Head coach for women’s soccer, Matt Giordano, received criticism in last week’s issue about some of his statements regarding the soccer program.
With some of his comments being taken out of context and causing conflict, Giordano wanted to clarify what exactly he meant when he said “making women’s soccer a ‘real’ program.”
In previous seasons the Bucks womens soccer team faced some unsuccessful seasons, resulting from back to back losses and poor culture within the team. But as of now the team is striving for success and they are ready to take on their opponents this upcoming season.
Coach Giordano explains his previous comments saying, “My biggest goal for the women’s soccer program is to make it a “real” program. I honestly don’t ever think it was taken seriously. When I say “real” I’m quoting it because this is what incoming freshman tell me as to why they choose not to play. They don’t understand who we play, how our team is structured, and how big of a commitment it actually is. “Real” doesn’t mean bad versus good soccer players, and I’m sorry if anyone took it that way.”
Giordano wanted to make it clear that he did not mean his previous players were not talented, but they did not come together as a team to reach success.
“When I came to this program the culture was poor, the type of athlete we attracted was not as good as it needed to be, and I wanted to change this,” Giordano says, “I showed up to the first day of practice and only four girls showed up…late. That same season I had multiple girls just not show up for games and practices, without notice. There was even one game I had a player on our team throw ice at me then proceed to spit at me. Needless to say, these weren’t the type of athletes I needed or wanted to build a “real” program.”
Giordano thinks there is no reason that Bucks soccer shouldn’t have a nationally ranked women’s program. Over his past three years as coach, Giordano has encountered some road blocks with the team, but he and the team will continue to push ahead until the women’s program is where it needs to be.
“I can’t wait to see what this program is like in another few years. I’m not taking anything away from any prior Bucks team, I’m strictly referring to my experience over the last three years,” says Coach Giordano.