Albion men's soccer midfielder Bobby Budlong realized coming into training camp in shape would not be enough after he missed the bulk of the second round of league play with an injury last season.
So, as soon as he was able to return to soccer activity after breaking the fifth metatarsal, the Canton, Mich., product went through a tryout to play for the Detroit City Football Club this summer. And his experience involved far more than conditioning.
"I thought I would get the opportunity to train and maybe get into a couple of reserve games," said Budlong, who finished third on the Britons' scoring ladder with eight points (two goals and four assists) last season despite playing in 13 contests. "I ended up playing in every reserve game and I was asked to play on the first team for the last four games and I played in three of those and started one.
"I knew I would have to do some kind of work (during the summer months) other than running," Budlong added. "I could see how I lost the touch of the ball after just a couple of weeks off."
Budlong is known for his work rate on the pitch. In fact, his season-ending injury started as a stress fracture caused by continuing to play after a cleat had split open during a game. The broken bone happened when he went to make a tackle in the Oct. 11 contest at Olivet College.
"I put tape on (my cleat)," Budlong said, "but it didn't work."
Despite the injury, Budlong maintains his work ethic hasn't changed. And he credits his effort for the success he had this summer, including dishing out the assist on the game-winning goal against Pittsburgh.
"I was easily one of the bottom four or five out of the 40 players after the tryout," Budlong said. "It was the first time I had to start from the bottom of the team. I learned just how much work I had to put in just to get on the field.
"Whether it was a simple passing drill or a tactical drill, I ran hard," he added. "I pushed myself to play and it worked in the coaches' eyes."
Budlong also pushed himself off the field, working three days a week and passing a physics class at Washtenaw Community College. Monday was his only day off from soccer activity so that was the day to complete coursework. On the other days he would go to class or work, return home for a meal and then head out for training or a game.
While he admits he didn't have a break over the summer, Budlong expects the work to pay off when he serves as one of the captains for the Britons this fall.
"I should be a 90-minute player, I should not come off the field," Budlong said. "I can't mess up being a leader in the middle of the field; I have to be on my game.
"Last season was disappointing because we were a better team than the results," he added, noting the margin in six of Albion's eight losses against MIAA rivals was a single goal. "We need to do really well with only two seniors on the roster (for the 2015 season). We are bringing in good talent with the first-year class. I'm confident we have the talent to be a good team."