BC Women Class of New England 2012

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At my daughter's Div. 3 school, the upcoming roster has just 2 seniors. The coach isn't new. Is this unusual?

I'm not sure there are real stats to answer your question, but according to a lot of people and coaches, this is not unusual at all. I've spoke with several D3 coaches, and they all experience about 75% drop out rate on their girl soccer teams (Only 25% of the freshman will still be on the team by the time they are seniors).

One of the things that was interesting is that none of the coaches attributed the drop out rate to the existence of superior incoming Freshman. They claimed, the main reason for the drop (at least for girls) is that they are focusing more on their college majors, want increased social time, have serious majors that require afternoon lab time, want to do a semester abroad, etc In other words the players are focusing on the big life picture and the commitment required for soccer detracts from those other things. This is not to say there aren't also playing time issues...but according to the ones I've talked to, it's not the main factor.

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Most D1 players will tell you that it was the transition on the field that was easiest for them. The insane time commitment and social, academic and independence/responsibility changes from HS to college were much harder adjustments. That doesn't mean that playing D1 college soccer (at any level) is easy, but most will say that early on they were more comfortable on the field... than off. I can name probably a dozen players I know, that will candidly admit that had it not been for their on-field soccer experiences, they probably wouldn't have lasted much after the first semester. These young ladies have played at a super competitive level since they were 10 or 11 and they have all faced on-field challeneges but the game basically stays consistent. Sure there are subtle tactical changes in the college game, like more game prep and an increased emphasis on positioning and defense, but in the end despite only being 18/19 YO, these are all very experienced soccer players (much more than just about all their parents) and they all know what to expect between the lines.

Sorry, just cannot disagree with you more. But hey, my kid and her teammates (as well as most others I know personally) must just have been more well adjusted and able to handle the time management and social aspects of college than yours and your frme of reference. Perhaps because they came from a better academic and social situation to begin with and have a more realistic perception of the soccer level than you do? Whatever. Good luck to your little superstar that is obviously ready to step on the field with the national team tomorrow as well. As a further reference point though, a large percentage of the BC team that this thread originated about, that are current starters took months and some a year or more to become starters at BC, so I guess they did not exactly fit into your defined box either.

[Unregistered]

I'm not sure there are real stats to answer your question, but according to a lot of people and coaches, this is not unusual at all. I've spoke with several D3 coaches, and they all experience about 75% drop out rate on their girl soccer teams (Only 25% of the freshman will still be on the team by the time they are seniors).

One of the things that was interesting is that none of the coaches attributed the drop out rate to the existence of superior incoming Freshman. They claimed, the main reason for the drop (at least for girls) is that they are focusing more on their college majors, want increased social time, have serious majors that require afternoon lab time, want to do a semester abroad, etc In other words the players are focusing on the big life picture and the commitment required for soccer detracts from those other things. This is not to say there aren't also playing time issues...but according to the ones I've talked to, it's not the main factor.

Thanks very much for your excellent answer! :)

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Sorry, just cannot disagree with you more. But hey, my kid and her teammates (as well as most others I know personally) must just have been more well adjusted and able to handle the time management and social aspects of college than yours and your frme of reference. Perhaps because they came from a better academic and social situation to begin with and have a more realistic perception of the soccer level than you do? Whatever. Good luck to your little superstar that is obviously ready to step on the field with the national team tomorrow as well. As a further reference point though, a large percentage of the BC team that this thread originated about, that are current starters took months and some a year or more to become starters at BC, so I guess they did not exactly fit into your defined box either.

You my friend, may want to work on your reading comprehension. The point of my posts certainly wasn't that my daughters, or their friends and teamates, were so strong on the field, just that they found the on-field soccer experience to be relatively consistent with what they had dealt with through club and HS. The transition to off-field college life also has nothing to do with their social or academic skill, but simply that a new college life is a big adjustment for most. It is a level of independence combined with responsibility that is naturally going to be different and challenging for most kids.

Most kids (even D1 college recruits) enter the college experience with pretty varied interests and a wide range of activities. When they get to their first pre-season they recognize that their new life will consist primarily of a structured world of academic and soccer requirements. In season they have very little free time and that is especially true when they travel to away venues. This level of structure is different for most kids and can be a tougher adjustment than what they face on the field - it doesn't mean that they always succeed on the field, just that the game of soccer (one ball, two goals and 22 players) is the same one they have always played.

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I checked out that link, and it starts like this:

"Alison Foley enters her 16th season as the head coach of the Boston College women's soccer program. Under her direction, the Eagles are considered one of the elite programs in the country. In 17 years as a head coach, Foley is 205-103-32 overall. Since her arrival in July of 1997, the Eagles have been explosive, outscoring opponents by nearly a two-to-one margin with 622 goals for and 325 goals against. Foley has compiled a record of 201-95-29 while at BC, while earning her third New England Coach of the Year honor in 2010.

"Foley has led the Eagles to 11 NCAA berths, including nine consecutive seasons. The team, under Foley's direction has advanced to seven Sweet 16 appearances, two Elite Eights and a Final Four in 2010. She coached seven All-America players including senior Kristie Mewis, who was a first team All-ACC player and Hermann Trophy candidate, and senior Victoria DiMartino, who was a fourth team NSCAA All-American honoree in 2010. Other players Foley has guided include Laura Georges, who was a Hermann Trophy candidate in the 2006 season and Kelly Henderson, a Hermann Trophy semifinalist in 2009. Three of her players are currently playing professionally - Georges in France, Arianna Criscione in Sweden and Kia McNeill in Russia (2011-12). McNeill and former forward Gina DiMartino were members of the Philadelphia Independents in the now defunct women's professional soccer league."

Further down we read:

"A turning point in the program came in 1999. Foley helped the Eagles compile a 16-7-1 record overall and receive a berth into the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 1985. The Eagles advanced to the "Sweet 16," matching the best performance by any women's athletic team in school history. Foley earned the NEWISA New England Coach of the Year Award in 1999.

"In Foley's first season at Boston College [in 1997], she led the team to a 9-6-2 record. In 1998, the Eagles improved to 12-6-6."

Not sure what your point is. What you've stated is team results. Results from what? Her coaching ability or her recruiting ability. That was my original point in regards to coaching. It's one thing to be able to recruit talent and a whole nuther thing to actually coach that talent. Having seen these ladies play both at the club and college level, I know what they are capable of. Unfortunately I don't see them performing to their capabilities at the college level. That's as a result of coaching. It is what takes place during training.

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Not sure what your point is. What you've stated is team results. Results from what? Her coaching ability or her recruiting ability. That was my original point in regards to coaching. It's one thing to be able to recruit talent and a whole nuther thing to actually coach that talent. Having seen these ladies play both at the club and college level, I know what they are capable of. Unfortunately I don't see them performing to their capabilities at the college level. That's as a result of coaching. It is what takes place during training.

The problem with your posts is that you have constructed the game so that there is no way you can be wrong. Even if BC wins the NCAA D1 championship, you still will say the same thing, right? There are no criteria -- other than your erudite soccer eyes -- you have provided that could either prove or disprove your point. We all know you are way, way off in your assessment, but what would count for you to finally understand that?

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Not sure what your point is. What you've stated is team results. Results from what? Her coaching ability or her recruiting ability. That was my original point in regards to coaching. It's one thing to be able to recruit talent and a whole nuther thing to actually coach that talent. Having seen these ladies play both at the club and college level, I know what they are capable of. Unfortunately I don't see them performing to their capabilities at the college level. That's as a result of coaching. It is what takes place during training.

The point of my post was to remind everyone that Foley has a distinguished coaching record at BC. She turned the program around and brought it to new heights.

At the same time, I wanted to provoke you to make your point plain, and I succeeded.

As for knowing what those ladies are capable of, it's one thing to play on the Stars and dominate against lesser youth soccer teams. It's a whole nuther thing to dominate against even the weakest ACC team. Only the very best can do that.

[Unregistered]

The problem with your posts is that you have constructed the game so that there is no way you can be wrong. Even if BC wins the NCAA D1 championship, you still will say the same thing, right? There are no criteria -- other than your erudite soccer eyes -- you have provided that could either prove or disprove your point. We all know you are way, way off in your assessment, but what would count for you to finally understand that?

Why do you think MA has had second thoughts about attending BC?

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The point of my post was to remind everyone that Foley has a distinguished coaching record at BC. She turned the program around and brought it to new heights.

At the same time, I wanted to provoke you to make your point plain, and I succeeded.

As for knowing what those ladies are capable of, it's one thing to play on the Stars and dominate against lesser youth soccer teams. It's a whole nuther thing to dominate against even the weakest ACC team. Only the very best can do that.

Apparently you are unaware of who the Stars play and don't even assume that they just play players in their own age group or even their own gender for that matter.

It's pretty obvious you lack experience with this level of club or even have much experience with the college game. I suggest you ask some coaches that do their opinion.

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Why do you think MA has had second thoughts about attending BC?

Looking at Waldrum's bio I can guess why - his coaching experience is approved by US Soccer.

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Looking at Waldrum's bio I can guess why - his coaching experience is approved by US Soccer.

You got it.

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Apparently you are unaware of who the Stars play and don't even assume that they just play players in their own age group or even their own gender for that matter.

It's pretty obvious you lack experience with this level of club or even have much experience with the college game. I suggest you ask some coaches that do their opinion.

Wrong on all counts, but thanks for the suggestion.

I'm aware that few Stars have made much of an impact at the D1 college level. None have done as much as the Mewis sisters (Scorpions, BTW), except maybe Jaime Gilbert. Go ahead and blame college coaching if you want, but I say the reason is the pyramid of sport.

By the way, Dewhurst is no slouch at recruiting, either.

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Aug. 14, 2012


LOS ANGELES - The UCLA women's soccer team kicks off its 2012 season this week, traveling across the country for a pair of non-conference matchups against UConn and UMass. The Bruins' season opener is this Friday in Storrs, Conn., where UCLA and UConn will do battle at 7:00 p.m. (EST). It marks the third meeting between the two schools, with UCLA owning a 2-1 advantage in the all-time series. The last meeting was in Connecticut in 2008, a 3-0 Bruin victory. After this Friday's match, UCLA heads 50 miles north to Amherst, Mass. for a Sunday showdown with UMass at 1:00 p.m. (EST). It marks the first-ever meeting between the two schools.

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Wrong on all counts, but thanks for the suggestion.

I'm aware that few Stars have made much of an impact at the D1 college level. None have done as much as the Mewis sisters (Scorpions, BTW), except maybe Jaime Gilbert. Go ahead and blame college coaching if you want, but I say the reason is the pyramid of sport.

By the way, Dewhurst is no slouch at recruiting, either.

And what do the Mewis sisters and Jamie Gilbert have in common? Besides height. Fathers who coached them, maybe?

But your point about the Stars vs Scorpions has nothing to do with college coaching ability.
The coaches at UNC and UCLA are all connected to the US National team program. Not so at BC and most other college programs in the country. For a reason. But Dewhurst is. Why would the NT program use Dewhurst and not Foley?

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And what do the Mewis sisters and Jamie Gilbert have in common? Besides height. Fathers who coached them, maybe?

But your point about the Stars vs Scorpions has nothing to do with college coaching ability.
The coaches at UNC and UCLA are all connected to the US National team program. Not so at BC and most other college programs in the country. For a reason. But Dewhurst is. Why would the NT program use Dewhurst and not Foley?

Ummm...I'm having a little trouble seeing how your post follows from mine, but OK. You're right, the three players have that in common.

I wasn't making any point about Stars vs. Scorpions.

I realize that the vast majority of college coaches aren't connected to the USNT program. But there can't be many opportunities in the first place.

Why would the G15NT use JD as an assistant coach? Because he is a highly regarded youth soccer coach with plenty of experience coaching 14-year-olds?

I guess we'll never know how well JD could coach at the college level. (I can't imagine him ever leaving his current position for a job where he could be fired by the AD for a couple of bad seasons.) But I doubt he'd be any better than Foley.