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Iowa State University Athletics
Cyclones Conclude Strong Spring Soccer Season
04.22.2011 | Soccer
AMES, Iowa ? Coming off a season that featured 10 freshmen cracking the starting lineup, Iowa State soccer coach Wendy Dillinger knew this spring would be an important time for her young team to develop ahead of the 2011 campaign. Dillinger feels her team showed that improvement this spring, highlighted by a victory over Minnesota. The Gophers advanced to the Sweet 16 of last year's NCAA Championship.
“Confidence is one of the main things our team gained this spring,” Dillinger said. “I think the confidence of the group, especially the young kids, increased. The team chemistry was better this spring. It was good in the fall, but it improved this spring. Just getting used to each other and more comfortable with the way people around them play. Playing together as a group was much better.”
Another area Dillinger saw marked improvement from her squad is one of the more difficult skills in soccer, finishing scoring chances.
“Our finishing and goal scoring showed great strides,” Dillinger said. “We gave up fewer opportunities defensively. In our last four games, we only conceded one goal and scored seven. That is a huge improvement.”
With the spring season having just concluded, the focus for the young Cyclones turns to improvement in the summer and preparation for pre-season camp. In addition to the return of a host of young players, the Cyclones will welcome an 11-player class that Dillinger feels will bring a lot to the squad.
“I think the year of experience for the current freshmen will pay big dividends next year,” Dillinger said. “A lot of them got a ton of minutes last year, and there is no better way to get experience than to jump right in. I think the year under their belt will help get rid of some of the jitters and nerves. I think having a big sophomore class next year will help with the mentoring of our incoming freshman class this fall. We still anticipate the kids coming in to contribute and for some of them to play big roles next season.”
While last year's freshman class was relied on heavily and performed well, Dillinger is excited about not needing to go into next season having to depend on a first-year class.
“It will take a little pressure off the newcomers,” Dillinger said. “As excited and well as last year's freshman class handled everything, there were natural nerves. It is nice to have a good mix of juniors and seniors who will also play big roles. I have also been really impressed with how our upperclassmen have stepped into leadership roles and developed their play.”
Despite having such a positive spring, there are areas the Cyclones still need to progress on before their Aug. 19 opener against Drake.
“Our finishing has come a long way, but it still can improve. Everybody can always do a better job finishing,” Dillinger said. “Defensively, we could be a bit more organized in our back line. Anticipating and transitioning quicker defensively when we lose the ball is an area in which we need to show growth.”
Overall, Dillinger was delighted with the effort and improvement the Cyclones displayed during the spring.
“We saw tremendous growth out of everyone,” Dillinger said “Some players really stepped up. I think the maturity level on the field and their confidence showed strides. Their fitness, quickness and strength has improved after working with Travis Allen in the weight room all winter and spring. We saw a lot of strides in a lot of areas. I think their tactical understanding of the game and knowing how we want to play improved. It was great progress, and we are really excited about what is going to happen in the fall.”
“Confidence is one of the main things our team gained this spring,” Dillinger said. “I think the confidence of the group, especially the young kids, increased. The team chemistry was better this spring. It was good in the fall, but it improved this spring. Just getting used to each other and more comfortable with the way people around them play. Playing together as a group was much better.”
Another area Dillinger saw marked improvement from her squad is one of the more difficult skills in soccer, finishing scoring chances.
“Our finishing and goal scoring showed great strides,” Dillinger said. “We gave up fewer opportunities defensively. In our last four games, we only conceded one goal and scored seven. That is a huge improvement.”
With the spring season having just concluded, the focus for the young Cyclones turns to improvement in the summer and preparation for pre-season camp. In addition to the return of a host of young players, the Cyclones will welcome an 11-player class that Dillinger feels will bring a lot to the squad.
“I think the year of experience for the current freshmen will pay big dividends next year,” Dillinger said. “A lot of them got a ton of minutes last year, and there is no better way to get experience than to jump right in. I think the year under their belt will help get rid of some of the jitters and nerves. I think having a big sophomore class next year will help with the mentoring of our incoming freshman class this fall. We still anticipate the kids coming in to contribute and for some of them to play big roles next season.”
While last year's freshman class was relied on heavily and performed well, Dillinger is excited about not needing to go into next season having to depend on a first-year class.
“It will take a little pressure off the newcomers,” Dillinger said. “As excited and well as last year's freshman class handled everything, there were natural nerves. It is nice to have a good mix of juniors and seniors who will also play big roles. I have also been really impressed with how our upperclassmen have stepped into leadership roles and developed their play.”
Despite having such a positive spring, there are areas the Cyclones still need to progress on before their Aug. 19 opener against Drake.
“Our finishing has come a long way, but it still can improve. Everybody can always do a better job finishing,” Dillinger said. “Defensively, we could be a bit more organized in our back line. Anticipating and transitioning quicker defensively when we lose the ball is an area in which we need to show growth.”
Overall, Dillinger was delighted with the effort and improvement the Cyclones displayed during the spring.
“We saw tremendous growth out of everyone,” Dillinger said “Some players really stepped up. I think the maturity level on the field and their confidence showed strides. Their fitness, quickness and strength has improved after working with Travis Allen in the weight room all winter and spring. We saw a lot of strides in a lot of areas. I think their tactical understanding of the game and knowing how we want to play improved. It was great progress, and we are really excited about what is going to happen in the fall.”
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