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Iowa State University Athletics
First-Year Coach Guides ISU Through Spring Schedule
04.18.2008 | Soccer
AMES, Iowa ? Wendy Dillinger is wrapping up her first spring as Iowa State head soccer coach, and so far the coach likes what she has seen.
“I'm really excited about the progress we've made throughout the spring,” Dillinger said. “We've changed the style and system the girls are used to playing and so it has been an adjustment, but we're happy with what we're seeing right now.”
The biggest thing Dillinger and her staff have focused on is speeding up the Cyclones' pace of play.
“We're trying to speed things up, to make better decisions more quickly,” she said. “Our movement off the ball has improved a lot and that's a big part of what it takes to change the speed of play.”
To accomplish that goal, the Cyclones have worked under touch restrictions, having only one or two touches to get a shot off.
“We've put them in a lot tighter space so they don't have much time to make choices, getting them under pressure a lot quicker,” Dillinger said. “We've tried to put them in tough situations where the only way they could succeed was to play faster.”
Another part of Dillinger's job this spring has been increasing the team's focus not only on the field but off.
“I think the girls all want to win, they all want to do well,” Dillinger said. “I think part of it is understanding what that entails. The commitment isn't just on the field, it's in their nutrition, their sleep habits, their mentality overall. One of the things we've discussed is that excellence isn't something you choose. You don't just pick to be excellent in soccer and then slack off in school or not take care of yourself. One of the things we're stressing to them is to hold themselves to a high standard in every area of their lives.”
The product on the field has been improving throughout the spring.
“Everyone is really stepping up,” Dillinger said. “Amanda Purple is doing a great job. Casey Bothwell is playing at a high level and Elise Reid is really stepping up. Leslie Hill and Erin Curry have made amazing progress and those two in particular are setting the attitude and tone for the rest of the team. Everyone, every single player on the team is stepping up.”
The Cyclones finish their spring schedule with the “Best of Iowa Tournament” Saturday in Des Moines. ISU will face Iowa in the first game and then will play UNI or Drake later in the day.
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