Photo by: Dani Lopez
MSOC | No. 11 Gaels Host First Practice
8/16/2019 3:49:00 PM | Men's Soccer
Adam Cooper and his team were back on the field on Wednesday for the first time this summer.
MORAGA, Calif. — The defending West Coast Conference champions returned to the pitch this week for their first practice of the fall. Adam Cooper, last year's WCC Coach of the Year and National Staff of the Year, was excited to be back on the field with his team after a long summer off.
"It's always good to be back on the field. In the first session the guys looked good. They're sharp, motivated, and hungry so overall it was a very good session," said Cooper.
Cooper will welcome six new faces, including five freshmen, to his squad this season and was already impressed by their play after one day.
"They all did a great job. As a newcomer, it's always an adjustment but overall they did very well today. You didn't know they were newcomers half of the time."
One of those newcomers was Boyd Curry, a freshman defender who hails from New Zealand. He spoke highly of Cooper's staff after the team's first practice.
"The coaches have been really good," Curry said. "They've really helpful in helping me settle in, talking to me and I'm making sure I'm alright."
When asked about the differences between New Zealand and the United States, Curry noted a few things but was taking well to Moraga and Saint Mary's campus.
"It's very different. There's a lot more big buildings, a lot more people but Moraga is very similar to New Zealand. There's quite a lot of hills and open land and it's very nice, it almost feels like a second home."
On the flip side, after having just one senior on the roster last season, the team will have seven in the 2019 campaign. One of those seniors, Jeremiah Michael, has high expectations for his team this year.
"We set the bar pretty high last year but this isn't last year," said Michael. "We want to keep building on what we've got. We have a lot of experience coming back, I think we're super deep this year."
"I think the expectation has to be we need to work to win the national championship and make this program one of those pinnacle organizations across America," continued Michael.
Another senior, reigning All-American and WCC Goalkeeper of the Year Remi Prieur, is ready to be back on the pitch and is looking forward to being a leader as one of the older players on the team.
"It means a lot to me. I work to be a role model for the younger guys since I've been through multiple years with the program. I know what Coach Cooper expects and what it takes to be a part of this team so I look to be a role model."
Saint Mary's was the only undefeated team in the country last year with an 18-0-2 record but Cooper made it clear he isn't fixated on the program's previous successes.
"Last year was last year. It was a pretty special year, obviously, but it's done. We know we have a target on our back but that's a good place to be, we embrace that. We're expecting big things based off all the returners but at the end of the day, you have to put the work in."
The Gaels head to Stanford for an exhibition match on Tuesday at 7 p.m. and will also host an exhibition versus Notre Dame de Namur at home on Aug. 24. Tickets for all regular season home games can be purchased by calling the Ticket Office at (925) 631-GoTx or by clicking here.
"It's always good to be back on the field. In the first session the guys looked good. They're sharp, motivated, and hungry so overall it was a very good session," said Cooper.
Cooper will welcome six new faces, including five freshmen, to his squad this season and was already impressed by their play after one day.
"They all did a great job. As a newcomer, it's always an adjustment but overall they did very well today. You didn't know they were newcomers half of the time."
One of those newcomers was Boyd Curry, a freshman defender who hails from New Zealand. He spoke highly of Cooper's staff after the team's first practice.
"The coaches have been really good," Curry said. "They've really helpful in helping me settle in, talking to me and I'm making sure I'm alright."
When asked about the differences between New Zealand and the United States, Curry noted a few things but was taking well to Moraga and Saint Mary's campus.
"It's very different. There's a lot more big buildings, a lot more people but Moraga is very similar to New Zealand. There's quite a lot of hills and open land and it's very nice, it almost feels like a second home."
On the flip side, after having just one senior on the roster last season, the team will have seven in the 2019 campaign. One of those seniors, Jeremiah Michael, has high expectations for his team this year.
"We set the bar pretty high last year but this isn't last year," said Michael. "We want to keep building on what we've got. We have a lot of experience coming back, I think we're super deep this year."
"I think the expectation has to be we need to work to win the national championship and make this program one of those pinnacle organizations across America," continued Michael.
Another senior, reigning All-American and WCC Goalkeeper of the Year Remi Prieur, is ready to be back on the pitch and is looking forward to being a leader as one of the older players on the team.
"It means a lot to me. I work to be a role model for the younger guys since I've been through multiple years with the program. I know what Coach Cooper expects and what it takes to be a part of this team so I look to be a role model."
Saint Mary's was the only undefeated team in the country last year with an 18-0-2 record but Cooper made it clear he isn't fixated on the program's previous successes.
"Last year was last year. It was a pretty special year, obviously, but it's done. We know we have a target on our back but that's a good place to be, we embrace that. We're expecting big things based off all the returners but at the end of the day, you have to put the work in."
The Gaels head to Stanford for an exhibition match on Tuesday at 7 p.m. and will also host an exhibition versus Notre Dame de Namur at home on Aug. 24. Tickets for all regular season home games can be purchased by calling the Ticket Office at (925) 631-GoTx or by clicking here.
Players Mentioned
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