OPENINGS ON SOCCER TEAM

Uncertain but hopeful was the way Coach Jack Carr described the 1940 soccer turnout which was close to thirty strong. With only six out of last year's eleven returning, the true calibre of the squad could not be determined after only three days of practice on fundamentals.

The big losses were captain Howie Mendel, Arthur Page, George Hanford, James Rousmaniere, and Prentice Willetts who has not shown up yet although he still has one more year. To fill those gaps Coach Carr was relying on last year's Freshman strength. But with Al Merck, an outstanding Yearling half-back, and Joe Phelan, an equally brilliant '43 goalie, failing to come back, the problem is made all the more difficult.

Freshmen Strong

"Herky" Herskovits and Dick Gifford, also two former Freshman starts, have a good chance to fill the outside wing positions left by Mendel and Page. But as yet the biggest difficulty of all is still unsolved, namely the lack of fullbacks. As Carr points out it takes four fullbacks to give any college team defensive strength. So far only two men have been found with enough skill to fill this position.

In order to remedy this weak point, Carr is contemplating moving Captain David Ives back to a fullback job. But in yesterday's scrimmage, the first of the season, he spent most of his time at his old halfback position. Time and much experimentation should untangle the difficulties.