For 17 seasons A&M head coach G. Guerrieri has accomplished almost all that can be accomplished in Women’s collegiate soccer. Seven Big 12 championships, including four in a row. A program that is considered among the nation’s elite. Numerous elite players, All-Americans, All-Big 12 players, award winners, and former students playing professionally. Arguably the best collegiate soccer venue in the sport. Only one thing is missing: a national championship.
Despite some bumps in the road in 2008, and the glaring lack of an eighth Big 12 championship, the team is geared completely for a national championship in 2009. What was a young team in 2008 is now an experienced and ready team in 2009. They took rival North Carolina to the brink in the quarterfinals of the NCAA tournament, and despite the loss in extra time have considerable momentum going into this season.
The National championship is being hosted by A&M so that crucial home field advantage will be present alongside that mixture of talent and experience. There is also a sense of immediacy to go along with this year. There is no better time than now, and a national championship would certainly cement Texas A&M as the primer soccer school in the state over UT which has made a push in recent years to counter the Aggies many years of success (it helps A&M that they get Texas a home this season). In addition, the Big 12 as a whole is on the rise. Colorado, Missouri, and Oklahoma State are all serious competitors not just for the Big 12 but in the national title hunt as well.
The team expects big things in 2009, they are right to do so.
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