Carin Gabarra previews 2010-11 Navy Women's Soccer season in interview

Navysports.com recently caught up with head women\'s soccer coach Carin Gabarra to discuss the upcoming 2010 season. Gabarra enters her 18th-season at the helm of the women\'s soccer program and holds an all-time record of 221-108-27. The Mids will open their season tonight at South Carolina State at 7 p.m.

Q: What are your expectations for this year\'s team?

A: Our team expectations have never changed. We want to win the Patriot league and go to the NCAA tournament every year. We go into preseason with clear goals and expect the players to do the work to achieve them.

Q: Navy\'s defense has ranked near the top of the Patriot League in scoring defense for the past several years. Talk about the importance of the group of veteran defenders that return this year.

A: Defending is the backbone of our team and program. We have 11 defenders on the field at all times and rely on each player to do the defensive work. We know we will not lose games if we do not give up goals. Defending takes a lot of communicating and organizing, and having veteran players who know the system is a tremendous help. We need our veteran players to step up and lead in our system.

Q: Senior forwards Carissa Youker and Christine Calderon return after each earning all-league honors in 2009. How does it help your game plan knowing that you have two experienced returning goal-scorers?

A: Scoring goals is the hardest part of the game. We are very fortunate that we do not rely on one single player to do the scoring for us, but have different players step up in any given game to make the difference. We are talented enough to get goals from all over the field. But having said that, we know we have two talented goalscorers up front for us that get the job done when we need it.

Q: Navy\'s four-member goalkeeping unit has logged a combined 109 career minutes entering this season, what is the staff currently doing to prepare this group for the season?

A: Truthfully, nothing prepares for a game like a game itself but we do our best to put our goalkeepers under intense pressure each and every day. They get physical training with footwork and strength. They get technical training with ball handling, distribution and 1v1\'s. And of course they get tactical training within the framework of live play. The goalkeepers we have on the squad have a great work ethic, willingness to learn and study the game, and each of them is confident in their abilities. The lack of game experience is inevitable when you lose the top goalkeeper in the conference but the upside with this group is tremendous. The coaching staff and the team know that we will continue to have top goalkeepers and we will play the goalkeeper that puts our team in the best position to beat Army, win the conference and compete each and every day.

Q: Last season, four freshmen each started 11 or more games. Do you see this year\'s freshman class making the same amount of immediate contribution?

A: If we are recruiting effectively, we will have freshmen step in and make an impact each year. We have a great class this year, with very diverse talents and abilities, and we do expect them to change games for us. They are fit and excited to put on a NAVY jersey.

Q: Senior Jessica Grupp was elected by her teammates as captain for the 2010 season. Talk about her leadership traits and how she will aid the team as its captain.

A: It is a special honor to be voted captain by your peers, at any level, but especially at a leadership institution. Jess will be a great leader for us and has already shown the ability to carry the workload that a captain has to manage. She is approachable, sincere and fair, and has the respect of all her teammates.

Q: A special twist will be added to this season\'s Army-Navy game, as the matchup will be broadcast nationally on Fox Soccer Channel as the NSCAA/College Game of the Week. Are you excited that the storied rivalry will be played out on a national stage and what does the increased exposure mean for the program?

A: We are very excited to get the chance to play on National television, especially against Army, although we did not need any extra incentive. The Army-Navy game has special meaning to our team because we play for all the Navy and Marine Corps officers stationed all over the world. The game is bigger than just us, and we also want to let all the former players know that their contribution to our program does not go unnoticed. We also hope to play quality soccer and sell our game to all others who will watch the game.

Q: Navy is one of just 10 teams in the nation with at least 10 wins over each of the last 15 seasons. What are some of the keys to Navy\'s consistent success over such a long period of time?

A: I think that biggest reason for our team success is the commitment and passion our players have always given to our program. We expect a lot from them, both physically and mentally, every day they step into our facility and they have always risen to the challenge.

Q: A year ago, Beth Reed continued a strong trend of academic success by being named the ESPN The Magazine Women\'s Soccer Academic All-American of the Year. What can be attributed the program\'s success in developing well-rounded student-athletes?

A: Academic, athletic, and moral development are all very important to us as a program. We want to win games and we want to reach higher athletic goals with our program, as well as achieve in the classroom, but at the end of the day, we want our players to be respected leaders with character and dignity.

Q: When Navy began their women\'s soccer program in 1993, you were named its first head coach, and to this day, remain its only head coach in program history. What are some of the qualities of the Naval Academy that have kept you in the position for so long?

A: I have been at the US Naval Academy for a long time, and there is no doubt that the qualities of the people I work with daily are the biggest reason that I love my job. The athletic department has always supported me in every aspect, and they will do whatever I need relevant to the success of our program. I also cannot ever ask more from the athletes and staff that I work with. They are passionate, driven, and focused at all times, and certainly make it a pleasure to work with each day. Each player and staff I work with currently, and worked with in the past, have been very special to me.