Rutgers enters AAC play with momentum
As the Rutgers men’s soccer team prepares to begin conference play tonight at Yurcak Field, head coach Dan Donigan cautions the Scarlet Knights to not take SMU (1-5) lightly.
“[SMU] has got to look at this as almost like a new opportunity and a new season for them because it’s conference play,” Donigan said. “So they can throw out the out-of-conference stuff and if they can perform well in conference, it makes it a whole new season and a whole new different perspective for them. So it’s a very dangerous team, a very dangerous game right now.”
The Mustangs were tabbed fourth in the AAC’s preseason poll, just ahead of the Scarlet Knights (3-2-1) at No. 5.
Despite SMU struggling so far, all its losses have come by one goal. Two of those losses were against No. 1 Indiana and No. 7 Notre Dame.
So the Knights take nothing for granted.
“We expect a good, competitive team,” said senior defender Joe Setchell. “We’ve got a real good schedule, so they’re going to be tough. But we’ll just stick to our preparation as we have. We won’t change anything up.”
After collecting six goals and two wins last weekend, Rutgers should not have to alter anything tactically.
Donigan said the key now is staying mentally confident.
“I think these guys are feeling better about themselves. They have a little bit more of a bounce [in practice],” Donigan said. “Any time you win some games, you put a little win streak together, you’re going to feel better about things. And I think you’re going to see it on the field [tonight].”
Yet in the back of their minds, the Knights are still haunted by blowing three 1-0 leads in their first four games.
That eliminates any sort of complacency at home.
“It’s actually kind of upsetting. I think we should be 6-0,” said sophomore forward J.P. Correa. “We’ve been up every game. We’ve been winning every game. … We showed this weekend we’re getting better at it, finding two results. We’ve just got to keep it up and be able to close out games.”
That starts with continuing to push for more contributions across the board.
The Knights focused this week on eight-on-eight and nine-on-nine practice drills, rotating different players in different spots.
“I’m hoping [freshman midfielder Erik] Sa gets involved more,” Donigan said. “I’m hoping even a [junior midfielder Nathan] Bruccoleri or a [freshman defender] Spencer [Hambleton] can get involved on the offense side, but those guys have done such a great job defensively. Not complaining about their performances, but we’re always wishful for more from everybody.”
Motivation for Rutgers also lies in knowing this is its last home game until October.
“We’re really excited because of the results from the past weekend,” said senior forward Kene Eze. “We’re hoping we’re going to have momentum going into our last home of the five-game home stand. We’ve been more mentally prepared in practice and our minds are on right.”
For updates on the Rutgers men’s soccer team, follow Greg Johnson on Twitter @GregJohnsonRU. For general Rutgers sports updates, follow @TargumSports.
