Aug. 23, 2012
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Men's soccer head coach Bob Warming and senior midfielder John Gallagher (Pine Bush, N.Y.) visited Fall Sports Media Day Wednesday to talk with media about the upcoming season. The Nittany Lions open the regular season Saturday at 7 p.m. against Stetson at Jeffrey Field.
Bob Warming, head coach
Opening Statement
"It has been a great preseason so far. I'm enjoying working with the guys. It is a super hard-working group that really gets along well. We have made a lot of progress since the preseason began. We're looking forward to starting the season."
On the state of the Big Ten
"Two years ago we were the number one power-rated conference in the country and it wasn't close. We had a fantastic group of players. Several of those players left early for MLS or overseas teams. Last year the league was without some stars and was also very young. I think the challenging thing is now all those guys are back. Almost nobody lost anyone of significance. I think we have a chance of being the top league in the country again."
On the preseason exhibitions
"We are one of few teams that play three preseason games. Most teams only play one or two. I think the difference where we were with the first preseason game and where we are now is remarkable. I think the guys have made a lot of progress and the confidence level is higher. These games have given me a chance to experiment a little bit as well. I have never coached any two teams exactly the same way in 35 years. The teams are unique because the guys are unique. We've found a system that works for us and the guys are confident in. We didn't have that after the first preseason game."
On the newcomers
"Kelton [Cheney] is doing very well. He is learning it's a higher level of fitness to play here. He works hard every single day in training. To me, that's a basis for becoming better than you were and maybe even great. He has a real knack around the goal. He was physically dominant in club and high school, but now he's playing against guys four years older than him. He has a chance to be really good. Manny [Emmanuel Martin] is doing well in the goal. Eli Dennis is incredible in the air. He can head a ball harder than almost anyone can kick it. He's just a beast in the air. Drew Klingenberg has come in probably the most psychologically prepared to play. He's the smallest guy on the team, but to me that doesn't matter."
John Gallagher, senior midfielder
On the confidence of the team
"We are very confident. We just got a big result at Maryland, tying them 2-2. For us to go in there and do what we did, we had them on their heels in the first half. We are very confident going into the season."
On the preseason exhibitions
"It was great to get three preseason games in. Like coach said, no other team has done that. It gave us time to work things out and see what works for us. I know from our first game to our last game, we look like a different team. It's only going to get better from here as we keep practicing and training. Those games helped us out a lot."
On changes in the offseason
"I think work ethic changed. Last year was sort of a building year for us. We had a lot of transfers come in and we weren't always on the same page on a lot of things but this year we have that season under our belt. The guys are tuned in and working hard. If we stay focused and keep working hard, we will do well."