The spring 2016 matches for the ETSU men’s soccer team have been announced.

Throughout March and April, the Bucs will play eight games against seven different schools.  They will also have an ETSU Alumni game for the second time.

“We have put together a tough spring schedule this year,” said coach Bo Oshoniyi. “The spring, we really want to continue to build on the mentality of the group and lay a foundation that will help us be successful in the fall.”

ETSU finished out the fall season with an overall record of 8-7-4. The team hopes this spring will provide them with the practice to improve during the next fall season.

“Our focus as a team has been to carry over what we were focusing on in the fall, which was to defend and attack as a unit,” said junior midfielder Keegan Sanders. “We want to have strong one-on-one defense because if one part of our unit falls apart, we all fall apart. Every time we step onto the field, we want to win, but the spring is the time to break bad habits and really get a solid structure before heading into the fall season.”

The next game for the Bucs will be against Mars Hill on March 24.

After the ETSU Alumni game on April 2, the Bucs will host Radford and Louisville on April 2 and April 9, respectively.

The last three games will prove to be a challenge for the Bucs, as they are against two ACC programs and an NCAA tournament team.

However, the team has had a good start to the season, securing wins in its first scheduled matches.

“That’s why we scheduled so many games because it gives us a chance for all players to get a lot of minutes, which allows everyone to implement our strategy in a game-like situation,” Sanders said. “The wins this weekend are a great start to the spring schedule, but we still have a lot of work to do. With our terrific coaching staff and players that are eager to get better every day, this combination will lead this team to a successful spring season.”

The last game scheduled will be an away game against Virginia Tech.  ETSU has come out on top the last two times the teams have met.

“These games will be a great test for us, and I think our guys will enjoy the challenge,” Oshoniyi said.

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  • Kayla Strong

    Kayla Strong is a Gate City, Virginia, native completing her last few semesters of her undergraduate work at ETSU. She has recently found a passion for writing, which triggered her decision to join the staff of the East Tennessean as a writer and photographer. Strong is hardworking and likes to stay busy and organized. When she isn't in school or working, she's outdoors hiking and camping in nature. She likes to plan trips with friends and family, and once the day is done, she loves to get home to see her two cats, Fluffy and Marisa. Strong will graduate in December with a double major in history and biology.

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