Earning a trip to nationals during a coach’s first year is a lofty goal. Only a year removed from a trip to nationals, the ISU Men’s Soccer Club believe they can turn that dream into a reality.

Head coach Chad Zmolek is entering his first season at the helm of the soccer club, but his coaching resume already has impressive marks on it.

Zmolek has been the coach at Ames High School for 20 years and has made numerous trips to the Iowa High School Soccer State Tournament. He also holds the National Diploma through the National Soccer Coaches Association of America.

“It’s nice to have someone with authority on the field that is helping the team out,” said senior Andrew Paleczny. “He has the experience to lead us to where we want to go.”

The first interaction between Zmolek and the team didn’t come until the tryout process. Over 100 prospective players came out on the first day of the week-long tryouts.

Over the next week, the numbers dwindled down from player cuts and the team was formed with 34 players. Ten of those players are rookies.

“The talent level of the 34 guys are comparable to NCAA Division III and Junior College level teams,” said senior Ryan McCoy, club president.

Last year, the club earned a trip to regionals where it placed second, qualifying for the Championship Bracket. The club didn’t advance out of pool play after it was stuck in a pool with the defending champions.

“Our biggest goal is to win regionals and then place at nationals,” said McCoy. “I know that we can reach the semis at nationals and place.”

On it’s run last year, the club faced an injury-plagued roster that ultimately doomed its run at nationals. Paleczny is confident that having Zmolek step in as head coach will lead to fewer injuries and in turn, strengthen the squad.

“Chad [Zmolek] will help us with our conditioning and that will prevent the injuries that hurt us last year, said Paleczny.

The captains originally approached Zmolek at the end of last season when they needed a coach to help prepare them for the national tournament.

Expecting that to be all, Zmolek was approached again by the captains and offered the volunteer head coaching position for this season. He accepted and hopes to pass on his knowledge to a talented team.

“I’m volunteering my time, and if I show up prepared, work hard and challenge them, I believe that will convey the message to them that I am really here to help them succeed,” said Zmolek. “It’s really their team, and I am a resource and facilitator for reaching their goals.”

Nevertheless, Zmolek and the team have a common goal of winning regionals and placing at nationals. The team has a chance to qualify for regionals when it hosts a tournament on campus. The top two finishers will get an automatic bid to regionals.

Over time, Zmolek will gain the trust of the players, but until then he is just doing what he has done for 25 years — coaching soccer.

“I’m trying to evaluate each player and get everyone in the right place to make the best team. And this may involve a change in tactics and formation,” said Zmolek. “So it may look rough now, but in the end the success should continue.”