courtside

Losing to this year's Missouri State this week, re-emphasizes the importance of defeating nationally ranked competition earlier in the season. Perhaps a "bad" loss like this one wouldn't be so bad...but if SLU women's soccer wants national respect, they won't get any now. They did play two top 5 top 10 teams very tough very close,(but still lost both) and defeated one in exhibition play, but that isn't going to get it done. SLU women should win out in conference, and conference tourney, get an NCAA invite and get a very tough first round draw and will need to pull an upset, or pull off an even matchup on the road. Still doable...

okay...I'll bite.... Would you guys be more pleased with a SLU hoops National Championship or Missouri going 0-32? With regards to the topic itself, with exception to some of the kids he has brought in there and quality of kid stuff...I see no problem with any of the other points listed.

Yes...the polls are interesting for conversation, but that is about it. It is simple for SLU women...they have a nice team...but haven't defeated a high quality opponent during regular season this year. They defeated Marquette in pre-season, but doesn't count. And they lost to Duke and Santa Clara...3 very tough and highly ranked opponents...but the one win didn't count...and two hard fought losses. SLU women need to win out, and their conference tourney to get in the rankings. They can play with many teams. But they are not over the hump of beating the top level teams. SLU men. Must win all remaining games to get ranked, period. 4 road games in a row. Any more losses at this point would not be good. More pressure is on them to win the conference tournament played at SLU this year. They MUST win that.

I would have to agree that STL is a pro sports town. With that said, the college hoops beat writer usually gets promoted and steps up from the position with frequency in the kinds of towns/cities. This isn't Chapel Hill or SEC football where those are the more coveted positions. I would also agree, that if SLU wants more coverage, win. Win some games, have a winning record. Beat UNC this year...etc...win.

Didn't make it to game thanks. There are multiple polls...and they vary greatly. And frankly I disagree with them often. They also fluctuate often. With that said, a great opportunity next weekend to go on road and beat Duquesne and GW the following week. This of course after they take care of UMASS at home Sun. No, the A-10 is not as strong as the former C-USA. C-USA didn't get a lot of respect most years until the end. Cincinnati a former solid C-USA team is having a terrific season so far in Big East play, their best in recent memory. There is a lot of pressure on SLU to take care of conference business.....the nice thing of playing in the A-10 ....the larger media markets out East...don't hurt. Northern Illinois btw was ranked in the Adidas poll this past week.

It isn't just that playing long balls constantly doesn't fit the talent...that style of play only works in the EPL on occasion. Obviously SLU lacks confidence in short interior passing and possession often. I would be willing to bet SLU will have another game in conference to a lesser opponent and get caught not showing up. It has occurred too often already this year to think otherwise. They don't have a difference maker in goal, or really anywhere on the field...one of those even games where they won't get the bounces. Sure Temple was better organized than they thought they'd be...and played hard...welcome to D-I soccer....they need to wake up and step. They have a gift opportunity to steam roll their conference. GW is decent. They simply lack talent and need to play hard and desperate for 90 minutes every game, and they could salvage their season to some extent.

Unfortunately, without a long standing tradition of a quality program, SLU will have to win its conference and conference tourney to generate any buzz. They wisely scheduled Duke and Santa Clara this year, but unfortunately lost to both. The conference is weak, and SLU will be punished for that and for not getting a top 25 win. ...example Tim Champion complained that SLU had defeated ranked Marquette in pre-season 2-0 in the road...a great result but it was exhibition(and the opposing team didn't even play a few top players)...While SLU played Santa Clara and Duke respectably, they lost both. Meanwhile though defeated by SLU, Marquette beat then top 5 Notre Dame 4-1 later in regular season. If SLU had beaten Duke or Santa Clara, they would be ranked by now. I think they will creep up there by padding more wins in weak conference, and winning conference tourney...squeak into top 25, get in the tourney and probably have to go on the road. To get over the hump, two things are needed: 1) Keep scheduling Duke, Santa Clara etc... 2) Gotta beat the regional state school teams...KU, U or I, etc...losing to OU wasn't a good result.

I do not have time to make a detailed post right now...but I will make a few quick points since it seems many were unable to attend. Yes attendance was very poor. Yes it was cold...but not bad enough to affect play of the game. Cold for the season. Danny Wynn miscast at left midfield and cannot play that side. He didn't start. He came in for ineffective Spiess. The adjustment was made however at half time to move Wynn to right back. Dan Guffey started at right back. He had what looked to be mild ankle sprain, iced. He was getting some time, but is average player, out of position. Vilmer, played poorly. As we have discussed in other games, much improved this year, has the DESPERATE size SLU needs in back, athleticism and toughness. His positioning and decision-making are poor. And it isn't just his constant long balls. Gasparovic is a solid player but lack of size and good but not great speed, a solid player, hoping he would be a bit better by now, but solid player. Benne is what you see what you get, imo SLU's most steady and able defender outside of Angus who didn't play. He is able to push forward and read the attack and gets the most out of his limited athleticism. If only some other players played as hard fri night. Sackman, again, average keeper. Hemzagic and Sweetin are SLU's most skilled players,and if they aren't active, SLU is in trouble, which explains part of Fri's struggles with a much inferior team. Patterson, active, finished very poorly several times. John D, as others have said, solid good player, but he isn't going to turn into a superstar. Would be very effective surrounded by better players as he was a few years ago... SLU missed Wileman's tenacity fri night, but he is another grinder with limited finsihing ability. SLU gave Temple way too much space defensively and SLU very easily could have lost the game, and would have to a better opponent. The desperation was not there for SLU, shockingly, given the season so far. Even Donigan has virtually admitted that his team doesn't play hard all of the time. When your team is not that talented,....and sorry folks, SLU isn't that talented...a solid team but not a top 25 team....you need to play with urgency, desperation, etc... The inability to hold possession vs Temple was embarrassing. No intererior passing, and no control of the midfield. A very even game....with a disturbing amount of SLU long balls....and not even quality serves or close. Those who missed Fri's game missed nothing. Temple scored a nice goal, but their BEST player was unmarked repeatedly...and layed a ball in space to a WIDE open player on right back side, nice left foot low far post....a good shot, an elite goalie may have saved it...but the problem with the goal was terrible defensive positioning Vilmer, Guffey....Temple had too many chances for a team of their caliber. SLU just doesn't have the talent of a few years ago. They have lost too many players who played one or two seasons, and have not effectively replaced them elite players. Sweetin and the Brits can play right away. That is it. Too many "reaches" out there. SLU still has the ability to win a subpar conference and conference tourney...get in the NCAA and pull an upset or two...but they very easily could lose a few cofnerence games, or in the conference tourney and not make it...and I am surprised that ....is even possible. If this were Tulsa, they would have lost...or frankly any other decent team. period. Take the win...but they are playing with fire if they do not raise their level of urgency for a full 90 minutes. At least Donigan admitted they haven't come to play sometimes this year...and doesn't hide it or dance around it...but that stuff has got to stop to save their season. I usually find the silver lining and try to be positive and still am...for this one night, the effort, execution and strategy were poor. What concerns me most is the STRATEGY. You can improve the other two.

Hey Steve, What is school spirit like these days at GW? Pretty much non-existent? A small but vocal bunch or more? Also is there another school in the country with a greater out of area population than GW? I actually don't think so. Curious.

The only way Soderberg leaves, is if he gets fired. Stanford is one of the most successful athletic programs in NCAA. Some of their higher profile teams have taken a hit lately. It is a great job, great area, etc..She happens to have a background/connections out there. It is logical she is on the list. IMO what helps SLU is that she has only been at SLU a short time. The timing helps SLU imo. So far she hasn't accomplished anything there. If she had made some progress after a few years, I would bet she would leave. She still might, putting SLU in a bad spot. Gotta lookout for yourself. It is a great opportunity. Her STL background helps a bit too for SLU. If I were to guess, I would say I wouldn't be shocked if she left...but I would be mildly suprised since she is judt getting started at SLU, and really can't hang her hat on any accomplishments yet. She seems to not be the type to jump around all the time. But what do I know.

...Notre Dame continues to struggle...a 3-3 tie with West Virginia. IU stumbles at home against a solid Penn St team. SMU finally getting a win over UAB. Tulsa playing better too. Duke routing BC 3-0 and looking better too. Should be interesting to see if SLU women can pick up a few more wins and get ranked. I know some affiliated with the team were grumbling..okay their coach was grumbling...about not being ranked despite defeating ranked Marquette in pre-season on road 2-0. Well...there is a reason it is called pre-season. I really do like having a few tough non-conference games, especially with the soft A-10 schedule...but if you want to get ranked...gotta pull one of those wins off....losing 2-1 to both Duke and top ten Santa Clara...and playing them very tough isn't enough...especially when you throw in a not so good loss to Oklahoma. I do however think the SLU women will get into the rankings later on after winning their conference. Maybe the men can too? I am hopeful with new Blues Owner Dave Checketts MLS background for getting a club in STL....but I don't expect it any time soon. After all I was told his top priority was to get an NBA team in St. Louis...even more so than making the Blues an elite team...but he'll at least get the Blues competitive. for me, he can make the Blues good first, then scoop up an MLS team, then hit the NBA circuit if he wants.

I think Skip's first post is right on...SLU has to figure out how to play with their lack of speed and lack of size. Usually you have one or both....Benne is a solid back, physical, and finally healthy. You have to remember he hasn't been healthy in a long time. He is a much different style of player than Tim Ward to compare them. Ward is one of those special talents who can play a very skilled game at a very high rate of speed...either in back or upfront. He also has no conscious. There is a reason he starts every game for MLS NY Metro Stars as a would be college sophomore. SLU imo is solid in back without a star. They would be lost without Wynn's speed. He is such a likeable player who improves each year. Too bad this is his senior season. Sure the second goal wasn't the cleanest, but efforts like his get rewards from time to time. The margin for error is small for SLU in goal, and that isn't acceptable. Sweetin is a contribute right away frosh, something SLU needed this year. You can win with smaller players and without the great speed of other teams, but you have to have highly skilled players who work their butts off every night to do it. SLU doesn't have enough of those guys....the great teams have the relentless workers who also have size and speed too. A great win. Michigan is now a solid name in college soccer. Will SLU get up for every A-10 game, with much lesser names??? They better if they want to dance. No reason they shouldn't steam roll most of those teams.

Checketts was highly successful with the Utah Jazz in the 80's....highly successful with the Knicks and Rangers in the 1990's. And for soccer people like myself....he is the ONLY reason MLS expanded to Salt Lake over much more popular choices like Seattle and otehr bigger cities. Let the MLS to St. Louis rumors fly. Long overdue. Maybe that can happen in a few years if they can get a venue. And the NBA relocation rumors are already flying....

Steve, you do not receive the same reverance because you went away to school. Seriously Steve how dare you study Political Science in our nation's capital with the government/internships/jobs at your feet? You should have stayed and attended SLU. Now run along and have a cocktail in Dupont Circle or The Tombs. Say hi to TK. Now Roy we kid here cuz we care...at least that is how my dad says it. Anyway...this brings out the bigger topic...and frankly the biggest pet peeve of mine. Please tell me you aren't one of these loco folks who appreciate Cardinal players more who live in STL in the off-season, as opposed to say a warmer climate, or their hometown somewhere else or anywhere else for whatever reason??? Players at the college level or pro level are remembered for two things: 1) Their playing level..i.e. if they were great, or 2) Their personality if they had a strong one, or if they were exceptionally likeable or not likeable. H Waldman is not looked upon as highly as Highmark etc...was your example...I know he is looked more highly upon than Evan Pederson the fellow pride of Parkway West High. Why?... because he was better, and had more personality. Okay I will play along...let's say as you did, there is a buzz and big increase in ticket sales in your area, because of the two East of the River recruits....if SLU stinks...people won't come, period. If SLU is good people will come. SLU hasn't been good in hoops since Hughes' Freshman year. Everyone on the board would like to SLU be good in basketball. If they aren't, people won't come. And, people won't care where the players are from. I could count endlessly of players of whom I have higher regard than on the STL Cardinals, than say Al Hrabosky, Ricky Horton etc...who for comparison's sake played at a similar level to them in their day, and they don't live in STL. It is as if you are insulting the intelligence of SLU hoops fans, STL fans etc...even the casual fan. I do not care what city a player comes from to play for the teams I root for, ...nor where they go afterwords. To assume that most do...would be quite an assumption on your part. In professional sports for example...things were a little different when players played most if not all of their careers in one city. Even then, if a guy plays 10 years for a team and moves away, who cares? They are held in the same regard. Take SLU as an example...The most highly regarded soccer player at SLU the past 20 years plus and one of the highest ever, is from a Northwestern Suburb of Chicago.

Roy said it was an error of his ways..... that is fine Rich, entitled to your opinion, obviously other people have different ones and that's okay too. As for Roy's notion he would have received much appreciation and applause returning to SLU....well...I am sure when he stops by Duke he receives the same. Should all teams be made up of only local players??? What about the kids from elsewhere who have attended SLU? Should they have stayed in their hometowns? Do you really think St. Louisans have a greater reverance for native's who play in St. Louis as opposed to transplants who come and play? WOW!

If the issue is whether or not the thread is on the offseason board or this one...I have no problem with it on that board instead. I don't think anybody expected handstands and applause because someone posted what he was up to now. I am sure some people had zero interest, and some were curious about the information. Assuming everyone has zero interest would be an incorrect assumption in this case. I for one was mildly interested. To think Carrawell made a mistake by attending Duke...tough to support that argument on any level. Try visiting Duke. On a basketball level, social level, geographic level, campus level, academic level, future career level...Duke certainly brings a lot to the table, ...doesn't mean anyone has to root for Duke or all should bow to Duke...but the argument that he would have been better off at SLU and "made a mistake" really has weak support for debate imo. Yes, there definitely is a difference between indifference and doing handstands, and pouring negativity on a kid who chose elsewhere. Your posts in the thread led me to believe your stance was not just one of indifference. Cheers

Well, mark me down for the other side of the fence Roy. Sure it is good to be informed as to Billiken Alumni on this board. It is also of interest to me, what those who considered or didn't consider SLU are doing these days. It is always okay to ignore a thread. As far as the argument of whether or not he made the better choice going to Duke or SLU, on andoff the court, or how successful his career was...it has been debated enough for me above. Some kids want to go away to school for a different life experience. ...which I am sure you agree there is nothing wrong with that...and even more so considering some of the fine schools mentioned. Choosing to ignore the info or updates of those is fine. It is also just fine to not hold animosity to those just because they didn't pick SLU.

Joe Germanese...Soph at Vanderbilt from SLUH, named MVC player of week leading Vandy to two wins over top 25 teams...scored twice and assisted twice in win over Memphis. Finding some fnishers would be nice. There are some out there, not easy to find, but it needs to be a priority. I would agree that the back line is solid and in better shape than mid and upfront.

Welcome to the board. Nobody on the national college soccer scene and really on the local level expected SLU to be good this year. They were unknown, expected to be competitive and play tough, but the questions were can they finish? Most thought no, and up until they have been right...played the elite teams tough, but don't finish. Playing poorly the past couple of games and resulting in losses were not expected and won't be tolerated. I would disagree about SLU's talent level. SLU's talent level is not elite. Period. They do not have "elite" back level players. Solid players sure, elite, no. They do not have even one proven "elite" finisher, let alone a couple. They didn't even have a creative midfielder last year. SLU has too many muckers and grinders, and too many soft players. They have virtually zero size as well. A few years ago, they had multiple finishers, depth, etc...and and went deep into NCAA's a few times. With success comes expectation. The old farts who are the walking dead with blue hairs have unrealistic expectations of the program. Period. The rest of the country has caught up with area soccer level, and some have surpassed it. Being great every year is quite challenging. More so than ever. Look at some rosters...how about the toughest conference in America, the ACC...loaded...and most of those elite teams have a roster of local and regional talent...UNC, UVA, etc...elite academic institutions, with great facilities, weather, size, etc..why wouldn't a kid want to go there...same out West....A REALISTIC expectation for the program is top 25 ranking and making the NCAA tourney each year. Some seasons like just a few short seasons ago, SLU will put together a run to the Final Four...with those couple of recent quarterfinal appearances, then maybe fall back a little bit...but I would agree that SLU should expect a top 25 team each year or close to it. One game does not a season make....playing IU even on the road...on the high end, and losing to NIU at home on the low end. BTW Tim Ward starts every game for NY Metrostars, and he isn't old enough to leagally drink...he also played the Worlds in Netherlands this past year, as did Will John, two defectees....and Vedad Ibisevic was the NATIONAL FRESHMAN SOCCER PLAYER OF THE YEAR, and playing professionally in Europe. ....It's not as if Casey Spiess, who's only other offer was Quincy college, left for pro ball. I think it is fair to say people are concerned with the Tulsa and NIU losses, and where they are right now. They have a big game with Michigan Sat....and later on 4-5 straight road games to end the year...We'll see where they wind up. Two bad seasons would be frustrating...a couple of more after that would increase urgency. SLU is a top 25 program, having a couple of tough seasons. What did they finish 6th nationally two years ago?....relax.

I would disagree that sending players on to the professional ranks and bigger and better things shouldn't be included in a coach's evaluation. You've got to be kidding me. You see this same thing happen in hoops more and more these days. SLU has had two seasons of mediocre play for their standard after several kids left early. They weren't immediately replaced at the elite best of best level. I still believe this year's team will win most of its remaining games, and their conference tourney at home. SLU tied the consensus #1 team and defending national champion away from home 1-1, and played them even. They did lose to ND in 2 OT in another even game. The problems were Duke, weren't ready to play against the then #2 team in the first half, Tulsa and N Illinois. Michigan has become a MUST win game this Sat at home. SLU needs to basically run the table the rest of the way, ...GW is a good team as well. SLU's record when scoring even just one goal in a game vs not, is night and day. Their problem is finishing and has been for two seasons. And the pressure to finish just builds and builds.

...SMU continues to lose(2-0 New Mexico)...granted to some very very good teams, but they are having their worst year in recent memory. This does not boad well for "quality" win for SLU over them. Tulsa formerly ranked but not anymore, did beat top ten Creighton last night, so that helps a little bit.

More exposure and a recruiting tool. Very good.

SLU has gone 1-3-1 in their tough non-conference games....only Michigan remains as a solid opponent non-conference. Most of conference is weak. SLU will have to win conference and tourney, and still I think they will be on road first round of NCAA's at tough opponent. With the exception of the SMU game, SLU has trouble scoring goals the past two seasons. Several teams have lit up SMU this year so far. While it is fair to say they played with each team except Tulsa...SLU needs a strong conference to get some top 20 wins...but won't get that chance with their conference.

BTW....following the Southwest soccer, former SLU player David Peplinksi has been getting a lot of time for U of New Mexico this season. He isn't starting, but seeing action in most games. New Mexico is top 5 in the nation, and has been getting some great recruiting the past few years with a new coach(and a tad lucky, a Herman finalist who was a former walk on)....ND's Bobby Clark's son is an assistant there too...this year h.s. standout defender, Zach Tierney from CBC has committed to playing there...his former teammate Brandon Barklage is a Freshman there. http://golobos.collegesports.com/sports/m-...ki_david00.html

Thank you for the post. A needed win for SLU. Not to downplay a quality road win, but SMU has been struggling to say the least, giving up 4 goals to both IU and ND in lopsided losses. Unfortunately this one may not turn out to be a quality win come tourney time as SMU struggles. A win v Tulsa tonight would help. With those two schools' similar results with SMU and SLU's even play vs those two schools, it will help. Duke did get crushed at home by St. John's 4-1 last week. So hopefully Duke can pick it up a bit, to make SLU's loss look a bit better. Always nice to finish. Speaking of SMU.... On a side note, it is a good opportunity here to recognize St. Louisan Kevin Grimes. He was a star defender at Rosary High School(class of 86), Scott Gallagher, and was one of the original stars of the now fine SMU program over the years. Grimes played pro ball for about 8-9 years, mostly A league stuff in CA, pre-MLS...but latched on to San Jose of MLS late in his career. He laced them up with the national team a few times....and has been a long time youth coach in CA....the past 6 years he has guided the Cal Bears to great heights and taken them to a consistent top 25 team, including top 5 this year with some great great wins so far. Really doing a fabulous job with Cal.