MORAGA, Calif. - The Saint Mary's men's soccer team is currently preparing to start its spring season in March. The Gaels are coming off arguably the most successful season in school history (of any sport), as the Gaels advanced to the NCAA Elite Eight round, before falling to eventual national champion, North Carolina.
"We've lined up a very competitive spring schedule that will allow us to grow as a team and individuals," said head coach Adam Cooper. "These games will give me a great understanding of who on our team is ready to step up and fill some of the holes from our recent graduates."
The Gaels will lose nine student-athletes from their Elite Eight squad to graduation.
According to Cooper, the focus this spring is on individual development as well as team preparation for the upcoming season. "We have a good group of returning players but also some that did not play a lot this past year because of the older guys on our team," continued Cooper. "This spring will essentially serve as their season."
Saint Mary's recorded back-to-back shutout wins on the final weekend of West Coast Conference action to claim its first ever WCC title. The Gaels were not done, advancing to the Elite Eight by defeating CSU Bakersfield, UC Irvine and Brown, all on the road, to reach the national quarterfinals round.
Courtesy: Tod Fierner
