Freshman infielder Alex Hailes is
one of the new players on the team
and is looking to get his collegiate
career off to a good start. “This team
has gelled together really quickly
and I have high expectations,” Hailes
said. Hailes, who is from England,
didn’t hesitate to say that he is more
concerned than how the team is doing
than personal statistics. At the same
time, he knows that he is going to
have to step and contribute when
called upon. “Hopefully I can make
a big impact, stay off the bench and
make a difference,” Hailes said.
team become that successful once
again, but he’ll have to do it with a
completely new set of players, a lot
of whom are new. “This team has the
makeup, the talent and the chemistry
to get back to where we are used to
being,” DiRico said. “I have a good
sense of where this team can go.”
Returning striker Kariym Balthazer
knows what it’s like to play for
Dowling, as he did last year, but wants
to see the team be successful. “The
sky is the limit”, Balthazer said. “We
have a lot of work to do, but we’re
responding well. I’m happy with how
we already beat our record from last
year.”
DiRico’s determination to win
translates to his players and he aims
to recruit players that have the same
mentality that he does. “I recruit
players from winning programs and
my players hate to lose more than they
love to win,” DiRico said.
Improving a record from a season
ago, but that’s just the first step for
Dowling soccer. The Golden Lions
made a name for themselves and were
a strong force, and an intimidating
team to play against.
DiRico has set high standards for
the Golden Lions and he has every
season, regardless of past records or
performances. “The coach has high
expectations of you and doesn’t settle
for mediocracy,” Balthazer said, “I
respect him as a coach.”
The Golden Lions are off to a
good start, but the season has just
begun. Dowling will try to make
a deep run for the first time in three
years.
DiRico has plans of seeing his
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