Spring Break
Reload
After losing eight starters a year ago, Guerrieri has recruited a highly ranked class to fill the void
By: Travis Yoesting
Issue date: 6/23/08 Section: News
The Aggies do have room for improvement, Guerrieri said.
"We need to get a higher percentage of our shots on frame," Guerrieri said.
In the tie against OSU, the Aggies had 29 scoring opportunities but were off-target on 21.
But with what Guerrieri called the core of the team playing in the spring, the changing of the guard is underway.
"We've got some great leaders on this team," Guerrieri said after the Mexico win. "Now it's time for some of the natural leaders we have in our group to step up.
"It's just a matter of bringing out that leadership and making sure people understand their role."
The 2008 recruiting class is similar to the class of seniors that graduated this year. Both classes were large, deep and contained many of the nation's top recruits.
The top-ranked A&M recruiting class in 2004 included players from across the nation such as Pistorius from Bloomington, Ill., and Paige Carmichael from Glendale, Ariz.
However, that group fell short of their national championship aspirations. Despite winning at least one Big 12 trophy each year, the group was never able to crack the Final Four in the NCAA tournament.
Included in the 2008 class are two Colorado standouts from Grandview High School: Beth West and Rebecca Herrera. After leading their school to a state championship, both were named to the All-Colorado team. West was also named the player of the year in Colorado.
Team chemistry plays an important role in soccer, and Guerrieri said that this team will not be lacking in that department.
"The chemistry on the team might be the best chemistry we've ever had, which is really saying something," Guerrieri said.
Guerrieri said the incoming athletes in the 2008 recruiting class have the desire to be great teammates and will help the Aggies accomplish their goals in seasons to come.
"Our goal with Texas A&M soccer continues to be focused on winning the national championship and to build our student-soccer players into champions for life," Guerrieri said.
"We need to get a higher percentage of our shots on frame," Guerrieri said.
In the tie against OSU, the Aggies had 29 scoring opportunities but were off-target on 21.
But with what Guerrieri called the core of the team playing in the spring, the changing of the guard is underway.
"We've got some great leaders on this team," Guerrieri said after the Mexico win. "Now it's time for some of the natural leaders we have in our group to step up.
"It's just a matter of bringing out that leadership and making sure people understand their role."
The 2008 recruiting class is similar to the class of seniors that graduated this year. Both classes were large, deep and contained many of the nation's top recruits.
The top-ranked A&M recruiting class in 2004 included players from across the nation such as Pistorius from Bloomington, Ill., and Paige Carmichael from Glendale, Ariz.
However, that group fell short of their national championship aspirations. Despite winning at least one Big 12 trophy each year, the group was never able to crack the Final Four in the NCAA tournament.
Included in the 2008 class are two Colorado standouts from Grandview High School: Beth West and Rebecca Herrera. After leading their school to a state championship, both were named to the All-Colorado team. West was also named the player of the year in Colorado.
Team chemistry plays an important role in soccer, and Guerrieri said that this team will not be lacking in that department.
"The chemistry on the team might be the best chemistry we've ever had, which is really saying something," Guerrieri said.
Guerrieri said the incoming athletes in the 2008 recruiting class have the desire to be great teammates and will help the Aggies accomplish their goals in seasons to come.
"Our goal with Texas A&M soccer continues to be focused on winning the national championship and to build our student-soccer players into champions for life," Guerrieri said.
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