A 1-1 tie between a good Evansville team and an average OSU team. Evansville scored a nice header from a well whipped in free-kick by the very impressive #10 who showed some great touches all game. OSU tied it up with a beautiful own goal from a helpless Evansville defender who deflected a cross over the keeper. Both teams had numerous clear cut chances to put the game away throughout the game but the wet conditions hampered many crucial touches around the goalmouth. The coaching however was visibly world's apart. OSU's coaches spent most of their time yelling at the referees or Evansville players and showed a lack of class. He didn't make a substitution until the 80th minute even though half his players were bent over in exhaustion for a majority of the second half. OSU's two best players are their 2 outside midfielders yet their style is to bypass the midfield and hit long balls to the isolated forwards. Evansville tried to play the entire game and showed good shape when attacking and defending. They shift well defensively and counter with width which OSU doesn't. They looked much fitter and comfortable on the ball especially in the midfield. Maybe someone associated with OSU can answer this. How does a school like OSU only have a 1-6-2 record and a team full of average players with no flair, very little speed, no real size and no attacking ideas. With the facilities, prestige and environment at OSU, this should be a top 25 program every year. OSU will pose no problem to Penn State or Indiana.
Marc Burch is Evansville's #10. He was Ohio's Mr. Soccer or whatever it's called a couple years ago. I would have been at the game if not for a funeral.
Burch MD_05, Sorry about the funeral. That kid is an excellent player and OSU could have done with a player like that. Strong on the ball, two good feet and brings his midfielders into the game nicely. Where are the goalscorers and impact players? Time to look overseas if he can't recruit over anyone here?
I'm not associated with OSU, but you've answered many of your own questions. Notably: - OSU is a football school above all else - Given a choice, Ohio's top players play elsewhere - Bluem, while a decent guy off the field, is a very average coach at best - Too many other quality programs with decent facilities and/or better coaches in and around Ohio competing for players.
Everybody loves to talk about what a great guy John Bluem is. Absolutely. But he's a below-average soccer coach and this program is going nowhere. True story: A guy I know was working with Bluehm on some soccer camp stuff. They went to a sports bar to get some dinner. When they walked in my frined was surprised and thrilled to see ManU playing (I think) AC Milan in a Champions Cup match. (Particularly because he himself is from Manchester) Immediately, however, Bluem asked the wiatress if she could change the channel because there was some obscure college basketball game on. However all that may be, there are some great players in Ohio right now. Last year there were only seven HS All Americans in the country. Two of them were Ohio kids. Moreover, there was only ONE Sophomore on the list, and he's an Ohio kid too. There are also three Ohio kids in the new U17 residency class that started Sept 4. None of them are even seriously considering Ohio State. SMU already has Israel Jones on the dotted line, although he was one of OSU's main targets, along with Eric Brunner of Dublin who has verbally committed to Maryland. OSU better wake up because the ship is sailing.
I believe there were actually 7 NSCAA HS All- Americans from Ohio last year, among the 53 or so total, including the sophomore from Youngstown, Willlis.
OSU Recruting Dsocc, I wanted to reply to some of your answers to OSU recruiting. 1) OSU is a football school above all else. This may be true but that should have nothing to do with soccer. It has never held back UCLA, Virginia, Clemson etc... The football town atmosphere whould draw players in above all else. 2) Given a choice, Ohio's top players play elsewhere. Bluem, while a decent guy off the field, is a very average coach at best. I think these two points roll together. Bluem has to be the major factor in having an average team. 3) Too many other quality programs with decent facilities and/or better coaches in and around Ohio competing for players. OSU's field and facilities are second to none and it is the most quality program in Ohio. It all comes down to Bluem. If they want to be where they should, they need a new coach ASAP. Look what a program like Furman or Akron was able to do in a short period of time. No All-Americans in OSU history, very telling.
Yes, and to be fair, Kirby, Korpieski and Catrow did end up at OSU. Brendan Murphy is at Akron. Kenny Willis from Mooney, Xavy Balc from Hudson and Casey Latchem of Perrysburg were the underclassmen. As a footnote, Israel Jones was home schooled or he would likely have made it as well. Sandbo (from Columbus Upper Arlington) went to Bradenton early, as a U-16, or he might have been as well. Also, four Ohio kids were invited to the adidas camp this summer. All different kids, including Brunner. Like I said, Ohio is loaded at the moment.
is kiki willis committed to a college yet? i think he just went down with an injury, but he would be great to turn the osu program around, if he does go to college
I hadn't heard abput him being injured. That's a tough one with the Tournament two weeks away. Mooney is still unfeated I think (Massillon Jackson lost last night though) In any case, he's still just a Junior so he has some time. BTW Kenny Walker out of Wickliffe and Force Jr's by way of Whitecaps is now at Bradenton. Also FYI, Xavier Balc was simply mind-boggling last night as Hudson knocked off previous #1 St Ignatious. He is the prize this year in Ohio, hands down. Wait till you all see him (and you will) - he is not just another hardworking hotshot with good skills - he has gifts.
Re: OSU Recruting Truth be told, Dayton and Akron are better quality programs in Ohio. Ohio State's facilities may be second to none, but Dayton's recent major investment in an Astroplay surface and terraced soccer only facility will keep OSU's in-state recruiting in check for some time. Furthermore, there's no comparison between the diverse sophistication of a UCLA or Virginia with the mind numbing football mentality of OSU. UCLA itself holds the record for the number of NCAA championships won in all sports (including quite a few in soccer).
i think kiki's back playing now, it sounds like it was a minor ankle injury. if you don't already know about it, www.jjhuddle.com is a great place to read everything related to hs soccer. that's where i heard about his injury.