2010 Recruit

It seems like we always get the first word about new commits from you, wrv.

Are you camping out in that Big Soccer recruit spreadsheet?

Good job. Boy we sure have depth coming in on down the line. I guess Garrett has had enough frustrating seasons with injuries and national team commitments, that he is going to really expand the roster with quality recruits.

Haha would you rather Garrett just do a mediocre job just to make things a bit more challenging and interesting for him?? I can think of 7 other schools in the WCC that would appreciate it...

Angie W came from the Surf club and we all know how that turned out. Good news. A top quality keeper from a hotbed for youth national soccer.

DaTruRochin wrote:
Haha would you rather Garrett just do a mediocre job just to make things a bit more challenging and interesting for him?? I can think of 7 other schools in the WCC that would appreciate it...

Nah, Rochin. I think I like what Garrett and Co. are doing just fine, thank you!

Here's another one we should keep an eye on for 2010, though it sure looks like the class is almost full already..


Gabby Lindeman, L.O. Hs

On that topic, and being fairly new to NCAA soccer, can anyone enlighten me as to how many full scholarships schools like Portland have for women's soccer? Do we have more than most because we don't play football? I am assuming there are not 21-22 full scholarships available, so are some of the full scholarships divided into partial scholarships?

I know there are people on the board who are more knowledgeable about this than I, and I'm sure they'll eventually chip in. What I know is that most players get partial scholarships out of a pool of 13 (?) FTE scholarships. If a player qualifies for need-based financial aid or for academic scholarships ("merit aid") then this part of her funding does not count against the athletic total.

Am I right on this, sages of the site?

Because of the focus by the Pilots to recruit Student-Athletes, I am sure there are significant Academic scholarships and need based scholarships and grants that are all applied first. How the team wants to divide up the rest is up to them.

Yes, There are 14 full scholarships, increased from 12 two years ago. These are usually used in conjunction with academic scholarships whenever possible. That allows the money to be used to support more players. Contrary to popular belief there are very few full ride scholarships given. Meaning covering all costs not just tuition.

I think Nicole was one I remembered seeing in September. She was 1 of 4 recruits I saw. I specifically mentioned her here in PN....as the "one wearing a San Diego Surf jacket"....but I can't find the thread! AutoPilot and Geez speculated who it might be. Anyway, it was also at the about same time when Michelle Enyeart's podcast was released and she talked about another recruit committing that weekend. Must've been Nicole! Sweet!

GO PILOTS!!!

As a UP alum and long time fan of the soccer program, which didn't exist when I was there, I have thoroughly enjoyed the wealth of information presented by the members of Pilot Nation. I felt compelled to join in the fray this morning after reading the comments by the Texas coach in the Austin paper.

Now I have a question for those of you far more intelligent then I, why are we recruting 2 blue chip goalies for 2010? Why not recuit for alternate years?

According to comments herein, Erin Dees and Nichole Downing have both comitted to UP for 2010. Are we trying to create competition within, or are there questions as to whether or not both will fulfil their comittment? Or, is this merely the result of them both feeling drawn here by the greatness of the program?

I guess I'd like to know, also, why there need to be two top notch goalies coming to the team in the same year. Any sights? Why not alternate years, especially if the reason is possible national team conflicts?

It seems reasonable to me to get two National team quality keepers when you can get them. Between national team commitments, injury, red-shirting, and differing rates of developing, having two players who can compete with each other is the way to go, in my opinion.

You get great players when they are available. It's not like shopping at Costco where the shelves are always stocked.

This reminds me of how we got Kelsey from UCLA. They had Val Henderson, then got Kelsey a year later. Only one was going to get enough playing time, so when it all went to Val, Kelsey transferred. I wouldn't be surprised if the same thing happened here. You can't play 2 keepers (unless the NCAA is contemplating a rule change).

At this point they aren't both here. A lot can happen in the year or so before they arrive. We have seen players lost for a season to national team action and to injury so that might factor in.

You all make some very good points. A lot can happen--you just never know--and my favorite: Get them when you can!

as aleppiek noted about some of the partial scholorships issued by u of p, some of them are substidized by other scholarships!! one of my all time favorites was cheryl loveless who attended this university on the presidents academic scholarship, an not an athletic scholorship!!

we recruit outstanding individuals, not 'athletes'. like many institutions of higher learning, it is more important our girls formal learning than their athletic accomplishments!!

For the record Kelsey didn't leave UCLA for lack of playing as much as she wanted to experience a more serene environment in which to study and play. She had friends on the team, talked to the coaches, saw the fan base and it was a slam dunk.

When these keepers come, Hailey Deyoung will be a junior. They can only redshirt one year. Maybe they redshirt alternate years so we always have a backup.

All teams need at least two keepers in case of injury. red card, illness or some other type of contingency. Many teams have three. I remember a few years back when UCLA had a series of injuries to their keepers and needed to tap the softball team for a fill-in. They have had top quality keepers ever since.

Problem is keepers need confidence and, more important experience. They need games to stay sharp. It is a unique position in that you don't really get regular "minutes" like you do with field players. If a team is playing two either alternating games or halves I think their game suffers.