Post-Game Quotes: Virginia Tech
11/19/2017 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Nov. 19, 2017
Opening statement...
First off, I would like to congratulate Virginia Tech on a well-played game. I know Mike (Brizendine), he's a first class coach. They've had a great year, and to get to the round of 32 is a good accomplishment. I want to congratulate them on a great season, especially their goalkeeper (Ben Lundgaard) and their forward, number 11 (Marcelo Acuna) were special players. I want to wish them all the best in their careers as well.
Secondly, I'd like to thank Michigan State University. We didn't have the greatest conditions, but the field played great so our grounds crew, our administration, the support that we got here to put this event on in a little 30 degree and snowy weather. I certainly want to thank everybody involved. I could name names, but the whole group of Michigan State from President Simon to Mark Hollis, Shelley Appelbaum and on down. Lastly, I just want to congratulate our guys. I mean, what a performance. We've really kind of pushed these guys to come out and start. One of our weaknesses is that we haven't started great. I think we rectified that today, because a goal five minutes in and then we just kept the pressure on and we had a spectacular first half and played really well. These three guys (DeJuan Jones, Michael Pimlott, Ryan Sierakowski) were obviously huge contributors to that along with the whole team. The second half was a little tricky, when you're up a man and three goals. All in all, probably a little boring for the fans, but we'll take boring and a 3-0 win and on to the Sweet Sixteen.
On Pimlott's scoring ability...
He's all or nothing. He either scores these brilliant goals or he doesn't score at all. He's got two of our best goals all year, so hopefully he's got a couple more in him for the rest of the way.
On playing Western Michigan next weekend in the third round of the NCAA Tournament...
I think we've seen each other for the last 20 years or whatever it has been, so we know each other. They know us. One of the things that is going to be really neat is if you look at the amount of players from the state of Michigan on both these teams that are playing. I think that says a lot about soccer in the state of Michigan and so I think that's neat. They're well-coached, and it will be a typical battle between two teams that know each other really well.
On the talent of both MSU and Western from Michigan...
I think it's great. Michigan is one of the most underrated states when it comes to youth soccer. These guys have played on different clubs. Ryan's obviously from Illinois. I think 8 or 9 of our starters are from Michigan, and Western has a ton and so I think it's a great showcase for soccer in the state of Michigan. You know, people talk about California, Texas, New Jersey, but Michigan does a great job. We've got a great youth program. The high school coaches and club coaches do a great job, so it will be neat to see and Saturday night of Thanksgiving weekend, I think you're going to see a good crowd.
On a season with such memorable moments...
Going all the way through the season, this is the 10th year of DeMartin Stadium. We went and played at St. Louis University, which was the 50 year anniversary of the 1967 National Championship team. We've played in just about every condition from 90-degree heat to a swimming pool to a little snow flurry. I think that's a testament to our players and our program. We're adaptable. We don't make excuses, and we're going to go out and play the best soccer that we can whatever the conditions are. I give a lot of credit to this team and the leaders on this team to get them ready for those types of matches.
Michigan State junior forward DeJuan Jones
Michigan State Head Coach Damon Rensing
Opening statement...
First off, I would like to congratulate Virginia Tech on a well-played game. I know Mike (Brizendine), he's a first class coach. They've had a great year, and to get to the round of 32 is a good accomplishment. I want to congratulate them on a great season, especially their goalkeeper (Ben Lundgaard) and their forward, number 11 (Marcelo Acuna) were special players. I want to wish them all the best in their careers as well.
Secondly, I'd like to thank Michigan State University. We didn't have the greatest conditions, but the field played great so our grounds crew, our administration, the support that we got here to put this event on in a little 30 degree and snowy weather. I certainly want to thank everybody involved. I could name names, but the whole group of Michigan State from President Simon to Mark Hollis, Shelley Appelbaum and on down. Lastly, I just want to congratulate our guys. I mean, what a performance. We've really kind of pushed these guys to come out and start. One of our weaknesses is that we haven't started great. I think we rectified that today, because a goal five minutes in and then we just kept the pressure on and we had a spectacular first half and played really well. These three guys (DeJuan Jones, Michael Pimlott, Ryan Sierakowski) were obviously huge contributors to that along with the whole team. The second half was a little tricky, when you're up a man and three goals. All in all, probably a little boring for the fans, but we'll take boring and a 3-0 win and on to the Sweet Sixteen.
On Pimlott's scoring ability...
He's all or nothing. He either scores these brilliant goals or he doesn't score at all. He's got two of our best goals all year, so hopefully he's got a couple more in him for the rest of the way.
On playing Western Michigan next weekend in the third round of the NCAA Tournament...
I think we've seen each other for the last 20 years or whatever it has been, so we know each other. They know us. One of the things that is going to be really neat is if you look at the amount of players from the state of Michigan on both these teams that are playing. I think that says a lot about soccer in the state of Michigan and so I think that's neat. They're well-coached, and it will be a typical battle between two teams that know each other really well.
On the talent of both MSU and Western from Michigan...
I think it's great. Michigan is one of the most underrated states when it comes to youth soccer. These guys have played on different clubs. Ryan's obviously from Illinois. I think 8 or 9 of our starters are from Michigan, and Western has a ton and so I think it's a great showcase for soccer in the state of Michigan. You know, people talk about California, Texas, New Jersey, but Michigan does a great job. We've got a great youth program. The high school coaches and club coaches do a great job, so it will be neat to see and Saturday night of Thanksgiving weekend, I think you're going to see a good crowd.
On a season with such memorable moments...
Going all the way through the season, this is the 10th year of DeMartin Stadium. We went and played at St. Louis University, which was the 50 year anniversary of the 1967 National Championship team. We've played in just about every condition from 90-degree heat to a swimming pool to a little snow flurry. I think that's a testament to our players and our program. We're adaptable. We don't make excuses, and we're going to go out and play the best soccer that we can whatever the conditions are. I give a lot of credit to this team and the leaders on this team to get them ready for those types of matches.
Michigan State junior forward DeJuan Jones
On having a big win after two weeks off...
We got off to a great start. Sitting out two weeks has made us really hungry, and we just came out firing. Everyone was confident, positive, and there was a lot of communication. We're just really proud of the result today.
Michigan State sophomore defender Michael Pimlott
We got off to a great start. Sitting out two weeks has made us really hungry, and we just came out firing. Everyone was confident, positive, and there was a lot of communication. We're just really proud of the result today.
Michigan State sophomore defender Michael Pimlott
On his goal...
It was weird. I wanted to go right, but then I took bad touches and then I said `I have to go left,' so then I just shot it. I scored a while ago, but scoring at home is so much better. It's a way better feeling.
Michigan State junior forward Ryan SierakowskiOn what led to the quick start...
We were just hungry after Ohio State. Getting knocked out in the first round of the Big Ten tournament, we were hungry to get back at it. We were off two weeks, so we were just training for two weeks. We were ready to play a game, and we knew if we got them on their heels early we could get the job done.
On getting his team to score against Western Michigan...
It just so happened that I scored against them last time. Obviously, we are capable of scoring with multiple players. Hunter Barone is a threat, DeJuan (Jones) obviously, (Michael) Pimlott from distance. Anyone can score on any given day, and we have the firepower to do it.
On playing in different types of conditions...
It's definitely different. Against Penn State, I've never played a game like that before. You literally couldn't pass a 5-yard pass without it just stopping right in front of you. Like Coach said, we had to adapt to all the conditions. Today was just snowing and freezing, so I don't know, it's fun. It's definitely something you'll remember for the rest of your life.
On being affected by the bad conditions...
Oh yeah, the adrenaline kicks in and you don't even feel the cold anymore.
Virginia Tech Head Coach Mike Brizendine
Opening statement...
It's not the result that we wanted, but I'm proud of the work my guys did, and of the senior class and what they brought to the table. It's tough when you end a chapter of this part of our story, meaning we are graduating 10 seniors, and it's very difficult to say goodbye to those guys and thank them for their contributions to this program. It's an emotional time, but I'm very grateful to have been a part of their story and been around them to coach them, and to be able to play in this kind of environment. The second round of the tournament isn't where we wanted to end, but it's still quite an accomplishment and we are grateful for that.
Virginia Tech senior defender, Rodrigo Zampieri
On the type of season he had and what got him and his team here...
It was a great season. We had a lot of new freshman coming in and a lot of seniors already here. We were able to blend the experience and the hunger from the freshman. Even though we had a slow start, we were able to overcome a lot of adversity through the season and accomplish a lot of the goals we had. Unfortunately, we came up just short today. Just looking back, it was an unbelievable season with a great group of teammates.
Virginia Tech senior goalkeeper, Ben Lundgaard
On what it was like being a top-10 team, but also experiencing the ups and downs of the season...
It was a great season. What made it a great season was the guys on the team. Our senior class is probably the closest group of guys I have ever been a part of. To be able to play with them day in and day out, along with our new guys, really built up our character. You can take a team of really good soccer players, but it's not going to be fun if they're not good people. I think we capitalized on having good people on the team along with the coaching staff, and that's what made this season special, the people on the team.
It was weird. I wanted to go right, but then I took bad touches and then I said `I have to go left,' so then I just shot it. I scored a while ago, but scoring at home is so much better. It's a way better feeling.
Michigan State junior forward Ryan SierakowskiOn what led to the quick start...
We were just hungry after Ohio State. Getting knocked out in the first round of the Big Ten tournament, we were hungry to get back at it. We were off two weeks, so we were just training for two weeks. We were ready to play a game, and we knew if we got them on their heels early we could get the job done.
On getting his team to score against Western Michigan...
It just so happened that I scored against them last time. Obviously, we are capable of scoring with multiple players. Hunter Barone is a threat, DeJuan (Jones) obviously, (Michael) Pimlott from distance. Anyone can score on any given day, and we have the firepower to do it.
On playing in different types of conditions...
It's definitely different. Against Penn State, I've never played a game like that before. You literally couldn't pass a 5-yard pass without it just stopping right in front of you. Like Coach said, we had to adapt to all the conditions. Today was just snowing and freezing, so I don't know, it's fun. It's definitely something you'll remember for the rest of your life.
On being affected by the bad conditions...
Oh yeah, the adrenaline kicks in and you don't even feel the cold anymore.
Virginia Tech Head Coach Mike Brizendine
Opening statement...
It's not the result that we wanted, but I'm proud of the work my guys did, and of the senior class and what they brought to the table. It's tough when you end a chapter of this part of our story, meaning we are graduating 10 seniors, and it's very difficult to say goodbye to those guys and thank them for their contributions to this program. It's an emotional time, but I'm very grateful to have been a part of their story and been around them to coach them, and to be able to play in this kind of environment. The second round of the tournament isn't where we wanted to end, but it's still quite an accomplishment and we are grateful for that.
Virginia Tech senior defender, Rodrigo Zampieri
On the type of season he had and what got him and his team here...
It was a great season. We had a lot of new freshman coming in and a lot of seniors already here. We were able to blend the experience and the hunger from the freshman. Even though we had a slow start, we were able to overcome a lot of adversity through the season and accomplish a lot of the goals we had. Unfortunately, we came up just short today. Just looking back, it was an unbelievable season with a great group of teammates.
Virginia Tech senior goalkeeper, Ben Lundgaard
On what it was like being a top-10 team, but also experiencing the ups and downs of the season...
It was a great season. What made it a great season was the guys on the team. Our senior class is probably the closest group of guys I have ever been a part of. To be able to play with them day in and day out, along with our new guys, really built up our character. You can take a team of really good soccer players, but it's not going to be fun if they're not good people. I think we capitalized on having good people on the team along with the coaching staff, and that's what made this season special, the people on the team.
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