PS: As we approach the heart of the season coming back to st. Louis, what have you learned about this years squad ?
AK:This team is disciplined, patient, and really gets after it defensively. I'd also say we are fairly versatile and have some promising young players.
PS:What was the biggest difference you noticed as far as game play out east?
AK: We played NCAA rules on the trip. The NCAA FO rules seem to be far easier to officiate, and all teams were really able to get after it. All 3 games that we played were grinders, every possession mattered, and every turnover seemed to haunt the team that committed it. There were also very, very few flags thrown so we had to get used to the physicality.
PS: All 3 games featured a strong second half for your boys. What were some half time adjustments?
AK: Because we didn't really have any information on teams, we didn't know who their primary dodgers were, and we didn't know who to pole. Unfortunately, we spotted STAB a 7-1 lead before settling in and cut it to 7-5 with about 5 minutes to go in Q4. We had our chances to cut it to one, but we just couldn't finish. Against Penn Charter, we were frankly pretty gassed due playing a STAB less than 24 hours earlier. We went down 3-0, tied it at 5-5, and went into the 4th quarter with 1 goal deficit. I think our legs hurt us trying to close it out and we had to exert a lot of energy coming back from the early hole we dug for ourselves. Against SSSAS, we came out ready to play and were down 3-2 at half. They were very, very good. The turning point came late in Q3 when we made a huge defensive stand for nearly 3 min, recovered a ground ball in front of the crease. SSSAS was able to knock the ball out of our goalies clamp, and they scored an uncontested shot. I felt like if we could have cleared there, we had a good chance to enter Q4 down by 1 instead of down by 3. Ultimately, they had more shooters than us and we struggled to put balls in the net.
PS: How did it feel to return to SSSA with an established program of your own and to compete well?
AK: I adore SSSAS and appreciate their willingness to play us. This was our best effort against them, and I always learn new things from their staff. I love my team this year, and we did not back down to the hype. Playing them is always fun because they are just so well coached and disciplined.
PS: With a few key players out some young guys have had to step in. What do you think about their performance so far?
AK: The young guys have a really long way to go. We were without a few key guys for our last two games and played multiple freshman and sophomores. In these early season games it is important to give players experience so that we can have some depth by the end of the year. I think it's pretty well known that we have a strong feeder program, so the learning curve isn't that big of a deal when the rookies play.
PS: Any players that stood out on field?
AK: Banks Pflager reminds me a lot of Eureka's Sean Conway, he was one of our best overall players and most of the coaches said he would be a top 5 midfielder in their league. Alex Bean was exceptional winning nearly 70 percent of his draws, and our defense and goalie play was truly outstanding
PS: Lastly, you guys have a match up with #2 De Smet Thursday, which is always a great game. Going into practice this week what is your focus?
AK: Our focus is to focus on ourselves and what we can do to find ways to score. Desmet is the best team in the area in my opinion and I think we should be considered an underdog.
Thank you to Coach Kay for taking the time, and be sure to check back Thursday for our preview of #1 MICDS vs #2 De Smet.
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