EMORY, Va. (Oct. 18, 2009) -- The Emory & Henry men's soccer team is finding inspiration in the youthfulness of its squad and the contributions of key players as it looks back on a challenging season.
As of Sunday, the Wasps had only won two of 15 games this season and struggled to score in several of them. But that record does not define the potential of the team, which has only one senior and which, according to its coach, is playing better than it has in previous years.
"We are playing better than we ever have and have more talent than we have had in any other year," said head coach Travis Fravel.
In each game, the Wasps have been competitive, even against the top teams in the highly competitive Old Dominion Athletic Conference. "While being competitive, we are starting and playing freshmen, while other teams are starting and playing upperclassmen," Fravel said.
Because of the experience being gained by the first-year athletes on the team, Fravel says they are continually improving and honing the team for greater success next year. "These freshmen are playing valuable minutes in critical parts of the game, and we have a lot of depth on the team, which is making competition fors tarting spots," the coach said.
The team will lose one senior this year, Erik Olson, who along with teammate Josh Stamey, was named to the Kyle Rote Jr. Invitational Team at Sewanee earlier in the season. The team captain, Olson is a highly versatile player who works hard. Although he is the only athlete to be leaving the team, his absence will be strongly felt, according to his coach.
The team will, however, be returning one of its stars, P.J. Henson, who brings flair and an ability to score. Fravel said, "He is steppping up to a leadrship role, and when he is working hard in games it makes others around him better."
The Wasps, who are out of contention for a conference bid, have two remaining games this season. They go up against Bridgewater 6:30 p.m. on Saturday and Guilford 7 p.m. on Tuesday. Both games are at home.