Good draw for us but a little worried about South Florida matchup. They've beaten some big opponents over the years. Feel good about Ok State matchup, but then obviously UNC would be tough in the Elite 8. I hope some of the games are streamed somehow.

We play April 30 at 3 PM eastern time, I think. The bracket I see is small and I'm not sure about the time.

Looks like game is at Bryan Park in Greensboro.

I'll take it. Some interesting matchups in there. It is going to be interesting to see how this thing goes. More weight than usual was put on preseason rankings and conference reputation.

Is our whole team going to be available?

Should be. McCain and Lopez won't because they in the pros. And the 3 who enrolled in January can't play.

Coach G tweeted that he has a radio show tonight at 6. Normally on 1620 in BCS.

Just realized that I'm not seeing Stanford in the bracket.

We're are the playing?

On the radio show David Ellis asked G about PK shootouts. He said that Jordan Burbank is real good on penalties and it seemed to me that she would go in goal. He said they will even practice the 38 yard walk from midfield to the penalty spot. He expects to know details about traveling to North Carolina tomorrow.\
This Bryan Park Soccer Complex we play at in Greensboro apparently has a 3000 seat soccer stadium.

Anyone have the scoop on ticket sales/ rules on spectators?

G said on that radio that they should be getting more information today.

G has been a little flexible with the formations in recent years since the switch to the 3 back set. Has used a holding mid a lot and last game used Maci to mark the other teams star player quite often. I see future formations like this as it allows us to put more play makers on the field to help us control the ball which has seen great improvement in the last couple years.

Like you said we will be so young next year, but if the early enrollees are already ahead of some of our starters then we should be really good. I hope to remember this statement to see if they actually replace current starters next fall or to see if G is just making noise in his opposition (which is correct) to the NCAA stance on the early enrollees not getting to play. We need one other dynamic playmaker in the midfield to join Barbara, we also need her to continue to improve and hot hit a sophomore slump.

Expert Analysis said:

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G has been a little flexible with the formations in recent years since the switch to the 3 back set. Has used a holding mid a lot and last game used Maci to mark the other teams star player quite often. I see future formations like this as it allows us to put more play makers on the field to help us control the ball which has seen great improvement in the last couple years.

Like you said we will be so young next year, but if the early enrollees are already ahead of some of our starters then we should be really good. I hope to remember this statement to see if they actually replace current starters next fall or to see if G is just making noise in his opposition (which is correct) to the NCAA stance on the early enrollees not getting to play. We need one other dynamic playmaker in the midfield to join Barbara, we also need her to continue to improve and hot hit a sophomore slump.

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Good points. It will be very important that Barbara does not fall off next year and stays and continues to grow as a player.

Coach G said today on radio that we would open next season at Florida State, at TCU, and at home against Clemson. That is pretty stout and a major upgrade in non-conference schedule. Also gives insight to where the coaches believe this team will be next season with the incoming freshmen as well.

He also mentioned that a major facility upgrade could be on the docket in the next year or so as all the other projects are finished now. It's about time. He seemed to hint that our facility has been hurting recruiting a bit over the last few years as well when the top prospects want to play in shiny new facilities.

HiddenAg2 said:

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Coach G said today on radio that we would open next season at Florida State, at TCU, and at home against Clemson. That is pretty stout and a major upgrade in non-conference schedule. Also gives insight to where the coaches believe this team will be next season with the incoming freshmen as well.

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Indeed. Some real barometer type matches straight out of the gate. In case you missed it, mullok had posted some quotes on a previous thread when G gave a bit more insight on the schedule:

Quote:

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Exhibitions against North Texas and baylor.
Then we open at FSU, at TCU, Clemson here, at Oklahoma State, Pepperdine here. Vandy and UT will be 2 of the conference games here.

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I listened to the interview and am curious about the facility upgrades. He talked about upgrades for players and fans. I know there have bene some talks about improvements to the reserved sections, but not sure what further improvements we're looking at or how "major upgrades" might be implemented.

G said in the interview with Louie Belina today that the NCAA travel party is limited to 33. Hoping that Macy, Maile and Mia will be able to go.

CDub06 said:

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I listened to the interview and am curious about the facility upgrades. He talked about upgrades for players and fans. I know there have bene some talks about improvements to the reserved sections, but not sure what further improvements we're looking at or how "major upgrades" might be implemented.

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From what I've heard and this could be inaccurate, I think the West stands would be incorporated into a larger all encompassing stadium with new sections and amenities. From looking around the country at the most recent renovations or new stadiums, this is going to be an expensive project for sure, I would think at least $20 million to do it right. I wouldn't mind just starting over from scratch and making it the best facility in the nation. Anything to help with recruiting. When you hear Coach G talk about not being able to even get a sniff from prospects that go to Stanford, that hurts. We have to have something to at least make them look at A&M.

I would assume locker room upgrades would be one of the priorities. They just built the west campus training facility right next door. Stadium is decent. Not sure the last time the player facilities have seen any upgrades. That whole area over there can be reimagined now that softball and track have their new facilities.
TBH Stanford is a no brainer for any sport. They shouldn't be our competition for recruits.

The Aggie Soccer Club members got a tour of the remodeled locker room, meeting and lounge areas at the start of the 2019 season.

HiddenAg2 said:

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Good draw for us but a little worried about South Florida matchup. They've beaten some big opponents over the years. Feel good about Ok State matchup, but then obviously UNC would be tough in the Elite 8. I hope some of the games are streamed somehow.

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Don't sleep on Coach Carmichael

That's what's interesting to me. Soccer has been behind most other sports on the priority list, so everything I'd heard to this point has been "upgrades" rather than a full re-development. The words he chose on the radio made it seem bigger than some basic "upgrades."

I'm curious.

Yes, he seemed to be referring to a full renovation of the entire stadium or a complete rebuild. Probably depends on the budget.

Apparently the host for the games in Greensboro is the North Carolina Fusion. They have a 3000 seat stadium at Bryan Park but are only allowing 500 spectators. NC is still under a mask mandate. Even if you are vaccinated, masks are still required.

Tickets are up for sale https://www.ncfusion.store/ncaa-college-cup-tickets-at-bryan-park/?fbclid=IwAR39HoBpJfdyxzKf3fFFtoMDO5wODv1STLWKjfqWnRRXkGEXY0nYO_yDysg

Which one of you wrote this?
https://the18.com/soccer-entertainment/2005-portland-pilots-best-college-soccer-team-christine-sinclair-megan-rapinoe

Chris Henderson of All White Kit has been tweeting capsules about the teams in the tournament. Here is what he wrote about us:

NCAA Tournament Team Capsule #38 - Texas A&M Formation - 3-5-2 in Spring, also 4-4-2 xG for/against average - 2.30/1.01 Chris' Take - Win over TCU showed there is life after Lopez and McCain, but loss to Rice showed the ceiling this postseason might be limited.

I'll note here that the departed Jimena Lopez and Addie McCain would've been #1 & 2 in players to watch based on their Fall performances
.
Texas A&M - Player to Watch #1 Macie Kolb - JR - D (RWB, RB) Criminally underrated wide-back posted 74/72/86 splits for d. challenges/aerial duels/tackles won. Solid on offense as well, with a couple of dribbles a match to go with 80% pass completion
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Texas A&M - Player to Watch #2 Barbara Olivieri - FR - F (CF, LF) Venezuelan youth international looks like the real deal as next potential great here. Lethal finisher with 44% conversion rate while averaging 4 dribbles a match for Aggies.

Texas A&M - Player to Watch #3 Taylor Ziemer - SR - MF (DMC, MC) Veteran is an all-rounder in the middle of the park who has been a bit more of a playmaker in the Spring. Has defensive chops as well, averaging around 6 interceptions per match.