Bucknell University Athletics
Defending PL Men's Soccer Champs Return to Training Grounds
8/12/2015 10:39:00 PM | Men's Soccer
LEWISBURG, Pa. -- The Bucknell men's soccer team returned to the training grounds on Wednesday, as coach Brendan Nash's squad kicked off preparations for a run at a second straight Patriot League title in 2015. The Bison had a magical postseason run a year ago, dispatching Lehigh, Navy and Boston University -- all away from home -- en route to the program's fourth league trophy and NCAA berth in the last nine years. Now Bucknell returns eight starters and 23 of its 31 goals from a year ago, but as he does at the start of every preseason, Nash and his senior leadership are focusing on instilling the work ethic that Bucknell teams have been known for through the years.
"We don't talk much about defending our Patriot League title," said Nash, "because we just know how competitive the Patriot League is. We know that nine teams are going to be gunning for us, but it's not going to change how we prepare on a daily basis. We've always been about who we are, how hard we work, how we take care of the details, and how accountable we are to one another. That won't change."
After reporting back to campus for team meetings on Tuesday, the Bison began that hard work with fitness testing on the Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium track early Wednesday morning. The soccer balls came out for a mid-day workout in the stadium, and then day one culminated with an instrasquad scrimmage on the grass at the West Fields.
The scrimmage featured spirited play all over the pitch, with Justin Galiani, Patrick Figgie, Jack Zollicoffer and Chris Thorsheim all scoring goals. Thorsheim and Dan Bank set up two of the goals with pretty passes.
"There is a lot of energy," said Nash following the morning workout. "You can tell the guys are excited to be back. What we are looking for is a hard-working team that pays attention to the details and works together as a team."
The Bison will face a quick preseason test next Tuesday when it travels to perennial national power Maryland for a scrimmage at Ludwig Field. The Terrapins are the defending Big Ten champions and are ranked 13th in the 2015 preseason poll. Bucknell will also scrimmage Manhattan on the road on Aug. 23 before opening the season for real on Friday, Aug. 28 against La Salle at Emmitt Field.
