By TIM BIRNEYValley Sports Report
TIOGA CENTER — First-year Tioga boys soccer coach Donnie Van Dusen is pleased with his numbers, and is stressing fundamentals in his first preseason camp in preparation for the 2025 season.
Van Dusen began coaching the Tioga modified team the year after the program was shut down due to lack of numbers for four years (2017-2020).
"Four years years ago, we didn't even have a soccer program, so for (assistant coach) John Pipher and I, the key was to bring the numbers back up (on modified), get these kids playing, and recruit more kids to play.
"Right now, we have 14, including one 8th-grader off the modified team," said Van Dusen. "When school starts, we're hoping to add one or two players."
We're only going to lose three seniors from this year's team, so our numbers will be good again next year," added Van Dusen. "Plus, I'm hoping we pull up a couple more players from modified for the postseason — everyone's goal is to make the postseason, right?"
The modified numbers are a little low, said Van Dusen.
"We only have six on modified, that's with pulling one up ... again when school starts, I think we can get to 8 or 10."
The focus of the preseason is "fundamentals," said Van Dusen.
"Fundamentals all day long, that's the focus here — footwork, speed and agility," he said. "I think that's where we have to build from."
Van Dusen said the Tigers will change up their style of play a bit in 2025.
"I've coached a bunch of these kids on modified," he said. "I think we're going to look for a little wider play, not so much up the middle.
"We want to spread it out a little bit, look for our crosses, and whatever the game brings to us," Van Dusen added.
Van Dusen is also stressing versatility to his player.
"I told the guys, 'you might want to play midfield, but you might end up on defense. And, just because you start there, doesn't mean you're going to end up there.'
"I want kids who are going to play multiple positions, not just one position," said Van Dusen.
Tioga will open the 2025 season at home Wednesday against Marathon.
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PHOTOS BY TIM BIRNEY.
