May 16, 2012
Photo Gallery from match versus UC Davis
With two days to go before a huge spring game at home verses Sunderland FC Academy, coach Jeremy Gunn is in a very positive frame of mind as he reflects on the spring season so far, and the prospects for his team moving forward.
"Training has gone really well since we returned from Costa Rica, with the team continuing to make great strides. Off the field the team got their first taste of working with Dr. Dan Freigang for a week." Freigang, the sports psychologist for the U.S. National team, flew in to Palo Alto for five days direct from a stint with the U.S. Soccer Federation, to introduce his talents to the team. "Danno has been invaluable in his work with the great teams I have had the fortune to work with in the past, and he will be a big part of the program we create here at Stanford."
Freigang's visit coincided with Coach Gunn's first game at the helm of Cardinal soccer in which the team faced another college opponent. Cal Poly came into town to play their final game of spring, and, although a 1-1 tie may not have been a fair reflection of the chances created in the game, it was a match that showed the staff a great deal about where the group was at.
"I felt the game against Cal Poly was very positive and yet frustrating in some ways. We deserved the the first half lead, and early in the second half we could have easily been two or three goals up, having hit the woodwork twice and narrowly missing a few other chances. Cal Poly's goal inspired them and they finished the game quite strongly, when on another day we might have put the game out of sight. It's very positive that we can create that many good chances and not give up too many opportunities on a day when we were a little stretched defensively and not as fluent on the ball as we want to be," voiced Gunn, as he reflected on the performance.
The Cal Poly game was followed quickly by a road game verses San Francisco, and, after a good week in training, a 3-1 scoreline in favor of the Cardinal was a reflection of a very well played game.
When asked about the game, coach Gunn mentioned, "The USF game was a very pleasing performance. The early stages were quite competitive with both teams defending well, but as the game evolved I really felt we began to flow and enjoy the ball. Adam Jahn was composed with his first half finish and then clinical as he added a second just after half time. Bobby Edwards put the game beyond doubt with the third goal, on an evening where we were deserving of the 3-1 win. The team was tough to break down, worked well as a unit, and then managed to ask questions from all areas of the attack. Adam Jahn and Eric Anderson in particular caused our opponents a number of problems."
The third spring game for the Cardinal, came in the shape of UC Davis, and proved to be Stanford soccer's toughest game to date.
"The Davis game was an excellent test, a great performance, and a great result. It was a very well played game with both teams showing a desire to play exciting purposeful soccer with a true feel of a Fall competition. The game could have easily resulted in a tie, but a perfectly timed Eric Anderson header off a cross from Jimmy Callinan was enough to settle the game 1-0. Overall, we managed to get into the final third more than our opponents, but I really felt Davis defended resolutely. Chances were at a premium because both teams showed great application. Overall the team showed great qualities, and certainly showed that we are making quality progress."
Please come out to Cagen Stadium this Friday night at 7pm, as your Stanford soccer team faces Sunderland AFC Academy, from the English Premier League.