Principia College has a very strong soccer tradition. It is known for fielding quality teams and attracting talented players from good high school and club programs, and a few foreign players. Since 1984, individual Panthers have been named conference MVP four times, All-Midwest 17 times, and All-American once. As a team during the same period, they have won five conference championships, and have attained a Midwest top-10 ranking eight times. The 2001 team was the first Principia team sport to earn a bid to the NCAA Tournament.
Philosophy Principia looks for players who have positive attitudes toward training and the game. The program encourages each player to develop to his fullest potential and to enjoy all aspects of the game. The soccer program promotes excellence and achievement and a clear understanding of athletics as an essential part of a student's overall educational experience at Principia.
Facilities Principia has excellent fields, including one of the best game facilities in the Midwest. The game field is a FIFA regulation size 120 x70 yard natural grass surface with lights which were installed in 2006 in addition to its electronic scoreboard and public address system accompanied by built in seating for 500, the soccer Panthers have separate practice fields for training.
Conference Principia is a member of the St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SLIAC), which includes Blackburn College, Fontbonne College, Greenville College, MacMurray College, Maryville University, Webster University, Westminster College and Eureka College
Conference members are all NCAA Division III colleges and universities with similar academic and athletic philosophies. A strong soccer conference, many SLIAC teams gain regional and national recognition. The winner of the SLIAC receives an automatic bid into the NCAA Division III tournament.
Principia is also a member of the Central Region of the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA), competing against some of the best teams in the Midwest, including DePauw University, Washington University, Rhodes College, Centre College, and University of the South.
Training Individual skill development, small-sided games and functional training are used to develop technical to actual abilities as well as knowledge of the game. Most fitness work is done with the ball and is incorporated into the technical and tactical training. In addition to the regular fall season, players weight train and play indoors on their own during the winter, and in the spring the team plays matches, enters tournaments, practices two to three times a week, and does weight and plyometric training.
Style of Play Principia strives to play creative soccer, with all players involved in an attack oriented system, while also being well drilled in the principles of good defensive play. Emphasis in the back and midfield is on controlled-ball-possession soccer, where the ball is moved quickly and keeping possession is the priority. Backs and midfielders are encouraged to overlap through the midfield and into the attack. In attack, the emphasis is on going quickly to the goal with much positional interchange, creative combination and one on one play.
International Travel Every three to four years the Principia men's soccer teams takes a two-week tour to Europe to train, play matches, watch professional matches, and tour famous and historic sites. The 2005 team enjoyed a great trip to Spain. These trips provide a unique international playing and touring experience for each player.
Academic Excellence The experience of playing soccer at Principia supports a young man's academic pursuits and helps develop the qualities that prepare him for success after graduation. The 2006 soccer team again received the National Soccer Coaches Association of America Team Academic Award for their 3.2 cumulative GPA. Many Principia soccer alumni immediately attend graduate school, or go on to successful and fulfilling careers in a wide variety of fields.
Grads talk about Principia soccer "One of the many reasons I came to Principia was to play soccer at the collegiate level. In my four years at Prin, seldom a day passed in which I wasn't thinking about, practicing, or playing soccer. Soccer became a constant in my day. Weekday afternoons were devoted to becoming a better soccer player. In this pursuit, not only did I improve my ball skills, endurance, and speed, but I formed valuable friendships with teammates and was challenged to demonstrate Christian Science. I learned about discipline on the field and in the classroom, the importance of setting goals and reviewing them often, and the need to take responsibility for my performance." -- Greg Bruland, captain, 1997; Ph.D. Duke University; assistant professor, Dept. of Natural Resources and Environmental Management, University of Hawai'i at Manoa.
"Prin soccer demanded of me the tireless work ethic, tactical savvy, and competitive fire needed to be successful at the collegiate level. As part of my Principia education, this program was an incredible classroom in which to learn crucial lessons about teamwork, leadership, discipline, and most importantly, living a God-centered life. The lessons I learned in the heat and humidity of preseason and the friendships I forged on roadtrips will last a lifetime.....If you love soccer, there is no better place to play." -- Josh Burek, captain, 1999; Rhodes and NCAA post-graduate scholarship candidate.
