Ryan Straub ’25, Staff Writer
The Immaculata Men’s Soccer team is in full preparation for their upcoming exhibition matches this spring. On Saturday, April 9, they will take on the alumni team of the program in a friendly match that will feature many players from the team that won the Atlantic East Conference championship in 2019. Coming off of a decent, but far from perfect season in 2021, the Macs were defeated in heartbreaking style in the semi-final of the conference tournament to local rivals Neumann University.
Bidding farewell to seniors Jacob Fitzgerald, Michael Smith, and Zach Malcolm, it will be the task of the 2025 class to develop their games and take a stronger responsibility going into the 2022 fall season. The days of this current spring season are vital in this stage of these players’ careers, as accelerated playing time will go a long way in preparing for the fall.
Friday’s practice began with possession-based games to hone the ball skills of all players on the team. Goalkeepers focused on quick reactions and distribution in their respective goalkeeping drills. Head coach Rich Punt then transitioned the session into full-field tactical awareness drills. The practice concluded with an intensely competitive 11v11 scrimmage. The spring season is progressing nicely for Punt’s squad, as every player is growing increasingly in confidence and skill-level.
Along with the alumni game on April 9, the Macs will take on the Ursinus Bears in their second and last scrimmage of the short season. That game is set for 7pm Wednesday, April 13 at Draper Walsh Stadium.
