1. Is the success LMU is having this year a "flash in the pan" or does the WCC have a new soccer power to reckon with? Our success is certainly not "flash in the pan". It's been building for the past several years. It will be difficult to replace this senior group, however, particularly Arturo Torres, Andres Murriagui, and Jeff Kovar.
2. How far can LMU really go this year?
To be honest, I felt we were the better team in our playoff loss last year. I think we're certainly capable of getting to the tournament and going farther than we did last year. The great thing about this team, this year, is at this moment, we are unbeaten, and I don't think we've even scratched the surface of how good we can be. We haven't yet played our best soccer.
3. Five years is a quick turnaround for a program, to what would you credit LMU's rise in the WCC?
LMU made the commitment to fully fund the program, and when you live and attend school in beautiful southern California, it makes it easy to attract top student athletes. We are blessed with a wonderful location, terrific facilities, and some outstanding people that help our student athletes. I'm surprised this program hadn't flourished years ago.
4. What has Arturo Torres meant to the program?
Arturo has carried this team on his back for 3 years. Finally this year, we've bolstered the support around him where we aren't just a one-man show, and I think the results have proven this to be a more effective team situation.
5. With only six conference games, how important is this upcoming game versus San Diego.
Seamus does a fantastic job year in and year out down in San Diego. It's a very special game when 2 teams with 10 wins match up against each other before October 15th during any season. Basically, this is the kind of game college soccer is all about...2 good teams battling for position in a very short conference season.
6. Coach, congratulations on your great start. How does it feel to have a team ranked in the top ten?
It's especially nice for the players who have stayed with the program to have their hard work rewarded. The bottom line is though...each and every poll is simply one person, or a group of coaches opinions, and who's to say whether any team is better than any other, unless they play each other. Each and every game is a battle, regardless of rankings.
7. In the beginning of the season did you think that this team would be where it's at now?
Absolutely...but I feel that way every season. I don't think you should be in the game if you can't see your team growing and improving every season...every game. Our bench is so much deeper now than it has ever been since I've been here. We make substitutions now, and we get better on the field.
8. Which player on your team has been the biggest surprise?
Wow...what a question. Matt Kovar is no longer a surprise to me, but he is, in my opinion, the best man marker in the country. Kevin Novak and Andres Murriagui amaze me every game and every practice with their ability to make plays. Arturo still shocks me in that he is faster with the ball than most defenders are without the ball. Michael Erush can serve the ball on the money to just about any player in any position, dead ball or moving ball. Brian Vestal is probably the biggest surprise with his flank play, simply due to the fact that I know it takes time for freshmen to adjust to D1 ball, and Brian has adjusted very well.
9. Do you think teams still over look LMU?
Absolutely...most people and therefore most student athletes probably struggle knowing where LMU is and what LMU stands for. We're still the best kept secret in Los Angeles. Personally, I like it that way!