Breaking Down Dalhousie's Recruits

--By Dylan Matthias

We now have a much better idea what the Tigers women's soccer team will look like in 2010: very similar to 2009.

That's not a bad thing, because 2009 was a good season until November 7th, when it all ended disastrously. It's easy to rely on clichéd excuses: they were too young, the weather was bad, bad games happen, goalkeepers occasionally miss 35-yard shots. Sometimes, though, clichés are clichés because they're true.

And it's true the 2010 Tigers will be a year older and a year better. Players who were too quiet in 2009 will be more comfortable in 2010.

And that's why depth is the most important thing for the Tigers. Sure, it would have been nice to see a tried and tested attacking mid transfer player or a true target striker. Instead, Hutchison focussed on defense and will rely largely on the same attackers next year.

The depth gives the Tigers versatility. Bianca Jakisa and Sheena Cayer could blossom, but are unlikely to play much with Katie Richard, Emma Landry, and Joanna Blodgett all playing wing at times.

But injuries and bad form can provide an opportunity to impress. Both have some solid provinical youth experience, meaning they'll be a little more used to a highly competitive atmosphere. Judging by Hutchison's descriptions, Cayer especially is an atatcking specialist, something the Tigers really don't have. Hutchison likes two-way players, but a little more creative flair might help, especially in late-game situations when a goal is needed.

The Tigers defense is already rock-solid, conceding a league-lowest four goals in 2009. But they shipped two when it counted in November and the addition of Andie VanderLaan will help Hutchison adapt to multiple situations.

Four midfield recruits will make-up for the losses of Ashley Donald, Teresa Morrison, and Laura Johnstone. None of them can likely bring the same level of talent, making it imperative that Beth O'Reilly have a far better season in 2010 than she did in her rookie year.

A larger crop of true midfield players will allow a lot more flexibility, possibly allowing Richard or Landry to see more time up front.

Tigers fans shouldn't expect much from the recruits, and Hutchison doesn't expect them to do much more than simply acclimatise and get ready for 2011 when they will be needed.

The biggest potential pitfall lies in the sophmores Landry, Blodgett, and O'Reilly. They scored a measly one goal between them in 2009, which for attacking players who got plenty of minutes isn't good enough. If they break out, Hutchison will be able to ease his new attackers into their roles. If Landry, Blodgett, and O'Reilly don't perform, than the Tigers could risk relying on the recruits or risk becoming one-dimensional with only Kate MacDonald a real threat to score. In a way, there's more responsibility on the sophmores than the rookies, which is probably appropriate.

It will be hard to replicate 2009's league form. But if they can find a way not to replicate 2009's playoff form, then the league form doesn't matter as much. The recruits might give Hutchison more options in that big game in November.

Overall recruiting grade: B. Nothing spectacular but room for pleasant surprises and depth is undervalued in AUS soccer.

--Dylan Matthias is the incoming sports editor at the Dalhousie Gazette. He runs Dal Soccer Live on the side to provide more in-depth coverage of AUS and ACAA soccer. He has been a Toronto FC fan since Danny Dichio scored the team's first ever goal. It showed him the magic of soccer.