Q & A With George Van Linder
9/3/2008 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Sept. 3, 2008
NACOGDOCHES, Texas - During the 2008 season, first-year head coach George Van Linder will answer questions submitted by fans and media. Check this space every Wednesday for his thoughts on recent and upcoming games, as well as everything else pertaining to Ladyjack soccer. Following is the season's second installment of Q&A With Coach Van Linder.
Q: Last Friday's game against Centenary was your first experience with a home game at SFA. What was your first impression of the game-day crowd and atmosphere at the Soccer Complex?
A: The crowd was great, especially considering the lightening delay. I heard that SFA has a good and loud crowd, and that seemed to be the case Friday, so I am looking forward to more crowds like that. It is a great experience and the price is right (free). I encourage everyone to come out and support the 'Jacks.
Q: Despite SFA controlling the tempo of the game against Centenary, you had to wait until late in the second half to get a goal and then hold on down the stretch to ensure the win. How did it feel to finally get that first Ladyjack win under your belt?
A: It was great to get that first win and open up at home with a win. I was impressed with the composure of the team, because we did have a lot of chances, and we didn't panic when they weren't going in. We continued to do our job and were rewarded with the goal.
Q: You said during fall camp that you wanted your team to create more scoring chances for itself. The team certainly did that in the win over Centenary, with 12 shots on goal. What is the key to finishing off more of those chances?
A: If there is any frustration, you have hit it on the head. In every game we have had several key chances to score a goal. We just haven't finished those opportunities. We know that we are going to get less and less of those chances in big games, and we have to score when we get them. If you ever see one of our training sessions, we are spending a lot of time re-creating that, but, like a kicker on the football team, there is a big difference between doing it in practice and in the game. It is early in the season, so although we are frustrated, we aren't ready to panic yet.
Q: The team took a tough loss at Houston on Sunday. What went wrong and what went right in that contest?
A: Houston did a good job of taking us out of our rhythm. We talk about it all the time: if we are connecting five, six passes in a row consistently, chances are high that we are going to win the game. We didn't do that so credit Houston. In terms of good things, we continued to create a lot of chances to score but, again, just couldn't hit the back of the net. As a coach, you have to be happy that your team is creating chances to win the game, now we just have to finish.
Q: Save for an unlucky goal on a long free kick against Houston, your team has played exceptional defense the last 180 minutes. What has been the key to this solid play?
A: Ironically, it has been goalkeeping. I know our goalkeeper (Courtney Bauder) was crushed with giving up such a soft goal. But, to her credit, she didn't let it rattle her, and Houston continued to challenge her after that goal. She made a couple of big saves in the air, and came out and smothered a breakaway that was huge. Also, I need to add that having Jessica Cotton and Lauren Fricks back there as seniors has been vital. Kelli Barnes has done a great job, as well. -- SFA --
• Got a question for SFA soccer head coach George Van Linder? E-mail your query to assistant director of media relations Brian Ross. Be sure to type "SFA Soccer Q&A" in the subject line and include your first name and hometown. Questions will be screened for content, and Coach Van Linder's responses will be posted weekly on Wednesdays, or as his schedule allows.
