I sat down with Nick Pappas '12 and Mike Donelan '12, two soccer players looking to continue the recent success of Dartmouth soccer and hopefully add another Ivy League title next year.
What are some of the perks about playing for one of Dartmouth's most successful sports teams?
NP: The ladies, the lifestyle ... the guys on the team are awesome. The coaches are really funny. It's hard work, but you get the beach bod, so it's worth it.
MD: You get to know international superstars like Craig Henderson ['09] and Dan Keat ['10].
What about the soccer program here made you want to come to Dartmouth?
MD: The facilities here are some of the nicest in the country, we get some good, good lovin' from the fans. And recently we've been one of the most successful teams in the Ivy League.
NP: The godfather, Matty Carroll ['09]. His presence is just omnipotent. I think he got maple syrup from one of his janitors. He knows people -- people knowing people -- that's powerful stuff.
You guys obviously have a lot of camaraderie on the team, how does that dynamic contribute to team success?
MD: It plays an integral role in how together we are on the field. Cash Cab is a staple after practices, as is Sean's frequent stock market analysis and predictions based on the updates on his iPhone.
NP: Everyone likes to get dressed up, so on game days everyone's in their finest duds. Class, class, class. We actually watched a video on the iPhone about how to tie to a bow tie so Matty Carroll could learn, and it took him about 25 times before he eventually got it.
How's life in-season when you're playing soccer?
MD: It's definitely a big commitment being part of any [Division I] athletic team. Our coaches take it pretty seriously during season, but also during the rest of year as well. That said, we try not to make soccer dictate our life.
NP: It's all about time management, baby.
Do you feel any pressure to continue your on-field success?
NP: Coach has a really big influence on setting the tone and making sure that every little thing we do is reflective of where we think we should be and where we're going in terms of the NCCA tournament and stuff like that. In terms of practice, and even being in the locker room, everything we do we try to do it to the highest standard possible.
MD: There's a certain amount of pressure, but I feel like it's a lot driven by what our expectations are. We really try to maintain a professional attitude about soccer and how we represent ourselves, so there are just certain expectations that we all try to meet and that we're expected to meet.
What were the best parts of being on this year's team?
MD: Traveling on the bus, patches before games, the feeling after a victory, "Happy Ending" by Mika and just coming together -- the overall transformation from the beginning of preseason to the end of it -- coming in as a freshman, a little intimidated by the prospect of being on one of the top teams in the country to feeling like being part of the team, one of the guys, just five weeks later.
NP: Team dinners, pre-game meals -- real good food. We always find the weirdest places, but it's always so good. The hotel rooms are always so sick. I love those comfortable beds, man, you can't beat them.
What are some things you're going to try to do in the future to continue success?
MD: We are going to try and carry our humble attitude and success from this year into next season. On paper I know we look pretty good, but we know we're going to be a big game on everybody's calendar now, so we know we're going to have to work that much harder.
NP: I would say just trying to keep the same attitude that the seniors help put in and help the freshmen deal with any kind of questions that come up during the year. Just making sure that the team has that sense of togetherness once again, because that was really helpful for all of us.
What was it like playing with players who played in the Olympics or are planning to play professional soccer after they graduate?
NP: It was kind of a cool experience, especially the Wake Forest game, where I think six of the [Wake Forest] players got drafted. It's cool to watch TV and see people you played against.
MD: Originally it was a bit intimidating, but we know that we are here for a reason, and we know that we can play at the caliber that they can.
What would you tell people to expect from Dartmouth soccer next year?
MD: Expect more of the same from last year. Expect a lot of the hard work, hopefully fan appreciation, and a lot of W's at home for everybody.
NP: We're just trying to get that second ring.
