UT Coach Looks to Continue Dominance Against Lynn

TAMPA, Fla. - University of Tampa men's soccer coach Adrian Bush sat down for a question and answer session prior to his team facing No. 1 ranked and undefeated Lynn University on Wednesday in Boca Raton, Fla.

Bush has enjoyed recent success against the Fighting Knights, most recently defeating the 2011 national finalist by a 1-0 score on Oct. 1 of last year.

Tampa has won five straight over Lynn, dating back to the 2008 NCAA tournament. UT has also won eight of the last 10 meetings dating back to 2007. During that span, Tampa has defeated Lynn every time they were ranked number-one in the nation (four times, two at Lynn).

During the recent span, Lynn has scored just four goals compared to 10 for the red, black and gold. In 2008, Lynn defeated the Spartans in the regular season and Sunshine State Conference tournament before Tampa exacted revenge in the NCAA tournament, ending the season of an optimistic Knight squad.

Tampa and Lynn will meet on Wednesday at 3:30 p.m. Fans may follow the game through TampaSpartans.com, or @utspartans on Twitter.

Following are head coach Adrian Bush's answers to several questions about the game and rivalry.

How prepared is your team to face the number-one ranked team on the road?
"We look at this as a great opportunity - Wednesday September 26th, 2012, there is only one team in Division II that is facing the number-one team in the nation. That is us; the University of Tampa Spartans, we will be ready and Lynn knows we will be ready."

What has been the secret to your recent success against Lynn?
"I would not say there are any secrets and if there was a 'secret.' I would not disclose them to anyone outside our team. People may look and see we have won 8 of the last 10 games dating back to 2007, 4 of those wins coming when they were #1 in the country in recent years (2 on their home field) - and wonder what is the secret? It's about our players, it's about our team, it's about the preparation, it's about the work! I wore the same jersey our players do right now and honestly nothing has changed since the early 1980's with our men's soccer program. Our program has been built on 3 things: hard work, commitment and preparation. It has been passed down from coach to coach at UT with men's soccer. I can say that is something in common with all our sports at UT - that is why we have 87 SSC Championships as an athletic program. Hard Work, Commitment, Preparation."

Was your victory against Lynn the best part about last season?
"To be honest no - it wasn't. Last year was very tough and when you are 3-10-2 in a season you really find out who your true friends are. The best part about last year; though we lost 6 of 8 overtime games, was finding those friends and players who will stand by your side through thick and thin. We are better coaches for it, we found out the supporters we can trust and most importantly our players grew in areas on and off the field. Our players are so much closer from it. We have good players but we also want good people with strong character values. I think 2011 tested us in a lot of ways and we are still standing here better from it - from players to coaches."

How do you prepare a young team for a game of this magnitude?
"First thing is yes we are young, but we are a year older than we were last year when we started 6 freshmen, 1 sophomore, 2 juniors and 2 seniors. These players know we believe in them and they have a different mentality this year. Fitness is key and I can guarantee our fitness level is where it needs to be."

Did you change your preparation for this game compared to others?
"We prepared for this game just as we would any other opponent, our preparation is always very specific and in detail to our opponent. We will arrive in Boca Tuesday afternoon for the Wednesday match and our players will be ready."

What are the strengths of Lynn?
"Lynn is a good team; you do not get to the #1 ranking without being good. They have good depth and I believe one of the biggest strengths outside of the fact they have talented players is their maturity. Six guys on their team are 25 years old or older; they have 15-16 graduate students that bring a lot of experience not only playing here in the USA but playing back home in their country."

Since you mentioned it and I know there is a lot of talk about the number of graduate students on their roster, do you think it is fair?
"If it falls within the rules of the NCAA then yes it is fair. I give them credit because it is never easy to bring in 15-18 new players, to have them go to the national championship game last year is a credit to them. I will be very honest and tell you it is not the way I want to build my program though. I do not think it is what college athletics is all about. A lot of programs across the country have transfers or a grad student here or there, to have 15-16 grad students that are 26-27 years old competing against the normal age of 18-21 years old is not my cup of tea. No knock on Lynn at all, I hold great respect for them - it is just not the way of building my program."

How would a victory over Lynn impact your season?
"All it would mean is we would earn our 5th win of the year, that is honestly all we focused on. This year is so demanding with the 8 plus 4 schedule - no game on our schedule is easy. Especially playing #1 in the nation on the road. Lynn is a fantastic team and a game that always seems to bring out the best in us."