Friday, August 16th, 2019 -- As the Ottawa University - Arizona Men's Soccer team enters its third year of existence, the expectations are high.
Under head coach Matt Gow, the Spirit have posted back-to-back winning seasons and just last year the team advanced to the NCCAA National semifinals.
The program is now eligible for both the conference tournament and the NAIA national tournament. With a strong core of returning players and another strong recruiting class, Gow and the Spirit have set themselves up for what could be a big year.
The Arizona Soccer Association (ASA) had a chance to talk to Gow about the upcoming season.
ASA: On expectations for the upcoming year...
GOW: "We are excited for this year. Going into our 3rd year of existence we are hopeful to see the fruit of our labor. Going 12-7-1 and making the NCCAA National semi-finals last season set the bar high this year. Now that we are eligible for the conference tournament and NAIA national tournament we have set some lofty goals as a third year program but excited to see how this season goes."
ASA: On the growth of the team from year one to now...
GOW: "Wow, great question. Just 2 years ago we headed into the first game of the program not knowing what to expect. The last two years we were one of the youngest inexperienced teams in the country. Now heading into year three we have a lot of players who have over 30 games under their belts which quickly makes us a very experienced team."
ASA: On his returning players....
GOW: "John Kanner, is a returning 1st team all American senior. We look forward to watching him lead our back line in his last season. Also, excited to return our two leading points scoreres Ricardo (Navarro) and Samuel (George)."