MORGANTOWN — Morgantown High boys’ soccer coach Sam Snyder holds his players to high expectations.
For Snyder, representing MHS on the pitch is an honor and a privilege, and playing for the team requires players to uphold certain standards. The Mohigans finished up WVSSAC three-week summer practices this week, and according to Snyder, he spent the sessions talking a lot about his expectations for his players.
“At MHS, we try to play up to a certain standard of soccer. For June, the thing kind of is, ‘Here is the standard, now meet it,’ ” he said. “When you come back in August, have the standard met.”
One standard Snyder is focusing intricately on is fostering teamwork and performing as a unit instead of as individuals, after watching his team struggle last fall with chemistry.
“Coach talked a lot about playing to a standard and making sure that everyone knows their role on the team,” senior Daniel Polinski said. “We want to make sure everyone does their job well and there’s not a lot of disagreement about what we’re supposed to do.”
Snyder wants his athletes to hold themselves accountable for their actions and learn to openly communicate on the pitch.
“One of the standards is to learn to say what you need to say without purposely trying to hurt someone, and when hearing criticism knowing that it’s to better you as a player.”
Snyder also emphasized his athletes learning more about their teammates and how they play. He wants his squad accustomed to each other’s playing style when the pre-season comes around.
“We did a lot of mash-ups, where seniors had to play with younger guys they haven’t played with. Just getting to learn each other’s characteristics,” he said. “We had gaps last year in different classes meshing well together. This year we don’t have that — it seems like everyone is in it together.”
Of course, it helps when the players are fresh off a season of sharing the pitch, which is the case for MHS. According to Polinksi, many of the varsity members compete on the same travel team, where they developed their skills as a team while facing some of the top competition in the region.
“The past couple of years we have had talented rosters and really good players, but we struggled with chemistry. This year everyone is friendly with each other.,” he said. “The majority of us play on the same travel team, and we just came off that season. There is a pretty good chemistry among the group right now.”
Snyder upholds a high standard of conditioning and fitness as well. He trains his players to get in game shape during the summer as his defensive strategy relies on intense effort, and he knows his players will need to be at an elite level of conditioning to perform.
“Just in general, we’re trying to work on putting pressure on teams and to hold higher lines in general. We’re trying to put on a lot more speed and instill a six-second rule,” he said. “If we don’t have the ball for six seconds, we’re going to do everything in our power to get it back.”
The biggest challenge for MHS may be the lack of experience. The Mohigans return just four starters, losing a massive senior class from last year’s squad.
“We have a lot of a young guys who are going to assume new roles, where they were just role players last year,” Snyder said.
Snyder thinks that if his players can develop the varsity mentality, the talent is in place for one of his best squads since taking the job.
“The only challenge I see is getting these guys to play at a pace and aggressive level that a lot of veterans usually have. If they have that mentality and play hard, the talent is there. This is as talented as a group I’ve ever had,” he said.
“It’s about whether or not that can play full tilt when they have to and not break under the pressure. If we can do that, it’s going to be a fun year.”
Due to the established bond between the players from travel soccer and the summer sessions, Polinksi doesn’t expect playing at a varsity level will shake anyone on the team.
“When you have a young group, there are always nerves because things are mentally difficult when you start playing varsity. It’s higher stakes and higher pressure,” he said. “Everyone was composed during travel season though, so I don’t think it will be an issue.”
After seeing what his team has in store for the season, Snyder is more excited than ever to return to the pitch to guide MHS.
“I’m champing at the bit for August, I just have to wait one more month,” he said. “I think we’re all excited to get the season started and see what we’ve got.”
