In his three short years of coaching the Madison College men’s soccer team, Cory Sims has turned around a team that hadn’t had a winning season since 2009.

His team has showed continuous improvement throughout his tenure, resulting in a 7-6-2 record last year.

That improvement brought the team its first winning

As he enters his fourth year as WolfPack coach, Sims credits a positive outlook and team chemistry as factors in its success.

“I tend to adopt a positive outlook on things, I never envision failure,” Sims said. “I think we have a good balance to the team and good chemistry, which are some of the makings of a competitive and successful season.”

Sims believes this year’s team is eager to continue the program’s steady improvement.

“I think we have the most eager group that I’ve coached – pretty much all of the guys are putting in extra work to improve,” Sims said. “If we can build on that, it can become the WolfPack men’s soccer tradition. So, I suppose I’m looking for this group to leave a legacy.”

If his team continues to give its best effort every day, he expects that success will come.

“I think if we focus on controlling our effort, giving our maximum effort every day, the other things will take care of themselves,” said Sims. “I believe we have a lot of control over our destiny as a team, and its up to us to recognize that and put ourselves in a good position to have success.”

So far, Sims likes what he has been seeing from the team.

“The team has come together well thus far. Everyone seems to get along, and is encouraging to one another. Everyone feels comfortable with one another and the coaching staff, from my point of view. I think each member of the team is doing his share to make himself and our program better,” said Sims.

The WolfPack plays its first home game Saturday, Aug. 27, against Waubonsee Community College.  Kick off is at noon.  This year’s games will be played at Warner Park because of the construction of the Goodman Sports Complex.