Lehigh University Athletics
Men's soccer kicks off preseason camp
8/15/2011 10:12:00 PM | Men's Soccer
BETHLEHEM, Pa. - The Lehigh men's soccer team opened preseason camp on Monday with the team's first official practice. While the team reported and did testing the day before, Monday was the first time the team was together on the pitch. The 2011 Mountain Hawks return eight starters from a 2010 squad that finished second in the conference for the second consecutive year.
"The first three days are a lot of evaluation," said head coach Dean Koski, who enters his 20th season at the helm. "In terms of playing, it's just getting them ready. We need to see how much playing they've done over the summer and what they look like. You try to sort out positions and build team chemistry. Ultimately, it's a lot to do and a lot to check off in two weeks, but that's why you have preseason."
Lehigh will have an experienced group as they return 10 upperclassmen, including eight seniors.
On the offensive side of the ball, the Mountain Hawks will return their top two points leaders from 2010 - senior Joe Puleo (nine points) and senior co-captain Neal Melchionni (eight points).
"With the first practice, you never know what to expect; everyone's a little bit nervous," said Melchionni. "I thought the first practice went really well, but we have two weeks of preseason so I'm looking forward to that."
Donning a captain's armband along with Melchionni will be junior midfielder Cameron Omsberg. Omsberg had a breakout sophomore year, starting all 18 games and earning his first-college point with an assist on a game-winner against Princeton to help Lehigh earn its 500th program victory.
"We have to establish a leadership culture in the program and what the expectations are within each one of the classes," said Koski. "Neal and Cam will be responsible for that and making sure they know what the rules and responsibilities are."
On the other side of the ball, Lehigh will look to continue to keep teams off the scoreboard as the Mountain Hawks defense allowed just 18 goals in 18 total games last season, including eight shutouts. They will be led by senior back Kevin Strunk, who was named the 2010 Patriot League Defensive Player of the Year.
While Lehigh may have the pieces on paper to again compete for a Patriot League Championship, Koski knows that it all starts with working hard in preseason.
"We'll take one component a day like we did today, with defending and attacking, and build from the basics," he said. "If we can check off something every day that we feel like we've introduced the guys to and taught them, then we're going to move in the right direction."
Lehigh is preparing for its season opener at the Ulrich Sports Complex on Aug. 27 against America East opponent Stony Brook.
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