DANIELLA BOSIO
Assistant Sports Editor
“Soccer is my passion and life,” said Alex Ramirez, captain of the men’s club soccer team. Passion is what the men’s soccer team hopes will lift it to new heights this season. The Waves begin this season with a dream to be the best men’s soccer team in Pepperdine history.
After completing last season with a record of 3-4-3, the Waves are confident that this season will be different.
“Last season wasn’t what we had hoped for,” Ramirez said. “This year we will have a young team, but the talent so far looks great.”
The Waves will only be returning seven players, including seniors Max Podlone, Kevin Longo, Alex Ramirez and Dustin DeYong.
“There are not many returning players,” said Podlone, who is co-captain. “I feel confident that the incoming freshmen will play well and make a difference. I hope they stay involved with the team.”
Not only will the Waves have strong leadership this season, they will also add a new coach who plans on bringing a high level of competitiveness and intensity to the team’s game. The new coach is Kevin Eagleston, who is currently the assistant coach for the women’s soccer team. Eagleston is entering his second year as assistant coach for the women’s team.
The Waves plan on an estimated 10 games this season, which includes four games at home and six games away. Opponents this season include rivals San Diego State University and UC Santa Barbara. The team will also compete in the UC Irvine tournament Oct. 27-28.
“Our goal is to make it to playoffs this year,” said senior Kevin Longo.
The Waves hope to earn one of two bids to the state tournament this year. “I would love to make it to the state tournament,” Ramirez said. “If we could earn a bid to state and nationals, it would be ideal.”
Although this team is not playing for an NCAA championship this season, their dreams are much higher and go far beyond the soccer field. Several players had opportunities to play on competitive NCAA collegiate soccer teams. However, academics and faith have offered more to these athletes than the game.
“Academics and faith play a bigger role in my life than soccer,” Ramirez said. “To play on an NCAA team, you have to be completely committed to the sport, and I was not ready for that.”
Each player on this team has come to Pepperdine for a different reason, but they all share a passion and love for the game.
The team thrives on attending a prestigious university and still playing the sport that they love at a competitive level.
“I can’t handle the training of Division 1 soccer, and I am injury prone,” Ramirez said. “I didn’t see a future in the sport and Pepperdine has so much to offer. I can still play soccer competitively with a group of guys who enjoy the game just as much as I do.”
Matt Kalish, coordinator of intramurals and club sports, agrees that club soccer allows students to be involved in many areas of interests because commitment is not as great as a Division 1 program.
Club soccer has also allowed these athletes to meet new friends.
“I met my best friends on the soccer team,” Podlone said. “We practice every day, hang out and spend a lot of time together.”
The seniors are confident that this season will be different from all others. “Our talent is the best it has ever been,” Longo said.
Kalish says that this year will be a turning point for the men’s team.
“The team consists of a great group of guys that are following their passions,” he said. “If they stick together as a team, they have the potential to be a very strong and competitive program this year.”
Ramirez and Podlone said they want soccer fans to know that this season will be exciting and fun. “We have a small sport,” Ramirez said. “A little fan support really helps, and we definitely could use support.”
The Waves will compete in their first match Saturday against rival SDSU at Tari Frahm Rokus Field.
09-15-2005