Northwestern University Athletics
Coaches Quotes
11/12/2005 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Nov. 10, 2005
Michigan State Coach...
Opening Statement...
I thought the first half was really defensive, both teams defended really well. It was kind
of a midfield game, not a lot of chances. We thought the game would open up in the
second half, and sure enough it did. We were able to get in a few times, and Doug
finished a great ball. We thought we had a couple other great chances and their goalie
was outstanding. Typical Big Ten match, physical, defensive, aggressive and we're just
happy to be up 1-0 in the end.
On what part of Michigan's attack Michigan State focused on... We don't look at it quite so much like that. We talk a lot about team defense, not getting beat one on one. I thought we did a good job with one on one battles today. Our defenders were containing, they weren't getting dribbled. Michigan had some shots, but most of them were from outside, they really didn't get deep or over the top penetration on us. I thought we defended real well.
Michigan Coach...
Opening statement...
We came out and competed and I feel overall did a real good job against a good
Michigan State team. State has three good players up in the attack that create a lot with
each other and have a great supporting cast. They are a team who finds their one or two
chances and capitalize on it. We didn't have that type of season where we capitalize on
our chances.
On season being over... The season on a whole certainly our expectations were a lot higher than where we finished. I would say that we underachieved. Its interesting to give it the 30,000 foot perspective, we started out strong, our confidence was high, our leadership was good. Then we started to struggle and that's when you need your leaders most. I think that we pulled it back together but I think we missed a crucial point in the development of our team in the season. We never had enough consistency in our starting lineup to find our true form. That's a frustration for any team to look back on it and say we could've done more.
