June 10, 2011
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By Pat Salvas
UCFAthletics.com
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) - A first-year Knight, Luiz Yamashita came on strong for the UCF men's soccer team in 2010. Joining the team after transferring from Virginia Tech, Yamashita made his presence felt on the pitch for the Black and Gold last fall.
As a redshirt sophomore, the Sao Paulo, Brazil, native was sixth on the team in scoring with nine points in 2010. Yamashita scored all four of his goals in a six-game stretch during the middle of the year, including goals in consecutive games two separate times.
Against his former teammates at Virginia Tech on Oct. 19, Yamashita picked up his third tally of the season and gave his team a 2-0 lead in just the 14th minute of the game.
With the pressures of his first season in Orlando behind him and the experiences of a historic run for the program, you can bet that head coach Bryan Cunningham will look to Yamashita in big situations for the Knights in 2011.
Where and how will you be spending your summer?
I will be attending Summer C. At the same time I will be training with the strength and conditioning coach, and playing for a team in a summer league. I will also be training with my teammates while I spend part of the summer here at UCF.
What are your personal goals as they relate to soccer for the summer?
To achieve a level of fitness like I had never before. Also to improve my technique and finishing skills.
How can you take what you learned/accomplished/achieved from this past season into summer?
I will be applying the discipline I have acquired this past season towards each training session I will be doing. By knowing what I need to improve on, I will be working hard on those areas.
What are your plans regarding workouts and preparing for the upcoming season?
To achieve the maximum level of fitness and endurance that I am able to. Also to improve speed, flexibility, agility, and power.
Looking forward to next season, what are your goals for the UCF men's soccer program?
To each day get better and help the UCF men's soccer team win a championship and represent UCF athletics in the best manner.
What are your individual goals for the 2011 season?
To significantly help my team win games. To score goals and have assists and be an essential player in the game.
What are you most looking forward to in the 2011 season?
To apply everything we have learned into our season and as a result to win games. To have fun with my teammates at the same time working hard to obtain results.
What is the most important aspect of this summer for you to be ready for the upcoming season?
Fitness. Technique. Finishing.