I have watched a lot of games on TV, and went over a lot of our games from last season and looked at what was good and especially at what wasn’t so good. We really want to become a more complete team.

UDP: The good news is the Flyers lose just four seniors from last year’s team. The not-so-good news is R.J. Kaszuba, Chris Harder, Patrick Wirtz, and GK Jeff Krempec were vital cogs in the Dayton game plan — perhaps even star players — both on offense and defense. Are these four players replaceable man for man by the returning talent, or will it take a committee effort to fill their large shoes?

DS: Replaceable is a tough word. Those guys did a lot for the program and to replace them is very difficult. However, I do feel we have the talent to continue on the path they have paved. Sunday Isename and Jeff Suzuki gained valuable experience last year and looked good in the spring. Matt Hutchins started most of the year in the nets, so we return some experience. Jason Kurdziel looked strong over the spring and played all summer with the PDL Twin Cities Phoenix. Freshman Steve Ladislaw will be a welcome addition, he is kind of like Chris Harder, but a GK.

UDP: If any word describes the 2001 Flyers, it’s quality depth. Nearly everyone has starting potential and, like last year, Dayton appears capable once again of wearing opponents down. Should fans expect more substitutions in 2001 or will the depth make playing time tougher to earn during practice?

DS: In the NCAA, depth is a must. Playing 20 games in three months is very hard on the body. Every once in a while guys just need a break. We should be two to three deep in every position, but I don’t think you will see us subbing a lot. Soccer is a game of rhythm and momentum. Subbing a lot breaks that up for us. It’s going to be extremely competitive in training. These guys are told well ahead of time that nothing is guaranteed, so they fight and earn their chances every day.

UDP: Dayton added three strong recruits in the spring. Flyer fans will also see a new face or two from redshirt seasons. Briefly assess their potential in 2001.

DS: Most familiar to Dayton is Chris Rolfe. He really made a name for himself last year with Fairmont. Absolute starting potential. I see him contributing mostly up top, but he may earn some minutes in the midfield. Jesse Faily is a goal scorer. He plays a little more like Kaszuba, probably hasn’t developed the work rate RJ had as a senior, but scores goals nonetheless. Tye Stebbins is a very versatile player. He is best suited for playing up top or in the midfield, but he would be very good as an outside back. He has great vision and should see lots of minutes. Steve Ladislaw is a GK from Philadelphia. Like I said earlier, he is like Chris Harder but in the nets. After he gains some experience at this level, he should be very good. All four of these guys have potential to see the field or even start.

UDP: With a healthy 12 games at Baujan Field — where the Flyers are tough to beat — the schedule appears very favorable for a strong season. Oakland, Akron, Cincinnati, Richmond, UMass, and Virginia Tech highlight the schedule. Last year however, wins over Top-15 and Top-25 teams probably kept the Flyers out of the NCAA Tournament. Does this year’s schedule have enough bite to woo the selection committee for an at-large bid this time, or will the Flyers once again be forced to run the table for most of the year in case Dayton doesn’t earn their way in through the conference tournament? [Editor’s note: the NCAA just days ago approved the expansion of the NCAA mens soccer tournament from 32 to 48 teams this fall.]

DS: We would like to run the table to earn the berth outright, but if things happen where it comes down to an at-large, all we can do is take care of business on the field. Neither myself or my players can vote on the selection committee, so we do what we have to on the field. Like other college sports, having a strong record one year doesn’t do much. Having a strong two or three years in a row weighs a little heavier in people’s minds. As for the A-10 getting an at-large bid, I think it is definitely possible. URI did it a few years back, and now with the addition of teams to the NCAA tourney plus Richmond added to the conference, I believe it’s a legitimate chance.

UDP: Briefly scout the Flyers and summarize the top strengths and weaknesses as the season opener approaches.

DS: I truly believe our strength lies with the team chemistry. These guys enjoy playing and hanging out with each other. When you have that kind of togetherness, you seem to work a little harder for the next guy. Our midfield should be a strength, all three starters, Captain Erik Nelson, Joe Appel, and Wade Fischer return as well as Lee Crawford, Chris Moler, and Christian Porto. The weaknesses will be a little bit of inexperience up top. Our forwards have all played at high levels, but with the exception of Suzuki and Isename, they do not have tons of minutes at the collegiate level.

UDP: What’s your early appraisal of the Atlantic-10 race this year? Who do you see as the favorite and who may surprise?

DS: I think the A-10 has gotten deeper. The obvious addition of Richmond helps, but GW made a comeback last year and I’m confident they will be better this season. I truly believe any team could make a run this year, but the teams to watch are URI, Richmond, GW, UMass, and I will throw XU as maybe the surprise. They host the tourney and I know Coach Hermans will have a Dutch surprise or two.

UDP: Unlike football and basketball, soccer is a sport that can — and sometimes is — dominated by smaller schools. Hartwick, Brown, San Diego, Fairfield, James Madison, Furman, Bradley, and William & Mary come to mind as institutions who rub shoulders with Indiana, Stanford, and UCLA on the college soccer map. Does Dayton have the pieces in place to take this next step too, and is it getting easier every year to convince top players on UD?

DS: UD definitely has the the potential to be a top program. The school speaks for itself, if I can get a student to visit campus, I have a real chance of getting them into a Flyer jersey. Five years ago, I could hardly get a top level player to speak on the phone with me, but the last few years they haven’t hung up. I wouldn’t say it’s easier to get those players, but a different challenge. The Dayton community has really embraced soccer, now with Team Dayton winning a U-17 national youth title, kids know Dayton has talent. I hope some of them will take a look at UD.