BU

skip, no doubt you do get to every game you can, and of course the statement applies to all Pilots sports.

It's just obvious to note the difference in support between the guys and the girls soccer teams in terms of attendance. I was wondering why not as many people come to the guys games?

the girls win

the guys don't

golaso wrote:the girls win

the guys don't

Beyond just winning, though, the girls have in recent years played an entertaining and intelligent game that is fun to watch. The guys too often are just kicking and chasing, and pushing and shoving.

Well... I can't speak for the current squad, but back when I was in school, the guys squad were a bunch of, um, well how do I put this nicely....insufferable pricks (OK so it wasn't nice at all, and probably throws a couple of decent guys under the bus). But, it's kind of hard to really get out there and support a bunch of guys with a superiority complex...especially when they weren't that good.

Oh and BTW there was dancing on Beacon Street celebrating the huge victory for the Terriers... (Ok not really, that was just move in day...)

A_Fan wrote:I was at the game today as well. The first half the Pilots did just about everything right except for that one defensive lapse. They were much more aggressive than in Friday's game. They were passing well and got forward often. As Geezer said they just seem snakebit. They had several shots just miss, it was amazing. Distressing, but amazing. They played just as hard in the second half, but once again could not find the back of the net. Give BU credit, they made the most of their opportunities. Nicole Downing did a good job in goal, she had no chance to get either one of the shots that went in.

I think playing at Merlo next weekend will just what the team needs.

I think the thing that is obvious about this team so far is that UP is not responding well to adversity. We should be doing better at the defensive end...regardless of whether it´s tough to get the goals. We can´t over-react since it´s so early in the season though. I think it´s very premature to say we will have a season like Santa Clara had. The questions are:

Are we less deep than the coaches thought?
Or is our team underachieving?
Or both?

As a new member to the pilot nation I was upset to see so much doubt in this years team and in the coaching staff. I am not really surprised by this years start to the season, but I am sure that the team will begin to gel and we will see the pilot soccer that we're used to.

It's interesting to watch this year's back line. In the past couple of years we have become acustomed to watching a fantasic back four that made the game look fairly effortless (It was beautiful!!). I have only been able to make it to two games this year, and in both games I had deja vu of the 2007 season when Jess was new to the back. It will take the new outside backs some time to figure out thier role. With the loss of two key players in the back and the center midfield we have some pretty major holes to fill. Add in a couple injuries and it makes this year a pretty big challenge. We're deep, but we're also very young and learning the Pilot style of soccer is no doubt more challenging that we as fans could know. A little time and a few mistakes and they'll figure it out.

I admire the pilots style of soccer. I especially appreciate the coaches trust in their players during the game. They let them play and figure it out during the game. I think with time it builds up confidence in the players and the team. The players have to problem solve on the field and with each other. It takes making mistakes to learn about each other and learn how to overcome adversity.

I love pilot soccer in good times and bad, and even if they have a few seasons that aren't as picture perfect as they have been in the past I don't think that means that the program isn't at the same level or of the same quality that it was in 2002 or 2005. The Pilots are true student athletes that represent our school well. Players have to commit being a part of UP, not just a part of an althetic program. I support the Pilots because they are so much more that just a good record with a lot of W's. They have thier own style and flavor. It's exciting to see each year's fresmen class come in and embody the pilot way. The atmosphere is like no other, the fans are like no other, the school is like no other. I'm excited to continue supporting pilot soccer as an alumn because I AM A PILOT TILL I DIE!!!!!

I think you are remiss in saying the guys don't play an intelligent game. The guys college game in general is a different animal, as there is much more parity with far few Division I teams, so talent gets concentrated. The WCC isn't a shining example for how to play pretty soccer, with the likes of San Fran and St. Mary's crafting teams to specifically win games on set pieces and strong defensive play. I think because the guys game is faster paced, it seems ho-hum at times, but I think in recent years the Pilots have been trying to develop a style that is much more sophisticated than the old English route 1 style. The guys game is also always going to be more rough than the girls game, but I don't know, I guess I find it more entertaining and fast-paced than the women's games.
Believe me, I see value in the statement the girls win and the guys don't. I know everyone wants to see a winner. But that goes back to the original statement, that everyone should still go out and watch despite the girls record and offer support. Even though the guys don't win every game they play on Merlo, is that a reason not to go offer the same kind of support?
And I don't know if people don't go to the games because the guys team were pricks back in the day, but that shouldn't be any reason not to go now. What paints the guys in a bad light and the girls in such a good one?

I honestly don't think that the Pilot Men are in a bad light. However, the Pilot Women have been the focus. The two championships, along with the other runs, the hype of nationally-ranked teams playing under the lights at Merlo,
the World Cup appearances, the relationship the Women's team seems to have with kids, fans, students, and the community...all brighten that "good" light. I love it because we are different, from the number of student-athletes, to the friendly confines of Merlo Field, to the coaches who coach and eschew standing and yelling on the sidelines.

We go to all the men and women home games and enjoy cheering on our team, whether they win or lose. Of course, a win is always more exciting!

I'll like the see the pilots have a female head coach. Hopefully one who was a star at UP and keeps the same style of play and who can recruit young women.

Gnarly: you mean someone like Kelsey Davis?http://www.portlandpilots.com/news/2011/9/6/WSOC_0906112738.aspx?path=msoc