Wildcat Weekly: Dan Dolan (2020-21 Episode 1)

9/16/2020 8:30:00 PM

Wildcat Weekly brings you inside the locker rooms of Western New York's Premier Division II Team with host Joe Kraus. In the first episode of the 2020-21 season, Joe is joined by Dan Dolan, the longest tenured and winningest women's soccer coach in Daemen history. Dolan recounts the Wildcats' successful 2019 season that concluded with the program's first-ever NCAA tournament berth, as well as the challenges of recruiting during the COVID-19 pandemic, the development of players and growing expectations within the program. To view the full episode, click on the play button over the image above, or visit youtube.com/daemensportsinfo.

DAN DOLAN QUOTABLE...

On team success in 2019...
"I think we had a very strong team overall. We had very strong leadership. Our core leaders did a fantastic job. The team chemistry was unreal. I think our team chemistry the last three, four years has been very good. Last year it was phenomenal. And so whenever you have a mature, you know an older team led by a bunch of seniors that has great leadership, everyone is bought in, you know you're usually going to have a pretty good team."

"But to be honest, even if we didn't make the NCAA's, you know it was such an enjoyable year and such a great year that it's a year that I'll always remember, along with the 2011 team for sure."

On the importance of communication...
"Communication is a foundation of our program. I mean, communication is a big thing. Not just, you know, not just coaching staff to players, but players to players. I think that's a big one that comes from our leadership from me down. We've got a couple captains now in Sam D'Agostino and Katja Meyer who will do a fantastic job taking over from our three captains last year. It's important that our leaders are reaching out to everyone on the team, everyone feels like we're a part of a team, everyone feels like we're a family. That's a big thing that we recruit on, bringing in good people and just being a good family here for the next four years."

On the development of senior goalkeeper Maddie Flores...
"Her freshman year she actually split time with another freshman, and I know that was hard on her, and she really grew from it. So, the last few years she's been our number one keeper. She's not just improved as a player, but even as a person. I mean, she's a whole different person than what she was freshman year. Her confidence is much better. She's much more outgoing. She's a leader where, you know, three years ago she was super shy and didn't really talk to anybody. And so I'm just really proud of where she's come from, not just as a player, but as a person as well."

On this season's senior class and growing expectations...
"It's a fantastic class and has really set the standard for other classes coming in. We've done a really good job as a staff bringing in, you know, a very good class each year. And so, I know a lot of outsiders have been talking to me like, 'man, you know, you made the NCAA's, it's a once in a lifetime thing or a once in 10 years thing.' And like, for me, I fully expect us to make the NCAA's. For us, our goal is to win [the] conference now. And each year the last few years our goals have gotten higher and higher, and so the standard has been higher. So the expectation is to build upon from last year, and you know, hopefully we have a season and we can get some games in. I expect us to be what we were last year if not better."

On his 12-year tenure at Daemen...
"You say 12 years and it really feels like a dream almost. I look back at like those 2009, 2010, 2011 years and it just seems like a lifetime ago. But, at the same time, you know, everything, it just goes by so fast. The older you get the faster, I think, life goes by. It's been super enjoyable. It's been a really good time. I haven't gotten sick of it yet. But yeah, I do really enjoy coming to work every day."

Daemen College features the premier NCAA Division II athletics program in the Buffalo-Niagara region, sponsoring 17 intercollegiate teams. For the latest information on Daemen Athletics, follow the Wildcats via social media on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Instagram, or sign up to receive customizable news alerts, e-mail newsletters and weekly schedule alerts.

Print Friendly Version