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The University of Utah Athletics
Utah Soccer Training Camp Update - Scrimmage Tonight
8/14/2009 12:00 AM | Soccer
Aug. 14, 2009
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SALT LAKE CITY - The University of Utah soccer team will hold an intersquad scrimmage Friday evening at Ute Field, beginning at 7:30 p.m. The Utes are one week away from their season-opener on Aug. 21 against Utah Valley. That match is also set for 7:30 p.m. at Ute Field.
"We wanted to do a game-like scrimmage at this point to get our new players used to the field and get them used to the rhythm of a game night," said head coach Rich Manning. "We will also be looking at players to see if we can determine any of our starting roles that are up for grabs."
Utah soccer has been in training camp since Wednesday, Aug. 5. The Utes entered camp with a young squad consisting of only three seniors, four juniors and 17 combined freshmen and sophomores.
"I was really pleased with the condition that the girls showed up to camp in," said Manning. "They have a great attitude and work ethic and they are grinding it out and not complaining. I know they are sore but they keep doing what is asked of them. I think we have established a good team identity and with so many young players that is a big priority this year. It has been challenging from a tactics and teaching perspective and there is a lot of new stuff we are trying to get through to them. Coming into camp there were areas I thought we would be very good in - possession, speed of play and depth at a lot of positions - and I still feel that way. We are off to a very positive start."
Utah's coaching staff believes that this is one of the deepest squads that the Utes have had in several years, with competition at almost every position.
"This is the most competitive group we have had in camp since 2006 and there are a lot of options still up the air," said Manning. "We are deeper in a lot of positions than we have been the last few years. I think with the way our roster is right now, we will still be making decisions all the way through September about the best combination of players for us.
"I feel that we are where we wanted to be at this point and we are getting anxious for the first game," continued Manning. "We have been working pretty hard for a number of days. We have gone to practices that are shorter but crisper. We demand their concentration for 75-90 minutes and move quickly from game to game and drill to drill."
Also of note, the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) released its pre-season top 25 this week, with three of Utah's upcoming opponents ranked and one other receiving votes: UCLA (5), Oklahoma State (11), BYU (25) and Colorado (RV)
"I look at this as an opportunity to get results against good teams and to make a case for us to make the NCAA Tournament," said Manning. "That was the goal when making the schedule, so it's good to see some of those teams in this position."
UtahUtes.com spoke with senior midfielder Kelly Isleib and freshman forward Hanna Terry following Friday morning's training session.
Senior midfielder Kelly Isleib
On her final collegiate training camp: "It's definitely different knowing that it's my last year. This camp has been very good, we have been having shorter but more intense practices, and we are going at a faster pace. There has been more competition in this camp than any other since I've been here because of our depth and the quality of our underclassmen."
"There is definitely a little more pressure this year being a senior. But just like any other year, you just have to go out and play soccer. Hopefully everyone will come together and we will have a good year."
On the freshmen and sophomores in this camp: "Our sophomores had to step up bigtime last year and they helped a lot. I think they came into this camp even better this year and they keep working hard. A lot of times you see freshmen come into camp and they aren't quite ready but these girls are awesome and they will definitely help us our right away."
Freshman forward Hanna Terry
On her first collegiate training camp: "It's pretty difficult, the level of training here is different than anything I am used to. I have never really done two-a-days so I'm pretty sore. But we are playing really well and playing cohesively, we have good chemistry. All-in-all pretty I think training camp is going well."
"Some parts of it are what I expected, but there are some things I didn't see coming. I knew it would be hard but I didn't really understand the level of play until I got our here. I'm used to a team's practice not being as aggressive or as hard as the games, but here the level is a lot higher. We practice really hard, so I can't wait for the games, I think they are going to go very well."
"I'm a little surprised at the level of soreness, I have to take an ice bath after every practice. I have only ever experience that at club tournaments where you play two or three games in a day. It's funny to think that the level of play in one collegiate practice could be the same as on club soccer game."
On getting used to her new teammates: "It's always hard when you go to a new team. I knew some girls before I got here but I only played with Zoe Van Gorder. That whole strange new teammate thing is a factor, but as camp has gone on our group of forwards is playing well together.
On Friday night's scrimmage: "It's going to be high-level soccer tonight. It won't be as hot and we had an easier practice today so our legs will be fresh. I think it's going to be a good game."
Players Mentioned
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