You have to take it one game at a time.
Cliché? Yes. But that statement is the gospel of the Towson men?s soccer team this fall.
The Tigers are off to the best 14-game start in the program? history ? 11-1-2 ? and they?re looking to keep it going this weekend with key games against Colonial Athletic Association rivals James Madison and Virginia Commonwealth.
Towson?s success “has extended a little bit beyond a start,” said coach Frank Olszewski, pointing to the three remaining regular-season games. “And as always, your most important game is your next one.”
The Tigers cracked the national rankings this week, coming in at No. 20 in the NSCAA/adidas poll. And they?re ranked third in the South Atlantic Region behind Virginia (12-2) and defending national champion Maryland (10-3-1).
Team chemistry and strong defense have played a huge role in the Tigers? success.
“There is no magic formula, but if there is for this group, [chemistry] is it,” Olszewski said. “It?s been building and itstarts with the character of good kids. They?re close off the field.”
Part of that close-knit core comes from a strong local recruiting base.
“I know all of them,” said junior midfielder Pat Healey, a Calvert Hall product. “It?s easy to gel with them, but with Angus [Burke] and Sebastian [Haensel], it kind of took us a year. But it?s showing now.”
Aside from the Baltimore-area athletes, the Tigers have seven players on the team?s roster from outside the United States.
“We?ve never neglected the local area,” Olszewski said. “Our diversity is the strength.”
The defense has pitched nine shutouts, something that the team prides itself on. Exactly how much pride?
“A lot,” said senior defender Andrew Marshall, a Centennial product. “As a defender, that?s my goal.”
The team?s goal now is to claim one of the top two spots in the CAA standings and earn a bye into the quarterfinal round of the conference tournament. On Friday, Towson visits James Madison at 7 p.m.
“Every game has been our biggest game,” Marshall said. “That?s how we?ve looked at it.”
HOMETOWN TIGERS
» Aside from Andrew Marshall and Pat Healey, Towson carries six other players from local high schools: Rob Nwosu (Glen Burnie), Sean Aijfowobaje (Glen Burnie), Nino Mangione (Calvert Hall), T.J. Jager (Loch Raven), Tim McMullen (Old Mill) and Eric Finney (River Hill).
» Towson products Machel Millwood and Steve Fell are currently on the roster of the defending Major Indoor Soccer League champion Baltimore Blast. Healey?s father, Kevin, is the president and general manager of the Blast.
