With a new season comes a new sense of optimism for the Concordia Stingers men's soccer team.
Coming off a frustrating 2011 campaign, in which the team failed to make the playoffs, head coach Lloyd Barker has high expectations for the 2012 edition of the Stingers.
“We expect to make the playoffs and qualify for the national championships,” said Barker.
While Barker admits the team is still a “work in progress” he also believes his squad has the potential to win every game and compete with the best in the always competitive RSEQ conference.
If the team is going to meet coach Barker’s lofty expectations, it will require the skill and effort of everyone wearing a Stingers jersey—not just a few select players.
“I lean on all my players equally,” he said. “They all have a role, and only if they perform at their best, can we advance as a group. Our strength is our unity as a team. Players play for each other.”
The Stingers will also have to meet the challenge of replacing forward Alfred Moody, Concordia’s second leading scorer from last season. The lofty task will be handled by the forwards, including new recruits Andrew Bryan and Gabriel Quinn as well as veterans Claude Diesse and Alejandro Quinn. Midfielder Gonzalo Paredes will also contribute on the attack.
“We have a stronger squad this year with the (new) additions and also because of the experienced players returning,” said Barker.
Concordia has experience inside the six-yard box as the team returns Nicholas Giannone, the starting goalkeeper from last year.
Giannone handled most of the work in goal in 2011 and led the RSEQ in saves. Concordia allowed the most goals against in the conference, but an improved defensive unit and another year of seasoning in goal should result in balls making fewer trips to the back of the Stingers net.
Barker and his squad will not have to wait long to see how they measure up to the top tier teams in the conference. The Stingers’ season opener is on the road tonight at 8 p.m. against the defending RSEQ champions, the Montréal Carabins.
While the season opener does not determine how an entire year will go, if Concordia proves early on it can challenge one of the top teams in the country, it will go a long way in showing what Barker already knows: the Stingers can compete with anyone.
Concordia plays its first home game this Sunday at 1 p.m. against the UQTR Patriotes.
