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The new roster limits will have an impact on both the men and women's soccer teams for next year. While we should know by now, things change! The NCAA and the courts may not be finished with us. Plus budgetary issues, particularly at Akron, may affect our ability to be competitive within these rules. With that said, the currently announced roster sizes for 2025 men and women's soccer stands at 28. The women's team has already posted a Spring 2025 roster of 18. They have signed 8 incoming players (think some may enroll for Spring ). If all of those players remain active for next Fall, that means they could add only 2 more players via the portal or elsewhere. The men's team typically has more than 28 on the roster and add some late in the game. They may have to cut current players and/or adapt their recruiting calendar. They both can add additional scholarships as long as the number is equal for each squad- not likely given the budget at Akron. The whole new world continues!

I do not want to make judgements about players as I have great respect for all athletes who can compete at a division one level. That said- most of those 4 players would not be significant contributors next year. Certainly Langstaff would have likely been a contributor. I continue to feel that this team needs serious help on the offensive side- none of these players were likely to score goals. They have signed 8 players for next year- most if not all are three star rated by Top Drawer Soccer. If they are as good as their stars (I know, big IF), the program will take a big step next year if they can find some goals. If not- trouble!

Another frustrating 1-0 defeat. I am not a soccer expert but I am a loyal fan of both the men and women Akron teams. I was only able to watch the first half and, given the final result, have little desire to watch the second half replay. Akron had the wind in the first half but it did not appear to be a large difference-maker and EMU did not score when they had that advantage in the second half. Several thoughts- Akron played them even in the first half. We were not dominated. Every player for Akron at forward was a freshman. It seemed Akron committed a bit more to attack- specifically Morgan Pentz seemed to play more forward and it made a difference- IMO. The defense continued its tough play with effective use of body positioning, etc. The problem is that Akron simply has no goal scorers. Where are the goals going to come from? Which players would worry another team as potential attacking players? In this layman's view, there are four potential scorers on the roster and three didn't play (Pentz being the exception). Some of the freshmen display potential in terms of speed, hard shots, etc. but do not possess the touch, ability to put shots on frame, or skill with the ball to be productive- at least not currently. So- to win more- the other three have to overcome injuries and/or whatever is keeping them on the sideline and return. Next Akron has to find multiple players who can score at the MAC level and fast. Hopefully several 2025 freshmen can do that. In addition, I think the coaches have to find a transfer student(s) who can make the kind of difference that Emil has made for the men. The final piece that can turn their hard work into wins. Know they will not get someone as good as Emil but still she needs to provide the attributes that are missing currently with the other players. I think the current coach has the persuasive ability to make the sale! She needs to.

if your analysis of the women's soccer situation is correct- what do you hope for them to show today? If our coach does a good job of coaching during matches, that the team plays hard as you have suggested earlier (I agree, by the way), and that the problem is not attracting players with more ability- what can they do/show today that will give you the feeling that "they've got what it takes to move up"? The only option to me to to overcommit to offense and hope the hardnosed defense can keep the ball out of their net- they certainly have nothing to lose. Would a 4-2 defeat be more hopeful than a 1-0 defeat?

Capt is correct- 28 soccer scholarships is insane- schools will drop the sport. But the same is true for baseball, softball, wrestling, lacrosse, field hockey et al. The same approximate number of scholarships to the number of "starters". The answer to Capt.'s question is- there is never a 23rd scholarship kid. All recruits think they will start. Many of those who end up 23rd on a ten starter team depth chart will conclude that it is the coach's poor judgement that led to that "mistake". Just ask Joe Burrow during his time at OSU. GP1 does an excellent job on this board re the state of college sports and I have no desire to butt into his space (might match his intelligence but never his passion). The crap is hitting the fan in college sports and taking away a great entertainment option for those who want to root for their team with some hope of winning!

The timing of our current coach being hired needs to be considered as part of her recruiting problem. She was hired late summer with no staff and not enough players to field a team regardless as to the quality of the players. My layman's memory- with no inside information- is that she only had 16 players including goalies. I believe she hustled to find 4 additional players in the two weeks of training she had before the season started. I do not believe any of those players are on this season's roster. Given that most good players commit before the start of their last year of high school meant that she was already behind for the recruiting of 2023 freshmen. The freshmen on this year's squad represent the first year on which she should be judged. Many are starting and/or providing major minutes. The publicly announced commits for the 2025 class are all three star rated players by Top Drawer Soccer- consistent with those of other MAC schools. I agree that next year is the time to make an assessment of her recruiting ability. She does need to get some goals- I'll bet she knows that!

The comparisons between football/basketball and minor sports does not match well. I believe football, men’s basketball, volleyball, and women’s basketball have full ride scholarships and they can not give partial scholarships. Other sports, including soccer, almost never give full ride scholarships. Therefore, having good students who qualify for academic merit scholarships is a major tool to expand your aid to athletes . In the four sports that offer full rides, there is not the same incentive to offer academic aid- it does not expand your roster in the same way. Also academic aid most often does not include room/ board.

There is a god. Good triumphs over evil!

I believe that Kent has favored thugs in their basketball recruitment for years. The real blame here is with the coaches and administrators who certainly knew the kind of individuals that made up their roster. The video simply publicly shows what everyone already knew- the players were putting their lack of character on display for the world to see. Kent State did only what they needed to do given the moment- but the root causes are still intact and we can predict it will happen again unless other action is taken. Doubt Kent will do that because, after all, they are Kent!

Any conversation regarding the best all time bigs in UA basketball should include Bill Turner 63-67. Realize he was before almost all of you. 6-7 power forward/center, ranks 5th in all time scoring and 4th in all time rebounds ( please note he played with two other players in top 6 all time rebounds). Realize this was against smaller schools but did include Earl the Pearl Monroe among other top talent. He did make the NBA and play for 6 seasons.

As of late signing day, 247 sports has Akron as 55th best school in the country in use of transfer portal. We are 2nd in the MAC behind Buffalo’s terrific 20th ranking. Both of these schools are light years ahead of the rest of the league. Look for this to show up on the field. Coach Joe said to look for a significant shift even this fall in his recent comments on gozips.com i

247 has not yet added our tight end from Erie, PA that should also raise our ranking.

Believe Michael Mathison may be headed to Western Kentucky

94zipgrad is on the right path- some of our announced commits are already enrolled- they may participate in this weekend’s doings but they are committed in the sense they have already enrolled; other announced commits are here with family to cement their decision and meet people, see facilities, etc. There is a third group that are not committed and, hopefully, some/many will commit tomorrow. To have no new info tonight is not a problem- they are busy. To have no new commitments by this time tomorrow will be more of an issue. Hopefully we will have some positive developments in the next 24 hours. Go Zips!

Neal Renna has been hired to coach safeties- from Eastern Ill with time at Missouri