For Immediate Release: August 16, 2007
Contact: David O'Brian (dobrian@binghamton.edu)
Phone: 607-777-6478

Quotes from 2007 Binghamton men's soccer preseason media day


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Head coach Paul Marco and the Binghamton men's soccer team met with the local media prior to its first-ever training session at the new Bearcat Sports Complex. The defending America East Champion Bearcats will play their first home game at the new 2,500-seat synthetic turf facility on Sept 29 against Cornell. The 2007 season kicks off Sept. 1 at Radford.

Head Coach Paul Marco

Opening statement:

"Today was the first day that we actually got to see the guys run and play. Fortunately our returning guys came back in fantastic shape--the best shape since I've been here as a group--so we were delighted about that. Tactically and technically, our new guys are very good. Our program has been to the finals four years in a row. We are used to the competitive intensity of championship soccer."

On replacing last year's strikers:

"Since last season, we have played the five matches in the spring that we are allowed to play, so we have been searching for those players already within our team. We lost four strikers from last season (who have since graduated) and part of preseason is to find the best strikers we have who will put the ball in the net."

On the team improving as the season continues:

"I think the term for our guys is better. It's a word that is plastered everywhere they look right now. Tomorrow it will be on their shirts. We need to keep getting better so every day when we come out to this field we are going to get better."

On the possibility of complacency due to the past success of the team:

"There is no concern about complacency on this team. It's won't be a reason why our team is not successful. Our success is going to come from us not being complacent and each day we are going to strive to get better."

On the new Bearcats Sports Complex:

"The field is great. It's still a work in progress as our team is right now but I think both will be ready for when we play Cornell at home on September 29th at 7 p.m. with the lights on and the stands packed. We're expecting great things here. This hopefully will have the same home field advantage that our old home had."

Senior back Adam Chavez

On his outlook for the team this season:

"I like what (Coach Marco) has done by bringing in some great recruits along with the returnees we already have. We have this great new stadium so there's nothing really to complain about. I think we're looking for that championship once again and go further in the NCAA's."

On the strengths of the team:

"The camaraderie of this team is real good. We're always together as a team, we're always on the same page, and we're always prepared for our opponents."

On the new Bearcat Sports Complex:

"It's great to have a permanent home. It's going to be good for the fans and good for the community to come out and see us play. The set-up its great, it's first class and it's more than we could ask for."

Junior back and team captain Barry Neville:

On the new players joining the team:

"The goals are always very high here. It kind of sets the standard for the new boys coming in. They know that they are coming in to a team that won their conference last year and we have to do that again."

Sophomore Goalkeeper Jason Stenta

On how he spent his off-season:

"I've been training hard. Nothing different. Just training harder because we got to come back and defend our regular season and America East Championship and try to get back to the NCAA Tournament."

Senior midfielder Matt Narode:

On being back together with his teammates:

"It's great to be back. It's been a long summer and we can't wait to get the ball moving out here. It's good seeing a lot of the guys. I hadn't seen most of them in a while. It's good to be back, having a laugh, playing the game."

On his postseason expectations:

"Every year we're going to go for the America East title each year and hopefully we can do better than we did last year and get further in the NCAA tournament."