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Post by UICJohn on Dec 1, 2008 13:53:37 GMT -6
I hate making excuses. If we would have lost to UNC, that's one thing. But to lose two days after losing arguably our most important player hurts.
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Post by Big D on Dec 1, 2008 14:31:14 GMT -6
I just have a hard time believing we would've lost to UNC had Bubonja been there. I just don't see UIC giving up 3 goals. I mean, how many times has that happened since he's been here? A few times at most?
You have to wonder though, and not that I'd hope this would be the case, but does this type of injury hurt his chances of going pro? I mean, will he be missing workouts, etc. with pro teams because of this injury? I'd hate for that to happen because he's going to be playing somewhere for money after UIC, but you have to wonder if he just might be back at UIC next year. Possibility? If it weren't for the pros, we would have a sick team returning next year with Baggio and Bubonja as seniors, and pretty much everyone else returning minus (McMahon, Alen Husidic, and Simek), and we'd get Giffin back. We'd be deep in the postseason again.
Again, just can't say enough about what Trask has done here. Hopefully he sticks around, as UIC is committed to its soccer program, and he can win here. We've done superb in non-conference, and while we can't really say that we've dominated the HL because we can't seem to put a regular season championship and postseason championship together in the same year, there's no denying our NCAA tournament success, especially considering that most of it was done on the road. If we ever play well enough in the HL to earn some home games, look out....
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Post by UICJohn on Dec 1, 2008 16:07:55 GMT -6
If Jovan had been there, I guarantee we win. I mean, there is no way for me to prove it so it might seem a little empty of a guarantee, but I will nonetheless. And I believe that since Jovan has been the starter, we have given up 3 goals twice (I could be wrong, but Santa Clara and MSU this year).
As far as next year, I am a little worried. First, people start rumors and some people say Trask might go to Wisconsin or might go here or there. However, those are just rumors. In the story of the final game, Trask said "We'll be back" not once but twice. I just really think that we are becoming a big time player in NCAA Soccer. Trask does not have to go to Wisconsin or wherever to do that. He can do that in Chicago. He is in a big city, has ties, has a contract, and UIC has shown they want to win in soccer.
Also, Jovan is probably gone. Baggio is probably gone. That is a ton to fill. I think that Julian Serrato will play a much bigger role next season, and Josh Beard, an incoming Frosh, seems to be a pretty good offensive player. We are losing a ton, but with Trask and our second straight Sweet 16 appearance, I am not that worried.
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Post by The Man on Dec 2, 2008 15:29:16 GMT -6
The other thing that helps besides Trask getting an extension is that he's recently married and seems to be creating roots.
He's a great coach and a great man, and he's someone we should bend over backwards to support.
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Post by UICJohn on Dec 2, 2008 16:28:07 GMT -6
Plus, in soccer, we have all the makings of being an NCAA powerhouse. We have seen in soccer that "mid majors" can be national powers - UCSB, Santa Clara, Akron, Creighton, just to name a few. We have seen in the past few years that UIC can be an NCAA soccer power, and should continue.
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