Another day, another scrimmage.
S2 is set to host Gonzaga University this Saturday at 1:00 p.m. PST for the team’s fourth preseason scrimmage. So far this preseason S2 has been unbeaten, defeating both the Sounders FC Academy and University of Washington, while drawing 1-1 against University of Portland.
Gonzaga will look to start 2015 on a better foot after last season, which saw the team go 5-12-1. The Zags bolstered their roster earlier this month with six new signings, including forward Denis Kalamar, a Sounders Academy alum who scored 29 goals in three years while with the Academy. This will be Kalamar's first time getting minutes with the Zags since joining the squad.
S2 Head Coach Ezra Hendrickson, who has been making cuts to the team as the preseason goes on, will look to refine the roster even further after Saturday’s game. The Coach will likely plan the lineup against Gonzaga similar to UW, fielding one team in the first half, and a completely different look during the second. This will give the coach and his staff a chance to see how players are learning to play with each other, and get guys longer, valuable minutes toward building fitness before the season kick-off in three weeks.
Here are the top three storylines to follow this weekend:
Roster takes shape
This will be the first game for S2 since signing new midfielders Duncan McCormick and Amadou Sanyang on Thursday. Although they have been playing with the team all preseason, fans will now be able to get a good look at two players who they can expect to see throughout the season.
Make the cut
With two spots filled by McCormick and Sanyang, and with the home-opener only three weeks away, the number of players in training is getting smaller and smaller. Trialists have fewer chances to show the coaches why they deserve a position on the squad, therefore they will be eager to impress. Fans are sure to be in for a show as players will do anything and everything to be on Coach Hendrickson’s roster come March 21.
A point to prove
Gonzaga comes to Starfire after a disappointing season, which saw the Bulldogs end the season fifth in the West Coast Conference. A new season means a new outlook for the Zags, who will hope to right the ship with six new players added to the roster this offseason.
Saturday’s scrimmage is free and open to the public and will be played on Starfire Sports field three.
