Men's Soccer Team Begins Spring Practice 2/6/02

The Vanderbilt men's soccer team was welcomed back to Nashville this January by Interim Head Coach Eric Vaughter and Assistant Charles Morrow. Under their tutelage, the Commodores have already spent a good deal of time in the weight room. Commodore players have been attending mandatory lifting and conditioning drills four times a week, as well as participating in individual training sessions twice a week.

The team hit the field this week and began intrasquad practices, but they will still be responsible for keeping up their previous lifting and conditioning routines. According to Vaughter, "I've been very pleased with the team's intensity and focus during these past weeks, and we have been anxious to get out on the field and begin working toward next fall's season."

"We've had excellent work and leadership from our captains, Chris Yingling and Matt Gotterer -- both of whom will be key players for us both this spring and next fall." Yingling and Gotterer were both All-Missouri Valley Conference selections last season.

"Overall, the coaching staff has been very pleased with the team's approach thus far. We're looking for increased attack from players like Brain Lamping, Drew Ducker, Jimmy Stone, and Jeff Baker. We feel solid in midfield with the return of Jack Hartley and Jeff Baker, and feel that they will be the key to how strong we are next season. We're working hard, and we're optimistic about our chances for this spring and next fall."