North Meets Roman
Temple University, August 20, 2010: As the first week of training camp rolled to a close today, the Roman Catholic Soccer family successfully learned how to interact with their neighbors to the North. North Catholic that is….
Not unlike walking onto a field as an incoming 9th grader, Roman players’ freshmen through seniors alike, gingerly felt their way around some new faces on the pitch. Some of whom are neighborhood friends or teammates from club soccer, still many who had up until this point had been considered the enemy, at least in a soccer sense.
“We thought it would be an interesting dynamic when they all got together and became one”, said Coach Ray DeStephanis, “but I have to tell you, these guys have taken to each other immediately and I think every one of them will tell you, we have as tight a unit as either school had last year at this point.” And for the Roman Coaching Staff, that has raised some encouraging eyebrows to say the least.
“There has been a heightened amount of interest out here” said Assistant Coach Mark Casasanto. “Looking around there are parents, ex-players and coaches all wanting to embrace what is going on – it’s easy to feed off the excitement of this particular training camp.”
Not unlike walking onto a field as an incoming 9th grader, Roman players’ freshmen through seniors alike, gingerly felt their way around some new faces on the pitch. Some of whom are neighborhood friends or teammates from club soccer, still many who had up until this point had been considered the enemy, at least in a soccer sense.
“We thought it would be an interesting dynamic when they all got together and became one”, said Coach Ray DeStephanis, “but I have to tell you, these guys have taken to each other immediately and I think every one of them will tell you, we have as tight a unit as either school had last year at this point.” And for the Roman Coaching Staff, that has raised some encouraging eyebrows to say the least.
“There has been a heightened amount of interest out here” said Assistant Coach Mark Casasanto. “Looking around there are parents, ex-players and coaches all wanting to embrace what is going on – it’s easy to feed off the excitement of this particular training camp.”
Moving forward into week two of camp, the varsity squad will look to solidify it’s new look on the pitch while focusing in on the conditioning aspect of camp under the watchful eye of the program’s newest coach, Jerry Brindisi. According to senior captain, RJ Fisher, “for the first time in four years, we finally have decided to put in the extra work and go to two-a-days with the varsity squad.” Admittedly, the varsity team realizes that this could be a very good year and that has been made evident by the amount of positive encouragement and constant communication going on throughout the week. Fisher added, “Nothing comes easy, it all comes down to hard work and we must support each other.”
On the opposite side of the pitch, the JV team has scaled down to their anticipated roster number moving into the season and Freshmen team, will look to make final cuts by mid-week of the upcoming week of camp. “I have to tell you, this has been agonizing” said JV Coach, Glenn Steiner. “There are some very good returning players who fought hard for a roster spot and we had to let them go. He continued, “You grow as a family and it’s hard to say goodbye to a family member. In the end though, it strengthens our program, and it’s something that needs to be done, still it’s very difficult to not take final cuts personally.”
On the opposite side of the pitch, the JV team has scaled down to their anticipated roster number moving into the season and Freshmen team, will look to make final cuts by mid-week of the upcoming week of camp. “I have to tell you, this has been agonizing” said JV Coach, Glenn Steiner. “There are some very good returning players who fought hard for a roster spot and we had to let them go. He continued, “You grow as a family and it’s hard to say goodbye to a family member. In the end though, it strengthens our program, and it’s something that needs to be done, still it’s very difficult to not take final cuts personally.”
Freshmen Coach, Alex Kulp welcomed the last of his freshmen to camp today after completing the summer enrichment program at the school. “I’ve a general idea of where I’d like to be on roster spots, so today was a great day to focus in on blending, mixing and matching” Kulp said. “I’m certain that by mid-week next week, we will be set as a team and all our focus will be on the opener.”
This training camp has offered a little bit of everything with a new look combined with a renewed positive attitude at camp. For as hot as the temperatures have been, it’s been hotter on the pitch. “I think the difference has been that these guys know that their success really lies at their feet, lterally” remarked DeStephanis. “They are just as loose as they were in years past, joking, laughing and having fun with each other, but between the white lines, it has been all business.” In the end, it may come down to just that, “Takin’ Care of Business”. Roman style, of course.
This training camp has offered a little bit of everything with a new look combined with a renewed positive attitude at camp. For as hot as the temperatures have been, it’s been hotter on the pitch. “I think the difference has been that these guys know that their success really lies at their feet, lterally” remarked DeStephanis. “They are just as loose as they were in years past, joking, laughing and having fun with each other, but between the white lines, it has been all business.” In the end, it may come down to just that, “Takin’ Care of Business”. Roman style, of course.
