By Garrett Cleverly
College Preview Schedule Here (9 Universities, 21 Community Colleges)
PHOENIX (Monday, August 18, 2014) – Entering his fourth season at Arizona Christian University, head coach Jonathan Lenarz has turned the once beleaguered program around and has it heading in the right direction.
Before Lenarz was named head coach prior to the 2011 season, ACU men’s soccer posted a 6-45-1 record from 2007-10. In his first season the program compiled a 0-15-1 record, and then slightly improved in 2012 with a 3-14-1 record. Last season, he was one win shy of the program’s first .500 record after finishing 9-10-0.
Now with a solid recruiting class mixed in with a core group of returning players, Lenarz is talking playoffs and his eyes set for a successful 2014 season.
AZKicksIt has a chance to talk to Lenarz about the upcoming season:
(On expectations for this year…)
LENARZ: “Our overriding goal is to make the conference playoffs this year, and more importantly, to be a top four seed so we can have a good draw in the first round of the conference playoffs. There are nine teams in our conference this year, so a top six is good, but a top four would be even better. That is what we are shooting for.”
(On the freshman class he brought in…)
LENARZ: “Compared to last year, we have a lot more balance. We have seven freshman and possibly two or three could start for us. A number of quality players from the Valley and one from California. We have excellent transfers as well. Some from the local community colleges and a couple of four-year transfers as well. We just have a really nice balance with the players we brought in. Really hopeful we could start eight to nine new players.
(On building the program…)
LENARZ: “I think the big difference right now is that we have guys not looking and wanting a place to play for just this year, but guys looking to be a part of something. being part of a program and that build a decent tradition in time. They want to do that here, and they like where the school is heading with the academic programs that are coming. The players have bought in and I think the continuity is going to help us in future years.”