TEMPE, Ariz. -- The Sun Devil soccer team has been hard at work this spring, looking to keep growing under first year head coach Graham Winkworth.
Having already challenged themselves on the pitch, and welcomed in a historic 2018 signing class, we checked in with coach Winkworth to get his thoughts on how things have been progressing this spring.
On his biggest takeaways from his first full season as the head coach of ASU soccer...
"The biggest thing was that we needed to create a new culture within the program and one that is in line with the vision of our athletic director Ray Anderson. It should not be the dream to play for ASU In the best league in the country. It should be a dream to win with ASU."
On where the team is headed in his second year at the helm...
"I feel that in year two we have the chance to be far more dangerous going forward. From the work we have put in during the spring, combined with some key additions to the squad, we have a lot more attacking threats. I feel that we have players that are very capable of maintaining possession rather than playing kick it, chase it soccer. Many coaches talk about the possession style of soccer that they play but very few actually play it. They may win but we have dreams to win while not compromising our philosophy of playing a beautiful style."
On the growth of the team during the spring season...
"The biggest thing anyone around the team has noticed is the number of smiles around the place. Everyone has worked their socks off and had a great attitude. All the girls have really embraced the brand of soccer we are playing are have felt free to express themselves without fear of making mistakes. We obviously needed to make some quality additions to the squad but these young ladies have demonstrated that the level of competition this fall will be at a real high."
On some of the top performers of the spring season...
"The position that really stands out to me would be the keepers. Nikki has obviously already got a lot of playing experience from her freshman year and international duty and has continued to really develop as the semester went on. However, Syd is playing like we just signed a new keeper. She has also been absolutely fantastic all spring and that is a battle I am very excited about. They have worked well together and been positive around one another which has really helped both players reach a new level.
I would also say that Wolfie and Minie have maybe been our most consistent players. They have been in decent physical shape all spring and this plays a huge factor. I know absolutely what I will get every time they pull on the shirt and that is 100% effort. I have also been really pleasantly surprised with the added leadership Wolfie has taken on in practice and games. She is not just communicating but communicating the right information while holding her teammates accountable. This is something we really needed to add to this squad.
Jem is another who has come on leaps and bounds this spring. She has now got over the sickness she was suffering all last season and is starting to look like the player I know she is capable of being. She has provided us with an added attacking threat when we needed it.
I must say though that the whole squad is improving as they must pass the ball 600 times each everyday. This has really helped them. They must now push on and get the physical fitness needed for a challenging season."
On what he is looking to see from his team this fall...
"Beautiful, attacking, possession based soccer. We have really studied the game hard this spring as a team and the Soccer IQ of the group has really developed. I am excited to see the leadership within these current players help us welcome the new girls and form a special unity. Of course when we have a squad as large as the one we have, not everybody gets to play but if everyone can embrace their role and know that they are all contributing to the success of the 16/17 girls who contribute on any given game day then we could have a special season."
A message to ASU soccer fans...
"Please come and support us. If you love soccer then you will appreciate what you will be watching and the style of the team. If you do not love soccer then come anyway and this group will play so hard and in a beautiful way that we can convince you to fall in love with the game."
Having already challenged themselves on the pitch, and welcomed in a historic 2018 signing class, we checked in with coach Winkworth to get his thoughts on how things have been progressing this spring.
On his biggest takeaways from his first full season as the head coach of ASU soccer...
"The biggest thing was that we needed to create a new culture within the program and one that is in line with the vision of our athletic director Ray Anderson. It should not be the dream to play for ASU In the best league in the country. It should be a dream to win with ASU."
On where the team is headed in his second year at the helm...
"I feel that in year two we have the chance to be far more dangerous going forward. From the work we have put in during the spring, combined with some key additions to the squad, we have a lot more attacking threats. I feel that we have players that are very capable of maintaining possession rather than playing kick it, chase it soccer. Many coaches talk about the possession style of soccer that they play but very few actually play it. They may win but we have dreams to win while not compromising our philosophy of playing a beautiful style."
On the growth of the team during the spring season...
"The biggest thing anyone around the team has noticed is the number of smiles around the place. Everyone has worked their socks off and had a great attitude. All the girls have really embraced the brand of soccer we are playing are have felt free to express themselves without fear of making mistakes. We obviously needed to make some quality additions to the squad but these young ladies have demonstrated that the level of competition this fall will be at a real high."
On some of the top performers of the spring season...
"The position that really stands out to me would be the keepers. Nikki has obviously already got a lot of playing experience from her freshman year and international duty and has continued to really develop as the semester went on. However, Syd is playing like we just signed a new keeper. She has also been absolutely fantastic all spring and that is a battle I am very excited about. They have worked well together and been positive around one another which has really helped both players reach a new level.
I would also say that Wolfie and Minie have maybe been our most consistent players. They have been in decent physical shape all spring and this plays a huge factor. I know absolutely what I will get every time they pull on the shirt and that is 100% effort. I have also been really pleasantly surprised with the added leadership Wolfie has taken on in practice and games. She is not just communicating but communicating the right information while holding her teammates accountable. This is something we really needed to add to this squad.
Jem is another who has come on leaps and bounds this spring. She has now got over the sickness she was suffering all last season and is starting to look like the player I know she is capable of being. She has provided us with an added attacking threat when we needed it.
I must say though that the whole squad is improving as they must pass the ball 600 times each everyday. This has really helped them. They must now push on and get the physical fitness needed for a challenging season."
On what he is looking to see from his team this fall...
"Beautiful, attacking, possession based soccer. We have really studied the game hard this spring as a team and the Soccer IQ of the group has really developed. I am excited to see the leadership within these current players help us welcome the new girls and form a special unity. Of course when we have a squad as large as the one we have, not everybody gets to play but if everyone can embrace their role and know that they are all contributing to the success of the 16/17 girls who contribute on any given game day then we could have a special season."
A message to ASU soccer fans...
"Please come and support us. If you love soccer then you will appreciate what you will be watching and the style of the team. If you do not love soccer then come anyway and this group will play so hard and in a beautiful way that we can convince you to fall in love with the game."