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Diamonds in the Rough
by GUPhantom Thu Oct 29, 2009 11:09 pm
Who are....or have been Pilot "Diamonds in the Rough"? I've been thinking about this ever since the discussion on Most Improved Player came about...and then the ESPN article on Keelin...who I think exemplifies the perfect Diamond in the Rough! She was under-recruited and a "late" bloomer.
I enjoy how these type of players...who didn't garner National Team attention or were invited to a National Team camp prior to their college careers....quickly rise and develop into brilliant futbol players in college and then enough so to have a very good shot at a pro career or even representation on the Senior National Team. Aside for Keelin? I'm thinking of Lisa Sari, Jessica Tsao...even Michelle Enyert. Portland's success over the years has amazed me. Very rarely do I remember a class of our recruits breaking the Top 5 ratings Nationally (Soccer Buzz). Yet, here we are...a perennial powerhouse soccer program with a better chance than most of hanging another NCAA Championship Banner at Merlo.
What's the X-factor to the success of these players? Is it Pilot's coaches ability to spot potential and recruit what other programs overlook? Is it the Pilot's coaches abilities and program influences that can draw out and fine tune their talent? Is it the player's innate competitive drive to be the best they can be? Is it UP's supportive college environment ....academics, facilites and fans? Is it all of the above? IMHO...Keelin, Lisa and Jessica would not be the same players they are now if they had signed on to play for another school/program. You think?
GO PILOTS!!! BEAT SANTA CLARA!!!
I enjoy how these type of players...who didn't garner National Team attention or were invited to a National Team camp prior to their college careers....quickly rise and develop into brilliant futbol players in college and then enough so to have a very good shot at a pro career or even representation on the Senior National Team. Aside for Keelin? I'm thinking of Lisa Sari, Jessica Tsao...even Michelle Enyert. Portland's success over the years has amazed me. Very rarely do I remember a class of our recruits breaking the Top 5 ratings Nationally (Soccer Buzz). Yet, here we are...a perennial powerhouse soccer program with a better chance than most of hanging another NCAA Championship Banner at Merlo.
What's the X-factor to the success of these players? Is it Pilot's coaches ability to spot potential and recruit what other programs overlook? Is it the Pilot's coaches abilities and program influences that can draw out and fine tune their talent? Is it the player's innate competitive drive to be the best they can be? Is it UP's supportive college environment ....academics, facilites and fans? Is it all of the above? IMHO...Keelin, Lisa and Jessica would not be the same players they are now if they had signed on to play for another school/program. You think?
GO PILOTS!!! BEAT SANTA CLARA!!!
GUPhantom- First man off the Bench
- Number of posts : 544
Location : Tigard
Registration date : 2007-07-11
Re: Diamonds in the Rough
by fozziewozzie Sat Oct 31, 2009 9:43 pm
phantom,,
i think you hit the nail right on the head. it's all of the above! its the program, its the comraderier [sp?], the scouting, the relationships built up, the 'feeling', etc.
lisa sari, from longview,wa, jessica tsao from oes, an keelin, an under recruited scoccer player from colorado. it seems to me that not only does u of p scout very wery well, but they have a very good network that can identify 'players' for us. what other schools may over look players of this quality?
i think you hit the nail right on the head. it's all of the above! its the program, its the comraderier [sp?], the scouting, the relationships built up, the 'feeling', etc.
lisa sari, from longview,wa, jessica tsao from oes, an keelin, an under recruited scoccer player from colorado. it seems to me that not only does u of p scout very wery well, but they have a very good network that can identify 'players' for us. what other schools may over look players of this quality?
fozziewozzie- Pilot Nation Regular
- Number of posts : 376
Age : 63
Location : portland native
Registration date : 2007-11-04
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