@CanesFutbol Prepares for Spring Schedule
CORAL GABLES, Fla. — The Miami Hurricanes soccer program celebrated its 2013 season with a team banquet Sunday afternoon, and are now set to prepare for a challenging spring slate.
“It was really special,” head coach Mary-Frances Monroe said of the team’s banquet. “We got to say goodbye to our seniors, who have worked so extremely hard for the past four years, and also were able to welcome our new freshman class. Their eyes were big hearing what kind of family we have here.”
The Hurricanes have four exhibition matches this spring, beginning with a matchup Sat., Feb. 15 against FAU at Cobb Stadium. The team’s spring opener, set to kick off at 1 p.m., is open to the public.
“This week will be the first week we’ll have a normal training session,” Monroe said. “The team is really excited to start learning, and I think it’s going to be huge for us to have players try out different positions. We have different expectations for certain players now, and are looking forward to seeing those players achive certain goals.”
Following the team’s matchup with the Owls, the Hurricanes will battle three other in-state opponents on the road: UCF (March 22), FGCU (March 29) and Barry (April 6).
“We’re excited we have a competitive spring season,” Monroe said. “That’s the only way you can get better. When you put them into an environment where they might struggle or might be successful, it’s great to challenge them and see what’s going to work and what won’t.”
For the first time under Monroe’s direction, the Hurricanes will be playing without a pair of graduating seniors who were recognized Sunday: Tara Schwitter and Blake Stockton.
Though playing without two of her key contributors from 2013 will be strange, Monroe said she is looking forward to watching her team take the next step in development.
“It’s going to be big having our first go-round with the team in a non-competitive season under our belts,” Monroe said. “It’s a great time for us to play around with the talent we have and see what’s going to make us successful for the rest of the spring heading into the fall.”
