WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:03.000 music 00:00:03.000 --> 00:00:06.000 Friends, family, friends and spectators my name is Liberty Miller 00:00:06.000 --> 00:00:07.000 with the Western Howl and wouTV. 00:00:07.000 --> 00:00:10.000 And today I'm going to be conducting interviews with the coach and players 00:00:10.000 --> 00:00:13.000 from the Western Oregon University men's soccer team 00:00:13.000 --> 00:00:17.000 As they currently compete for a GNAC title against Simon Fraser, 00:00:17.000 --> 00:00:20.000 an automatic berth into the NCAA tournament. 00:00:20.000 --> 00:00:23.000 And up right now I have Michael Behonick, 00:00:23.000 --> 00:00:26.000 the coach for Western Oregon University men's soccer. 00:00:26.000 --> 00:00:31.000 This is his first year. Michael Behonick had a professional career in major league soccer 00:00:31.000 --> 00:00:36.000 and the US League. Michael Behonick has coached 14 years at the DI level, 00:00:36.000 --> 00:00:39.000 coaching at University of Pittsburgh, University of Virginia and Penn State. 00:00:40.000 --> 00:00:44.000 He also has experience coaching for US Soccer, Youth 16 & Youth 17 00:00:44.000 --> 00:00:48.000 Boys National Team, the US Paralympic National Team and USL Pittsburgh. 00:00:48.000 --> 00:00:54.000 So, Coach Mike, what sparked the drastic move coaching DI soccer on the east coast 00:00:54.000 --> 00:00:58.000 all the way to the West Coast coaching D!!? 00:00:58.000 --> 00:00:60.000 It was a family decision to be honest. 00:01:00.000 --> 00:01:05.000 My wife had the very great opportunity to be the head volleyball coach at 00:01:05.000 --> 00:01:10.000 Oregon Sate University and we made a family decision to move out here to the west coast. 00:01:10.000 --> 00:01:16.000 And at the same time that was happening Western Oregon posted a job for the 00:01:16.000 --> 00:01:22.000 men's soccer program and I wanted to have the time and change to lead a program 00:01:22.000 --> 00:01:28.000 after 14 years as an assistant coach, I thought all the things that I've learned 00:01:28.000 --> 00:01:33.000 along the journey, it was my time to put that into play and do it my own way. 00:01:33.000 --> 00:01:39.000 And what is the biggest difference between assistant coach and being the head coach? 00:01:39.000 --> 00:01:42.000 There's a lot. Right? Everything falls back on you as a head coach 00:01:42.000 --> 00:01:47.000 to make the plan, to recruit the players. You have the final 00:01:47.000 --> 00:01:51.000 decision on everything that affects the program. 00:01:52.000 --> 00:01:55.000 Also affects young people and their lives. 00:01:55.000 --> 00:01:59.000 So there's a lot more responsibility put on you there 00:01:59.000 --> 00:01:63.000 to make those tough decisions when the time needs. 00:02:03.000 --> 00:02:07.000 So what about your previous coaching experineces, any attributes, 00:02:07.000 --> 00:02:13.000 or any things that you implemented that has helped with the program success, so far? 00:02:13.000 --> 00:02:17.000 Yeah, I've been very fortunate enough along my career to have some great mentors. 00:02:17.000 --> 00:02:22.000 Been at some great program, learned a bunch of different ways to do things. 00:02:22.000 --> 00:02:28.000 And I've used those experiences and those times in those programs to help me 00:02:28.000 --> 00:02:32.000 kind of formulate my identity while learning some of the 00:02:32.000 --> 00:02:36.000 good and bad along with way that I knew would help build this program 00:02:36.000 --> 00:02:39.000 from where it was to where we are today. 00:02:39.000 --> 00:02:44.000 On the team's October 26 match against Western Washington University, 00:02:44.000 --> 00:02:47.000 It was super tension filled, action-packed and then the last minute 00:02:48.000 --> 00:02:52.000 and a half or so there was a goal that ended up tiring up the game. 00:02:52.000 --> 00:02:55.000 What about the team and the way the you coached the team 00:02:55.000 --> 00:02:59.000 do you think influenced the way the team brought the intensity 00:03:00.000 --> 00:03:02.000 in that last 5 or so minutes of the match? 00:03:02.000 --> 00:03:06.000 It's what I preach everyday. It's how we do things everyday. 00:03:06.000 --> 00:03:08.000 It's how you play, how you practice. Right? 00:03:08.000 --> 00:03:14.000 Really never give up attitude for our guys. It's fighting til the final whistle. 00:03:14.000 --> 00:03:17.000 Really we train the way we play. 00:03:17.000 --> 00:03:22.000 I think that what we've done and built a culture to do that has helped us 00:03:22.000 --> 00:03:26.000 in those defining moments of the season thus far. 00:03:26.000 --> 00:03:29.000 Compared to last season you managed to raise the team's win percentage 00:03:29.000 --> 00:03:33.000 from .176% to a whooping .716%. 00:03:33.000 --> 00:03:38.000 In terms of NCAA standings, we made an appearance at #12 in Super Region 4. 00:03:38.000 --> 00:03:43.000 And as for the GNAC, you're currently placed 2nd tailing Simon Frasier by less than 1% 00:03:43.000 --> 00:03:45.000 in both total points and winning percentage. 00:03:45.000 --> 00:03:47.000 Can you take us through these statistics and what they mean 00:03:47.000 --> 00:03:50.000 for the team and the future of the program? 00:03:50.000 --> 00:03:52.000 Yeah, I think it's just been growth. Right? 00:03:52.000 --> 00:03:57.000 I think we've had large growth since I arrived here in the spring. 00:03:57.000 --> 00:03:62.000 The results are the hard work and dedication from my staff and the players 00:04:02.000 --> 00:04:08.000 implement some of the different pieces of the puzzle that we put in from training. 00:04:08.000 --> 00:04:14.000 Right now where we stand is we're in a must game at the weekend against Seattle Pacific 00:04:14.000 --> 00:04:19.000 to have a chance to get an at large bid at the NCAA tournament. 00:04:19.000 --> 00:04:24.000 We also still have statistically a chance to win the league 00:04:24.000 --> 00:04:29.000 but we have to rely on the results of Simon Fraser over the weekend to do that but... 00:04:29.000 --> 00:04:35.000 for us, it's just up to the players to go do what we're supposed to do 00:04:35.000 --> 00:04:37.000 and win the game at the weekend. 00:04:37.000 --> 00:04:41.000 And the rest will kind of be put in the hands of other people. 00:04:41.000 --> 00:04:44.000 Yeah, as we've seen this team has shown a lot of fight and heart 00:04:44.000 --> 00:04:47.000 and has completely transformed from the previous year. 00:04:48.000 --> 00:04:51.000 How will you go about maintaining this success for future seasons? 00:04:51.000 --> 00:04:54.000 It's just building the culture and doing the right things each and every day. 00:04:54.000 --> 00:04:59.000 Whether its on the field or off the field, my expectations for these guys is 00:04:59.000 --> 00:04:61.000 I want to run a championship program. Right? 00:05:01.000 --> 00:05:06.000 I want to run a championship that makes sure that we continue to evolve on the soccer field 00:05:06.000 --> 00:05:09.000 but they continue to evolve as people off the soccer field. 00:05:09.000 --> 00:05:12.000 Because the ball really leaves us before we want to and 00:05:12.000 --> 00:05:16.000 there's so much more in life that we're trying to teach each and everyone of these guys, 00:05:16.000 --> 00:05:20.000 along with making sure were successful on the field. 00:05:20.000 --> 00:05:24.000 Alright, thank you Coach Behonick for taking the time to interview. 00:05:24.000 --> 00:05:25.000 And good luck in Saturday's match. 00:05:25.000 --> 00:05:27.000 Thank you so much. 00:05:27.000 --> 00:05:31.000 Joining us is Juan Suarez, Jacob Garcia and Gabriel Silva. 00:05:31.000 --> 00:05:36.000 Juan and Jacob are two transfer athletes from Pima Community College in Tucson, AR. 00:05:36.000 --> 00:05:38.000 And Gabriel Silva joins us from Brazil. 00:05:38.000 --> 00:05:40.000 Juan has been a goalkeeper on the team since last year 00:05:40.000 --> 00:05:42.000 which was the first year of the program's existence. 00:05:43.000 --> 00:05:46.000 Jacob is a midfielder that transferred into the program for this season. 00:05:46.000 --> 00:05:49.000 Both players have been consistently playing and contributing to the team's success. 00:05:49.000 --> 00:05:53.000 So coming from a NJCCA DII powerhouse program, 00:05:53.000 --> 00:05:57.000 what were you're visions coming into a program being built from the ground up? 00:05:57.000 --> 00:05:63.000 Coming from a DII program, especially from a juco is 00:06:03.000 --> 00:06:09.000 is a big, is a big change from me, coming from Tucson to Oregon. 00:06:09.000 --> 00:06:13.000 Not really liking the weather but I got to deal with it either way. 00:06:13.000 --> 00:06:16.000 Transferring I took a big risk. 00:06:16.000 --> 00:06:21.000 It was a really big risk since it was a brand new program, building from the ground up. 00:06:21.000 --> 00:06:27.000 And I just wanted to get out of the state since that was the best offer I can get. 00:06:28.000 --> 00:06:31.000 And I just wanted to play at the highest ability I can. 00:06:31.000 --> 00:06:36.000 And so I just decided why not, just take a risk and start at baseline and 00:06:36.000 --> 00:06:40.000 hopefully it continues to grow and grow and grow and we win 00:06:40.000 --> 00:06:43.000 a lot more games and championships. 00:06:43.000 --> 00:06:45.000 It was basically the same thing for me. 00:06:45.000 --> 00:06:51.000 Took a risk as well, you know, coming to a program that went 2-11 and 00:06:52.000 --> 00:06:57.000 but, you know, I had trust in Juan and as with the coach as well. 00:06:57.000 --> 00:06:62.000 So that was a big reason I came and yeah, that was it. 00:07:02.000 --> 00:07:07.000 And Gabe, why did you decide to move from Brazil to the U.S.? 00:07:08.000 --> 00:07:12.000 So the first thing that caught my attention was the opportunity to 00:07:12.000 --> 00:07:16.000 study and still have a chance to maybe go pro. 00:07:16.000 --> 00:07:20.000 That's something that you have in America with sports and university that you don't have 00:07:20.000 --> 00:07:25.000 anywhere else. So that was the first, the major reason to made me come here. 00:07:25.000 --> 00:07:30.000 Alright. What has your experience been with other players. 00:07:30.000 --> 00:07:34.000 player and coach team dynamics been throughout the season? 00:07:34.000 --> 00:07:38.000 Oh it's been great. I wouldn't change it for the world to be honest. 00:07:38.000 --> 00:07:42.000 So, at first like I said, I took a risk at coning here. 00:07:42.000 --> 00:07:45.000 And that risk really paid off because I literally meet 00:07:45.000 --> 00:07:51.000 the best players, the best like good people, good personalities, everything all around. 00:07:51.000 --> 00:07:57.000 And it's just an experience that I'll cherish for the rest of my life, pretty much. 00:07:57.000 --> 00:07:62.000 Yeah, for me it was, you know, came in here I already knew one, 00:08:02.000 --> 00:08:04.000 one person that was already here at this school and 00:08:04.000 --> 00:08:07.000 another one that transferred with one. 00:08:07.000 --> 00:08:11.000 And it was, you know, the whole team just clicked right away. 00:08:11.000 --> 00:08:16.000 And, you know, I've been having a great experience so far. 00:08:16.000 --> 00:08:18.000 And, you know, hopefully we keep winning. 00:08:18.000 --> 00:08:25.000 And then, and, see how far we can go, you know, basically. 00:08:25.000 --> 00:08:29.000 And Gabe I have more or less the same question for you, 00:08:29.000 --> 00:08:35.000 your experience coming from Brazil which is typically competitive in soccer. 00:08:35.000 --> 00:08:39.000 And what have you really enjoyed about being here, or not enjoyed, either one? 00:08:39.000 --> 00:08:43.000 Of course, it's hard. I'm very far from home. 00:08:43.000 --> 00:08:47.000 So of course, I miss my family, friends and everyone else. 00:08:47.000 --> 00:08:51.000 But I'm feeling very happy here. All the boys are very nice. 00:08:51.000 --> 00:08:56.000 The environment we have it's, it's a very fun environment to be. 00:08:56.000 --> 00:08:60.000 And in sports that's what you're going to miss when you leave, 00:09:00.000 --> 00:09:02.000 and you stop playing for any reason. 00:09:02.000 --> 00:09:05.000 We'll miss the environment and the fun you have, people you meet. 00:09:05.000 --> 00:09:09.000 All the other places I went in my soccer career or like sports 00:09:10.000 --> 00:09:14.000 I made good friends that I will have for the rest of my life. 00:09:14.000 --> 00:09:16.000 And then that's for sure the things you miss the most. 00:09:16.000 --> 00:09:19.000 So I'm building good relationships here with the coaches. 00:09:19.000 --> 00:09:23.000 Everyone else, the boys are very nice, so it's been pretty good, pretty fun. 00:09:24.000 --> 00:09:28.000 Juan and Jacob, what would you guys both say to 00:09:28.000 --> 00:09:32.000 junior college athletes that are hoping to transfer to a higher division? 00:09:32.000 --> 00:09:36.000 What I would say would be look at the school's majors. 00:09:36.000 --> 00:09:39.000 Don't really look at how good they're doing because 00:09:40.000 --> 00:09:45.000 that's only going to be for 2 years, or maybe even 3 years if you played juco for 1 year. 00:09:45.000 --> 00:09:49.000 But you really want to look into the education that school has. 00:09:49.000 --> 00:09:52.000 And also really the enviro,ment. 00:09:52.000 --> 00:09:56.000 Really, if it's like a really good environment, like us, it will be boom. 00:09:56.000 --> 00:09:59.000 It will fly by real quick. For me, these 2 years 00:09:59.000 --> 00:09:62.000 really flew by really quick cuz of the friends I've made. 00:10:02.000 --> 00:10:06.000 And also, like I said, it's really important to have a good education 00:10:06.000 --> 00:10:08.000 because that follows you in the long term, for life. 00:10:08.000 --> 00:10:12.000 So you really want to look at what you want to do after athletics, 00:10:12.000 --> 00:10:15.000 Instead of like, oh, I just want to play for a good team. 00:10:16.000 --> 00:10:19.000 No, you want to look at your education and 00:10:19.000 --> 00:10:21.000 also if you're going to have a good time at that place. 00:10:21.000 --> 00:10:24.000 Yeah I would say basically the same thing, you know. 00:10:24.000 --> 00:10:31.000 Definitely look at the coaches and, you know, the environment and 00:10:32.000 --> 00:10:38.000 just, you know, just take a good look where you want to go. 00:10:38.000 --> 00:10:43.000 And, like what he said, what's your major and stuff like that. 00:10:43.000 --> 00:10:48.000 And Gabe, what advice would you have to athletes that want to travel abroad and 00:10:48.000 --> 00:10:52.000 kind of pursue bigger dreams in terms of athletics? 00:10:52.000 --> 00:10:56.000 I mean the first thing that's most important, of course, is to have a 00:10:56.000 --> 00:10:58.000 good knowledge of the language where the place you're going. 00:10:58.000 --> 00:10:63.000 For sure, that helps a lot cuz I've met some guys that come from other countries that 00:11:03.000 --> 00:11:05.000 arrive in America and doesn't know how to speak English. 00:11:05.000 --> 00:11:10.000 So I imagine that that's a big problem. 00:11:10.000 --> 00:11:16.000 Of course, about what I said before, we miss home but when we decide to 00:11:16.000 --> 00:11:19.000 move to another country and start a new project, like play for a new team 00:11:19.000 --> 00:11:23.000 and study in a new place, we need to kind of forget about everything that's at home 00:11:23.000 --> 00:11:27.000 and focus where you at. So that you can actually enjoy and have fun and 00:11:27.000 --> 00:11:30.000 and also improve in what you're trying to do. 00:11:30.000 --> 00:11:32.000 Yeah, of course. 00:11:32.000 --> 00:11:36.000 Last question for all 3 of you, what kind of legacy do you hope to leave 00:11:36.000 --> 00:11:41.000 you too, as some of the authors of season's story and especially 00:11:41.000 --> 00:11:44.000 Juan because you've been here for 2 years. 00:11:44.000 --> 00:11:49.000 I would say I would like to leave here is um, 00:11:49.000 --> 00:11:53.000 that discipline, that discipline to on and off the field. 00:11:53.000 --> 00:11:60.000 Ahh, being honest and just like taking care of your family, practically 00:12:00.000 --> 00:12:04.000 That's pretty much what I want to leave here. 00:12:04.000 --> 00:12:09.000 For me, I want to leave as a person that, you know, 00:12:09.000 --> 00:12:14.000 kelped this program succeed and go to the highest. 00:12:14.000 --> 00:12:20.000 And, you know, just being that person who would help the team. 00:12:20.000 --> 00:12:31.000 as much as I can. And yeah, leaving a legacy that I put all my work in to help this program. 00:12:31.000 --> 00:12:37.000 And I think it's leaving a legacy of working hard and being a good teammate. 00:12:37.000 --> 00:12:43.000 And of course for me, as saying like an individual winning 00:12:43.000 --> 00:12:46.000 I decided to come here and focus on having good numbers. 00:12:46.000 --> 00:12:54.000 So, good numbers, goals, that type of thing. So that's pretty much it. 00:12:54.000 --> 00:12:59.000 Alright. I'd like to tack on one more question before the end of the interview. 00:12:59.000 --> 00:12:64.000 What is one like really funny or crazy memory that you have from this season that 00:13:04.000 --> 00:13:07.000 you're going to remember for the rest of your life? 00:13:07.000 --> 00:13:14.000 Oh, tThere's a lot of fun memories that I've experienced over these past 3 years. 00:13:14.000 --> 00:13:22.000 But for me I would say 00:13:22.000 --> 00:13:30.000 That is a hard question. There is a lot of fun memories. I would say like the... 00:13:30.000 --> 00:13:35.000 when we went into Canada this year and when we were going into the pool 00:13:36.000 --> 00:13:40.000 And it was just like this one straight pool I think just 2 feet wide. 00:13:40.000 --> 00:13:43.000 Everybody was just there in the middle and everybody was just swimming back n forth 00:13:44.000 --> 00:13:48.000 and be hitting people and stuff like that. It was just to be funny and... 00:13:48.000 --> 00:13:52.000 and we were ranking people at that time. And we just like, we just 00:13:52.000 --> 00:13:56.000 saying one, two, three & four, who are your top numbers and stuff like that. 00:13:56.000 --> 00:13:60.000 And if you were like #1 you'd have to swim all the way across 00:14:00.000 --> 00:14:04.000 And swim all the way back. It was just like a funny moment. 00:14:04.000 --> 00:14:08.000 Plus, the water was all warmed up. The pool was all warmed up. 00:14:08.000 --> 00:14:13.000 And, and it was raining at the same time. 00:14:13.000 --> 00:14:18.000 That was just like something that we didn't expect in Canada. 00:14:18.000 --> 00:14:24.000 For me it was, you know, we were in Cali actually 00:14:24.000 --> 00:14:27.000 I woke up and went to breakfast in the morning and 00:14:27.000 --> 00:14:32.000 I would hear coach say to Juan, how was that pizza? 00:14:32.000 --> 00:14:37.000 And, that was hilarious so that was probably a funny time. 00:14:37.000 --> 00:14:40.000 I think I'm going to have to talk about the Burger King incident in the airport. 00:14:40.000 --> 00:14:46.000 Ahh, so our coach is pretty tough on what we try to eat 00:14:46.000 --> 00:14:51.000 and like being healthy and stuff. So then we decided that 00:14:51.000 --> 00:14:54.000 that maybe we should get Burger King at the airport and 00:14:54.000 --> 00:14:59.000 He found out and then he confiscated all the burgers (laughter) so 00:15:00.000 --> 00:15:03.000 so we got burgers but we couldn't eat so he conficasted all of them. 00:15:03.000 --> 00:15:05.000 Yeah that, that was a good moment. 00:15:05.000 --> 00:15:10.000 Ok. Thank you all for coming to interview and good luck in Saturday's match. 00:15:10.000 --> 00:15:12.000 Thank you very much. 00:15:12.000 --> 00:15:15.000 Alex Grignon and Abraham Villalobos have 00:15:15.000 --> 00:15:18.000 both contributed positively to the teams success this year. 00:15:18.000 --> 00:15:20.000 Both are forwards on the team. 00:15:20.000 --> 00:15:23.000 As players who spend a majority of game time in the thick of the action, 00:15:23.000 --> 00:15:26.000 how do you deal with the pressure of playing against other powerhouse teams, 00:15:26.000 --> 00:15:29.000 and how do you help lead the team to success? 00:15:29.000 --> 00:15:31.000 Well, I think going into games it's kind of drawn out for you. 00:15:31.000 --> 00:15:35.000 Michael's really detailed and he provides us with a really detailed scout. 00:15:35.000 --> 00:15:37.000 So it's kind of hard not to know what to do. 00:15:37.000 --> 00:15:40.000 And I think that provides us with a lot of success. 00:15:40.000 --> 00:15:44.000 Each individual also knows their role so you're not trying to do to much 00:15:44.000 --> 00:15:46.000 and you're not, you're definitely not doing too little. 00:15:46.000 --> 00:15:50.000 So the details that we have going into the game and all the information that we know, 00:15:50.000 --> 00:15:54.000 really helps us succeed cuz you never question what you're doing out there. 00:15:54.000 --> 00:15:59.000 Yeah, and Michael and his staff give us very good scouting report on every game. 00:15:59.000 --> 00:15:62.000 And every practice we have everyone is giving 100%. 00:16:02.000 --> 00:16:06.000 And in the game just going into action, I mean, we all love the pressure. 00:16:06.000 --> 00:16:08.000 You know, we all love touching the ball around. 00:16:08.000 --> 00:16:12.000 Everyone likes, there's no that one guy that just take the ball 00:16:12.000 --> 00:16:15.000 and does everything else. It's roll together as a team. 00:16:15.000 --> 00:16:19.000 And we all love the pressure and we all just want to get the job done. 00:16:19.000 --> 00:16:22.000 And its gets more exciting as we score goal, after goal, after goal. 00:16:22.000 --> 00:16:25.000 Getting the win after, you know, the whole team is pumped 00:16:25.000 --> 00:16:29.000 It think that's what, you know why, we just love everything we do. 00:16:29.000 --> 00:16:32.000 Seeing as the 2022 season was the first in program history, 00:16:32.000 --> 00:16:36.000 and Western Oregon didn't exactly place high enough 00:16:36.000 --> 00:16:39.000 to compete for the NCAA tournament. 00:16:39.000 --> 00:16:43.000 The program was a bit of a darkhorse coming into the 2023 season, 00:16:43.000 --> 00:16:46.000 coming out of the woodwork and creating a lot of success. 00:16:46.000 --> 00:16:49.000 So how did the team approach the season this year? Did you come in 00:16:49.000 --> 00:16:54.000 expecting to head into a penultimate match and competing for a GNAC title? 00:16:54.000 --> 00:16:56.000 Well, obviously Ab and I were here in the spring. 00:16:56.000 --> 00:16:59.000 And I think a lot of players this year don't really understand 00:16:59.000 --> 00:16:63.000 what last year was for us. And coming in this year, 00:17:03.000 --> 00:17:07.000 it was just a breadth of fresh air to have Michael and his staff 00:17:07.000 --> 00:17:09.000 Instead of what was going on last year. 00:17:09.000 --> 00:17:12.000 I think Michael has completely transformed this program and allowed us to be 00:17:12.000 --> 00:17:16.000 optimistic about playing games and competing for titles. 00:17:16.000 --> 00:17:18.000 And that's something that if you told me that a year ago, 00:17:18.000 --> 00:17:19.000 I would have told you, you were crazy. 00:17:19.000 --> 00:17:24.000 I think Ab would as well. So Michael has completely transformed this program and 00:17:24.000 --> 00:17:28.000 and benefited so many of us. The players he's brought in 00:17:28.000 --> 00:17:31.000 have perfectly fit a system and helped us so much on the field. 00:17:31.000 --> 00:17:34.000 And I think it's just been such a wonderful change. 00:17:34.000 --> 00:17:37.000 And something so needed for this program. 00:17:37.000 --> 00:17:39.000 Oh yeah, me and Alex were here last season. 00:17:39.000 --> 00:17:44.000 Obviously, what happened last season wasn't good, but... 00:17:44.000 --> 00:17:48.000 with Michael coming in and his staff and bringing a bunch of new players. 00:17:48.000 --> 00:17:55.000 It was just really great. And coming into the season as underdogs, 00:17:55.000 --> 00:17:59.000 We love it. You know, people are always going to look at us like 00:17:59.000 --> 00:17:63.000 Ahh, it's Western Oregon, what they had last season but, you know, 00:18:03.000 --> 00:18:07.000 we as a team, we trained in the summer. We did practices together. 00:18:08.000 --> 00:18:11.000 We go a head start to do things together and get chemistry together. 00:18:11.000 --> 00:18:15.000 Look what we've done this season. It's amazing. 00:18:15.000 --> 00:18:19.000 And I feel very confident heading into Saturday and making the tournament 00:18:19.000 --> 00:18:22.000 And you know, any team that plays against us, we're ready. 00:18:22.000 --> 00:18:25.000 We love being the underdogs. We love the pressure. 00:18:25.000 --> 00:18:29.000 And our team is just very amazing to watch. 00:18:29.000 --> 00:18:34.000 So it seems like Coach Mike and the team culture in general 00:18:34.000 --> 00:18:37.000 is a huge motivator for you guys to succeed. 00:18:37.000 --> 00:18:42.000 But what are your personal why's and personal motivation that come to mind 00:18:42.000 --> 00:18:45.000 when you think about competing this season and how are you going to use that 00:18:45.000 --> 00:18:48.000 to really drive your game on Saturday? 00:18:48.000 --> 00:18:53.000 Again I think for Ab & I it goes a little bit deeper, kind of having a chip on our shoulder, 00:18:53.000 --> 00:18:56.000 being a part of last year's team and all the struggles we had to go through. 00:18:56.000 --> 00:18:59.000 Coming into this year and being able to compete for a GNAC title. 00:18:59.000 --> 00:18:63.000 you have a chip on your shoulder and you really want to prove to everybody 00:19:03.000 --> 00:19:07.000 why we're here and how we play and how we can compete. 00:19:07.000 --> 00:19:11.000 Every coach picked us to finish last this year and now we're competing for the title, 00:19:11.000 --> 00:19:14.000 I think that kind of just proves it in itself. The motivation 00:19:14.000 --> 00:19:20.000 it's inside of you at all times cuz as hard of a season as it was last year, 00:19:20.000 --> 00:19:24.000 to be competing this year, it's the best feeling every. 00:19:24.000 --> 00:19:28.000 You have that pride. You have the pride of last year and trying to prove this program 00:19:28.000 --> 00:19:31.000 is something that's going to compete for awhile. 00:19:31.000 --> 00:19:35.000 I totally agree with Alex. I think the biggest thing for me was 00:19:35.000 --> 00:19:40.000 every coach voted us to be last. And that is just what motivates 00:19:40.000 --> 00:19:42.000 ee and the whole team every single day. 00:19:42.000 --> 00:19:47.000 You know, it was kind of like a reminder why we continue to push ourselves. 00:19:47.000 --> 00:19:51.000 Not only to win the GNAC but push ourselves in the tournament. 00:19:51.000 --> 00:19:56.000 We know that. You know, people are not really against us 00:19:56.000 --> 00:19:60.000 and you know, we just keep going. We let them do, we let our 00:20:00.000 --> 00:20:04.000 the ball do the talking. We show on the field who we are. 00:20:04.000 --> 00:20:07.000 And why we should be competing for the championships and 00:20:08.000 --> 00:20:11.000 um, yeah, I think that's about it. 00:20:11.000 --> 00:20:14.000 Thank you both so much for coming in and doing the interview. 00:20:14.000 --> 00:20:19.000 I'm really appreciating the personal stories and motivation that you guys have shown us. 00:20:20.000 --> 00:20:21.000 Thank you. Thank you. 00:20:21.000 --> 00:20:25.000 I have Marco Millan and Alejandro Velasco here with us. 00:20:25.000 --> 00:20:28.000 Alejandro is a forward and midfielder and a transfer from community college 00:20:28.000 --> 00:20:33.000 up in Washington State. And Marco is a midfielder transfer from a college in Colorado. 00:20:33.000 --> 00:20:37.000 So what were your expectations coming into this season as a new recruit? 00:20:37.000 --> 00:20:40.000 And how has the season surprised you or reaffirmed your vision? 00:20:40.000 --> 00:20:43.000 Coming into this season I knew it was going to be a very challenging one 00:20:43.000 --> 00:20:47.000 just because the program was very new. And having a new head coach 00:20:47.000 --> 00:20:51.000 obviously going to change. But I didn't think the atmosphere was going to be 00:20:51.000 --> 00:20:55.000 this intense and this hard, so I was really grateful when I came into the 00:20:56.000 --> 00:20:61.000 into the program to see all these challenges and all these new players, so. 00:21:01.000 --> 00:21:03.000 Yeah to bounce off of that. 00:21:04.000 --> 00:21:07.000 I think the big thing was, you know, 00:21:07.000 --> 00:21:10.000 The coach from Pittsburgh, all these accolades. 00:21:10.000 --> 00:21:13.000 He's Division 1, these pro accolades. 00:21:13.000 --> 00:21:16.000 Yeah, you know, what is he going to to do this brand new program? 00:21:16.000 --> 00:21:22.000 And I think we've seen that with the wins now 00:21:16.000 --> 00:21:22.000 from last year, 00:21:22.000 --> 00:21:27.000 he's put a good positive mark on Western Oregon. 00:21:28.000 --> 00:21:36.000 For me, it was just about Michael. That was my whole reason was Michael. 00:21:36.000 --> 00:21:42.000 He was at Pittsburgh, I thinks he knows what he's going to do so why don't I join him. 00:21:42.000 --> 00:21:44.000 Yeah, that makes sense. 00:21:44.000 --> 00:21:49.000 Both of you have placed on the GNAC statistical leader board individually. 00:21:49.000 --> 00:21:52.000 Marco you're tied for 6th and assists per game. 00:21:52.000 --> 00:21:55.000 And Alejandro is 8th in points and points per game, 00:21:55.000 --> 00:21:59.000 goals per game, 7th in total goals and tied for 10th in assists. 00:21:59.000 --> 00:21:63.000 So what lifestyle commitments and work is done during practices, in the weight room, 00:22:04.000 --> 00:22:08.000 off the field and everyday life that allow you and your other teammates to 00:22:08.000 --> 00:22:11.000 Influence and make waves in the GNAC? 00:22:12.000 --> 00:22:16.000 I think it starts with our coach setting the atmosphere and the example for all of us. 00:22:16.000 --> 00:22:19.000 He's shown us all the right runs, obviously. 00:22:19.000 --> 00:22:24.000 And then, from teammates it starts at your house and like what you guys are eating 00:22:24.000 --> 00:22:29.000 And all that, so just, starting with like that kind of atmosphere just from 00:22:29.000 --> 00:22:34.000 home and then on the field, it's really prepared to mentally be ready on the field. 00:22:34.000 --> 00:22:39.000 Yeah, our staff puts a big emphasis on nutrition, 00:22:39.000 --> 00:22:43.000 you know our books, taking care of our school things. 00:22:43.000 --> 00:22:45.000 It is, it is very challenging. 00:22:45.000 --> 00:22:48.000 Our days are packed. You know, we have school, we have soccer. 00:22:48.000 --> 00:22:52.000 We have to make sure we are eating the right things. 00:22:52.000 --> 00:22:54.000 They put a big emphasis on that. 00:22:54.000 --> 00:22:58.000 You know, we just we try and follow everything they tell us. 00:22:58.000 --> 00:22:63.000 What was your overall first impression of Coach Mike and his coaching style? 00:23:04.000 --> 00:23:12.000 Overall first impression, I would have to say very intense coach, very serious. 00:23:12.000 --> 00:23:16.000 Glad I was able to like get to kind of know him very well and see like 00:23:16.000 --> 00:23:21.000 him outside of being a coach. Because one of the first time's we met, it was at his house. 00:23:21.000 --> 00:23:26.000 It was very, I don't know it was good atmosphere to see him at his house 00:23:26.000 --> 00:23:29.000 outside of coaching and see how he is as a Dad. 00:23:29.000 --> 00:23:35.000 I liked seeing both sides. He's a very serious, intense guy but I liked it. 00:23:35.000 --> 00:23:40.000 Yeah, I think my thing was I could tell he's very detailed. 00:23:40.000 --> 00:23:45.000 And he mentioned to us that there's 11 players on the field, 00:23:45.000 --> 00:23:49.000 but if one player gets it wrong then the whole system's off. 00:23:49.000 --> 00:23:56.000 So, the details and all those 11 players getting it right is incredibly important. 00:23:56.000 --> 00:23:59.000 Last question, what do you guys think will give Western Oregon 00:23:59.000 --> 00:23:62.000 the upper hand in Saturday's match against Simon Fraser? 00:24:02.000 --> 00:24:04.000 I think just coming out with the right mentality. 00:24:04.000 --> 00:24:10.000 Coach has been on us with that since the past, since the beginning. 00:24:10.000 --> 00:24:13.000 I think we come out and play our way and set our tone, 00:24:13.000 --> 00:24:20.000 we should play good and take 'em down and be on our way to the nationals. 00:24:20.000 --> 00:24:28.000 I think if we go into this next game playing how we know how to play, 00:24:28.000 --> 00:24:32.000 then we'll be fine. The season it's shown that 00:24:32.000 --> 00:24:36.000 when we play Western Oregon soccer no one can compete with us. 00:24:36.000 --> 00:24:39.000 So as long as we go into the game with that mindset, 00:24:39.000 --> 00:24:42.000 I think we'll be more than fine. 00:24:42.000 --> 00:24:45.000 Alright, really good insight from both of you. 00:24:45.000 --> 00:24:47.000 Thank you for taking the time to do an interview. 00:24:47.000 --> 00:24:48.000 Thank you. 00:24:48.000 --> 00:24:56.000 music