Fresh approach
If the Owls are going to make a run at the Sun Belt title, they will need major contributions from many of their 13 freshmen.
Originally published on
8/21/2009
by
Chuck King
BOCA RATON - How young is Florida Atlantic’s women’s soccer team? Half its roster could have gone to their senior prom a couple of months ago.
FAU enters the season with 10 freshmen on scholarship, and at least three more freshman walk-ons are expected to make the roster. Four of those freshmen could be in the starting line-up when the Owls open their 2009 season on Sunday against Stetson.
“Getting though the pre-season with so many young kids who don’t really know the grueling aspect of getting prepared set us back a little bit, but I think over the period of the season when we start getting our legs back under us, we have some really talented kids,” FAU coach Brian Dooley said.
The Owls’ youth movement begins in goal. An Ashley is expected to draw the opening-day start, but Dooley isn’t saying which one. Redshirt freshman Ashley Parrinello and true freshman Ashley Lantes have spent the pre-season battling to be the No. 1 keeper.
“We don’t want to choose one yet because we want to make sure the competition is sharp,” Dooley said. “I think we are definitely stronger in that position (than last year) even though we are younger.”
Dooley expects to start three freshman in front of the chosen Ashley, but the most talented newcomer will likely not be one of them. Forward Jaime Greany is a little dinged and may miss the first couple of weeks.
“She’s just a natural athlete, Dooley said. “She’s comfortable with the ball at her feet. She has the ability to finish right or left foot. She’s fast and quick – and long.”
With so much youth on his roster, Dooley has been forced to adjust the way he approaches pre-season training.
“It takes a whole different tact in dealing with them,” he said. “They haven’t been through it before. They don’t know what they are getting into. You try to prepare them, and some of them are starting to get it. We got into some of our rhythm training over the last couple of days and they are starting to get the speed of play down. They are starting to get the pace of their passes down.”
Season Browser: Women's Soccer
Last year: 7-10-2, 5-4-2 Sun Belt
Coach: Brian Dooley 117-63-12 entering 11th season at FAU, 170-75-16 overall.
Sun Belt pre-season poll: Fifth
Starters returning: 4
Player to watch: Ashley Mannarino – The Owls’ lone pre-season All-Sun Belt pick, five of Mannarino’s seven goals last season were game-winners. “She has the ability to change the game,” Dooley said.
Instant message: "I think it’s the beginning of a new phase. I think we can be as dominant in the Sun Belt as we were in the Atlantic Sun. It’s taken me a little bit longer to make some of the recruiting adjustments because the Sun Belt requires just a better athlete.”
– FAU coach Brian Dooley