SocCon rep on a roll in NCAA tourney

[lawdog]

UNC-G, who was SEVENTH in the SoCon in the regular season and who came from nowhere to win our tournament, has made it to the ROUND OF 16 in the NCAA tourney. They beat Duke in the first round and, I think, Loyala in the second. They are the first team in the history of NCAA soccer to make it to the round of 16 with a losing record in the regular season(they are still only like 10-11-2). This is amazing. The coach, Michael Parker, has attributed the team's success to the teamwork and confidence with which it has played recently.

As in any other sport, and more than most, confidence and teamwork in soccer are keys. The lesson for the Terriers is to improve in these areas as well. We have improved our talent and confidence level, and hopefully can take it to the next level next season. We should be able to turn around some of those 1-0 losses.

[lawdog]

May I add, I think we are 1 or 2 offensive stalwarts away from having a very competitive team. If there is a great high school striker out there who wants a chance to be successful early, on an up and coming team, while getting a great education, Wofford is the place.

[oldT-Dog]

It would help to get a prolific goal scorer, but those are few and far between. Finding someone with a knack to score who has the grades to come to Wofford and wants to come to Wofford is somewhat of a tall order. I'm not saying it cannot be done, but more importantly and perhaps realistically, we need someone who can keep possession with their back to the goal.

We now play a much more attacking style with a lot of balls going over the top. Within this mix if we had a big forward who could hold the ball when the over the top option is not on, that would take a lot of pressure off the defense and allow time to move forward and possess.

It appears that Thomas Hunter is going to be a great goalkeeper next year. If we can keep from giving up the early goal I would bet we can turn around at least half of these 1 goal losses.

[lawdog]

Good points. It can be done however....Wake has been #1 all year and their academic standards are high. Also, a high percentage of their starters (I think most) played their hs soccer in N.C.; the southeast has some great players we can recruit.