Colleges

Soccer soothed by thoughts of 2006

By BRIAN LANDMAN
Published December 8, 2005

The plane ride home from College Station, Texas, and the NCAA women's soccer national semifinals had to be an excruciatingly long one for the Florida State Seminoles.

They had just lost 4-0 to UCLA on Friday evening, a disappointing end to a surprising run. But with time, they should gain a perspective for what they did and what they can do.

"Our group had a heck of a season and it's certainly something to build on," coach Mark Krikorian said. "We look at our group as still being in the infancy of developing. All of the players here are going to become better players through the course of the spring and that will make us a better team come next fall."

Unlike last year, when graduation and transfers cost the Seminoles most of their starters and most of their proven goal-scorers, the squad should remain essentially intact.

Defender Teresa Rivera and reserve forward Alli Ferreri are the lone seniors. But the lineup could change dramatically if any of the international players such as forward Sel Kuralay or midfielder Viola Odebrecht decide not to return.

But unlike last year at this time, the Seminoles (20-4-1) aren't looking for a coach. Krikorian got a late start recruiting after he was hired in January to replace Patrick Baker, who built FSU into a perennial NCAA Tournament team. He expects to add six or seven players when the signing period begins on Feb. 1.

"Everyone's disappointed when you lose," he said. "It's okay to be a little down. What we'll do is give the players time to themselves and away from us and then when we come back here after the holidays, get back to work improving their individual technique and abilities and us finishing our job with recruiting and making sure we have a few more pieces of the puzzle. Then we get back and give ourselves every opportunity to be better."

SPEAKING OF SOMETHING TO BUILD ON. . .: Volleyball coach Todd Kress normally wouldn't be the least bit pleased with a 13-17 record, but his team won eight of its past 11 matches and that bodes well.

"Where we were in the second half with our record, we weren't playing for a whole lot; we were basically just playing for pride and I think our kids showed a lot of heart and a lot of determination down the stretch to win some of the matches we did," he said. "And they played some very good volleyball to do so."

He had to deal with so many injuries in September and October, he used a different lineup almost every game. But as the Seminoles' health improved, so did their cohesiveness. And their attitudes.

"When you finish a losing season, a lot of times the mind-set isn't so positive," Kress said. "But our kids really wanted to keep playing at the end ... and (now) are excited to get started."

He does have to replace senior hitters Andreza Santos, a first-team All-ACC pick, Kristen Rust and Lauren Scott. But sophomore left-sided hitter Summer Weissing, junior hitter/middle blocker Sarah Griffin and junior setter Jessica Skower is a solid nucleus to build around. Kress also signed four touted prep players last month and could add a junior-college transfer.

"We're very excited about our future," Kress said.

ODDS AND ENDS: The swimming and diving teams signed seven prospects last week, including Jennifer Guyler (East Lake High), who won the 2005 state 3A championship in the 200 free, and Corey Swanson (Sickles), a state champion in the 50 and 100 freestyle sprints. ... Track and field coach Bob Braman has added standout sprinter and hurdler Valerie Flournoy an eight-time Florida state champion.

Brian Landman covers Florida State athletics. Reach him at 813 226-3347 or by e-mail at landman@sptimes.com

[Last modified December 8, 2005, 00:50:19]