M. SOCCER SEASON PREVIEW: Camaraderie key for M. Soccer

If they can only fulfill their potential, the Penn men's soccer team will win the Ivy title. If only. The Quakers have to overcome last year's disappointments. While Penn surprised the Ivy League by defeating nationally-ranked Columbia 3-2, the Quakers lost heartbreakers to Yale, Harvard and Princeton and were demolished at Brown on their way to a 6-8-1 (2-4-1 Ivy League) finish last season. Penn blamed mental mistakes and a defeatist attitude. This year the Quakers are determined to think clearly and positively. According to the Quakers, the Ivy title -- and the automatic berth to the NCAA tourney that goes with it -- is theirs for the taking this year, even though they have not had a winning season in 10 years. "We definitely know we can knock the ball around with any team in the Ivy League," midfielder Pat Brannigan said. "We don't have any superstars, but we are one of the better teams in the league. Winning the league is not an unrealistic goal." With Pat Larco, last year's second-leading scorer, out for the year with a torn knee ligament, the incoming class must provide scoring for the Quakers. Freshman forward Steve Cohen had three goals in Penn's last scrimmage against the Hellenic Flames and is expected to contribute greatly this season. In addition, midfielders Gregg Kroll and Ralph Maier should be excellent backups to the veteran starters. "Steve Cohen is not really flashy," goalkeeper Andrew Kralik said. "He's just a goal scorer. He doesn't have a lot of great moves or anything, but he finds the net really well." The Quakers have altered their style of play to compensate for their lack of forwards. The front line will provide support for the midfielders, who have been given responsibility for goal production. The forwards will attempt to hold onto the ball in the box, and everyone will work on scoring. "We have a lot better teamwork and cohesiveness, and a lot better overall players too," forward Tim Rusche said. "We need to keep a new attitude and know we can win. We have to keep our aggressiveness. With a good attitude and hard play, the goals will come." "The midfield is going to carry the burden for this team," Brannigan said. "I think we'll be able to do that." The mutual-support system will be easier to achieve on a close-knit team like Penn's. Most of the Quakers live and work together in addition to practicing and playing with each other. This year Penn hopes to use the camaraderie to its advantage in game situations. "We have a better on-field attitude," Kralik said. "Over the past few years we've been a little timid because we've been so close, not so willing to criticize, even constructively. When we're on the field it's real intense, and we respect each other, which really helps us out." Ivy competition aside, the Quakers will be battling among themselves. With so many talented newcomers, no one's playing time is safe. Instead of feeling pressure, the players think they will benefit from the added rivalry. "The competition is going to push everybody's game up to another level," Kralik said. "The freshmen are pushing people for positions. That's something we've never had before, competition at every position. We're hungry for our first game." "We don't know what we're going to be up against," co-captain Steve Marcinkiewicz said. "But we have enough players that we'll be able to adjust to anything that comes along." Penn's depth may be its biggest asset as the season begins. The Quakers have two strong defensive lines and numerous veteran midfielders. Returning Penn players Mike Schmidt and Mike Leo, both of whom sat out last season, will be key to the team's success. Schmidt is a strong forward whose scoring contribution was sorely missed last season. His presence will free midfielders to play their own position, instead of forcing them to fill in on the front line. Leo will reinforce an already strong defensive line. "Defensively I think it's important that we establish ourselves," Kralik said. "We have to come out and score a lot of goals and keep a clean slate in the back. We have to make a mark in our first game to send a message to other teams. Penn's for real."