ANDREW RICHARDSON
Special to The Leader
The Fredonia men’s soccer season was a little underwhelming last year, ending the season with a 3-12-3 record. The team looks poised to turn it around this season, though.
Electric leading-goal-scorer Parker Healy is back this year among many other seniors. As a younger team last year, things were tough. This year those young players are more experienced, and now they look to use their experience accordingly.
Assistant Coach AJ Grecco addressed the unusual situation brought forward by one player with an excited look on his face: for the first time in years, the roster will boast a player who has SUNYAC playoff experience.
“One new player — who isn’t exactly new — who will stand out this season will be Brandon Butts. Brandon played for Fredonia last in 2010, which was the last year we went to the SUNYAC playoffs. With Brandon’s experience, he will be a key part to our defense this season,” said Grecco.
Brandon played in 14 out of 19 games in 2010 and started in six. As a defender and freshman, he was an integral part of the 2010 roster. He did a little bit of everything, including finding the back of the net on one occasion for the 2010 team.
Brandon’s experience is expected to help this year, but if you watch any successful sports team, you will see their main focus starts with conditioning and mindset.
“I feel this year’s team definitely has a different attitude than past teams. This year’s group came in very fit for preseason and are very determined on getting Fredonia back to the top of the SUNYACs,” said Grecco. “The players have been very focused thus far. Also, you can tell this group of players got very close so far, which is always a key for any successful team.”
Senior Sam Greco is a key role player for the team, who figures to come off the bench this year.
“In the offseason, I used our recent unsuccessful seasons to keep me motivated all summer. I tried to focus on the weak areas of my game and stressed getting better in certain areas,” said Greco. “While starting every game would be nice, I’m willing to play whatever role the team needs me to play to be successful.”
Last year, Greco was eighth on the team in minutes per game and also totaled two assists, despite making most appearances from the bench. This time around, he’s hoping to be a key player even in ways that statistics can’t track.
“As a veteran on this team, I try my best to lead by example. We have our share of vocal leaders and individuals while I tend to be more reserved, and when you set a good example instead of just preaching ideas, others tend to follow suit,” Greco said.
The motivation for this team should be high, with at least one obvious goal to strive toward.
“The only motivation we need for this season should be not making the SUNYAC playoffs this past year,”
stated Gondek.
Fredonia will open up the season at U.S. Merchant Marine in Baltimore on Sept. 3. The first home game of the season will be against Houghton College on Sept. 9 at 6 p.m.