BE Soccer Very Strong. SHU Soccer? Who Knows.

[400SOAVE]

It's early August and NCAA soccer has started.

The coach's poll is out and four of 10 Big East teams are in the Preseason Top 25.

Georgetown is #2, Creighton #6, Provident #7 and Xavier is #19.

http://www.nscaa.com/rankings/4159/NCAADivisionI/men/PreseasonPoll

So where does SHU stand this season? I don't know. As usual, even at this stage they haven't posted their recruiting class for 2015.

Last season they were at least competitive. I hope they have a breakthrough season. The head coach is an alumnus and I want to see him succeed.

However, they had 11 seniors last season. That's a lot experience that's gone. The entire team scored 21 goals last season. Six seniors scored 20 of those goals.

Does anybody have any info about the team's prospects this season?

 

[hallgrad80]

400
Top Drawer Soccer shows three commits to SH.
1.F. Burkak Ozdemir from Washington Twp. , the number 1 rated team in NJ last year.
2.D. Brandon Sabinsky from Montgomery
3. M. Wilbur Nunez from St. Benedicts

I have no idea how good they are but they all come from good HS programs and from good Club programs.

 

[PeterN]

A number of programs have not posted their rosters most likely due to the possible additions of international players. Most transfers should have been finalized by now. Georgetown has been killing it on the recruiting front for about five years running. Looks like the BE is second only to the ACC in strength of conference.

 

[NYC Pirate]

The key is to see the Soccer teams take that next incremental step upwards the way the Volleyball and Women's Basketball programs have in the last few years. There are some strong soccer programs in the new BigEast and it would be a great sign to see some significant improvement from Seton Hall. I can't give an educated opinion on the coaching staff, but there seems to be talent in the area.

 

[hallgrad80]

Of the top 10 ranked programs there are 3 teams each from the ACC, PAC-12 and the BE . When you consider that the BE only has 10 teams and it has 3 in the top 10 and 4 in the top 25 that's a hell of a statement about how strong men's soccer is in the BE.

 

[PeterN]

St. John's has not been in the mix for the past few years. Usually Dave Masur has them ranked nationally. Almost half his roster are international players.

 

[400SOAVE]

80, I'm glad to know they have players coming in from top programs, even if we don't know about their individual potential.

Soccer is so popular in this area. I've been to several packed matches over the years at OTC. If they can somehow manage to create a winning program, there would be significant fan support for SHU soccer.

As I've mentioned several times, there is a serious need to upgrade the soccer fan experience at SHU. They're upgrading and renovating everything else. I hope soccer is in the works.

They need to 1) put a roof over the bleachers, 2) get a small concession stand, 3) announce who scored a goal and who assisted and 4) BUILD TOILETS.

 

[hallgrad80]

400
I know that Lyons wants to undertake a major renovation and upgrade to OTC but until funding is in place no significant upgrade will happen.

 

[pirated]

The key is to see the Soccer teams take that next incremental step upwards the way the Volleyball and Women's Basketball programs have in the last few years. There are some strong soccer programs in the new BigEast and it would be a great sign to see some significant improvement from Seton Hall. I can't give an educated opinion on the coaching staff, but there seems to be talent in the area.

With about 15 new players on the roster and no good forward(s) no one knows what the season will be like. Our chance was last year to do something but for various reasons the team didn't perform well until late season and even then sporadically. There were, are issues here just like men's BB.

 

[hallsoccer03]

I have no faith in SHU soccer being very strong again. The women's team is headed on the right direction. The men's team not as much. SHU has had a history of fielding strong teams and being a national power. We are at a stage now where we hold no significance in the national scene. Hell, we hold no significance in the conference. Time to do away with the coach, find one with head coaching experience which is so damn important in soccer you have no idea.

 

[pirated]

I have no faith in SHU soccer being very strong again. The women's team is headed on the right direction. The men's team not as much. SHU has had a history of fielding strong teams and being a national power. We are at a stage now where we hold no significance in the national scene. Hell, we hold no significance in the conference. Time to do away with the coach, find one with head coaching experience which is so damn important in soccer you have no idea.

Lyons signed Gerson to a 7 year contract with SHU.

 

[shupat08]

Lyons signed Gerson to a 7 year contract with SHU.

His buyout is prob 4 million dollars, too. Lol.

 

[PeterN]

I cannot comment on the coach but his evaluation should include the resources provided. I believe the Big East has a minimum number of scholarships but some programs have more than others…up to two difference. Scholarships are split up so this impacts more than two on the roster. The assistant coaching positions are also where schools can differ in pay scales.

 

[400SOAVE]

I saw those pictures via Twitter showing the SHU men's soccer coaches (and players?) at the Red Bull Arena doing an autograph signing with Sacha Kljestan and Jason Hernandez.

Other than winning games, these pictures are the best PR and marketing gold for the program. What better message to send to recruits than two veteran soccer alums playing against each other at a great MLS venue?

It says to recruits: "So you want to play in the MLS? You can get there via the Hall."

I'm not sure if we're in recruiting season, but I hope they were able to get their top recruiting targets to that game. Does anybody know?