MEN'S SOCCER GOAL: NCAA TOURNAMENT

Appleby

After winning back-to-back championships in the Eastern College Athletic Conference, members of the Rochester men's soccer team are hoping to score success this season in the NCAA tournament.

Coming off a 13-4-2 (4-3 in the University Athletic Association) campaign last year, the team returns most of its starters, including top scorer Jacques Appleby '03, who was named All-UAA and All-Region.

With two successful years to build on, head coach Chris Apple '92 is convinced the team can go further.

"The next level for us has to be the NCAA tournament," Apple says. "Once we get in, I think we can go far, because of the tough level of league competition we face during the regular season. If the team plays well-if they're fit and hungry and motivated-then we can beat anyone. There's no reason why we can't do great things."

Keeping the team motivated is the job of Apple, who succeeds Mike Pilger, now coaching the Cleveland Crunch of the National Professional Soccer League. While some might have expected a transition period, Apple and the team didn't miss a beat.

"It's different, but in a good way," says forward Appleby. "Both coaches have different styles but are very good coaches."

Apple-who as a student and member of the soccer team from 1988 to 1991 led the team to four straight playoff appearances and three NCAA tournaments-has had plenty of experience on the field and on the sidelines. Before returning to Rochester, he served as an assistant coach and then as interim head coach at NCAA Division I Notre Dame, and he had previous coaching appointments at North Carolina Wesleyan College and Harvard.

When he left Rochester to begin a career in coaching, he says he always hoped to return.

"It was an easy choice, to tell the truth," he says, noting his wife's family lives in the area.

"I had a good career with a great group of guys, and that's like our group now. It would be great for them to set a new tradition of winning."

Building on the back-to-back titles is a conceivable goal for a team that returns all but five players, including their top scorers. Apple points to Appleby and Ben Cross '04 as leaders.

"Anything less than getting to the NCAA tournament will be a disappointment," says Appleby. "I feel really good about this season."

Apple is excited about the incoming class of 11 freshmen that will compete for spots on the team.

"It's going to be a very competitive pre-season as everyone fights for a starting spot. But after that, the team will pull together and be very strong," he says. "All the ingredients are there for a great year. Now we just have to get in the kitchen and make it happen."

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