TEN QUESTIONS WITH...

What types of challenges does your team face with a slew of incoming freshmen?
The biggest task for us to accomplish is getting everyone to mend together. Almost half of the members of our team are newcomers, so it's important for us to mesh both on and off the field. The key is having everyone on the same page by the time that our Mid-American Conference schedule rolls around.

How significant are the non-league games that you are currently playing prior to the MAC schedule?
They are preparation games. Ultimately we'd like to come out victorious in every one of the games, but our overall goal is to be ready for our six regular season MAC games. So what the non-league games allow us to do is to build for the MAC season and do other things like trying out new items - such as playing certain players at new positions. Basically, we try to find the right combination prior to the MAC season.

What role does someone playing a forward position have?
Their ultimate objective is obviously to score goals. You want that player to be someone that can hold the ball or beat a defender in a one-on-one situation, but most importantly they have to be able to score. That's a great talent to have, and not everyone can do it.

Next, detail the duties that are required in your position as a midfielder.
Midfielders are generals on the field. They control the tempo and style of play. They are similar to a point guard in basketball in that they collect the ball and start the attack.

Lastly, what responsibilities do defenders and the goalkeeper have?
They are strictly there to defend - once in a while one of your outside defenders may make an outside run and will attack, but for the most part they need to stay organized in the back and make sure there are no defensive breakdowns.

As far as the goalkeeper, that is probably the most important position on the field. Not only are they in place to stop the ball and make the key save when needed, but they also direct all of the other players. The goalkeeper should be the loudest player on the field, as well as being the leader.

What type of system and formation does your team employ?
For the most part, we play with the 4-4-2 formation. That means that we play with four defenders, four midfielders and two forwards. Coach (John) Astudillo is never hesitant to switch that up however, depending upon who we are playing. Basically, the theory behind the 4-4-2 is to have balance between defense and offense.

How does your team prepare for a specific opponent?
Our coaches do a terrific job of looking at game tape and studying our opponents. What we try to do in practice is to emulate our opposition - meaning the reserves will pose as the opposing team during our practices. If we are playing an attacking team that uses the outsides, then our reserves will practice in that format against the starting unit.

Your team now has four straight home games as part of the UB Fall Classic, which begins this weekend at RAC Field. What are the differences between playing at home and on the road?
The one advantage of travelling is the fact that all of the guys are together - you are travelling, staying and eating together. That helps a team bond. But, playing at home is a lot different. The advantage is that you know the environment and you know the field. You also have the fan support at home.

Describe the MAC as a soccer conference.
It is a seven-team conference in men's soccer. For us, conference play begins in late September and it is a tough, grueling schedule. There is not one guaranteed victory - every game will be a close one. The top teams - Akron and Kentucky - are always great challenges.

How does the postseason format work for the MAC and NCAA Tournaments?
As far as our conference goes, every team receives an automatic bid into the conference tournament, with the top seed receiving a first-round bye. The winner of the MAC Tournament receives an automatic bid into the NCAA Tournament. Obviously, that is our ultimate goal this season.

-The "10 Questions with…" feature is compiled by Geoff Nason.