The Decline of Women’s Soccer

[mike412]

With all of the good news about volleyball and men’s soccer this Fall, it would be easy to overlook the major decline in the women’s program this year. The 7-1 trouncing by FSU was the culmination of a very disappointing year.

The big difference between this year’s team and last year’s team, which made a deep run in the NCAA tournament before losing to eventual national champion FSU, was at forward. They lost Amanda West and two of the other leading goal scorers from last season and simply had no replacements for them. None of the freshman forwards showed any real talent.

Realistically, if Randy was paying attention to his roster, he should have recruited the future replacements for West, et al., two seasons ago. But other than Abiodun, I didn’t see a talented freshman or sophomore on the pitch all season.

Female soccer players tend to commit early, so it is not going to be easy to fix what is wrong without hitting the transfer portal hard. That is something he hasn’t done in the past. But, it is happening a lot in the sport.

To compound the problem, the best 4 players on the team other than Abiodun — Schupansky, Coffield, Phiri and Melenhorst — all appear to be out of eligibility.

I think a major rebuild is going to be required, including the transfer portal and foreign recruiting, or this program will take another big step back next year. It took so long for them to escape being an ACC doormat and I know we don’t want to see that happen again.

 

[ThePanthers]

I don’t know. Not everything is linear and it’s difficult to build a top tier program out of nothing. Weve been fortunate with volleyball, but the men’s soccer team took a step back last year.

As long as waldrum is here I don’t think Pitt will be a basement dweller and will probably float between 5-10 in the standings in the acc. It’s a tough ass conference. The team was still 9-5-3 with the blowout fsu loss being a major stain.

There is definitely work to do, specifically what you called out, but I also don’t think this is some sign that the bottom is falling out. Again things aren’t always linear, especially when you are building something from the ground up.

 

[Fk_Pitt]

With all of the good news about volleyball and men’s soccer this Fall, it would be easy to overlook the major decline in the women’s program this year. The 7-1 trouncing by FSU was the culmination of a very disappointing year.

The big difference between this year’s team and last year’s team, which made a deep run in the NCAA tournament before losing to eventual national champion FSU, was at forward. They lost Amanda West and two of the other leading goal scorers from last season and simply had no replacements for them. None of the freshman forwards showed any real talent.

Realistically, if Randy was paying attention to his roster, he should have recruited the future replacements for West, et al., two seasons ago. But other than Abiodun, I didn’t see a talented freshman or sophomore on the pitch all season.

Female soccer players tend to commit early, so it is not going to be easy to fix what is wrong without hitting the transfer portal hard. That is something he hasn’t done in the past. But, it is happening a lot in the sport.

To compound the problem, the best 4 players on the team other than Abiodun — Schupansky, Coffield, Phiri and Melenhorst — all appear to be out of eligibility.

I think a major rebuild is going to be required, including the transfer portal and foreign recruiting, or this program will take another big step back next year. It took so long for them to escape being an ACC doormat and I know we don’t want to see that happen again.

He can do it. In Waldrum I believe.

Even Mertz, as much of a one trick pony that she was on the right side, created plenty of opportunities for our goal scorers. Her pace and crossing ability is missed.

 

[CrazyPaco]

You have a breakthrough season last year and lose the program's all time greatest player. I don't think a step back should have been unexpected. They are still 33rd in the RPI so while they're clearly not as competitive with the top teams in the ACC, they aren't dogmeat either. They still have a shot at an at-large bid (see http://rpiford1wsoccer.blogspot.com/). Would be nice to get a win at ND to close out the season.

 

[ChiefJusticeMarshall]

To be honest.........with an undefeated football team, a potential national champion Women's VB team, a nationally ranked Men's soccer team and a potentially top 20 men's basketball team, I will take the counter balance of a lousy women's soccer team.

 

[ThePanthers]

To be honest.........with an undefeated football team, a potential national champion Women's VB team, a nationally ranked Men's soccer team and a potentially top 20 men's basketball team, I will take the counter balance of a lousy women's soccer team.

The women’s soccer team isn’t even lousy.

 

[Fk_Pitt]

To be honest.........with an undefeated football team, a potential national champion Women's VB team, a nationally ranked Men's soccer team and a potentially top 20 men's basketball team, I will take the counter balance of a lousy women's soccer team.

I mean, does that really need to be said? I don’t think you’ll get any disagreements on this board.

 

[pitt90seven]

I mean, does that really need to be said? I don’t think you’ll get any disagreements on this board.

the continued desire and joy in self-flaggelation by pitt fans is wild.

 

[vkj91]

With all of the good news about volleyball and men’s soccer this Fall, it would be easy to overlook the major decline in the women’s program this year. The 7-1 trouncing by FSU was the culmination of a very disappointing year.

The big difference between this year’s team and last year’s team, which made a deep run in the NCAA tournament before losing to eventual national champion FSU, was at forward. They lost Amanda West and two of the other leading goal scorers from last season and simply had no replacements for them. None of the freshman forwards showed any real talent.

Realistically, if Randy was paying attention to his roster, he should have recruited the future replacements for West, et al., two seasons ago. But other than Abiodun, I didn’t see a talented freshman or sophomore on the pitch all season.

Female soccer players tend to commit early, so it is not going to be easy to fix what is wrong without hitting the transfer portal hard. That is something he hasn’t done in the past. But, it is happening a lot in the sport.

To compound the problem, the best 4 players on the team other than Abiodun — Schupansky, Coffield, Phiri and Melenhorst — all appear to be out of eligibility.

I think a major rebuild is going to be required, including the transfer portal and foreign recruiting, or this program will take another big step back next year. It took so long for them to escape being an ACC doormat and I know we don’t want to see that happen again.

I believe this player https://pittsburghpanthers.com/sports/womens-soccer/roster/celine-ottah/13814
was supposed to be the replacement goal scorer but missed the season due to injury. I also, believe there is another one or two international players lined up. Finally, they are pretty bullish on this next incoming class that will have a few early enrollees.