Soccer: Picking the pieces: a look at Aaron Rodger’s tactics entering the season

With incoming players adjusting and outgoing players leaving, college soccer can be rough. Ohio coach Aaron Rodgers has been trying to find an equilibrium since 2012.

Last year, Rodgers experimented with his team like a mad scientist, and it made for some interesting results.

He discovered that he could successfully convert a prolific striker into a good goalkeeper, like Taylor Smith. He also learned scoring from set pieces was overrated, and he could take another forward from her position on the wing and station her at right-back.

But with three consecutive losing seasons and an expiring contract this year, it may have to be the year Rodgers has to put it all together. Luckily all the pieces are there for a mid-table team in the Mid-American Conference thanks to smart recruiting, depth and competition at almost every position.

So how can Rodgers get the back to the MAC Tournament for the first time since 2013? Let's take a look.

Attacking Midfielders and Where to Find Them

Taking a closer look at the roster will reveal a glut of midfielders for Rodgers to run out this season.

And with only a couple recognized forwards on the squad with college experience — expect Alexis Milesky and Allie Curry to give slower defenses nightmares — look for Rodgers to place a large emphasis on wingers and attacking midfielders this season.

With leading scorer Stephanie Rowland out for the season due to injury, it will be up to Milesky, Curry or whatever new freshman dynamo Rodgers puts his faith in this season to lead the line for Ohio.

That means a likely conversion back to the 4-4-2 for Rodgers with explosive midfielders running off the shoulders of the strikers and putting balls into the box. Scoring outside the box proved to be difficult for the Bobcats last season and that likely won't change this year.

With a number of eager midfielders ready to run at the opposition and test the opposing goalkeeper's confidence, it will be interesting to see how Rodgers utilizes his abundance of players that like to play through the middle.

Spinal Stability

Assuming Rodgers does return to his 4-4-2 with a holding midfielder, two wingers and an attacking focal point behind two strikers, it makes things a little clearer at the back end.

Meghan Niebuhr can establish a familiar role in the center of defense with Celeste Fushimi-Karns.

Meanwhile the two full-back spots will likely go to Riana Reese and Mandy Arnzen as Kelley Zebrowski won't be on the team this year.

This means that transfer •Bryce Hueber will likely slide into the holding mid spot due to her height and aerial prowess.

Now for the tough decision: goalkeeper.

Smith had a pretty solid season last year for being a player who spent most of her life at striker.

Whether Smith’s time in goal will translate to more minutes this upcoming season remains to be seen. She’d have to beat out Vanessa Cordoba — who only lost her spot due to an injury — and Erin Berket.

But if the team can improve the porous defense that plagued it last season, it could mean a huge record improvement for Rodgers and his staff.

Head games

Speaking of Rodgers, as mentioned before, this is a huge year for him. He's always been one of the better tactical minds in the conference, realizing when to make a change and what players fit where.

If he can combine his fiery disposition with the tactical nous he's displayed thus far, it could mean a massive improvement in record. He's had three seasons to implement his style, pick his recruits and get results.

Let's see if a move back to the 4-4-2, seven new faces on the bench and some pressure can bring the Bobcats back into the MAC-Tournament conversation.

kb749012@ohio.edu

@KellenBecoats