 "Photo: Natalie Miranda, Citrus College Clarion")
After a disappointing 3-15-2 season last year, the Citrus College men's soccer team is looking to rise from the ashes with a batch of new recruits as well as experienced veterans on the squad.
All summer long the team has been developing fitness and strength, running about two hours a day along with weight training.
The summer started with about 60 candidates trying to make the team, but coach Fred Bruce-Oliver has found 25 hard-working individuals to represent Citrus College this season.
On Aug. 16, the team started practicing tactics and technique, giving them two weeks to get ready for the 2010 season opener Aug. 31 against San Diego Mesa College.
For the score, visit the Athletics Webpage at www.citruscollege.edu.
"I am very realistic when evaluating the talent I have," Bruce-Oliver said "I know the team will be very competitive; the rest is up to them."
Before coming to Citrus, Bruce-Oliver was an assistant coach at University of La Verne and Pomona College.
He has headed the men's soccer at Citrus 1997. In 2001, a former Citrus soccer player Jason Schmelzeisen joined him as assistant coach.
"The performance of the freshmen also depends on how the sophomores teach them, so they can get familiar with the system," Schmelzeisen said.
With nine returning players, competition for a spot in the team was fierce.
This season's captain was one of the most accomplished players last year: midfielder George Tovar, a sophomore majoring in liberal arts.
"So far everyone is working hard and doing their job," Tovar said. "I hope we actually win games this season. That way we can get to the playoffs."
Out of all other sports programs, the men's soccer team has the highest number of Scholar Ballers, with seven players achieving the required of 3.0 GPA in fall 2009.
Bruce-Oliver said he constantly keeps in touch with players regarding their grades, and encourages them to be successful on and off the field.
The Owls second home game is schedule for Tuesday, Sept. 7, at 7 p.m. against Riverside Community College.
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