chuckiepoo
Aiken born; Knoxpatch six months later
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What is considered the perfect roster size in college soccer?
Sounds similar to Vitello. If they want to come…I'd say about 26. That gives you two full squads---a backup at every position (in theory) plus a third keeper and 2/3 additional
players.
Get this: we have a spring roster of 21. We then have 10--count 'em--freshmen coming in August plus three more transfers.
That is a fall roster of 34. Absurd. I have no idea what Kirt and the staff are thinking (natch)---and there is simply no way that that many players can be smartly managed. We signed at least three transfers too many (and three that I would bet are not going to help us a lot), and then 10 freshmen? It's too many.
I remember looking at the UNC player dugout in recent years and frowning at the size of the roster--there were so many players they could all barely fit inside the space. We'll be the new UNC with respect to roster size this season, without the dugout. We certainly shouldn't have a depth problem this next season. (And here comes StMichael to rightly vent about this....)
Sounds similar to Vitello. If they want to come…
25 sounds close to an actual roster number. Probably 40+ if non roster walk ons are considered.I know! I look at our baseball commits and we list about 20 commits---every year! I'm not sure how big our baseball roster is, maybe 25--but
there is no way we could add even 10 freshmen ever year, I don't think. A few of the commits sign pro contracts after high school, but still....it's a lot. I seriously don't know what happens to many of them. Certainly these days at least 5 guys are transferring out ever year--and there are just high numbers of in-transfers and out-transfers now in every sport.
Ok - you got me figured out . When the coach to player ratio is diluted = disorganization/failure. Dorrance's goal was to trap all the best players so other teams couldn't get them (before the transfer rule change). At least he took his salary to higher more coaches and increase their pay.I'd say about 26. That gives you two full squads---a backup at every position (in theory) plus a third keeper and 2/3 additional
players.
Get this: we have a spring roster of 21. We then have 10--count 'em--freshmen coming in August plus three more transfers.
That is a fall roster of 34. Absurd. I have no idea what Kirt and the staff are thinking (natch)---and there is simply no way that that many players can be smartly managed. We signed at least three transfers too many (and three that I would bet are not going to help us a lot), and then 10 freshmen? It's too many.
I remember looking at the UNC player dugout in recent years and frowning at the size of the roster--there were so many players they could all barely fit inside the space. We'll be the new UNC with respect to roster size this season, without the dugout. We certainly shouldn't have a depth problem this next season. (And here comes StMichael to rightly vent about this....)
Hire - silly voice text makes me look illiterate!!Ok - you got me figured out . When the coach to player ratio is diluted = disorganization/failure. Dorrance's goal was to trap all the best players so other teams couldn't get them (before the transfer rule change). At least he took his salary to higher more coaches and increase their pay.
My other concern is that when 1/3 or more of your team becomes unengaged and overcome with hopelessness, the mental health of the team becomes toxic very quickly - 11 starters can't overcome a toxic locker room and either can a coach.
History of Lady Vols Soccer cont.
Season 2006
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Ali Christoph scored the very first goal in the new Regal Soccer Stadium.
Here is the article and some photos of the game winner by Ali.
CHRISTOPH PENALTY KICK LEADS 14TH-RANKED LADY VOLS OVER NO. 6 VIRGINIA
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. - A 98th-minute penalty kick by senior All-American midfielder Ali Christoph gave the No. 14 Tennessee soccer team a 1-0 victory over No. 6 Virginia in the first match at the Regal Soccer Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
UT's first win of 2006 comes against the same team that it broke through against in 2005, and it came in similar dramatic fashion. Freshman forward Devon Swaim (Levittown, Pa.) was driving toward goal down the sideline and trying to fight past Virginia defender Alli Fries. Swaim got a step on the defender and cut to the net, but she was taken down inside the penalty box, causing the penalty kick attempt. Christoph (Columbus, Ohio) stepped up and knocked the shot past UVA senior goalkeeper Christina de Vries to end the match.
The Lady Vols had control of the ball most of the overtime period, taking two shots during the extra time while Virginia had none. Thirty seconds into overtime, Swaim tried to end the match with a shot from inside the 18-yard box, but de Vries made the stop.
The second half was a back-and-forth battle mainly in the midfield. Both teams had opportunities to score, with the Cavaliers' sophomore midfielder Kelly Quinn having the best chance. In the 86th minute, Quinn shot from inside the penalty box after a corner kick by Caitlin Miskel. Quinn's try hit the crossbar and went away from goal, where the UT defenders were able to clear it.
Tennessee's best try in the second half came in the 79th minute when sophomore forward Kylee Rossi (Pennington, N.J.) had her header try off a Christoph free kick snagged by de Vries. Just minutes before, the Orange and White sent some passes up for the UT forwards, but de Vries was able to grab those lead passes just before the attackers could get to them.
In the first half, the Big Orange tried to take the action to de Vries early. Swaim was successful in the third minute in getting behind the netminder on a drive, but her shot from the left wing stayed left of goal.
"We came out very inspired in the second half," said UT head coach Angela Kelly. "We had a couple of changes that we needed to make. I'm a little disappointed in our performance in the first half. We still have to bring a consistent effort the entire game, but we still have a young team and it's still early in the season. We're just excited about the opportunities that lie ahead.
"When we come inspired and ready to play, we can compete with anyone in the country. I would like to see them play with that kind of inspiration for the full 90 minutes every time so that it becomes part of whom we are and not what just shows up sometimes. We're going to work on that."
For the match, Virginia held a 14-11 lead in shots, while the Lady Vols finished with a 7-4 advantage in corner kicks. UT was called offside on five occasions compared to three by the Cavaliers. Sophomore goalkeeper Jaimel Johnson (Dayton, Ohio) made four saves in her first career win.
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Also Ali is only the Second Lady Soccer Vol to become a first team All American. There have been none since.
Will be fun to be on record watch next year with Jaida!History of Tennessee soccer don’t.
Season 2007
Regal Soccer Stadium was officially completed for the start of the 2007 season. It became a fortress.
The Lady Vols were undefeated going 9-0 at home. They kept a clean sheet in 7 of the 9 home matches, and didn’t allow a single goal in their final 6 home games. The only other time Tennessee has gone undefeated at home was in 2021.
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This is Kylee Rossi, she became Tennessee's all-time leading goal scorer with her overtime game winner against Clemson in the NCAA Tournament second round. She ended her career with 43 goals.
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Jaida Thomas is sitting at 39 goals and only needs 5 to break Rossi’s record.