Season in Review: Stanford Women

2007 was the second season in a row in which Stanford made an early (Round of 16) exit from the NCAAs.

Given a team loaded with talent (and not riddled with injuries going into the tournament), led by Striker Kelley O'Hara, Attacking Mid Shari Summers, and Defender Rachel Buehler, this side should have gotten to the Final Four this year, and frankly could well have won it. Alas, against Connecticut, Stanford got away from playing their tactical game, fell behind, and then had to chase the game.

That, to me, is coaching. Especially when it happens two years running in the very same round. Of course, it should not be forgotten that Stanford had a very successful conference (5-1-3, Pac-10) regular season campaign. But unfortunately this is college soccer, and the measure of success is how deep you get in the NCAAs. The Sweet 16 ain't that deep.

Players are not the problem. Stanford has All-Americans, National Teamers, and recruiting classes as good as any in the country. They had the talent on the field to get it done, at least in terms of being in the Final Four.

The Card is better than this, and it will take improved coaching to show it.