Plev's Page: Thoughts from the Head Coach

Wednesday, September 16

It has been a roller coast ride since I have been on here with a "feast or famine" approach to our goal scoring adventures. We had decided to break the season into three segments with the first being the initial five games. Despite a great win over a very talented Hampden-Sydney side (their only loss to date), we finished a disappointing 2-3 with a heartbreaking loss to Washington (Md.) (outshot them 24-7, but couldn't find the net) and a 1-0 loss to a tough Goucher side. I believe the inconsistencies in front of the net and our overall effort may still be due to the fact that we are relatively young. It is a process building a winning team and sometimes it just takes a little more growing up to win consistently at this level.

Overall, the team continues to work hard with strong leadership from our captains and returning players. The freshman have been enjoying the team, their teammates and Stevenson in general which is a tribute to the environment on both campuses.

We have Albright this Saturday and then the most difficult stretch of our season with five very strong opponents lined up. We will certainly know more about the season and just how much further we need to grow to compete and defeat the top level teams in our league. With four of the five games at home, I hope you will come out and root the lads on.

Thursday, September 3

One down, a lot more to go! We have had a very successful beginning to our season culminating with our 6-1 victory on Tuesday. Prior to that, the team performed at a high level on Saturday, August 29 at Gettysburg where we tied DeSales 2-2, outscored Gettysburg 1-0 and lost to York (Pa.) in the final minute, 1-0. I realize it was a scrimmage and the other teams were experimenting with different lineups, but they were three talented sides and we competed with them throughout.

One of our goals this year was to defend our beautiful turf (our facillities staff does a great job and the "turfmaster" Tom Russ is a genius! Our pitch is one of the finest in the nation!) and we did that in high fashion on Tuesday. The win makes four in a row at home and we are going to try and begin the process where coming to Caves is going to be a formidable task for our opponents.

What I loved about Tuesday's win was that six different players scored and FIVE were mid-fielders! Hats off to two of the goal scorers, Ryan Pierce and Brad Davis, both freshmen netting their first collegiate goals. Ryan also won our "Lion Award" as the player of the match.

We have our work cut out for us this weekend as we travel south (where you don't get many breaks) to face two very strong sides. Lynchburg is a very talented, older team and Hampden-Sydney has the core of their team back from last season. I am hoping we are competitive and come away with what we need to improve on to challenge the teams at the top of our conference. The lads are looking forward to the trip so wish us well! Have a great holiday weekend!

Monday, August 24

Pre-season 2/day has ended and today begins the fall semester (btw, what's up with that? That's another week we could be vacationing with our friends and families, spending some quality time and money in this wretched economy).

Due to the fellows mostly coming in shape, the week was very productive despite the heat. We made our cuts on Friday and took 24 field players and FIVE (5) gk's with us to Mt. St. Mary's to scrimmage their much improved side. I thought for only being out six days, we showed ourselves well and scored two first half goals!

We have a tough week of practice ahead and then a 3 team (G'burg, York, DeSales) scrimmage (50 minutes each) Saturday at G'burg, beginning at 2:30.

Friday, August 21

So far a HOT, HUMID week (never fails!) but one of excitement for a new beginning. The lads are working hard (some came in top shape, most everyone in at least good shape) and enjoying time together off the field as well. Our captains, Vinny, Sean, and Justin have done a super job pulling the guys together and making the new people feel welcome.

We had 40 players report on the first day and this morning cut the squad to 28. Since college rules for JV allow Varsity players to participate in some JV games, we are pursuing a JV schedule for the first time in the school's soccer history in order that the remaining 12 players can still be part of our program.

We scrimmage D.1 Mt. St. Mary's (who have a very nice side) tomorrow up there at 11:00 AM. and we will certainly find out how far we need to go to run with the York's of the world.

Monday, June 22

Welcome to Plev's Page, the home of head men's soccer coach John Plevyak. Check back here for news, updates, information and other commentary about Stevenson men's soccer.

Click here to see our 2009 schedule.


Baseball Basketball Cross Country Football Golf Lacrosse Soccer Tennis Volleyball Basketball Cheer Cross Country Dance Field Hockey Golf Lacrosse Soccer Softball Tennis Volleyball www.stevenson.edu Athletics Home Academic Link Athletic Training Directory Explore SU Facilities Fitness Center For Recruits Intramurals Live Stats Live Video Marching Band Physical Education SAAC Visitors Guide	Home \| Schedule \| Roster \| Coaches \| Statistics \| News \| Archives Plev's Page: Thoughts from the Head Coach Wednesday, September 16 It has been a roller coast ride since I have been on here with a "feast or famine" approach to our goal scoring adventures. We had decided to break the season into three segments with the first being the initial five games. Despite a great win over a very talented Hampden-Sydney side (their only loss to date), we finished a disappointing 2-3 with a heartbreaking loss to Washington (Md.) (outshot them 24-7, but couldn't find the net) and a 1-0 loss to a tough Goucher side. I believe the inconsistencies in front of the net and our overall effort may still be due to the fact that we are relatively young. It is a process building a winning team and sometimes it just takes a little more growing up to win consistently at this level. Overall, the team continues to work hard with strong leadership from our captains and returning players. The freshman have been enjoying the team, their teammates and Stevenson in general which is a tribute to the environment on both campuses. We have Albright this Saturday and then the most difficult stretch of our season with five very strong opponents lined up. We will certainly know more about the season and just how much further we need to grow to compete and defeat the top level teams in our league. With four of the five games at home, I hope you will come out and root the lads on. Thursday, September 3 One down, a lot more to go! We have had a very successful beginning to our season culminating with our 6-1 victory on Tuesday. Prior to that, the team performed at a high level on Saturday, August 29 at Gettysburg where we tied DeSales 2-2, outscored Gettysburg 1-0 and lost to York (Pa.) in the final minute, 1-0. I realize it was a scrimmage and the other teams were experimenting with different lineups, but they were three talented sides and we competed with them throughout. One of our goals this year was to defend our beautiful turf (our facillities staff does a great job and the "turfmaster" Tom Russ is a genius! Our pitch is one of the finest in the nation!) and we did that in high fashion on Tuesday. The win makes four in a row at home and we are going to try and begin the process where coming to Caves is going to be a formidable task for our opponents. What I loved about Tuesday's win was that six different players scored and FIVE were mid-fielders! Hats off to two of the goal scorers, Ryan Pierce and Brad Davis, both freshmen netting their first collegiate goals. Ryan also won our "Lion Award" as the player of the match. We have our work cut out for us this weekend as we travel south (where you don't get many breaks) to face two very strong sides. Lynchburg is a very talented, older team and Hampden-Sydney has the core of their team back from last season. I am hoping we are competitive and come away with what we need to improve on to challenge the teams at the top of our conference. The lads are looking forward to the trip so wish us well! Have a great holiday weekend! Monday, August 24 Pre-season 2/day has ended and today begins the fall semester (btw, what's up with that? That's another week we could be vacationing with our friends and families, spending some quality time and money in this wretched economy). Due to the fellows mostly coming in shape, the week was very productive despite the heat. We made our cuts on Friday and took 24 field players and FIVE (5) gk's with us to Mt. St. Mary's to scrimmage their much improved side. I thought for only being out six days, we showed ourselves well and scored two first half goals! We have a tough week of practice ahead and then a 3 team (G'burg, York, DeSales) scrimmage (50 minutes each) Saturday at G'burg, beginning at 2:30. Friday, August 21 So far a HOT, HUMID week (never fails!) but one of excitement for a new beginning. The lads are working hard (some came in top shape, most everyone in at least good shape) and enjoying time together off the field as well. Our captains, Vinny, Sean, and Justin have done a super job pulling the guys together and making the new people feel welcome. We had 40 players report on the first day and this morning cut the squad to 28. Since college rules for JV allow Varsity players to participate in some JV games, we are pursuing a JV schedule for the first time in the school's soccer history in order that the remaining 12 players can still be part of our program. We scrimmage D.1 Mt. St. Mary's (who have a very nice side) tomorrow up there at 11:00 AM. and we will certainly find out how far we need to go to run with the York's of the world. Monday, June 22 Welcome to Plev's Page, the home of head men's soccer coach John Plevyak. Check back here for news, updates, information and other commentary about Stevenson men's soccer. Click here to see our 2009 schedule.