Nov. 14, 2008

Women's Soccer Head Coach Mark Carr took a minute to talk with USFDons.com about the 2008 season. Here are his thoughts on the year and his hopes for the future.

What are your thoughts on how the season ended?
Coach Carr: "Well obviously it was very disappointing to not get a win in our conference. But looking back, the thing that really impressed me the most was the amount of fight and spirit within the group. Our players kept going to the end and I could have not asked anything more of them."

Do you feel there was more progress than what we saw in the record?
Coach Carr: "Absolutely. Sometimes as a coach you focus solely on the wins and losses and you lose sight of the little things. Our record is much better than last year, we have conceeded less goals, been closer in games (especially within conference) and we have done all this with a team of mainly underclassmen. In terms of team chemistry and the togetherness of the group, I think the University has a group of young women that represent themselves in an excellent manner. I have no doubt the end product will come. It just takes time."

What were some of the highlights to the season?
Coach Carr: "I think all the wins (laughing). I thought our first couple of games against Fresno State and Northern Colorado, and also the home performances against Nevada, San Jose State and Bakersfield.

The Portland game was a very good game. After losing 6-0 last year, I wanted to give a better account of ourselves. I felt we played with them for long periods and only lost 2-0. We had some great possessions, a couple of good chances. Overall, I feel it was like taking one step at a time and improving and I definitely was thrilled to see the belief in our kids' eyes that they can compete with a top team.

The San Diego game was another impressive team effort. We stuck to our game plan, weathered the storm a little and had a couple of set pieces near the end of the game to draw level, but it wasnt to be.

To know we are closing the gap on these teams drives me to get better and work harder with this group. I am excited about the future."

What are some things you need to work on as a team over the off season?
Coach Carr: "There are so many things that we could improve on. The main thing we are going to focus on is our mentality. We need to be hungrier and demand more from ourselves every day and every time we put on a USF jersey. This will be my first full spring with this group and we are going to really teach from the ground up and fine tune every area of our team. I am excited to get back out there and really develop a solid foundation that is going to make us even more competitive in the fall 2009."

How will the loss of five seniors effect the team on and off the field next season?
Coach Carr: "Each senior leaving will affect our team differently. From a leadership perspective, they have all left their mark on this program and they will be sorely missed. Not having their experience around the place will be tough. Those players have gone through a lot and are a very tough, intelligent and powerful group of young women. I am sure they will come out to reminisce and maybe take part in the dreaded fitness...they have all contributed positively to the program and I hold them in the highest esteem."

Who do you expect to step up and lead in their absence?
Coach Carr: "Well, we have a talented group of returners and I am really throwing the challenge down to them. We have some holes to fill and I think it will be interesting to see who steps up. With such a young group, there is a lot of potential."

With a year of play under their belt, how do you think the current freshmen will do next year?
Coach Carr: "I think they have the potential to be even better than this year. A lot of it depends on what they put into the spring. I strongly believe that it's what you put in to something that determines what you get out. Everyone has to earn it!!! It's vitally important to take what they have learned this fall and push themselves through the spring."

How did the loss of Nicole Moore in the middle of the season effect the team?
Coach Carr: "The loss of Nikki didn't help our situation. She had an awesome non-conference schedule and we definitely missed her through the conference segment of our season. She is so dynamic, a true competitor and has a nose for the goal. I am looking forward to working with her this spring.

We had a lot of injuries this fall and players did step up in their absence. Joan (Piasta) and Angela (Vuona) are recovering well and Kiki (Keonna Robinson) is on track to be back in the early weeks of February."

What kinds of things will you work on in the Spring?
Coach Carr: "Well there are a lot of things we want to touch on. I feel that our fitness level has to improve and we need to become individually stronger. A lot of our time will be spent on individual development and really honing in on the technical and tactical needs of each player and their position. There will be a lot of scrimmages and a chance here and there to mix it up with some basketball, volleyball and some indoor soccer."

Anything exciting coming up that we should know about?
Coach Carr: "Well for now, I am back on the recruiting trail. We have a solid group of 2009's coming in and we are identifying our needs for 2010. As a staff, we will sit down and talk about the direction we are headed and how to get there. We will also get a chance to relax and spend the holidays with close family."

For more on USF Women's Soccer throughout the off season, please check back often to www.USFDons.com.