2011 Soccer!!

[Grizzfan1]

Looking forward to checking out the long awaited renovated soccer complex tomorrow against MSU. Having the 1st (of several) night games on campus this season is going to be a big plus for this program and should draw bigger crowds. Both soccer teams are deserving of it and I glad that stadium lights are finally put in place.

[oudrummer]

Only a few steps away from football now... haha. Kidding. Kinda.

[Pioneer]

I happened to drive by the soccer field tonight. Can't wait to see the lights in action. Nice job with the concrete and mini plazas on either side of the stands. Perhaps there will be some refreshments there. Nicely landscaped. Some ground lights along the sidewalk leading to the entrance from the structure are a nice touch. Great improvements. Good progress toward having a stadium feel.

[Germane]

The women's team beat NDSU today to win the conference autobid and advance to the NCAA tourney. Congrats!

The men's team also beat IUPUI yesterday to clinch a spot in the conference tourney, which starts in Kansas City on Friday.

[Pioneer]

Now that the soccer season is over, I wanted to bring up my concern with the state of both soccer programs. My thoughts come from the expectation that Oakland is a national program. I think that is reasonable because in recent years the men's team has been ranked in the top 25 and historically, both clubs are regional powerhouses. I am not an expert by any means, but the men's program has been a perennial winner for decades and Coach O'Shea built a solid women's program. I don't see that today and have not seen that for a few years.

Coach Pogue has been at the helm for 3 years now and has not put together an "Oakland" year since he took over for Parsons. His best year was his first with a Parson's team. I understand he was a long time assistant and helped with the program but after back to back losing seasons with one of the best goalies in college soccer and no signature wins, I think he needs to feel the pressure to put something together in 2012. It does not take long in college sports for a good program to become irrelevant and I hope that is not the direction we are heading. He needs to get a few recruiting steals this year and coach the rest of the team up. I know we have gotten to the NCAA's but the national programs get consideration for at large bids if they don't win the conference tournament-which OU has done before. This should be the standard for the men's program.

O'Shea has had some outstanding teams and players. We know he can coach as he does a good job of getting his teams stronger as the year goes on. My hunch here is that he is not getting the talent he had before. Women's soccer is a major growth sport in the NCAA so unless he gets a few great players again to solidify the program, mediocrity may continue.

I believe the administration has recognized the need to upgrade facilities as having a traditionally good program is no longer enough. For years I wondered why there were no lights installed when they began the "stadium" ten years ago. I am very pleased with this years facility progress and I hope that more fund raising events and focus on the program continue over the next few years. Now that the facilities are getting better, it is time for the coaches to get the talent. We have the tradition, the school has plenty to offer recruits, and we are in a decent but winnable conference. Pogue needs to prove that he can actually coach to win against the best schools and both teams need to get better talent now. If not, the AD should explore other options. Like in swimming and basketball, soccer is one of our historically strong sports, and without football, I think the community is willing to come out to support a winning fall team.

Am I way off here? I know it's soccer, I just want our strong sports to stay that way.

[Grizzfan1]

Nov 12, 2011 11:50:49 GMT -5 Pioneer said:

Now that the soccer season is over, I wanted to bring up my concern with the state of both soccer programs. My thoughts come from the expectation that Oakland is a national program. I think that is reasonable because in recent years the men's team has been ranked in the top 25 and historically, both clubs are regional powerhouses. I am not an expert by any means, but the men's program has been a perennial winner for decades and Coach O'Shea built a solid women's program. I don't see that today and have not seen that for a few years.

Coach Pogue has been at the helm for 3 years now and has not put together an "Oakland" year since he took over for Parsons. His best year was his first with a Parson's team. I understand he was a long time assistant and helped with the program but after back to back losing seasons with one of the best goalies in college soccer and no signature wins, I think he needs to feel the pressure to put something together in 2012. It does not take long in college sports for a good program to become irrelevant and I hope that is not the direction we are heading. He needs to get a few recruiting steals this year and coach the rest of the team up. I know we have gotten to the NCAA's but the national programs get consideration for at large bids if they don't win the conference tournament-which OU has done before. This should be the standard for the men's program.

O'Shea has had some outstanding teams and players. We know he can coach as he does a good job of getting his teams stronger as the year goes on. My hunch here is that he is not getting the talent he had before. Women's soccer is a major growth sport in the NCAA so unless he gets a few great players again to solidify the program, mediocrity may continue.

I believe the administration has recognized the need to upgrade facilities as having a traditionally good program is no longer enough. For years I wondered why there were no lights installed when they began the "stadium" ten years ago. I am very pleased with this years facility progress and I hope that more fund raising events and focus on the program continue over the next few years. Now that the facilities are getting better, it is time for the coaches to get the talent. We have the tradition, the school has plenty to offer recruits, and we are in a decent but winnable conference. Pogue needs to prove that he can actually coach to win against the best schools and both teams need to get better talent now. If not, the AD should explore other options. Like in swimming and basketball, soccer is one of our historically strong sports, and without football, I think the community is willing to come out to support a winning fall team.

Am I way off here? I know it's soccer, I just want our strong sports to stay that way.

Well done Pioneer. Ended up giving you a couple +1's. I have kept quiet about the soccer season for the most part but I have been disappointed by the overall season. Yes, we got hot in the tourney last year and made the NCAA's and the same could happen this year again with us knocking off top seeded WIU yesterday but where the heck was this play at for the whole season? I understand the postseason is all that matters blah, blah, blah but these programs (especially the men) were rocking and rolling from late August on to November just a few short years ago. I would like to see that return VERY soon.