Aug. 6, 2012

More than 25 soccer players, including 12 newcomers, arrived on campus this afternoon as they begin preparations for the 2012 season.

Returning players will undergo physical testing today while the incoming players will take there's later in the week.

The team will have dinner tonight and will then gather at the Lady Techster Soccer Complex for a brief run-through of head coach Kevin Sherry's basic fundamentals and philosophies.

Two-a-day practices will start tomorrow. The morning session will be considered a physical practice with an emphasis on the players' intensity level.

"You can do any kind of drill, but the intensity is high," said coach Sherry. "We add sprints that they have to do inside the drill itself, so you're practicing your skill but at the same time you're getting physical running in."

The evening session will be considered a tactical practice focused more on the mental aspect of the game.

"It's kind of a jog through as a team getting use to what your position is and what your role is," Sherry said. "They have to be mentally focused to push their body to get it ready."

The Lady Techsters will open the season at home against Murray State on Aug. 18th at 1 p.m.

For complete coverage of LA Tech soccer, follow @LaTechSOC on Twitter or visit the official home of Louisiana Tech athletics at www.LATechSports.com.