courtside

NCAA Women’s Soccer Elite 8 (with seeds): Ohio State vs 3 Florida State 2 TCU vs 1 Vanderbilt 2 Michigan State vs 1 Stanford 4 Washington vs 2 Duke ……………………………………………… Ohio State was a bubble team. 3 ACC (1 West Coast team) 3 Big Ten (2 West Coast teams and Megan Link’s previous school) 1 SEC 1 Big 12 It is the first Elite 8 in program history for Michigan State and Vanderbilt. It’s the 2nd for TCU. It’s the 3rd for Washington and Ohio State. It is the 15th for Duke. It is the 18th for Stanford. It’s the 19th for Florida State. 4 of the 8 have never been to a College Cup Final Four. 6 of the 8 have never won a NCAA Title. The Final Four is in Kansas City, MO, at CPKC Stadium, home of the NWSL’s KC Current.

Exhibition games don’t count toward the season. So no, SLU didn’t play 10 non-conference games. and no, SLU doesn’t have 6 wins vs NCAA Tourney teams. It’s not an opinion. They don’t count. My October 8th offer to discuss your fabricated, and, misinformed soccer recruiting posts still stands. You quietly disappeared after that. Oh, and for someone who has me on ignore, you seem to have access to my posts. Just send me a message or take it to the recruiting thread.

UCLA Athletic Director, Martin Jarmond, announced today that 4 year UCLA Head Coach Margueritte Aozasa, has left the program to pursue other opportunities. She on the NCAA National Championship her first season at UCLA. She also won 2 Conference Championships. 4 straight NCAA Tourneys, but UCLA failed to reach the Sweet 16 the past 3 seasons.

University of Texas Athletic Director, Chris Del Conte, announced today that Texas is “moving in a new direction” from 14 year Head Coach Ange Kelly. 3 Conference Titles. 8 NCAA Appearances. 2 Sweet 16’s in 14 seasons. She was more successful at her previous stop, the University of Tennessee where she won 4 SEC Titles, had 9 NCAA Tourney berths, and 5 Sweet 16’s in 11 seasons.

It was a strong showing last weekend for 2026 SLU commit Keira Bartholet at the ECNL Phoenix Showcase. She helped her team to 13 goals in 3 games against some of the best teams nationally. An All Midwest Conference (Missouri, Kansas, Illinois, Michigan, Nebraska, Wisconsin, Iowa), Keira has also helped her SLSG 08 team to the top of the table so far in Fall conference play. Her team has already qualified for next Summer’s ECNL Playoffs. They have moved into the top 5 nationally in their age group, seeking to improve upon their top 16 playoff finish last season. 2 additional SLU commits play on her team. (2026 Lucy Marsh, who plays center back, and 2027 Roz Doherty, who plays the central defensive midfield) A long time attacking wing, Keira has also been playing up top as a number 9 target/space forward this season. Keira is from Webster Groves, and, she plays high school soccer for Nerinx Hall.

SLU played 8 non-conference games. 5 of those teams made the NCAA Tourney. And, this was discussed here, last week.

Bryant does have International players. They also play several domestic players. It’s a mix. Also, many Northern U.S. teams have some Canadian players. SLU has players from Ghana, France, Ivory Coast, Brazil, England. In the past few years, SLU has also had players from Canada, The Netherlands, Portugal, Mexico, Denmark, Hungary, Germany, Spain, Nigeria, Israel. And some of these countries have had multiple players at SLU in the past few years. Today, SLU played players from 6 countries.

NCAA Tourney Round of 32: The Nation’s #10 Defense 1 The Nation’s #2 Offense 0 ……………………. Armstrong Stadium, Bloomington Indiana ……………………. Indiana 4-2-3-1, and 4-1-4-1 SLU 4-4-2 but a different kind of 4-4-2, and 5-3-2 ……………………. Unavailable: Easton, Delkus, O’Neil. limited availability, Pare. ……………………. In this space, we love a good wrinkle. SLU had a big one to open the game. SLU did not open the game with a right wing. And, SLU played the entire game without a right wing. 90 minutes, no right wing. ………………… Instead SLU played 4 across the back, 2 central defensive midfielders, two forwards, but in between they played 2 attacking midfielders on the same left side. And they played deeper. (Heckenlaible and DiMaria) ………………. When the ball was played to Indiana’s attacking left side, SLU ran a defensive midfielder (Barmett/Coughlan) and right at those players with help from the right back (Carlos) They kept Schramm on Oduro and Ault’s side. ………………… SLU opened with Abonnel in goal, Carlos RB, Fournier RCB, Blair (LCB), Cortez LB. (Jaeger) Schramm and Barnett DM (Coughlan) Heckenlaible LW DiMaria CAM shading left. (Henry) Tanner and Franca up top. (Pare, whonwas on limited minutes. Rotated with them. He usually plays on the wing) ………………… SLU pressed 3 across the top centrally when IU’s center backs had the ball. When not pressing, DiMaria dropped left midfield. All of this was to take away Collins Oduro on the right wing. Whenever he touched the ball he was triple teamed by SLU’s left wing, left sided CAM, and LB. Indiana builds out of the back on the right side. They play through Oduro and Palmer Ault. …………………….. SLU goal. Combination play from SLU’s 2 Forwards, Franca and Tanner. Franca won the 50/50 aerial ball vs Maher from Jeremi. He beat Maher all game on 50/50 duels and everyone else too. He flicked the header on to Tanner 1v1 with Minzey, and he beat Minzey and Brown low far post. 1-0. Earlier in the season, SLU switched to a 4-4-2 from a 4-2-3-1 to get more combination play from Tanner and Franca together. It’s how they scored. ……………………. SLU then subbed Henry in at left wing and he had an elite level game. (He’s a left back and center back) So then SLU was using 7 defensive players. many of their best ones on the same side. It’s also the luxury of having Carlos’ pace and defending on the other side. …………….. 4 of Indiana’s 5 subs were forwards. 3 of SLU’s 4 subs were defenders. ……………… 2nd Half …………….. 5-3-2 SLU opened the 2nd half with another wrinkle. 5 back line defenders. They moved JC inside, and added Jaeger. Carlos, Fournier, Blair, Cortez, Jaeger Henry later subbed in for Jaeger. 3 defenders, different ones at times, different formations, but all 3 smothering Oduro. DiMaria played as the 3rd defensive midfielder wide left in front of Jaeger/Henry. 2 forwards io top. 5-3-2 Indiana tweaked and they played a 4-1-4-1 and eventually it was only 4 back line defenders and 7 attackers. SLU essentially played the opposite of that. Indiana tried to sub in more pace in the 2nd half. And they moved Ault to the left side to see if he could get some combo playing going with Barger. Barger didn’t play the first matchup. But when you play that side you go against Carlos. ……………… Another slow start for SLU. But after the goal, SLU was much better on 50/50 balls, aerial duels, closing out the top of the 18. And they kept getting better with it as the game progressed. ………………. Indiana was more effective when they dropped Ault to his usual central attacking position. Some of the game he played up top as an extra forward. He had a few good chances, but not too many. Oduro had one. Abonnel was ready for those few higher level chances. ……………… As SLU shut down the right flank and central combination play, the bulk of IU’s offense was winning set pieces, and diagonal wide service from distance. SLU kept clears simple and high percentage. SLU often won the middle of the field, where games are often won. …………….. Indiana tried Swan/ and Bogard up top. Swan is a target player, Bogart is pace. They rotated the same wings opposite side of Oduro as expected. Nesci, Alt Fedrizzi, Oduro, with Swan up top. And Heuer was their lone central defensive midfielder even though he is an attaxking player. ………………. SLU bench Yellow card was dissent. Carlos was shutting sown Ault wide. Barger sent it into the box. Nesci knocked down Carlos from behind in the box. Not only was it not called, they called it a corner instead of a goal kick. Kalish displeasure was voiced. ………………. Palmer Ault entered the game with 16 goals and 10 assists. He was top 10 Nationally in assists per game, game winning goals, goals per game, points per game, total assists, total goals, total points. Collins Oduro was a 2nd round MLS Draft pick by Orlando last year. He’s a dynamic attacking player on the right wing that keeps adding to his game. He scored Indiana’s goal the first game. They often play in combination. ……………….. The SLU game plan was in part, focused on those two players, and the right side of Indiana’s attack. Tanner and Franca made a play. Defense was rock solid. ………………..

20 different starters for SLU this season. Many different lineup changes and mixing and matching based on effectiveness, injury, fatigue, etc…it was Leatherman, Pare, and Cortez leading the way Thursday night with a strong supporting cast. Who will be Sunday’s Carlos, KP, and JC? ………………… Tanner wasn’t available the first game vs Indiana. Grady and Sellers won’t be available this game. SLU had 8 new players still meshing together the first game. They are much more seasoned together now. …………………. 18 different IU players have played double digit games this season. Indiana always plays a strong schedule. They also get results, and therefore, they have a strong RPI. But they were also a middle of the pack Big Ten this year that missed the small four team Big Ten Tourney. They were much better at home than on the road. Indiana still plays a similar, familiar 4-2-3-1 formation. They have mostly made small tweaks at outside back and on the wing opposite of Oduro. Ault and Oduo are still their most dangerous attacking players. You cannot lose them at any time in the attacking third. Make someone else beat you. Indiana has a big committee of small contributors offensively after them. Make the others make plays. Ault has 16 goals and 10 assists. He is at or near the top of many offensive categories nationally. Huge season. He is a scorer and a playmaker out of the central attacking midfield. He rarely plays wide, and he rarely takes the ball wide. He always wants to cut middle. So forcing him wide is something worth doing when applicable in the game. Ball at his feet, tight spaces, needs little room. They force turnovers, play quick transition, and they make plays out of little or nothing. Indiana is one of the better teams in the country forcing PK’s and fouls in the attacking third. Limit mistakes defensively. Keep it simple and decisive on clears. Wings and central midfielders have to defend for SLU. And top of the box must be defended well Indiana is a top of the box team. Small space combination play, short ground or aerial passes at and inside the 18. Overlaps edge of the box. They are a good 2nd and 3rd chance set piece/corner team. This is a higher scoring Indiana team that can be a bit leaky in back at times. Barger has been their starter at left back. He’s a smaller, pace player who is more of a threat to get forward, vs the size of Akoum who is more of a center back. Kinsella and Do will play the other side. Maher and Minzey in the middle. Wagoner and Bruletti in the defensive midfield. Oduro sets up wide on the attacking wing, but he plays inverted at times Ault in the middle. Several different wings play the opposite wing. Fedrizzi, Nesci, Murador, Heuer. Holden Brown is their experienced keeper. Swan up top. Bogard adds depth there. Indiana has a 2nd 11, and they will play matchups, and who is effective at the time. Have to close out shots from distance. SLU is often too deep inside its own 18. IU will chip the defense and they will slot through balls too, but they also take shots from 18-22 yards top of the box. Need to block some shots. Force them wide with tougher angles. Limit own half turnovers even if it means losing possession down the field. Have more poise in and near the attacking 18, especially early in the game. Balance of wide service overlaps, and central combination play. Indiana was 4-3-1 against NCAA Tourney teams this year.

First game Indiana recap.

First game pregame scout for Indiana in September.

Former Billiken Mattyn Summers scored this big goal for BYU, to help lead them to the Sweet 16 over UCLA. 1-1 game. BYU advanced in PK’s. https://x.com/byusoccer_w/status/1992045449726103793?s=46 In 2021 Mattyn scored this huge goal as a Billiken Freshman, to help lead SLU to a 2-1 NCAA Tourney victory over Mississippi: https://x.com/sluwsoccer/status/1459332765493641217?s=46 ……………………… Some local player sample results elsewhere: ……………………… There were 5 St. Louisans who started and played in the Stanford 7-3 NCAA Tourney 2nd round win over Alabama 2 Freshman starters for Stanford. (Freer, Birkel) 3 Sophomore starters for Alabama (Smith, Kukan, Sharp). …………………….. Maggie Illig and Kaleigh McPherson helped lead Michigan State to the Sweet 16 over Wake Forest. 3rd straight Sweet 16 for Michigan State. SLU Associate HC Meg Link recruited many of their players in that stretch. …………………….. Maci Teater helped lead Vanderbilt to its 2nd straight Sweet 16 with a win over Clemson and Mackenzie Duff. …………………….. Ashley Martinez and Erin Connolly (who scored twice) led Wisconsin to a first round win before losing in the 2nd round. Sweet 16 last season. ……………..

2026 Ana Ramirez is the 13th player from St. Louis to play with the USYNT in the past six age groups. Ana is one of the best outside backs in the country. She plays for the Lou Fusz 08 team that won the U16 Girls Academy National Championship. 5 straight GA national final fours Ana is a Vanderbilt commit. She joins her 2026 Lou Fusz club teammate Gracie Milam at the upcoming, combined U18/U19 USYNT camp in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Gracie was previously a Florida commit. Due to a coaching change, Gracie, one of the best center backs nationally, is re-evaluating her college options. Ana attends Clayton High School. Gracie attends Francis Howell. Neither have played high school soccer. Both are teammates of 2027 SLU commits Maren Gansner and Sofia Scego. https://www.ussoccer.com/stories/2025/11/combination-us-u-19-and-u-18-womens-national-team-comes-together-in-west-palm-beach-for-24-player-training-camp

Alex Pfeiffer was one of 20 players called into U20 USYNT Camp, for its trip this November/December. Camp will take place in San Pedro del Pinatar, Spain. The United States will face England and China. Alex, a forward, and St. Louis native, is the number 1 ranked player nationally in the 2026 recruiting class. She plays professional soccer with the Kansas City Current in the NWSL. Alex attended Visitation Academy. She did not play high school soccer. She was a 2 time ECNL National Champion at Scott Gallagher in U16 and U17 with some current Billikens. https://x.com/usynt/status/1991944703588405492?s=46

5 of the 31 other teams remaining in the NCAA Tourney were SLU opponents. 4 are seeded. Non-Conference schedule was strong this year. Just one A10 team made the tourney.