WICHITA FALLS, Texas - Senior forward David Freeland has certainly become accustomed to winning during his tenure at Midwestern State.
The Midland, Texas native has tallied 18 goals over the past two seasons while helping the Mustangs to a Final Four showing in 2010 before helping the team to its fifth consecutive NCAA II postseason appearance last season.
So when his West Texas Sockers' squad didn't experience the same success this summer, it really to its toll on him.
"This was the first summer I played PDL (Premier Development League)," Freeland said. "It was a little frustrating because we didn't do too well. We only won three games and that was a little bit of a change compared to here where we've only lost four games total since I've been here."
But there was even more to it than that for a big time performer who once scored a hat trick in MSU's stunning 5-0 win in the national quarterfinals at Chico State (Calif.) in 2010.
"Everything was frustrating plus I only scored three goals but after losing that much it makes me not ever want to lose a game here," he said.
Freeland is once again forced to make slight change in his role at Midwestern where his speed was once coveted to be integrated into the midfield.
"That really didn't work out," he said as he reflected. "At first, maybe it was because of my fitness. I couldn't really get up and down (the pitch)."
Then Freeland made the move to striker tallying 11 goals as a sophomore in 2010 before earning NSCAA and Daktronics All-South Central Region honors with seven goals and four assists following his junior season of 2011.
"After watching some of the other strikers that have been here, I just like the way they are relied upon to score," he said. "And I do like scoring obviously."
Firmly settled into his position, now Freeland will be counted on to provide leadership and hand down the coach Doug Elder's Mustang way.
"It's a little different being in a leadership position," he said. "Most of the guys coming in are 18 or 19 and I'm 23 so I have some age on them. It's kinda fun leading and trying to get everyone going and help with coach on showing how the system works."
Since Freeland is in his fourth season at MSU after serving a redshirt in 2009, he has the system down pat.
"We play a 4-4-2 and pretty simple," he said. "The main thing is that we have to work hard. That's one of my leadership goals is to make everyone work hard."
Freeland's hard work has definitely been noticed by opposition coaches, sports information directors and selected media who have named him the Lone Star Conference's Preseason Offensive Player of the Year for the second straight season.
No. 14 Midwestern State opens its exhibition slate Friday afternoon when it plays host to Oklahoma City University at the MSU Soccer Field. Kickoff is set for 3 p.m.
CAMP NOTES
PHOTO DAYS: Attention Parents! Photo Day for Football is set for Sunday, Aug. 19 while Men's Soccer, Women's Soccer and Volleyball is set for Monday, Aug. 20.
Lifetouch Sports offers many packages with two easy ways to order. You can either order online at lifetouchsports.com before photo or student-athletes must purchase and order packages on photo day (cash/check only).
To pre-order online, go to www.lifetouchsports.com then select the ORDER NOW button under Order Before Picture Day. Next, enter the Picture Day ID of TX01-2-002-X0 and click on SUBMIT. Begin shopping.
To resolve issues, please contact Lifetouch Sports customer support at (940) 692-9691.
COUNTDOWN TO OPENERS
WOMEN'S/MEN'S SOCCER/VOLLEYBALL -- 15 DAYS: Women's Soccer opens the year against No. 10 Fort Lewis (Colo.) as part of the MSU Classic on Friday, Aug. 31 at the MSU Soccer Field. Kickoff is set for 5 p.m. West Texas A&M and Colorado Mesa lead off the classic earlier in the afternoon at 3 p.m. The MSU Men's Soccer team takes on Texas A&M International at 7 p.m. to complete the tripleheader.
FOOTBALL -- 23 DAYS: No. 4 Midwestern State opens the regular season at Tarleton State on Saturday, Sep. 8at Memorial Stadium in Stephenville, Texas. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.
ON TAP
SIXTH ANNUAL WELCOME BACK DINNER: The Sixth Annual Midwestern State Athletics Welcome Back Dinner features former Dallas Cowboys legendary quarterback Danny White as the guest speaker on Sunday, Aug. 26 at D.L. Ligon Coliseum.
Reserve your spot now for the Sixth Annual Midwestern State Athletics Welcome Back Dinner by submitting $70 for an individual sponsorship. Additional seats are available for $40. For more information, contact Sheri Mummert at (940) 397-4779.
LIFE SKILLS DAY WITH KEYNOTE SPEAKER KEN "COACH" CARTER: The inspiration for the awarding winning movie Coach Carter is slated as the keynote speaker for Midwestern State University Athletics' Third Annual Life Skills Day set for Saturday, Aug. 25.
The general public is invited to attend the event set for 6 p.m. at D.L. Ligon Coliseum.
THIS WEEK
- Football worked through its first two-a-day drill on Thursday. The Mustangs go through one practice Friday afternoon beginning at 4:50 p.m. before going twice on Saturday at 9:20 a.m. and 4:50 p.m.
- Volleyball practices twice on Friday (8:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.) before hitting the road to compete in the Texas Wesleyan Tournament in Fort Worth on Saturday. MSU takes on Tyler JC and Navarro JC.
- Men's Soccer goes through a morning workout session before taking on Oklahoma City University in an exhibition Friday at 3 p.m. The Mustangs enjoy a day off on Saturday before returning to two practice sessions on Sunday.
- Women's Soccer goes through two training sessions on Friday (9 a.m. and 6 p.m.) before traveling to scrimmage Dallas Baptist on Saturday.
