WPSL Top Teams: San Diego SeaLions Advance to WPSL Final Four Championships
Vice President/CEO Scott Dreher on the undefeated San Diego SeaLions.
Top WPSL Teams Spotlight: The San Diego SeaLions continue their 2016 Women’s Premier Soccer League (WPSL) campaign following the club’s two wins versus arch-rival California Storm and the Seattle Sounders Women in the Western Division Regional Championships. The undefeated SeaLions reach the WPSL Championships this upcoming weekend in Columbus, Ohio.
The Numbers: The undefeated San Diego SeaLions record is 10 wins, 1 draws, 0 losses – 31 points, earning 7 shutouts so far with a total of 30 goals scored.
Next Match: 2016 WPSL Championships Semifinals on July 25th: The San Diego SeaLions vs the Chicago Red Stars Reserve at Otterbein University Memorial Stadium
SoccerToday asked the San Diego SeaLions’ Scott Dreher why his team is performing so well – here are his insights:
Diane Scavuzzo: What is your WPSL record this season?
Scott Dreher: 10 Wins, 0 Losses and 1 Draw.
Diane Scavuzzo: How many shutouts?
Scott Dreher: The San Diego SeaLions have earned a total of 7 shutouts this WPSL season.
Diane Scavuzzo: How many total goals have the WPSL SeaLions scored so far this season?
Scott Dreher: 30 goals.
Diane Scavuzzo: Describe your top goalie – what are her strengths?
Scott Dreher: Kaycee Gunion is our #1 goalkeeper and she is amazing. Kaycee Gunion feature spotlight on SoccerToday
Diane Scavuzzo: What has made your WPSL team so successful?
Scott Dreher: Fitness, creativity and working together.
Diane Scavuzzo: What were your goals for this season – and for next season?
Scott Dreher: Our goals always includes going for the National Championship.
Diane Scavuzzo: What is your team’s training schedule?
Scott Dreher: Team Practice every Tues/Thursday; plus Fitness training on Wednesday with NXPT — this stands for No Excuses Personal Training. On Saturdays the team trains with Armone’s Core Connection, as well as welcomes Paul Wright and his Speed To Burn team to training on Tuesday to lead the first hour of practice.
Diane Scavuzzo: Do you monitor your players nutrition, fitness?
Scott Dreher: Yes we do monitor our players nutrition and provide information to our players.
Diane Scavuzzo: Do you believe your team could beat a National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) team?
Scott Dreher: I think we could compete in the National Women’s Soccer League. We might not be undefeated but we wouldn’t be the last place team in the NWSL.
Diane Scavuzzo: What is special about your Head Coach Jen Lalor and Asst. Coach Lu Snyder’s training, approach, philosophy?
Scott Dreher: It is Jen’s intensity and focus on fitness and tactics that is very special. Lu is our former Goalkeeper and knows the game inside out and out and is a real player’s coach. Together, they make a terrific team coaching the SeaLions.
Diane Scavuzzo: How long has your team been in the WPSL?
Scott Dreher: Since the inception of the WPSL in 1998. Our San Diego SeaLions team was founded in 1988 and is one of the oldest women’s soccer clubs in the world.
Diane Scavuzzo: What is your average attendance?
Scott Dreher: 400 fans.
Diane Scavuzzo: How important are the fans to your players?
Scott Dreher: Very important. They motivate us and help us focus.
Diane Scavuzzo: How have you used social media this season?
Scott Dreher: We realize the power of social media and use Facebook often and update our website regularly. We also have ScoreStream mobile app for instant realtime access to game events.
Diane Scavuzzo: Who is your biggest rival / or what game are you most looking forward to??
Scott Dreher: Our playoff match vs. the California Storm coached by WPSL Commissioner Jerry Zanelli — they have been our fiercest rivals since 1998. Almost twenty years!
Photo Credit: Aaron Jaffe
