St. John's University Athletics
Inside Red Storm Men's Soccer: The Seasoned Freshmen
10/9/2008 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Oct. 9, 2008
QUEENS, N.Y. - For even the most heavily recruited high school athlete, the transition into collegiate sports can be an intimidating and overwhelming experience. But for some freshmen members of the St. John's men's soccer team, that transition has been a smooth process. While each of the 10 recruits are well-decorated and experienced, four of these freshmen have prepared for head coach Dr. Dave Masur's disciplined Red Storm squad through Major League Soccer's Youth Development Academy.
Established in 2007 through the U.S. Soccer Federation, the MLS Academy is a league concept designed to assist players in reaching their full potential. With oversight from youth club coaches, as well as U.S. National Soccer coaches, an emphasis on player development for the next level is their main goal. Each team competes in roughly 30 to 38 home and away matches during the academic year, with a number of thorough training sessions per week. As former U-18 New York Red Bulls defender Connor Lade puts it, the academy preparation has been integral for his first season at St. John's.
"It was a very professional experience, all around," said Lade. "It's very similar to here. You travel with the team together, you do everything together. It was a lot different than other clubs I've played for. It made the transition to St. John's a lot easier for me."
Two of Lade's St. John's teammates - forward Walter Hines and goalkeeper Nunzio Belfiore - also competed with him as part of the Red Bulls. Hines, who was named the BIG EAST Men's Soccer Rookie of the Week last week, explains how the previous camaraderie has been key in his transition.
"It's a connection. It's a relation on the field and off the field," said Hines. "The academy focuses on tactics and technique. It helped me learn how to manage my time and go from one place to another, so it helped me a lot."
Although being recruited in the BIG EAST Conference demands an elite level of skill and preparation, the MLS Academy offers an extra push. The daunting task of juggling an academic schedule with intense practices, and battles against some of the nation's most talented clubs is what the academy is all about. It offers a smoother and more realistic approach to the collegiate level of sports. Seemingly Masur and the Red Storm are reaping the benefits, as the entire freshmen class is making and impact early in this 2008 season.
"Collectively it's been a great class," said Masur. We have some players here that are developing and I believe that they can be starters in a very short time. We have other kids that have been playing right away and have been major contributors."
Lade is one of four players to start in all of the team's first 12 games, and is second on the team in minutes played. Along with last week's accolades, Hines leads the team with three assists and added his first collegiate goal against then-No. 13 Louisville on Oct. 4. With a record of 9-1-2 to date, and a No. 5 national ranking, the St. John's men's soccer team has a promising season ahead of it. With the continued contribution of these "seasoned" freshmen, it's sure to be an exciting and competitive campaign now and for seasons to come.
