SLU Men's Soccer Thread

[Lord Elrond]

I believe “Huck the Foosiers” says it all. You only get a few good chances against good teams, have to make the most of them.

[SLUBALLS]

We started really well until IU came into the game in the first half.  Even half overall.  Second half was basically IU with the possession as SLU could not sustain moves forward and appeared to be playing for the counter as we let IU play through the back around half line.  Klein had a couple nice chances as did Johnson.  
 

Disappointed but on the other hand, the fact SLU was able to win the A10, get to the NCAAs, and win a game is pretty good relative to the rebuild we had to do with so much talent leaving last year.  Now we will see what a couple years success can do to help keep momentum going for the program especially on the recruiting front. Recruiting class is reportedly tops in the NCAAs but I hope the biggest talents of the group make it to SLU’s campus next year.  Replacing Tofern, Klein, Buendia, Suarez, and Warrington should be manageable.  
 

 

[courtside]

5 hours ago, SLUBALLS said:

We started really well until IU came into the game in the first half.  Even half overall.  Second half was basically IU with the possession as SLU could not sustain moves forward and appeared to be playing for the counter as we let IU play through the back around half line.  Klein had a couple nice chances as did Johnson.  
 

Disappointed but on the other hand, the fact SLU was able to win the A10, get to the NCAAs, and win a game is pretty good relative to the rebuild we had to do with so much talent leaving last year.  Now we will see what a couple years success can do to help keep momentum going for the program especially on the recruiting front. Recruiting class is reportedly tops in the NCAAs but I hope the biggest talents of the group make it to SLU’s campus next year.  Replacing Tofern, Klein, Buendia, Suarez, and Warrington should be manageable.  
 

 

Add Okpoye and Shternenberg, to your departing Seniors list, and, subtract Buendia.  

As I’ve shared with you more in depth away from the board, SLU has immediate impact caliber players up top, on the wing, in the midfield, center back and outside back in addition to what they return. SLU will also be working the transfer portal as well. It’s a record year for transfers.

[courtside]

Indiana 1 SLU 0

 

Overall a good effort for SLU. One seemingly harmless clear turned into a goal for IU. 

 

Much of the lineups were as expected, Grady was back from concussion protocol and he had a good game. Buendia moved back to defensive midfield and was injured in the 2nd half. IU went with Goumballe on the RW and brought Endeley off of the bench. 

Blustery day. That factored into some positioning changes in the game. Lots of good pressure from SLU in the first, trapping the wings. Forcing turnovers. Good work from CJ. He even turned Munie inside out with a tough angle chance. SLU played very high, and they were active. Lane service for Easton header

One early defensive play was Seth back tracking doubling Wittenbrink with Max along SLU’s right side. SLU started Seth on that side to go against Wittenbrink. And another play where Buendia gave support there. IU’s goal later was when Max was left 1v1 with Wittenbrink without support. Later in the game, SLU wasn’t as effective on the turnover to Wittenbrink and he made them pay for it. Talked pregame about how Wittenbrink has been a really nice find for IU on the left wing this season. Another red shirt player development success story. 

First half, IU had a good chance off of Wittenbrink winning the corner and taking a nice short one and centers to Wagoner and a great reflex save for Carlos.

 

Shterenberg with a great shot far post past the keeper but a nice kick save stop for maher kept it even. CJ was a handful, and made the play. 

 

IU started having more success when they moved Goumballe to the middle and inserted Endeley at right wing. It gave them more pace and width in the 2nd.

 

Set piece service wasn’t a strength for SLU much of the game. 

 

…………..

 

In the 2nd, an effective diagonal ball (needed a few more of those) from Alberto to Seth who started a play with Alex and Johnny. Johnny put it just over the bar. 

 

Lane throw, Max double header to Johnson who ripped it far post and once again Maher saved a goal. Mads later made a run in the box but slipped before he could get a shot off. 

 

IU goal was a SLU goal kick, 50/50 midfield IU sent it over the top, Suarez was on it with Goumballe chasing him. Alberto back to Goumballe, rushed and fanned a bit on the out of bounds clear. Wittenbrink ran onto it, and he kept going running downhill at Max, cutting in and hitting a perfect shot from 15 low far post. It was a simple play that quickly turned into a goal. Alex was a little late to get back, Max gave slightly extra space and Alberto was late to help close out for the double. Carlos a bit flat footed. Perfect shot. 

 

SLU didn’t press as high in the 2nd, and wasn’t forcing as many final third turnovers. However, much of Indiana’s build from the back East West possession where they were able to get a little closer to half field didn’t leas to a whole lot. Munie and Maher were rock solid at center back as expected. It’s a game of a few chances both ways and IU was able to finish one. 

 

 

 

[courtside]

Some scores of note:

Creighton 3 Washington 1

Blue Jays go on the road at top seed UDub and take it. (SLU won at Creighton 3-2 this year)  Sweet 16. Field conditions were much better. 

https://twitter.com/creightonmsoc/status/1594504346041032704?s=21&t=y58bxvZiUyCbrLIh78oQww

https://twitter.com/creightonmsoc/status/1594524936449585152?s=21&t=y58bxvZiUyCbrLIh78oQww

https://twitter.com/creightonmsoc/status/1594526025735700485?s=21&t=y58bxvZiUyCbrLIh78oQww

……………

Western Michigan 1 Lipscomb 0. 

(Lipscomb was a SLU opponent this year. And we recently discussed Western Michigan in soccer conference realignment this week.

……………..

Vermont 3 SMU 2

(SMU was a SLU opponent)

…………….

[courtside]

SLU has a couple of incoming intra conference transfers:

5’11 D Galen Flynn Fordham

Galen is an athletic outside back that can get forward. He played at the same youth club as former Billiken Simon Becher in Connecticut. He also played with the same Summer Ball team in college. He started 18 of 19 games last year. He sat out this season (played one game) with injury, and he will be a Redshirt Junior. 

……………

6’4 F Matthew Wrobel St. Bonaventure. 

Matthew was the leading scorer playing up top for St. Bonaventure this season, starting 12 of 14 games, and scoring in a variety of ways. (injured the other 2) Matthew trained at Toronto FC as a youth from Mississauga, Ontario. He will be a Junior.
…………….

 

[courtside]

SLU has a 2024 commitment from 6’1 Zach Stanton. 

Zach is a Captain, left footed, do everything, starting left center back for U17 St. Louis City SC Academy. (he also plays outside back when needed) (He formerly captained SLSG Academy teams). 

He helped lead the U16 St. Louis City Academy team to the MLS Next Final Four this past year. 

Zach has been part of USYNT Regional ID Camps annually for the past four years. He also participated in the AS Roma US ID Camp. 

Zach is an IMG Top 100 player and one of the better center backs nationally in his class. 

His team will be playing in the MLS Next Fest this weekend in Indio, near Palm Springs, CA.

[bauman]

It might have just been Ath Director  talk, but when I watched the game replay this morning, C. May said we have the #1 D 1 recruiting class for next season.  If that's anywhere close to correct then the program is almost back .

[Littlebill]

4 hours ago, courtside said:

SLU has a 2024 commitment from 6’1 Zach Stanton. 

Zach is a Captain, left footed, do everything, starting left center back for U17 St. Louis City SC Academy. (he also plays outside back when needed) (He formerly captained SLSG Academy teams). 

He helped lead the U16 St. Louis City Academy team to the MLS Next Final Four this past year. 

Zach has been part of USYNT Regional ID Camps annually for the past four years. He also participated in the AS Roma US ID Camp. 

Zach is an IMG Top 100 player and one of the better center backs nationally in his class. 

His team will be playing in the MLS Next Fest this weekend in Indio, near Palm Springs, CA.

He sat next to me last night. You're welcome for closing

[BC1764]

58 minutes ago, bauman said:

It might have just been Ath Director  talk, but when I watched the game replay this morning, C. May said we have the #1 D 1 recruiting class for next season.  If that's anywhere close to correct then the program is almost back .

The men’s twitter account tweeted it a month or two ago.

[courtside]

16 hours ago, bauman said:

It might have just been Ath Director  talk, but when I watched the game replay this morning, C. May said we have the #1 D 1 recruiting class for next season.  If that's anywhere close to correct then the program is almost back .

I’ve mentioned it here a few times in passing, going back to September. It’s great for marketing and to give a general idea of how recruiting is going, but recruiting isn’t an exact science.

https://www.billikens.com/forum/index.php?/topic/29758-slu-mens-soccer-thread/page/39/#comment-727060

…………….

The short answer is SLU is recruiting very well, both Men and Women. 

………………

The longer answer is I wouldn’t get too caught up in numbers for a variety of reasons. Examples:

1) Transfers aren’t included in the rankings. Suarez, Warrington, Easton, Shterenberg, Tofern, Okpoye, Vaughn, Becher, Palazzolo, Komodi, etc…were all transfers in recent seasons. 

2) Sometimes there can be a bias, intentional or unintentional for certain players/programs/youth club teams/staff and so forth. 

3) Sometimes evaluators can get it wrong and miss on a player when evaluating, either positively or negatively. Sometimes rankings change based on commitments, and so forth. Sometimes certain players are ranked or unranked and it’s difficult to explain why or why not.

4) Coaches and staff usually know who is good and who can play at what level etc…and the SLU staffs have a good pulse on who can play at a high level as well as who can fit into their culture and system. 

5) SLU also has had a successful redshirt/player development system. (Floriani, Buendia etc…)

………………

This weekend, and next week, MLS Next Fest will be the big recruiting event in California. (several SLU commits and targets playing) South Carolina is also hosting a Boys ECNL showcase. And, SLU will also be at the USYS Elite 64 National event in Orlando this weekend. 

SLU Women are in Tennessee for a national ECNL Showcase. (a few commits are playing and many various age group targets) 7 SLU commits are playing club ball league games in the same city this weekend. 2 SLU commits, and some targets, are playing in the Girls Academy Showcase in Phoenix this weekend. Next weekend another SLU commit will be in town as St. Louis hosts a national ECNL RL event. 

And this doesn’t count visiting recruits playing additional/other sports.

It’s a busy time for recruiting. 

 

[courtside]

SLU's John Klein is 1 of 44 players invited to this weekend's pre draft MLS Showcase. 

The College Cup Final Four will feature 2 SLU opponents from this past year, Creighton, whom SLU defeated 3-2, and Indiana. 

Klein, and Alberto Suarez were named First Team All Region. Christian Buendia was named to the 3rd team.

[BC1764]

We all should be rooting for Syracuse tonight.

[HoosierPal]

25 minutes ago, BC1764 said:

We all should be rooting for Syracuse tonight.

No. 

[BC1764]

52 minutes ago, HoosierPal said:

No. 

You, a Billiken fan, want Indiana to get closer to SLU ?

[Slu let the dogs out?]

3 hours ago, BC1764 said:

We all should be rooting for Syracuse tonight.

I’ve got an insanely annoying friend who is a former Hoosier. Texts me out of nowhere a few days after IU beat SLU to tell me how great IU soccer is and how irrelevant SLU soccer is. Best part is when I called him out for likely not having watched a minute of college soccer in 2 decades he told me his 72 year-old dad told him about the score. 

[BC1764]

Now you get to rub tonight in his face. Syracuse are the new champs !

[HoosierPal]

Pretty fun match to watch. I question having players take penalty kicks who haven’t played in the game. 

[courtside]

Syracuse 2 Indiana 2 2OT (Syracuse wins National Title 7-6 in PK’s)

4-4-2 for IU with 3 St. Louis native defenders in the starting 11. Lately IU began pairing Goumballe up top with Sarver, with Wittenbrink and Endeley on the wings. It gives them a little bit more punch than their 1 up top look with Sarver and a center mid. (

IU was more effective against SLU when they brought Goumballe in the game off of the bench. 

3-5-2 for Syracuse. The All All Americans up top, Opoku and Johnson were a lot to handle. Syracuse is good at matching different styles of play and changing pace. They were able to get the game to open up a bit which was to their advantage. 

Indiana wasn’t as rock solid defending the final 18 defending, as Syracuse is big and fast at both ends of the field. And they created a little space and separation there. 

Goals:

https://twitter.com/cusemsoc/status/1602447356712345600?s=46&t=_2cR6AWzXXqsqSnGX_iMJg

https://twitter.com/indianamsoc/status/1602449490094411776?s=46&t=_2cR6AWzXXqsqSnGX_iMJg

https://twitter.com/cusemsoc/status/1602450894003785730?s=46&t=_2cR6AWzXXqsqSnGX_iMJg

https://twitter.com/ncaasoccer/status/1602471715153629189?s=46&t=_2cR6AWzXXqsqSnGX_iMJg

PK’s were mostly well taken. 

……………………

Maryland, Marist, Buffalo State, Lindsey Wilson College, Dallas College Richland Campus, Seattle U, Akron, Appalachian State. These are the previous schools of 8 transfers that helped Syracuse win the National Title over Indiana. (they have a dozen transfers) 

Syracuse has players from 10 different U.S. states. They also have 14 players from 7 different foreign countries in addition to that. 

They were the first team to score against Indiana all tourney. They survived a super exciting, attacking, wild, semifinal win over high powered Creighton 3-2 to get to the final. 

First ever NCAA Title for the Cuse in their first ever title game appearance. 

……………,

 

 

[billikenfan05]

15 hours ago, HoosierPal said:

Pretty fun match to watch. I question having players take penalty kicks who haven’t played in the game. 

I wouldn't. It was clear that the premature celebration threw pressure on Indiana's next taker and took the pressure off the goalkeeper. In my mind, that's what led to the misskick and the save.

[courtside]

Congratulations to Christian Buendia who was named a United Soccer Coaches Scholar All American. (third team)

[courtside]

SLU’s Max Floriani was was named 2nd Team Freshmen Best 11 by TDS.

……………….

Today is the MLS Draft. There are 8 Generation Adidas players. St. Louis City SC picks first, possibly an attacking player such as CJ Fodrey (San Diego St) or Shak Mohammed (Duke)

SLU’s Johnny Klein recently participated in the MLS 44 camp. He was also recently selected by Kansas City in the MASL draft. 

 

[courtside]

10 hours ago, courtside said:

SLU’s Max Floriani was was named 2nd Team Freshmen Best 11 by TDS.

……………….

Today is the MLS Draft. There are 8 Generation Adidas players. St. Louis City SC picks first, possibly an attacking player such as CJ Fodrey (San Diego St) or Shak Mohammed (Duke)

SLU’s Johnny Klein recently participated in the MLS 44 camp. He was also recently selected by Kansas City in the MASL draft. 

 

Congratulations to SLU’s Johnny Klein for being drafted 30th overall in the MLS draft by St. Louis City SC. 

 

 

 

[almaman]

54 minutes ago, courtside said:

Congratulations to SLU’s Johnny Klein for being drafted 30th overall in the MLS draft by St. Louis City SC. 

 

 

 

cool home town boy for the first season.

[brianstl]

Nm