Five questions with women's head coach Thomas "Sike" Dardaganis

Coach Thomas "Sike" Dardaganis

Earlier today, I had the opportunity to chat with the women's soccer coach, Thomas "Sike" Dardaganis. Prior to taking over the head coaching duties from once long-time head coach Terry Gurnett, Dardaganis was the Yellow Jacket's assistant for 14 years.

Dardaganis, an alumnus of UR, is a class act who is always a fun interview. Check out what he had to say about his team that has raced out to a 5-0 start.

1. Prior to the season, did you expect your team to play as well as they have thus far? Why or why not?

I knew we had a talented team coming in, so I wouldn’t say it’s unexpected [how well we’ve played.] I think the team has grown faster than I thought they would. Their maturity with some players being in inexperienced roles has improved dramatically. So I’d say it’s a little bit of a surprise that we’ve gotten results in every game because I consider us a young team, but I think that considering the talent we have, I’m not that surprised that we are where we are. We also haven’t been tested yet. We haven’t played a top ten team, so I’m still waiting to see how we do against the big dogs.

2. Your team has four shutouts in five games. Why has your defense been so hard to score on?

Great goal keeping from Bridget Lang (’13) and Allison Bernstein (’14) has been key.

We’ve added a component in using our goalkeepers also as distributors, so I think they’re taking a little bit less pressure because our backs feel comfortable playing them as distributors.

And then, overall, our defense is playing with composure and heart. Heart is the biggest thing. If you want to get shutouts, you have to play with a lot of heart. I think that’s the most vital thing.

3. Your team is averaging almost ten shots on goal a game (47 shots on goal in 5 games) and nearly three goals a game. What exactly has your offense been doing so well that has led to this offensive outburst?

It starts with having an All-American at target. Ellen Coleman (’12) gets a lot of chances for us. But I think what is different this year is our wing and midfield play. Their entry passes are so much sharper than we’ve had in other years. In other years it seemed like we always relied on our front-runners to do all the work. Now our midfielders are taking advantage of goal scoring opportunities and our wingers are playing some fantastic balls in to both midfielders as well as in to [Coleman] and Rachel Wesley (’13). Wesley has also stepped up and created some chances, as has Beth Martens (’13).

And I expect us to continue. I think Ashley Hunt (’15) is a freshman that is really getting it done as a midfield distributor. Don’t be surprised if she starts collecting a few goals as well.

4. Whose performance have you been most impressed with and why?

Then assistant coach Thomas Dardaganis instructs his team during a practice during 2010.

There are a number of players. I expected a lot from our goalkeepers, so I wouldn’t say that their play has been a surprise. But our three center backs that we’ve been rotating have really done an outstanding job, especially considering they are new to that back line. You look at Kristina Diaz (’13) who has never really played in that role. Ally Abel (’13) has been injured for two years and is now stepping in to that role for the first time. It’s practically like she’s a freshman even though she’s a junior. And then Kailee Zornow (’15) coming in as a freshman and knowing our system and being able to perform right away.

Our outside backs, Danielle Crean (’12) and Alaina Wayland (’13) have logged a lot of hours last year, so they’re just continuing what they did last year.

And then, Kathryn Rowe (’14) is always steady as a back.

A surprise as far as the freshman class goes has been Katie Sappio (’15). She has really stepped up her game. She looked good in camp this summer but she has also really been able to perform. Another freshman too is Morgan O’Brien (’15). She had a good start [scoring two goals in our opening game against Medaille.] Hayley Engel (’15) has been the latest surprise. She’s really creating a lot of chances for us as a freshman, which is fantastic.

And then our wing play, I think the biggest thing is our wing play. We didn’t get strong into the final third last year in our 4-4-2 system. So with additional wingers, you look at Rachel Wesley (’13) who has been a little bit more dominant in the final third this year. That has been a surprise because I actually thought she was going to be an outside back for us going into the season.

Grace Van Der Ven (’14) too, who had her first goal [against RIT]. I tell you that kid can strike a ball. So I think we’re just going to see more and more goals and production out of our offense.

5. In the two national polls, you are currently ranked #8 and #13. What does it mean to you and your team that in other peoples’ opinions, you are ranked as one of the best teams in the country?

It puts a target on our backs. But I think there is going to be a target on our backs no matter what. The success of this program that [former head coach] Terry Gurnett built and that I’m inheriting, everyone is going to get up for us, whether we are 13^th or 50^th or 200^th in the country. No one has ever taken us lightly, no one ever will.

I only know how our team is playing. Where we rank is inconsequential. So, as long as we keep improving every day, as long as we keep playing collectively, I just don’t think rankings are relevant.