By Andrew Kiser
At first glance, the CMU Women’s Soccer team’s record last season of 4-10-4 might not seem noticeable to most. But after winning three out of their final four games last season, and winning both their preseason games this year with a combined score of 7-0, head Coach Jason Clare has been noticing how well
the team is playing.
“My philosophy is player driven and I think how we finished last season shows that it works and this preseason we have started off on the right foot,” Clare said.
The RMAC Women’s Soccer Preseason Coaches’ Poll picked CMU to finish tenth, but Clare
sees that his team has improved since his first year as coach, when the team won only one game the whole year.
“I think from what I can see is that we have more team chemistry since I have been here,” Clare said. “And the biggest thing is we have matured from what I have seen so far in the two preseason wins so far.”
Defense captain, Taylor Bruno, also notices the team has better chemistry and she also notices that the team is in better shape.
“Coming into this year we are very fit and we are able to play a whole 90 minute game,” Bruno, who was named to the All-RMAC Second Team last season, said.
Clare says with having a young team, they have become better mentally and physically, but he does see how his team can improve as the season progresses.
“We need to finish our chances, in the last two preseason games we won both games, but we could have scored a lot more,” Clare said. “We need to finish our chances when we are in the box, but I am pleased by the chances we are creating.”
Bruno sees the team needs to be locked in during the games when they are behind. “We have to not be down on ourselves after being down a goal and staying focused and driven to come back and win,” Bruno said. “We also have to improve on scoring, last season we did not score that many goals and we have done that so far by scoring seven goals in two games.”
As Clare enters his third year as head coach, he noticed how much he has matured as a head coach.
“My learning curve has been so steep that it is unbelievable, to be honest in my first year I was a little naïve and I did not realize how great the RMAC was,” Clare said. “In terms of women’s soccer, it is one of the best conferences.”
