Men's Soccer

[PhilaPhans]

So ... what changed?

This offseason, the board was in uproar about a few top transfers/academic casualties. Lots questioned the coach (deservedly).

Are the rest of the guys all finally playing up to potential now?

Are this year's results helping future recruiting any?

Are we going to keep looking at the islands to help at different positions since the JWright thing worked so well?

 

[mullerpesq]

The spot they are in right now is very exciting. RU men are third in the conference 3-3-0 behind #1 Ohio State (3-1-1) and play them on Friday at home I think. #2 is Maryland (2-1-0) and we play them as our last game. RU is in a position to win the Big Ten so long as we win out and Ohio State also loses to either MD or Michigan.

As far as what's different, I'd say Coach has put together teams that have always been strong defensively and thru the midfield. This group also has played together for a couple of years (Donnigan's 5th year here?) One big change is we now have the #1 goal scorer in college soccer! We grabbed Wright out of Kingston, Jamaica and it has made all the difference this season (and last year he did very well also). There are also a number of other guys on the team with the ability to score as well. Recruiting has been very solid the last few years too.

I really felt Donnigan needed to field a competitive squad this year and he has.

 

[derleider]

The spot they are in right now is very exciting. RU men are third in the conference 3-3-0 behind #1 Ohio State (3-1-1) and play them on Friday at home I think. #2 is Maryland (2-1-0) and we play them as our last game. RU is in a position to win the Big Ten so long as we win out and Ohio State also loses to either MD or Michigan.

As far as what's different, I'd say Coach has put together teams that have always been strong defensively and thru the midfield. This group also has played together for a couple of years (Donnigan's 5th year here?) One big change is we now have the #1 goal scorer in college soccer! We grabbed Wright out of Kingston, Jamaica and it has made all the difference this season (and last year he did very well also). There are also a number of other guys on the team with the ability to score as well. Recruiting has been very solid the last few years too.

I really felt Donnigan needed to field a competitive squad this year and he has.

OSU doesnt need to lose to Michigan or MD - a tie in one of those would suffice (they would end upwith 14 points, we would have 15). Although we also need Michigan and Michigan State to not win one of their three remaining conference games (we have played 6 conference games, they have played 5, as has OSU).

 

[rudad02]

The spot they are in right now is very exciting. RU men are third in the conference 3-3-0 behind #1 Ohio State (3-1-1) and play them on Friday at home I think. #2 is Maryland (2-1-0) and we play them as our last game. RU is in a position to win the Big Ten so long as we win out and Ohio State also loses to either MD or Michigan.

As far as what's different, I'd say Coach has put together teams that have always been strong defensively and thru the midfield. This group also has played together for a couple of years (Donnigan's 5th year here?) One big change is we now have the #1 goal scorer in college soccer! We grabbed Wright out of Kingston, Jamaica and it has made all the difference this season (and last year he did very well also). There are also a number of other guys on the team with the ability to score as well. Recruiting has been very solid the last few years too.

I really felt Donnigan needed to field a competitive squad this year and he has.

FYI OSU game is Sunday,1pm,Yurcak.

 

[AreYouNUTS]

So ... what changed?

This offseason, the board was in uproar about a few top transfers/academic casualties.

IIRC all transfer news, at the end of last year, was 100% bogus. We did, however, lose 2 kids to academics this semester while placing 11 on the Dean's list.

 

[scarletrat]

what are our chances for getting into the NCAAs, even as an at large?

 

[snowboarder]

The team has changed dramatically since the Syracuse game. There were real problems with possession in that game which contributed to the lopsided play.
Following that game there was serious discussion among players and coaches regarding tactics. Some of the players that have played on a high Academy level were clear in there desire to play more possession oriented soccer. The results since then speak volumes about that change in play. Since SU, the team has gotten the ball into play quicker after restarts, improved it's width and has obviously become more concerned with possession. Wright's emergence as a goal scorer also covers up for any weaknesses. Overall team speed is excellent and defensive play has been very good. David Grecek is a very good shot stopper and midfield play has been exceptional .If the team can get healthy (JP out and Wright and Hacket did not play the second half against army), it can win the rest of its regular season games.

Are You Nuts
IIRC all transfer news, at the end of last year, was 100% bogus. We did, however, lose 2 kids to academics this semester while placing 11 on the Dean's list

You have no idea, you are just guessing at this point
There were a few that seriously considered it

 

[AreYouNUTS]

The team has changed dramatically since the Syracuse game. There were real problems with possession in that game which contributed to the lopsided play.
Following that game there was serious discussion among players and coaches regarding tactics. Some of the players that have played on a high Academy level were clear in there desire to play more possession oriented soccer. The results since then speak volumes about that change in play. Since SU, the team has gotten the ball into play quicker after restarts, improved it's width and has obviously become more concerned with possession. Wright's emergence as a goal scorer also covers up for any weaknesses. Overall team speed is excellent and defensive play has been very good. David Grecek is a very good shot stopper and midfield play has been exceptional .If the team can get healthy (JP out and Wright and Hacket did not play the second half against army), it can win the rest of its regular season games.

Are You Nuts
IIRC all transfer news, at the end of last year, was 100% bogus. We did, however, lose 2 kids to academics this semester while placing 11 on the Dean's list

You have no idea, you are just guessing at this point
There were a few that seriously considered it

No, I'm not "guessing" anything. Rumors are nothing but rumors, and unsubstantiated ones are actually against board regulations, to be honest, but none transferred, correct? Hence, "bogus."

 

[snowboarder]

Logic is not your friend Nuts. If a recruit is considering two schools and eventually decides on one, does the idea that he was considering the other school become bogus?
Before you call out anyone on this board, you should probably figure out if what they are saying is legitimate and what connections that person might have to the situation. I also suggest that you actually start going to games before you offer your opinions on the program.

 

[BuggsyRU]

The team has changed dramatically since the Syracuse game. There were real problems with possession in that game which contributed to the lopsided play.
Following that game there was serious discussion among players and coaches regarding tactics. Some of the players that have played on a high Academy level were clear in there desire to play more possession oriented soccer. The results since then speak volumes about that change in play. Since SU, the team has gotten the ball into play quicker after restarts, improved it's width and has obviously become more concerned with possession. Wright's emergence as a goal scorer also covers up for any weaknesses. Overall team speed is excellent and defensive play has been very good. David Grecek is a very good shot stopper and midfield play has been exceptional .If the team can get healthy (JP out and Wright and Hacket did not play the second half against army), it can win the rest of its regular season games.

Are You Nuts
IIRC all transfer news, at the end of last year, was 100% bogus. We did, however, lose 2 kids to academics this semester while placing 11 on the Dean's list

You have no idea, you are just guessing at this point
There were a few that seriously considered it

There were people saying we were going to lose not one, but two players to transfer...and that it would have a very negative effect on our team.

That did not happen. Maybe "bogus" is not the correct word, but considering neither of the two players actually left, the rumors that they were leaving were most definitely just that. Rumors.

No reason to come down on Nuts for pointing out the obvious. He was just answering someone's question as to why we are doing well this year.

Also, this is a board for discussion. People don't have to go to a single game in order to convey their opinions on these boards.

We don't need that kind of elitist bullshit here.

 

[Ole Cabbagehead]

IIRC, that was MamaRU, who fairly consistently bashed the coaching staff. I did a search, and MamaRU hasn't posted since August when he or she came on to advise of the academically ineligible players. Funny how that happens. Some people only have something to say when things are going poorly.

 

[MamaRU]

I guess I should join in as I've been singled out for my curious absence from the board. As I have stated in the past, I am not a supporter of Rutgers athletics in general. My wife is a Rutgers grad
and it is through her that I became aware of these boards. My interest in Rutgers football is a product of my involvement in the NJ youth football landscape. I have not stayed away for any particular reason however. I am very happy to see your side playing an improved style of football. I really don't care if they win or not, I just like to watch a good side that tries to play attractive football . There is an abundance of youth talent in this state and it would be wonderful to see them playing locally at either Rutgers, Monmouth or Seton Hall. I have been to every home game this year and have talked to many of my colleagues about some of the away games. The matches in NY in particular seemed to signal a difficult season ahead. To their credit, the team began to play much better football following the Syracuse match. There seemed to be a definitive change in play from that point on. I agree with your Snowboader on the side's strengths and abilities. There is an abundance of pace at many positions and a goal scorer like your striker can really turn results in your favor. I still would enjoy more play through your central midfield. Your number ten is a special player with the ball at his feet and needs to have it more. Your striker would even be better if he were to get the ball off his feet quicker when he receives it away from goal. Around the goal he has proven that he can be a selfish as he pleases, the lad can put the ball in the net as well as anyone I have seen on the college level this year. I'm have been impressed with the defensive abilities of your back four, I would like to see them connect a little more with the midfield. I'm also happy to see Brandon Tetro getting more time in the central midfield, he plays well with Tainter and Sa. He is a solid technical player that seems to combine better with those two better then anyone else that has played in midfield thus far. I will be coaching on Sunday so I will not be at the game but I will DVR it and watch it later.
In response to those that have accused me of spreading rumors, nothing I have posted has been done to incite or damage. I was simply relaying reliable and accurate information on the mood of the team that most do not have access to. I can assure you that there were a number of players that gave serious consideration to moving on. I'm glad to see that the players in question have decided to stay for now, I really enjoy watching them and it would have been a shame to see them end up out of state.
As for those that post and offer commentary on the relative strengths of your manager and side without having seen them play a few times, I don't see any value in it. They are certainly welcome to write anything they want on here but I do not see any benefit to those that are trying to evaluate the relative success of your program.

 

[AreYouNUTS]

Here's the thing:

There is NOTHING wrong with being critical of a HC (I'm beyond critical of Kyle Flood BUT will give credit where and when due, for example, the hiring of The Fridge and getting to 8-5 last season...), regardless of your love for a school, or program, IMHO, HOWEVER....when a poster, or a couple of posters, are only around to bash when kids leaves, academics are an issue, or losses are piling up, yet never seen following a few good wins, to say "hey, great news, this kid and that kid didn't transfer," or to respond in a thread about the 11 kids who made Dean's list, well, it's kind of annoying. I also understand that sometimes you can't post right away - we all have lives - but, over the course of time, patterns become pretty obvious, and you can pretty much figure out when, what, and how, certain people will respond.

Anyway, the analysis, et al, is GREATLY appreciated, don't get me wrong, a couple of you definitely know your soccer, and what's going on out there, but can you understand how that kind of a poster (described above) can rub some the wrong way?

 

[AreYouNUTS]

nt

 

[PhilaPhans]

For the record, my "transfers" thought also included Corboz in addition to the rumors. I didn't realize he's already been gone for almost 2 years now. I don't know why I blanked on that one, but having an additional scorer like him would have been nice. I'm happy to see a team that can find the back of the net, though.

 

[WhichReligionIsRight]

what are our chances for getting into the NCAAs, even as an at large?

We are currently #34 in the RPI (48 teams make the tourney).

New polls come out tomorrow; RU should in the others receiving votes.

RU has Nebraska-Omaha (home) and Maryland (away) left on the schedule.

I personally think RU needs to beat Omaha plus win at least two more (including the conference tournament) to have a shot at the tournament. I think the loss to Wisconsin hurts; the recent winning streak helps a lot.

 

[AreYouNUTS]

Please take note so everyone knows I'm not just throwing shit against the wall:

Another HUGE win goes by without a word from a couple of "fans" on this board. Just as I expected.

 

[PhilaPhans]

Another HUGE win goes by without a word from a couple of "fans" on this board. Just as I expected.

Who are you trying to call out exactly? The usual people on this board who have talked soccer over the last few years have all commented. (I'm probably missing somebody but can't remember who.)

 

[AreYouNUTS]

Who are you trying to call out exactly? The usual people on this board who have talked soccer over the last few years have all commented. (I'm probably missing somebody but can't remember who.)

No, they haven't, as per usual after wins, they never have a thing to say. Trolls.

 

[RUinSeattle]

RU Men #21 in both NCAA and Top drawer rankings.
RU Women #9 in NCAA and #11 in Top drawer.

The men and women are both hot at the right time!

 

[rudad02]

No, they haven't, as per usual after wins, they never have a thing to say. Trolls.

Who cares? Let's just talk soccer & get off the grade school stuff.

 

[AreYouNUTS]

Who cares? Let's just talk soccer & get off the grade school stuff.

I do. Sorry.

 

[Proud NJ Sports Fan]

Don't sleep on Omaha, a tie or loss would be a crushing blow.

 

[scarletrat]

Didn't realize the field is now up to 48... finish no worse than 1-1 in final 2 should get us in and then it becomes a matter of seeding....

 

[AreYouNUTS]

Didn't realize the field is now up to 48... finish no worse than 1-1 in final 2 should get us in and then it becomes a matter of seeding....

Yeah I think we've set ourselves up well here!

 

[ecojew]

I was just looking at the B1G standings for men's soccer and see that RU's losses came against the bottom teams in the league while our wins have come against the teams with whom we are battling for the title. I bet the guys on the team would love to have those games back, especially Wisconsin.

If we can defeat UMd, then only OSU could pass us in the standings, and it would need wins over both UMd and Michigan to do so.

 

[snowboarder]

Really Nuts? You have nothing better to do than to monitor the participation levels of posters that you disagree with? I suggest that you use your time to actually watch the team play if you are going to offer any thing legitimate to the board. Believe me,no one wants to see this be successful more then me.
I have no idea where he gets the info but Mamaru is usually right on the mark. I don't agree with everything that he says but I agree with a lot of it This program has struggled over the last 2 years. Something changed after the SU game. The style of play has improved dramatically since then. Maybe someone in the program helped influence that turn around. Maybe some of the more technical players got their way. In any case, this may get very exciting A Big Ten Championship would be huge.

 

[AreYouNUTS]

Really Nuts? You have nothing better to do than to monitor the participation levels of posters that you disagree with? I suggest that you use your time to actually watch the team play if you are going to offer any thing legitimate to the board. Believe me,no one wants to see this be successful more then me.
I have no idea where he gets the info but Mamaru is usually right on the mark. I don't agree with everything that he says but I agree with a lot of it This program has struggled over the last 2 years. Something changed after the SU game. The style of play has improved dramatically since then. Maybe someone in the program helped influence that turn around. Maybe some of the more technical players got their way. In any case, this may get very exciting A Big Ten Championship would be huge.

Yes, it would, and nice to see you finally post about it but, as I stated in my post earlier in this thread, do you not understand that this IS a trend with the 2 of you? You are never, ever around, to post, when something good happens in this program, but the moment there is bad news - on or off the field - you're all over it??? That's typically known as "trolling" and people get banned on the football and basketball boards, left-and-right, for doing as much, but I AM glad that you're excited for a potential title run, I would think that any fan, who posts, would be all over the positives from the past few weeks/month, due to their excitement and involvement around the program. GREAT stuff, right? Peace.

p.s. - I've seen the team play plenty this season. Thanks!