New Soccer Coach/Soccer Program

[hoya20010]

I am not a big follower of Men's soccer and this isnt in anyway an attack on the soccer program, I just honestly want to know what those in the know think about our soccer program heading to its worst season in the modern history of the program? Should we have sacked Coach T?

[hoya4ever]

I don't know if he was sacked. I think he left. That resignation might have been forced (again, no idea) but it came as a surprise to me.

[HoyaSinceBirth]

it's always hard when you're instituting a new system. we've also had injuries to two of our central defenders this season. We did have to get away from our old system it really wasn't working. the team's been more unlucky than bad.

[hoyaLS05]

I think its much more the defense than the keeper. Our "backup" keeper has posted a pretty respectable .750 save pct and until yesterday's drubbing had a very solid GAA. Yesterday was a perfect example: Devine made a career high 10 saves, but when there are 14 shots on goal, there is only so much that he can do. The defenders speak highly of Devine and their confidence in him, so I really don't think that he has been a reason for the lack of success. If anything, Devine in goal has been a bright spot for this team. The defense, meanwhile, allowed 23 shots to be taken -- 14 on goal. That just cannot happen if the Hoyas want to be successful, especially if the GU attack is only going to muster up four SOG. More than anything, our offense needs to keep the ball for far longer, and then when our opponents do have the ball, we cannot cannot cannot allow 23 shots to be fired.

EDIT: Devine's GAA is still 1.32, so even with yesterday's debacle, his GAA is still very solid.

[HoyaSinceBirth]

Your right i was being unfair. hazard of being to close to the team. it's not at all joe's fault and i didn't mean to suggest that. It was a late night of drinking before that post. Joe's done just fine. The defense has always allowed tons of shots though. They usually have some of the highest shots allowed in the conference and we still found ways to win more than we have this season. Honestly a lot of it has come down to bad luck. But one thing that has to be stressed is the lack of administrative support the team has had in the past. At most schools the soccer players are there to play soccer. They dream of someday playing at the next level. At georgetown they've been student's first and soccer players second. Almost no players have had any aspirations of playing at the next level. There just is not that same level of intensity. It seems sad but at times it just seems like some of the players are out there goign through the motions and really don't care at times.

[hoyaLS05]

What do you mean by a lack of administrative support? Do you have examples/annecdotes? I don't doubt you, sounds very much like Georgetown, but I'm curious what makes you say that.

[htownhoya09]

i definitely agree with you about the lack of a desire to play as intensely when there's no real chance of parricipating at the next level. however, isn't this true in a lot of sports at georgetown? Because you see no real motivation in players, i think a lot of the blame has to be placed on the shoulders of the coach. Isn't his job to make sure that they perform as well as they possibly can? Also, while a lot can be said about the Hoyas poor defense, you really aren't going to win too many games scoring one goal a game (especially with a less than stellar defense), so I feel like a new system should be set up on offense. Right now, it honeslty seems like our strikers are simply waiting for the other team to mess up, as opposed to creating their own opportunities.

[hoya4ever]

To recruit international players you have to give them serious money. And we don't. Georgetown is an expensive school and compared to economies of some (not all) countries it is more than expensive to go here, it is downright impossible.

[htownhoya09]

although recruiting international players may be expensive, i still find duxnews point to be highly interesting. Regardless of financial constraints, considering Georgetown's favorable reputation as far as international students, I feel as though they should have more success in recruiting internationals.

[HoyaSinceBirth]

1. what i meant was the fact that even as of last year the soccer team was not fully funded did not have the minumum # of scholarships the big east requires and really still does not have alot of money to do things. The manager and third keeper don't travel with the team. I defeintly agree that it's surprising we don't have any international players on our roster considering our background. I'm sure money is an issue which is also why we haven't been able to bring in the top teir recruits as well.

[HoyaSinceBirth]

and not to nit pick although devine's goals agianst average is actually 1.73.
4 GA vs. providence, 3 vs. uconn, 2 vs. SH, 1 vs. rutgers, 0 vs. villinova, 1 in a half vs. st john's, 0 vs. syracuse, and 2 vs. Missouri state = 13 GA/ 7.5 games played = 1.73

[Joe Hoya]

Not to nitpick, but GAA is not "goals allowed per game." It's a time-played-based statistic. Same as ERA.

ERA = earned runs X 9 / innings pitched
GAA = goals allowed X 90 / minutes played

Devine has 13 GA X 90 = 1170 / ~704 = 1.66

Sorry, I'm a stat nerd.

[hoyaLS05]

Joe Hoya beat me to the punch. My incorrect stat came from GUHoyas.

In any case, arguing over the merits of Devine's statistics is missing the point. He has been solid -- he has both of the team's shutouts to his name -- but the team's record with him in goal is not a whole lot better than when he isnt in goal. So my money says the problem lies elsewhere.

[eagle36]

What happened to the starting goalie??


One problem that faces GU soccer is the admisssons requirements. They are not able to get many of the top players into the University. I think whoever is coaching this will be a problem for.

[hoyaLS05]

Can someone, perhaps HSB, explain to me the change in net against Howard and shed some light on which keeper we think will be in net going forward?

[HoyaSinceBirth]

ok let me clear up some things with regards to the soccer program. First off the team is alot better this year organizationally and have dominated games, but just havent gotten results. So i think the team is moving in the right direction although it may not seem like it.

As far as keepers are concerned. Keszler was the starter at the begining of the season. He got injured however and was not able to play up to form as a result. So coach had to play Devine who filled in. Keszler recovered but at the time joe was playing well.The situation was simillar to the situation with DC United btw Rimando ( the original starter) and Perkins ( the starter now) Perkins/devine were playing well so the coach can't just pull him with out due cause. THey're playing well so go with it until they start playing poorly then plug the starter back in when the back up's performance dips. This is what happened with georgetown. I fully expect Keszler to start the rest of the season.

[HometownHoya]

Good news today

Soccer beat Lafayette 3-0
Keszler was the starter in goal, played excellent...had a bunch of saves, communicated great
Schramm increased his goals to 10
A freshman (forgot his name, sorry) had his first goal of the season/g-town career

All in all, the Hoyas played very well, if the coach is looking towards next season, it did not totally seem like it (did put more underclassmen that usually dont play as much more, but if they are winning with that, i say go with it.

Well done Hoyas

[HoyaSinceBirth]

Yes great game today. Justin Kondos scored his first collegiate goal and mike glaccum opened the scoring.
I also want to emphasize that Lafayette are no slouches. They were 7-2-1 coming into the game. They won the Patrioit league last year and went to the NCAA tournament and probably will again.
This was a great win for the Hoyas.
Only two more Home games for the hoyas saturday against #5/6 West Virginia and then the following saturday against Bottom dwellers Marquette. In between is a road trip to Pittsburg who has the last place in the BE tournament right now. The Hoyas need to pretty much win at least the pitt and marquette games to get to the big east tournament. We'd also need pitt to lose the only way we control our own destiny is to win out. Lucky for us Pitt plays, Uconn, WV, and Seton hall who should all beat them.

[eagle36]

My prediction,Starting goalie next year early into the season will be freshman Matt Brutto

[htownhoya09]

I'm glad to see the coach seems to be focusing on this year more, as the season is not totally lost. I really feel like the team can make a great push for the Big East Tournament. Overall, tremendous day for the Hoyas.