EATON — The Eaton boys soccer team has brought in a familiar face to help move the program in the right direction.
In June, the Eagles hired Matt Money, the man who started the soccer program for Eaton in 1987.
He has his work cut out for him this season as he inherits a team that finished with no conference wins and three wins overall. He has brought in a tougher attitude and a fresh take for the program, though.
“I expect us to work hard and to outplay every opponent. That’s our goal. Just to outwork, outplay. We have a slogan – 80 minute of Hades – where we just get after it for 80 minutes. I expect my players to do that,” said Money. “We are a lot better now than we were in June and July and I expect us to get better as long as we stay healthy.”
The team returns some talented upperclassmen in Daniel Howard, who is expected to anchor the defense, and midfielder Nathan Gard. But the team also brings in a handful of freshmen who may make an immediate impact on the field.
“In scrimmages, they’ve held their own. They get after it,” said Money. “In some ways, I think they challenge the juniors and seniors. They have shown very well. You are going to see five or six of them on the field a lot.”
Aside from two standouts in Howard and Gard, Money doesn’t want to name names. His philosophy is all about team. It’s not about individuals.
“The last thing we say every time is ‘team’ – it doesn’t matter. If I have Lionel Messi on the team, it doesn’t matter. It’s team. We want all the players to help us,” he said. “We don’t try to single out players. If you can’t do it, we’ll find somebody else. That’s the attitude we have with our guys.”
The team opened their season against Edgewood on Saturday, Aug. 22, losing the match 3-2. They are scheduled to travel to Preble Shawnee on Thursday, Aug. 27, for a 7:15 p.m. match-up. The Eagles open up at home on Tuesday, Sept. 1, against Franklin at 6 p.m.
