NORTH-SOUTH DIVIDE: Tigers 1, Mean Green 9; GEORGIA BRINGS THE CLOUDS TO HOUSTON: Cougars 0, Bulldogs 2 (Blog date August 28, 2013)

Texas Southern Tigers 1, North Texas Mean Green 9
August 23, 2013
7:00 pm @ Texas Southern University

There has always been an unspoken animosity between the cities of Dallas, in the north of Texas, and Houston in the south. Houstonians have this perception that Dallasites are old-money snobs who live in mansions and own expansive ranches, while we are more of a working-class city with barrios and oil rigs. Hence, America's team - the Dallas Cowboys - and the (now-defunct) Houston Oilers. Dallas produced Stevie Ray Vaughn, Vanilla Ice, Edie Brickell and Ashlee Simpson, while Houston is the home of Beyonce, La Mafia, ZZ Top and the Geto Boys. Dallas' greatest basketball-player is a blonde, blue-eyed German from Wurzburg, while Houston's was born in Lagos, Nigeria. Although it's a good 39 miles northwest of it, Denton is connected to that Dallas municipal system in our eyes.

Wherever these misconceptions originated from, they were probably far from the minds of the players on the pitch last Friday night. North Texas came south and did what they came to do - take advantage of the mismatches on the Tigers' end of Durley Field, where the Mean Green repeatedly outpaced the young Texas Southern defenders to the ball. By the time it was over, Karla Pineda had her two assists, and the Green had unveiled the future of their program - freshwoman striker Rachel Holden who led all scorers with a hat trick. TSU's defensive line is obviously still a work in progress, filled by sophomore Breena Lowery in the center and a rotation of newly-recruited freshwomen. Coach Tamura pulled in seniors Sarah Glenn, normally a forward, and midfielder Gabriella Perales to try and beef up the back and provide some leadership. But North Texas counter-attacked in wave after swarming wave, using speed and perfectly timed flick-on headers through the slots.The final tally could have gone into double-digits for the North, if it weren't for the heroics of goalkeeper Rebecca Hajny, who plays the position like a middle linebacker, throwing her body at opposing forwards and taking a few blows at close range.

Texas Southern fans will not allow this lopsided scoreline to mislead them into giving up on this season. Indeed, this opening defeat only serves to highlight the heart that this Tiger squad possesses, for in spite of the odds and the overwhelming mismatches, TSU never let up. They fought and played hard for the entire 90+ minutes. That is something Coach Tamura I'm sure is proud of, and the entire Houston soccer community need to learn from. This team may be young, but they already have the prerequisite strength of character needed to win championships. The corps of hard-working freshwomen rotating in the backfield is a testament to Coach Tamura's recruiting expertise. Given time, this unit will solidify and gel. They are the evidence that the future of this team is very bright indeed. This is just what a creative attacking center-midfielder like Marlyn Campa needs - a defensive backfield that will take care of business, reducing the necessity of her coming back, defenders who can turn the ball quickly and effectively towards her. A solid backline will also improve the Tigers' pace, as the forwards won't have as much field to cover when they transition into offense. This was repeatedly an issue for TSU - so many of their offensive drives started from deep in their own territory.

Out of the ten goals scored Friday night, the most beautifully executed was actually the one scored by TSU, a flash of brilliance demonstrating what this team is capable of doing - Gabriella delivering a line-drive cross from the right, connecting with Marlyn who headed it in at the far post. I guarantee these Tigers have what it takes to bounce back from a season-opener like this. As a coach, I can see it. By the time Southwestern Athletic Conference play begins, Texas Southern will be a team to be reckoned with.

Even though an unbalanced victory like this reveals little in their preparations to face their new Conference USA foes, the Mean Green can rest assured that their future in the league will remain quite competitive. Five of their nine goals were netted by underclasswomen. Along with Rachel's three, sophomore Amber Haggerty and freshwoman Anna Flobeck each contributed one. North Texas' entry into C-USA certainly shakes up the balance of power in the conference. They will meet the match they're looking for and they will give the rest of the pack a good run for their money; but they're on a collision course with Rice, my current favorite to come out on top. By the time that matchup hits the field in October, both teams will be on a roll.

Rachel Holden (grey 16) takes on TSU's Sarah Glenn (black 16). Her first career match in a Mean Green uniform, Rachel finishes with a hat trick.

Allison Guderian (13) meets Marlyn Campa (3) in the midfield.

Briona Reid (8) makes a move to get past Lindsey Hulstein (10). Despite the lopsided scoreline, the Tiger offense showed they have promise.

(All photos by Kokoy Severino)

Now, I am not a coach who ever complains to or about referees from the sidelines. Indeed, I forbid my players from talking to the referee at all. I model this for them from the bench. As a spectator and student of the game, however, I recognize the influence a referee has on it. I understand that referees are human beings, and as is the nature of our species, we are prone to committing errors. Errors are just a part of life, and the referee is a part of the game. But the two penalties this referee rewarded to North Texas for what appeared to be mutual contact were inexplicable. In the 1950's, psychologist Benjamin Bloom published his taxonomy that would become a pillar of Western educational ideology. Essentially, Bloom's Taxonomy is a hierarchy of cognitive skills, a ranking of thinking processes. He placed evaluation at the very top of this pyramid of thinking processes (though a 21st century revision now has it as second to the highest, just below creation). Soccer referees must continuously be thinking at the evaluation level in the performance of their duty on the field, applying this skill to the subjective judgement of what happens in the game. On this particular night, this particular referee's evaluative skills were a bit deficient. I'll just leave it at that. 

Houston Cougars 0, Georgia Bulldogs 2
August 25, 2013
1:00 pm @ University of Houston

The thick dark clouds looming over the Carl Lewis International Complex track and soccer field appeared ominous, looking all afternoon like they were about to unleash a torrent of rain, wind, thunder and lightning. But the sound and the fury never materialized, the clouds releasing only an occasional whimper of a drizzle, stopping way short of its potential. Such was the afternoon for the Houston Cougars beneath the clouds too, falling way short of their potential.

The Georgia Bulldogs recovered from their season-opening loss to UT in Austin Friday night by maintaining a majority of possession in all three thirds of the field Sunday afternoon. Georgia's speedy wings consistently took the ball deep down the flanks, raining cross after dangerous cross throughout the first half. The pressure took its toll on the newly reorganized Cougar backline, and in a confused set piece, a high lob by Nikki Hill towards goal bounced off the wet grass past keeper Sydney George, who started in place of senior Cami Koski, and into the net. Just before the half, Sydney lunged forward to punch one of many line drive crosses from that Georgia right side straight to an open Rachel Garcia who smacked the ball into the open goal to even up their aggregate in Texas. My Women of the Match would have to be the freshwoman tandem of Marion Crowder, who consistently used her blazing speed to burst down Georgia's right and turn the ball past Houston defenders towards the inside, and Gabby Seiler whose forays deep into Cougar territory caused all sorts of problems inside the box.

The Cougars were kept at bay by a solid Georgia defensive line, who took away and possessed the ball to begin systematic drives upfield. Unable to sustain possession, Houston could only counter-attack on the break, though they did create a couple of opportunities in the second half, including a goal-front melee that got the crowd on their feet. This would have given them some momentum, but no goal was to be. Possession was the key to Georgia's victory in Houston, and I suspect the Bulldogs will only continue to get better at it as the season goes on.

Gabby Seiler (18) faces Natalie Juncos (25) on Georgia's right side.

Gabby (18) outraces Houston's Courtney Dudley (26) on Georgia's right side.

Cougar Kylie Cook (2) hustled hard to clog up the center, forcing Gabby (18) and the Bulldogs to go wide with the ball.

Marion Crowder (16) bursts past Cougar defender Sydnie Green (12) - guess where - on Georgia's right side. Georgia used the flanks effectively all afternoon.

Houston keeper Sydney George (00) slides in the drizzle to make a critical save at the feet of oncoming Marion (16).

(All photos by Kokoy Severino) 

I have a hunch UH coach Chris Pfau will look to add some speed to the flanks of his defense, still in search of an identity with no returning starters except for Danielle Muñoz moving into center-back. The Coogs don't have long to get past this cloudy day, get organized defensively and make adjustments for their next opponent - Stephen F. Austin University, ranked #31 in the nation and undefeated in their first two matches of the season, including a shutout of Rice on Friday.

UPCOMING KOKOY'S MATCHES OF THE WEEK: 
(In parentheses: # pre-season national ranking by the National Collegiate Athletic Association, win-draw-loss season record going into the weekend.)

Friday Aug 30 Stephen F. Austin University (#31, 2-0-0) @ U of H (#126, 1-0-1) 7:00 pm  

Sunday Sep 1 Texas Christian University (#72, 1-0-1) @ Houston Baptist University (#205, 0-0-2) 7:00 pm

Friday Sep 6 Southern University (#323) @ Lamar University (#161) 7:00 pm

Friday Sep 13 University of Texas at El Paso (#185) @ HBU 7:00 pm

Sunday Sep 15 Louisiana State University (#66) @ Rice 1:00 pm

Sunday Sep 15 U of H @ HBU 7:00 pm

Friday Sep 20 Oklahoma State University (#76) @ Rice 7:00 pm
              
Sunday Sep 22 South Carolina State University (#292) @ TSU 7:00 pm

Friday Sep 27 Northwestern State University (#260) @ HBU* 7:00 pm

Sunday Sep 29 Vanderbilt University (#114) @ Texas A&M University (#15)* 1:00 pm at College Station

Thursday Oct 3 University of Cincinnati (#227) @ U of H* 7:00 pm

Friday Oct 11 TSU @ Prairie View A&M University (#303)* 7:00 pm

Sunday Oct 13 Texas Tech University (#21) @ Baylor University (#10)* 1:00 pm

Friday Oct 18 Oral Roberts University (#124) @ HBU* 5:00 pm

Friday Oct 18 Colorado College (#50) @ Rice* 7:00 pm

Sunday Oct 20 Mississippi Valley State University (#275) @ TSU* 1:00 pm

Thursday Oct 24 University of Central Florida (#20) @ U of H* 7:00 pm

Friday Oct 25 Grambling State University (#322) @ TSU* 7:00 pm

Sunday Oct 27 East Carolina University (#97) @ Rice* 1:00 pm

Friday Nov 1 Sam Houston State University (#233) @ HBU* 5:00 pm

Wednesday Nov 6 Conference USA Tournament Quarter-Finals @ Rice*

Thursday Nov 7 Southwest Athletic Conference Tournament @ Houston Amateur Sports Park*  

Friday Nov 8 Conference USA Tournament Semi-Finals @ Rice*

Saturday Nov 9 Southwest Athletic Conference Tournament @ Houston Amateur Sports Park*

Sunday Nov 10 Conference USA Tournament Final @ Rice*

(Kokoy's Matches of the Week are those which I plan to attend.) 

Kokoy Severino has been coaching junior high school soccer in the public school system of the Greater Houston area for 19 years. He holds a National Youth Diploma from the National Soccer Coaches Association of America, two coaching certifications from the United States Soccer Federation, and a Master in Educational Leadership degree from the University of St. Thomas in Houston, Texas. His research focuses on the relationship between interscholastic competitive soccer and the academic success of at-risk students. He returns regularly to his native country of the Philippines and conducts soccer training sessions for economically disadvantaged youths.

"This blog is to document the intensity, the depth, the passion, the strategic and tactical nuances, the stars, the spectacular play that I witness in the women's teams at the college level. And in doing so, it is my hope that others might be inspired to discover for themselves the beautiful game brought by the women." (Kokoy, from blog entry dated Nov 4, 2012)

NORTH TEXAS MEAN GREEN vs TEXAS SOUTHERN TIGERS, GEORGIA BULLDOGS vs HOUSTON COUGARS - KOKOY'S MATCHES of the WEEK PREVIEW (Blog date August 21, 2013)

Friday Aug 23 University of North Texas (#55) @ Texas Southern University (#312) 7:00 pm

Well, the cancellation of last Friday's local derby between Rice and the University of Houston, while understandable in the inclement weather, was still quite a let-down. It was to be the only opportunity we have this year of seeing these two intra-city rivals on the pitch now that they are once again competing in different conferences. I dream of one day seeing a pre-season tournament for the Houston-area schools, a Houston College Cup, if you will, in which U of H, Rice, Texas Southern University, Houston Baptist, Sam Houston State, Prairie View A&M, Lamar and the newly established University of St. Thomas women's teams go head-to-head for local supremacy. Until then, we will have to be content with the occasional non-league derby pitting schools within the city against each other, though none is as heated as the Cougars-Owls series that has gone on for a long time.

North Texas may be newcomers to Conference USA, but winning in the city of Houston is nothing new to the Mean Green. Over a one-week period last August, North Texas played a trio of  Houston-area schools and pummeled them by an aggregate 9-1. Indeed, the green means have yet to compile a losing record since the program was established in 1995, and the northerners are coming off one of the most successful campaigns  they have ever had, tying their single-season record of 16 wins, with two draws and five losses, on their way to a double Sun Belt Conference league and cup championship. One of those draws was against eventual Big 12 tournament champions Baylor who made it all the way to the national round of 16, and two of the losses were against teams ranked in the nation's top twenty, including #16 Long Beach State with Philippine National Team Maldita All-American Nadia Link, whom they took into overtime. UNT has been on a roll for almost twenty years, and the way things look now, it ain't stopping any time soon. Three fourths of the attack largely responsible for producing last season's staggering +26 goal differential is still around. Together, Karla Pineda, Kelsey Hodges and Amber Haggerty contributed 22 of the Green's 48 total goals. Even without the Sun Belt's third leading goalscorer Michelle Young who graduated with a team-high 10 goals, these three may still pose an even meaner threat than last year. Attacking from her center-back position, Kelsey managed seven goals while striker Amber finished second on the team with eight. But the most dangerous player on the green will continue to be center-midfielder Karla, who not only scored seven goals herself, but assisted on another seven as a freshman. The Green defensive line features three senior returning starters - Hodges, Tori Adame and Shelly Holt. Sophomore Tess Graham accrued so much valuable experience winning the Sun Belt double and seeing significant action in the national tournament, she may play like a senior. With 6'1" junior keeper Jackie Kerestine, I am predicting this UNT squad to be the cinderella team of Conference USA.

Karla's Mean Green generation will no doubt be coming to Houston with loads of confidence. Since the 2010 season, UNT has outscored its next Houston-based opponent 19 to zero. But they will be met by a TSU squad quite different from the one they saw last year. The Tigers began the season struggling through two wins and a spate of defeats. But as their schedule wore on, they caught their groove and finished strong, stringing together four wins in their final six matches. This TSU squad is on an upward trajectory, and this young team is aggressive, persistent and operates at a level of intensity that matches anyone out there. The center of TSU's Durley Field is Marlyn Campa's turf. Whatever intention Karla Pineda is coming home to Houston with, the Aldine High School product will have to get through Marlyn to do it. There is no other center-midfielder in this city I can think of with more ability and intensity to neutralize a playmaker like Karla than the Tigers' Marlyn, who I suspect will harass the Mean Karla tightly to slow and limit her turns, forcing her to dish the ball laterally rather than forward and diagonally towards Amber. I look forward to seeing Marlyn's takeaways in the middle, releasing the ball quickly to Sarah Glenn or Briona Reid down either flank.

This is shaping up to be an explosive showdown between two young but very effective sophomore midfielders in the middle of the park.

The center of Durley Field belongs to Marlyn Campa (white 3), as Southern's Jami Blackston (blue 3) discovered last season.

Sunday Aug 25 University of Georgia (#94) @ University of Houston (#126) 1:00 pm

It is always interesting to me to see a soccer team from a school that is known to be a traditional powerhouse in a different sport. This matchup on Sunday pits the Bulldogs of  Georgia, giants in the American football arena, against the Houston Cougars, whose basketball program has produced some of the greatest players to ever grace an NBA court (Hayes, Hakeem, Drexler). But American football and basketball will be far from the minds of those of us sitting in the stands this Sunday at the Carl Lewis International Complex, the new home of the University of Houston soccer team since the demolition of Robertson Stadium at the end of last season. What we will witness are two programs bouncing back from the disappointments of 2012.

Georgia will be coming to Houston looking to start fresh after an injury-plagued season that finished with the second worst record in school history at only seven wins, 11 losses and two draws. The Bulldogs are not accustomed to winning percentages of less than 50. They have experienced losing season records only three times since 1995. They have qualified to the national tournament eight times in the past two decades. Their two-game stand in the Lone Star State starting in Austin on Friday against the University of Texas and culminating at Houston on Sunday will see the long-anticipated return of Laura Eddy, one of Georgia's most prized recruits, coming back from two torn ACLs that sidelined her for entire back-to-back seasons. If their pre-season 9-0 annihilation of The Citadel last week is any indication, Georgia is taking a no-prisoners approach to 2013.

What the Bulldogs will encounter this Sunday will be a Cougar squad which is also out for blood. A team brimming with quality, Houston underachieved last season (see my blog entry dated Nov 18, 2012), and senior center-midfielder Kylie Cook will be determined to turn it around before she graduates. A rebuilt backline with one returning starter in Danielle Muñoz will play like they have alot to prove against a young Bulldog striking unit that includes just one senior in its ranks, Nigerian Chika Ibiam. I have a feeling that the real battle in this match will be in the Cougars' offensive third, where Houston's forward rotation packs plenty of experience, senior Sami Sackos leading a junior trio of Kayla Walker, Alexis Weaver and Kelsey Zamora against a Georgia defense anchored by All-Southeast Conference senior Torri Allen and classmate Nikki Hill, both on the SEC Academic Honor Roll. They will have to apply their cognitive skills very effectively in order to keep up with the quick Cougar attack.

These are some magnificent matchups to start the new season of Kokoy's Women's College Soccer Blog.

Senior goalkeeper Cami Koski (0) will be rallying her Houston Cougar teammates when Georgia comes to town on Sunday. Cami holds the school record of most career shutouts. She was selected to the All-Conference first team by CollegeSportsMadness.com for the 2013 preseason. 

(All photos by Kokoy Severino.)

(Most current national rank in parentheses, by the National Collegiate Athletic Association http://www.ncaa.com/rankings/soccer-women/d1/ncaa_womens_soccer_rpi)  

UPCOMING MATCHES OF THE WEEK:

Friday Aug 30 Stephen F. Austin University (#31) @ U of H 7:00 pm

Sunday Sep 1 Texas Christian University (#72) @ Houston Baptist University (#205) 7:00 pm

Friday Sep 6 Southern University (#323) @ Lamar University (#161) 7:00 pm

Friday Sep 13 University of Texas at El Paso (#185) @ HBU 7:00 pm

Sunday Sep 15 Louisiana State University (#66) @ Rice 1:00 pm

Sunday Sep 15 University of Houston @ HBU 7:00 pm

Friday Sep 20 University of Louisiana at Lafayette (#238) @ U of H 5:00 pm

Friday Sep 20 Oklahoma State University (#76) @ Rice OR
                       Howard University (#310) @ TSU 7:00 pm
                       (depending on time constraints)

Sunday Sep 22 South Carolina State University (#292) @ TSU 7:00 pm

Friday Sep 27 Northwestern State University (#260) @ HBU* 7:00 pm

Sunday Sep 29 Vanderbilt University (#114) @ Texas A&M University (#15)* 1:00 pm at College Station

Thursday Oct 3 University of Cincinnati (#227) @ U of H* 7:00 pm

Friday Oct 11 TSU @ Prairie View A&M University (#303)* 7:00 pm

Sunday Oct 13 Texas Tech University (#21) @ Baylor University (#10)* 1:00 pm

Friday Oct 18 Oral Roberts University (#124) @ HBU* 5:00 pm

Friday Oct 18 Colorado College (#50) @ Rice* OR
                      Alcorn State University (#321) @ TSU* 7:00 pm
                      (depending on time constraints)

Sunday Oct 20 Mississippi Valley State University (#275) @ TSU* 1:00 pm

Thursday Oct 24 University of Central Florida (#20) @ U of H* 7:00 pm

Friday Oct 25 Grambling State University (#322) @ TSU* 7:00 pm

Sunday Oct 27 East Carolina University (#97) @ Rice* 1:00 pm

Friday Nov 1 Sam Houston State University (#233) @ HBU* 5:00 pm

Wednesday Nov 6 Conference USA Tournament Quarter-Finals @ Rice*

Thursday Nov 7 Southwestern Athletic Conference Tournament @ Houston Amateur Sports Park*  

Friday Nov 8 Conference USA Tournament Semi-Finals @ Rice*

Saturday Nov 9 Southwestern Athletic Conference Tournament @ Houston Amateur Sports Park*

Sunday Nov 10 Conference USA Tournament Final @ Rice*

(Kokoy's Matches of the Week are those which I plan to attend.) 

Kokoy Severino has been coaching junior high school soccer in the public school system of the Greater Houston area for 19 years. He holds a National Youth Diploma from the National Soccer Coaches Association of America, two coaching certifications from the United States Soccer Federation, and a Master in Educational Leadership degree from the University of St. Thomas in Houston, Texas. His research focuses on the relationship between interscholastic competitive soccer and the academic success of at-risk students. He returns regularly to his native country of the Philippines and conducts soccer training sessions for economically disadvantaged youths.

"This blog is to document the intensity, the depth, the passion, the strategic and tactical nuances, the stars, the spectacular play that I witness in the women's teams at the college level. And in doing so, it is my hope that others might be inspired to discover for themselves the beautiful game brought by the women." (Kokoy, from blog entry dated Nov 4, 2012)

HOUSTON COUGARS vs RICE OWLS - KOKOY'S MATCH OF THE WEEK PREVIEW (Blog date August 14, 2013)

Friday Aug 16 University of Houston (#126) @ Rice University (#82) 7:00 pm

The 2013 Kokoy's Women's College Soccer Blog season is about to open with a bang, a local derby no less between the two flagship universities of the fourth largest city in the United States - the Houston Cougars versus the Rice Owls, a rivalry the magnitude of Ateneo-La Salle or Letran-San Beda (without any of the notorious interscholastic rumbles). Located just five miles from each other, both institutions have been members of the same various conferences off and on over the past half-century or so. The 2013 season sees them going separate ways again, with Rice staying in Conference USA, where they finished as regular-season runners-up last year, and U of H debuting the new American Athletic Conference. Both of their respective schedules list this as an exhibition game, but we know much is at stake when these two teams hit the pitch. Rice has had the edge in this series since the 2001 season, posting six wins, three draws and three losses in the 21st century, but every match has been tightly contested with only one decided by more than a single goal. It will be the last chance for this generation of U of H seniors to taste victory over the Owls, as they were still in high school the last time the Coogs won.

This match features the return of two stellar workhorses fighting for control in center-midfield - Quinny Truong of Rice and Houston's Kylie Cook. I expect Kylie to play her most inspired ball to lead her graduating classmates in a campaign to deny their bottom-of-the-table ranking in the newly formed AAC. This opening exhibition match will also test a rebuilt Cougar defensive line which has just one returning starter in senior Danielle Muñoz, the only upperclasswoman in the back. If Kylie relinquishes control of that center to Quinny, Danielle and goalkeeper Cami Koski will have their work cut out for them in rallying a young fresh backline against a surging Rice offense fronted by one of the most prolific striking duos in school history - sophomores Lauren Hughes and Holly Hargreaves, who combined for 19 of the Owls' 25 goals in their freshman year. On the other end, the Cougar forward rotation led by seniors Sami Sackos and Kayla Walker, along with juniors Alexis Weaver, Jasmine Martinez, who posted the team's highest goal tally last year, and Kelsey Zamora, winner of Kokoy's 12th Woman of the Year award (see my blog date Nov 27, 2012), face a tough Rice backfield anchored by six-foot team captain Hayley Williams and her fellow senior Alexandra Trenary. Including sophomore Jasmine Isokpunwu, three returning starters feature in the Owls defensive line. 

Houston's Fabiola Cirino (17) and Rice's Danielle Spriggs (19) fight for the ball at midfield in their final confrontation in Robertson Stadium last October. The Cougars and Owls collide again this Friday August 16 at Rice for another physical matchup. (Photo by Kokoy Severino)

This is guaranteed to be much more than just an "exhibition." This is a battle for bragging rights to be decided by key matchups, a perfect way to open the 2013 KWCSB season. 

http://www.uhcougars.com/sports/w-soccer/hou-w-soccer-body.html
http://www.riceowls.com/sports/w-soccer/ 

(Most current national rank in parentheses, by the National Collegiate Athletic Association http://www.ncaa.com/rankings/soccer-women/d1/ncaa_womens_soccer_rpi)  

UPCOMING MATCHES OF THE WEEK:

Friday Aug 23 University of North Texas (#55) @ Texas Southern University (#312) 7:00 pm

Sunday Aug 25 University of Georgia (#94) @ U of H 1:00 pm

Friday Aug 30 Stephen F. Austin University (#31) @ U of H 7:00 pm

Sunday Sep 1 Texas Christian University (#72) @ Houston Baptist University (#205) 7:00 pm

Friday Sep 6 Southern University (#323) @ Lamar University (#161) 7:00 pm

Friday Sep 13 University of Texas at El Paso (#185) @ HBU 7:00 pm

Sunday Sep 15 Louisiana State University (#66) @ Rice 1:00 pm

Sunday Sep 15 University of Houston @ HBU 7:00 pm

Friday Sep 20 University of Louisiana at Lafayette (#238) @ U of H 5:00 pm

Friday Sep 20 Oklahoma State University (#76) @ Rice OR
                       Howard University (#310) @ TSU 7:00 pm
                       (depending on time constraints)

Sunday Sep 22 South Carolina State University (#292) @ TSU 7:00 pm

Friday Sep 27 Northwestern State University (#260) @ HBU* 7:00 pm

Sunday Sep 29 Vanderbilt University (#114) @ Texas A&M University (#15)* 1:00 pm at College Station

Thursday Oct 3 University of Cincinnati (#227) @ U of H* 7:00 pm

Friday Oct 11 TSU @ Prairie View A&M University (#303)* 7:00 pm

Sunday Oct 13 Texas Tech University (#21) @ Baylor University (#10)* 1:00 pm

Friday Oct 18 Oral Roberts University (#124) @ HBU* 5:00 pm

Friday Oct 18 Colorado College (#50) @ Rice* OR
                      Alcorn State University (#321) @ TSU* 7:00 pm
                      (depending on time constraints)

Sunday Oct 20 Mississippi Valley State University (#275) @ TSU* 1:00 pm

Thursday Oct 24 University of Central Florida (#20) @ U of H* 7:00 pm

Friday Oct 25 Grambling State University (#322) @ TSU* 7:00 pm

Sunday Oct 27 East Carolina University (#97) @ Rice* 1:00 pm

Friday Nov 1 Sam Houston State University (#233) @ HBU* 5:00 pm

Wednesday Nov 6 Conference USA Tournament Quarter-Finals @ Rice*

Friday Nov 8 Conference USA Tournament Semi-Finals @ Rice*

Sunday Nov 10 Conference USA Tournament Final @ Rice*

(Kokoy's Matches of the Week are those which I plan to attend.) 

Kokoy Severino has been coaching junior high school soccer in the public school system of the Greater Houston area for 19 years. He holds a National Youth Diploma from the National Soccer Coaches Association of America, two coaching certifications from the United States Soccer Federation, and a Master in Educational Leadership degree from the University of St. Thomas in Houston, Texas. His research focuses on the relationship between interscholastic competitive soccer and the academic success of at-risk students. He returns regularly to his native country of the Philippines and conducts soccer training sessions for economically disadvantaged youths.

"This blog is to document the intensity, the depth, the passion, the strategic and tactical nuances, the stars, the spectacular play that I witness in the women's teams at the college level. And in doing so, it is my hope that others might be inspired to discover for themselves the beautiful game brought by the women." (Kokoy, from blog entry dated Nov 4, 2012)

THE 2012 ALL-KOKOY XI SELECTION (Blog date Aug 10, 2013)

As a coach, the approach of a new season marks a time for reflection of the past in preparation for the future. One of the reflections I cannot help but engage in is the selection of the All-Kokoy team from last season.

In order to be selected to the All-Kokoy XI, I had to have observed a player at least twice during the season to see a consistent pattern of standout play. This selection was not based on any statistics, but solely on what I observed at the matches I attended. The only exception I make is with Baylor, whom I did get to see twice in the 2012 campaign, once in their Big 12 tournament defeat of Texas Tech. The other match however was when the Bears, ranked 18th in the nation at the time, came to Houston Baptist in a torrential thunderstorm that turned the pitch into the swampland that east Texas used to be before the industrial era. Visibility was extremely limited from the little shelter of my umbrella and then the fogged up windshield of my car, where I sat through an abbreviated second half. Though the match went into the record books as a 5-nil drowning of HBU by Baylor, it could hardly have counted as a soccer match, the pitch flooded to ankle depth. The ball, needless to say, was impossible to maneuver effectively, and Baylor's physical strength outmuscled HBU, who could not play their typical finesse style of articulate passing and speed in transition. In any case, I could barely see who was who on the field through the downpour, often having to shield myself from the swirling tempest with my flimsy umbrella.

So, my apologies to nationally-ranked Baylor, who captured the Big 12 cup last season and made it all the way to the NCAA Division I tournament quarter-finals where they were eliminated by eventual champions North Carolina, but because of my selection criteria, the All-Kokoy squad consists of only players from inside the Sam Houston Beltway - with the exception of East Carolina keeper Christiane Cordero, which should come as no surprise to anyone who has read my January 14 blog entry. Indeed, if you have read all of my blog entries, then you can probably predict -

The 2012 All-Kokoy XI

Goalkeeper - Christiane Cordero, East Carolina University
Right Back - Arielle Rodriguez, Houston Baptist University
Center Back - Florence Onyera, Texas Southern University
Center Back - Kaci Bush, University of Houston
Left Back - Jasmine Isokpunwu, Rice University
Stopper - Danielle Muñoz, University of Houston
Right Midfield - Kylie Cook, University of Houston
Center Midfield - Quinny Truong, Rice University
Left Midfield - Gabriela Iribarne, Rice University
Forward - Natalie Hager, Houston Baptist University
Forward - Marlyn Campa, Texas Southern University

The only player I've seen take over a game from the goalkeeper position, Christiane was a shoo-in for the All-Kokoy XI selection. Gloves down the best I saw all season long. (A side note on Christiane - she wrote me a note on Facebook announcing her retirement from the game. A red-shirt junior last year, Christiane opted to forego her final year of NCAA eligibility and begin her journalism career after graduation last May. Although it's sad we won't be seeing her in a Philippine National Team uniform, we wish her well. Christiane's performance last October in Houston will long be remembered as a classic. It was an honor and privilege for me to have been there to witness it.)

With Florence and Kaci in the center, Arielle and Jasmine on the flanks, and Danielle "the disruptor" (see my blog dated Nov 27, 2012) at stopper, this is a dream defensive backfield that would be the smartest assembled on any pitch. This unit's speed of transition would pose problems against any team in the country.

With such an effective center midfielder in Quinny, I would still want to keep Kylie's intelligence and hustle on the field. Sliding her to the right would give that side of the park a dominant presence and a big far-post target for Gabi's crosses from the left.

Though Marlyn earned her spot on the A-KXI with her work as a center-midfielder, I would want to turn her loose in the attacking third. Not only would freeing Marlyn from those center-midfield responsibilities and pushing her forward bring her killer instincts closer to goal, but having her creative temperament in a deep offensive position would wreak havoc inside opposing boxes - especially with the quick-response Natalie connecting on the other end of her briliiant passes. The Natalie-Marlyn partnership on top is a match made in football heaven.

I present to you the 2012 All-Kokoy XI selection.

(All photos by Kokoy Severino)

Kokoy Severino has been coaching junior high school soccer in the public school system of the Greater Houston area for 19 years. He holds a National Youth Diploma from the National Soccer Coaches Association of America, two coaching certifications from the United States Soccer Federation, and a Master in Educational Leadership degree from the University of St. Thomas in Houston, Texas. His research focuses on the relationship between interscholastic competitive soccer and the academic success of at-risk students. He returns regularly to his native country of the Philippines and conducts soccer training sessions for economically disadvantaged youths.

"This blog is to document the intensity, the depth, the passion, the strategic and tactical nuances, the stars, the spectacular play that I witness in the women's teams at the college level. And in doing so, it is my hope that others might be inspired to discover for themselves the beautiful game brought by the women." (Kokoy, from blog entry dated Nov 4, 2012)