Temple University Athletics
Men’s Soccer Completes First Spring Season Under Brian Rowland
4.20.18 | Men's Soccer
PHILADELPHIA—As his first spring season as a head coach on Broad Street comes to a close, Temple University men's soccer coach Brian Rowland reflects on a hardworking offseason with his newest squad. With a new coaching staff and a ten-man roster loss, the Owls had the opportunity to show strides of improvement this spring season, finding success throughout the process.
"I think the group improved dramatically over the course of the three to four months that we worked together," said Rowland. "The progress that we made was very evident, not only to the coaching staff but also to the players. We are really proud and optimistic after finishing out this spring season, and it's quite exciting."
The Owls saw a competitive five-game spring schedule, taking on Rutgers, Lehigh, and George Mason in their first three games, followed by two Philadelphia Big Five match ups against La Salle and Saint Joseph's. While the schedule proves to be challenging, Rowland was pleased with the Owls' ability to compete with these Division I competitors.
"Each game brought different challenges, but we were able to compete every minute," Rowland explained. "Losing so many starters from the previous year and still being able to show success is a fantastic feeling. We saw glimpses of a complete performance, and it really proved that we are moving in the right direction."
One game that really stood out to Rowland as this complete performance was the contest against Saint Joseph's. Not only was this a great game overall for the team, but it was also a pretty big night for the coaching staff, as it was their first game on their new home field.
"It was a Friday night under the lights with great energy," said Rowland. "It was a really high point for our spring season, as the team really showed up and put on a great performance. It serves as an awesome forecaster for us to see what it's like to play under the lights in downtown Philadelphia. This game as a whole is something that I am taking away as a huge positive."
In watching the team start to come together, Rowland noted a few players that have shown great improvement and stood out this spring.
"Hermann Doerner, Nick Sarver and Belal Mohamed have all helped by bringing a great deal of experience and leadership to the team. These guys did exactly what I hoped they would do and have really stepped up. Zach Brown has grown a great deal with us, stepping into a bigger role within the team. As far as improvement goes, Lukas Fernandes has had a real break out spring season. He got an opportunity to grow and play to improve his confidence, and I think he really fits what we're trying to do. He's stepped up to make a difference and definitely stood out."
As his first spring season as head coach comes to a close, Rowland now looks to the future with excitement, knowing what these players and this program has to offer.
"It's such an exciting time, and we are all very optimistic about this upcoming season. What we saw this spring really leads us to feel that we are moving in the right direction. I could not be more thankful to the guys for their focus and energy this season, because it has put us in such a good place moving forward. We look to use this momentum moving forward to come out ready for a strong season this fall."
"I think the group improved dramatically over the course of the three to four months that we worked together," said Rowland. "The progress that we made was very evident, not only to the coaching staff but also to the players. We are really proud and optimistic after finishing out this spring season, and it's quite exciting."
The Owls saw a competitive five-game spring schedule, taking on Rutgers, Lehigh, and George Mason in their first three games, followed by two Philadelphia Big Five match ups against La Salle and Saint Joseph's. While the schedule proves to be challenging, Rowland was pleased with the Owls' ability to compete with these Division I competitors.
"Each game brought different challenges, but we were able to compete every minute," Rowland explained. "Losing so many starters from the previous year and still being able to show success is a fantastic feeling. We saw glimpses of a complete performance, and it really proved that we are moving in the right direction."
One game that really stood out to Rowland as this complete performance was the contest against Saint Joseph's. Not only was this a great game overall for the team, but it was also a pretty big night for the coaching staff, as it was their first game on their new home field.
"It was a Friday night under the lights with great energy," said Rowland. "It was a really high point for our spring season, as the team really showed up and put on a great performance. It serves as an awesome forecaster for us to see what it's like to play under the lights in downtown Philadelphia. This game as a whole is something that I am taking away as a huge positive."
In watching the team start to come together, Rowland noted a few players that have shown great improvement and stood out this spring.
"Hermann Doerner, Nick Sarver and Belal Mohamed have all helped by bringing a great deal of experience and leadership to the team. These guys did exactly what I hoped they would do and have really stepped up. Zach Brown has grown a great deal with us, stepping into a bigger role within the team. As far as improvement goes, Lukas Fernandes has had a real break out spring season. He got an opportunity to grow and play to improve his confidence, and I think he really fits what we're trying to do. He's stepped up to make a difference and definitely stood out."
As his first spring season as head coach comes to a close, Rowland now looks to the future with excitement, knowing what these players and this program has to offer.
"It's such an exciting time, and we are all very optimistic about this upcoming season. What we saw this spring really leads us to feel that we are moving in the right direction. I could not be more thankful to the guys for their focus and energy this season, because it has put us in such a good place moving forward. We look to use this momentum moving forward to come out ready for a strong season this fall."
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