Young Oiler squad looks to finish what they started last year

By Jaye Williams
@JayeGatsby

Despite the above average season, the 2015 Oiler men’s soccer team still fell short.

Finishing 9-7-1 overall and 7-6-1 in conference play, the Oilers are ranked 6th in the preseason rankings and only missed out on the playoffs last year because of goal difference.

“Some of the guys were upset and we had a good year last year and feel we should rank a little higher but Pre-season ranking don’t mean that much,” Andy Smyth, head coach of the men’s team, says.

While having only one senior on the team, Smyth believes that the other guys will step up and play a much bigger role.

“Michael Shaikly was freshman of the year and I think he’s going to have a great year,” Smyth said. “Bailey Crawford at the back will be a good leader for us.”

Smyth isn’t worried about talent but more concerned about whether or not everyone can stay healthy.

“They have a lot of talent but it will just come down to how quickly they can gel together,” Smyth said.

The Oiler men’s soccer team is home today at 5 p.m. They will be taking on Salem International at DeHaven field on campus behind the townhouses.

Consistency will be key for women’s soccer

After finishing 2-13-3 overall and 1-9-2 in conference play last year, the University of Findlay’s women’s soccer team is looking for a complete turn around this season.

Head Coach Crystal Dye believes they have the squad to achieve just that.

“They have a good solid core team already and good solid returners that are coming back,” Dye said.

The foundation is there and Dye believes this will develop the freshman faster.

Throughout preseason, the Lady Oilers spent more time on team bonding and chemistry building than they have in season’s past.

With 22 losses, the issue that the women’s soccer team had last year was finishing games.

Dye thinks this season will be a different story.

“Once we’re consistent, we’re going to have good results,” Dye said.

While only being ranked 12th out of 13 in the GLIAC preseason polls, the Lady Oilers aren’t worried.

“We love to be on the bottom, you can always just go up,” Dye said.

UF’s women’s soccer team will head off against Southern Indiana at Southern Indiana at 8:30 p.m. tonight.