When the Wabash soccer team takes the field for its first game in the 2006 season, first-year head coach Roberto Giannini doesn't expect perfection. In fact, he never plans to see perfection from his team.
"Soccer, by its nature, is a game of turnovers," he said after Wednesday's practice. "You can have up to 200 turnovers in a match.
"It's when and where those turnovers take place that can make the difference. A turnover in a dangerous situation over and over again can doom a team. We have to eliminate those kinds of mistakes."
Saturday's 11:00 a.m. match against Alma at Mud Hollow Field will feature two teams trying to improve on disappointing 2005 seasons. The Little Giants were 5-13 overall last year, but managed only two victories in the North Coast Athletic Conference. The Scots also have a first-year head coach after going 3-15 last year.
Giannini isn't worried about last year's results, and neither is his team.
"We're more focused on the technical game of soccer," said senior captain Ben Esbaum. "Coach Giannini expected us to come into the preseason fit. Instead of spending the first 10 days getting into shape, we've worked on our skills as a team. I think it will really pay off for us, especially in these opening matches."
(View the 2006 Wabash soccer roster)
The Little Giants are more concerned about their own play than that of their opponents.
"We met with sports psychologist Robert Kehoe last weekend," Giannini said. "He has worked with soccer teams at Indiana, Maryland, and New Mexico. Kehoe told us to have the desire to win every moment --- to win little victories one step at a time."
The right mindset is the first step in the Little Giants' quest for improvement. Hard, steady, team play will lead to victories --- and an improved reputation.
"We were picked ninth in the NCAC coaches poll. Wabash has never done anything to prove the coaches who picked us ninth wrong. Those coaches voted based on what they've seen in the past from Wabash.
"Our goal this year --- and in years to come --- is to convince not just ourselves, but everyone around us and our opponents, that Wabash is better than a ninth-place team in the NCAC. If we do that, we will earn the other coaches' respect.
"I cannot guarantee we'll every game, but based on what I've seen in these first two weeks, we'll be very hard to beat."
The Little Giants conclude the opening weekend with a Sunday afternoon match against Case Western Reserve at Mud Hollow Field at 1 p.m. (View the complete 2006 schedule)
Photo - Ben Esbaum and the rest of his Wabash soccer teammates will get the 2006 season underway Saturday against Alma at 11 a.m.