The way University of Mary men's coach David Cook describes it, a good soccer team takes "a large number of players doing really unselfish things."

As he prepares to begin his second season as the U-Mary coach, Cook believes the Marauders are getting closer to that goal. In Matt Binegar and Ben Houdek, a pair of seniors from Bismarck, Cook knows he has two players who understand it - in part because both have extensive coaching experience of their own.

"They are more refined in how they understand game and how they think about, because they have that vantage point," Cook said. "They've been trying to teach it, so things that players think are innate, they understand are not really that way.

"There is no comparison to how I thought about the game when I was their age to how they think about it," said Cook, who not that long ago was a high-scoring Marauder forward himself. "They're far more sophisticated."

Binegar says he got into coaching five or six years ago. He's helped out with a variety of teams - Horizon Middle School, Bismarck High girls varsity, traveling teams, indoor and out. This summer he even coached his younger brother's U-15 team.

Binegar said all of that experience on the sidelines has helped him when he takes the pitch.

"Coaching helps you see the game in a different light - why things are happening, why you're being being pulled apart, why you're getting beat," Binegar said. "It makes things easier to fix.

"Soccer is a thinking man's game."

Houdek began coaching his freshman year at U-Mary. He has also coached outdoor and indoor and a variety of levels. Among his jobs have been helping with the Century girls and helping Cook with the regional team.

"Coaching helps you pick things out better, and that translates into your game," Houdek said. "It makes you that much better."

Houdek said he doesn't plan on staying in coaching when he finishes school, but Binegar does.

"I think it's wonderful when anybody wants to give back to community," Cook said. "When I think of all the kids they've connected with, it's amazing."

Binegar and Houdek have seen the importance of coaching firsthand. This is the first time in their four years that they will have the same coach two seasons in a row, and they are optimistic about the impact of that continuity.

"It's definitely a nice thing to have Cook back," Binegar said. "He's an amazing coach. He knows what he's talking about."

U-Mary, which went 4-12-1, upgraded its schedule, but the Marauders are confident that improvement is right around the corner.

One reason is the addition of midfielder Nikola Nikolic, a juco transfer from Belgrade, Serbia.

"He's fun to watch," Cook said. "He loves soccer, and he can do special things with the ball."

Ryan Harper, another transfer, and Jose Pacego, a freshman from Brazil, are also expected to be impact players in the midfield.

Alex Calder, last year's top scorer with four goals and two assists, will also contribute to the offense as an attacking midfielder.

Binegar will play mostly on top, along with another local product, St. Mary's graduate Josh Pape.

Chris Stier will play both at forward and midfield.

Houdek will be a key defender, along with another BHS product, Nate Ulness. Andrew Newhouse returns as a center back, and Corey Hittle will play in the backfield and the midfield.

Derek Luptak is back at goalkeeper.

"Hopefully we'll get some results, more than the past three years," Binegar said. "We haven't had the best record, but we would like to have a winning season."