Tim Gould already knew how to multi-task in 2016 when he was hired to be the Mississippi University for Women’s first men’s soccer coach.
But Gould quickly discovered a new pace in which he had to do things to build a program from scratch for its inaugural campaign in 2017.
“When people ask me about last season, I describe it as rushed,” Gould said. “Everything came together in the end, but there was never a point in the season where I felt like things settled down and got into a flow.”
Gould saw improved play from midway through the season and felt his program took significant strides en route to a 4-10-2 finish. Most importantly, Gould believes his players started to understand what it means to be a college soccer player and to represent The W and its athletic department. Gould hopes eight returning players will help lead the way for the rest of the team when it reports to campus Aug. 16 and begins practice Aug. 17.
“Those eight guys give us a group of guys to build on,” Gould said. “Even though the number is not what we would like it to be, it is still better than the zero we had last year. We have some stability and some guys to build upon.”
The W will take on East Central Community College in an exhibition match at 5 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 22, in Decatur. It also will play Itawamba C.C. in an exhibition match at 3 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 28, in Fulton before its season opener against Blackburn College at 5:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 31, in Carlinville, Illinois. Gould served as women’s soccer coach at Blackburn prior to coming to The W.
The W will play host to Oakwood at 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 9, in its home opener at the downtown Columbus Soccer Complex.
Gould anticipates having more than 23 players out for his second team. Former Columbus High School standout Kyle Rodriguez is the only local player to return from the inaugural squad.
“Kyle is one of those guys who kept improving in the fall and then put forth a good amount of time in the offseason playing the game,” Gould said. “He started playing soccer late in high school. He has definitely grown as a player. He has a willingness to make mistakes in a good way, especially as an attacking player. I expect him to compete for time as a forward or as a winger and to grow on what he did last year.”
The 2018 roster features 10 players from the state of Mississippi as well as international players from Germany, Chile, and Croatia. Gould feels he has a good mix of freshmen and transfer students that will add to the overall experience level. He said he has used the affordability of The W, which is on course to earn status as a NCAA Division III member for athletics, and an opportunity for playing time at a growing program when he recruits players. Gould feels the strength of the schedule and the variety of teams offers a challenge slate for The W.
“We offer something a little different even though we’re still a young program,” Gould said. “I think it is something that a lot of guys want to be a part of.”
Former Heritage Academy soccer player and Starkville Academy coach Matt Sykes will assist Gould again this season. Gould said the program also will add graduate assistant Tim Wood, a former player at Springfield College, to the coaching staff. He said Wood will be enrolled in the MBA program at The W.
With additional help and a season full of lessons learned, Gould hopes the final countdown to the 2018 season isn’t as rushed and that the Owls can build on their first steps.
“I have some things in mind, but you’re always surprised when you see someone when you’re coaching them,” Gould said. “That is what happened last fall when we moved some guys around. I fully expect that to happen again.
“I feel like I have a pretty good sense of how we’re able to play, how we’re going to attack, and how we’re going to defend and go about some of our opening matches. Last year, I didn’t have that strong sense that this is what I see happening on the field the first time we go out on the field.”
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Adam Minichino is the former Sports Editor for The Commercial Dispatch.
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