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Cardinal Roster
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Cardinal Statistics
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Cardinal Schedule
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MIAC Standings
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MIAC Statistics
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| The Records: 2-7-1 MIAC, 3-10-3 Overall |
| Upcoming Events: Thurs., Sept. 1: SMU at Simpson, 7:30 p.m. Sat., Sept. 3: SMU at St. Norbert, 2 p.m. Mon., Sept. 5: Loras at SMU, 5 p.m. Sat., Sept. 10: SMU at Carthage, 1 p.m. |
| This and That: Michael Schmitt's (Woodridge, Ill.) five goals and 11 points were team-highs a year ago. … All three of the Cardinals' wins were by shutout, while two of SMU's three ties were also shutouts. … SMU was 2-3-2 on its home field, but just 1-7-1 on the road. … After scoring nine goals through their first 13 games, the Cardinals scored six in their final three. |
they're taking a different approach this time around
WINONA, Minn. — Eric Luzzi isn't going to deny it — he wants to see his Saint Mary's University men's soccer team playing soccer in early November — as one of the four teams in the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference post-season tournament.
But, the Cardinals' head coach admits, that goal isn't what's driving his team this year.
Rather than focusing on the future, Luzzi and the Cardinals are living in the present.
"It's been a little different atmosphere thus far," Luzzi said. "We have not had one discussion — no one's even thought about — where we want to be at the end of the season.
"All the returners know what our general goals have always been – getting to the MIAC Tournament, etc. — but this year we're taking a little different approach," continued Luzzi. "We're focusing on every (practice) session. We want every session to be as good as it possibly can be. If every session is good, then in three weeks, we will be a decent team, and by the end of the year, we will be pretty good."
And very good is something the Cardinals have not been of late.
"We have a lot to prove — to ourselves, to the school, to the MIAC," said Luzzi, whose Cardinals struggled to a 3-10-3 overall record a year ago. "We were not a great team last year, but we were better than three wins. The year before, we managed (four) wins — and we were definitely better than that.
"It's time for us to start living up to our potential."
And with seniors Mike Boland (Lake Zurich, Ill.), Andy Kozar (Libertyville, Ill.), Jon Vik (St. Paul, Minn.), Jeff Kunick (Eau Claire, Wis.) and Mark Matyas (DePere, Wis.) leading the way, Luzzi is confident that this year's Cardinals can do just that.
"Our seniors have been awesome leaders," praised Luzzi. "They are the definitely foundation of this team."
A team whose chemistry is its greatest strength — and potentially, its greatest weakness.
"Everyone on this team is on the same page. We don't have the typical male-team problems — there are no egos, no selfish, me-first players," said Luzzi. "The guys truly enjoy being together and they are determined to do whatever it takes to make this a successful season."
On the other hand … .
"Our best asset could be our worst," warned Luzzi. "As good as our team chemistry is, we just might be too nice a team.
"We'll just have to wait and see."