By Martin Lidholm
Bangor, Maine – With the announcement of Gavin Penny as Husson University´s new Men´s Soccer Head Coach, the team can start looking to the fall. The players are excited for a new season, and their new coach.
Defender Viktor Domberg, who will be a Senior next season, has had Penny as his assistant coach for the last two years. It is the same for most of the guys on the team, and Domberg thinks that is an advantage. “It is obviously something positive that Coach Penny has known most of the guys on the team for one or two years,” Domberg said. “Because of that, he knows us and we know him. With him having been here two years already, Coach Penny has a good idea of the qualities of the squad and what we need to work on.” Domberg also likes the coaching style that the new head coach brings to the team. “It is very enjoyable to see him coaching. Coach Penny is very passionate about the game and every player can see that when they are on the pitch,” Domberg said.
With the doubts of who is going to be the new Head Coach gone, Domberg is looking forward to his last season on the Men´s Soccer team. “It is going to be a very exciting year, and I cannot wait for the season to start,” Domberg said. “It is my last year, and I really want to end with something special. In my Sophomore year, we won the North Atlantic Conference Championship. That is something I want to experience one more time.”
Another player who is excited for the new Head coach´s arrival is goalkeeper Andrew Wicklund. He will be a Junior when the season starts and has worked with Coach Penny for the last two years, just like Domberg. Wicklund is also positive of the appointment of Penny. “When our former Head Coach left, I think most of the guys wanted Coach Penny to take over. Now, that has happened. From what I have heard from my teammates, everyone is pleased that Penny is the new Head coach. It was the perfect decision,” Wicklund said.
Even though he has one more season left after the one in the fall, Wicklund wants the next season to be successful. “For a Men´s Soccer team at Husson, the goal should always be to win the North Atlantic Conference Championship. We won it in my Freshman year, and I want to win it again. Our new Coach and the Seniors on the team deserve that.”
With the appointment of Penny, a process that started in the beginning of the year came to an end. In January, former Head Coach Jeff Gettler announced his resignation from the Men´s Soccer Program after six seasons with the team. He won two North Atlantic Conference Championships at Husson and had 46 wins, 16 losses and 4 draws against the opposition in the Conference. With the team´s victory in the NAC Tournament Championship Game in 2014, Gettler reached his 300th career win overall. Having taken over after Gettler, Coach Penny will look to create his own records as the program´s new Head Coach.