Indiana University Athletics
Climbing High – IU Women’s Soccer Has Championship Aspirations
6/29/2020 9:27:00 AM | Women's Soccer
By Pete DiPrimio
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- Erwin van Bennekom coaches to summit the women's college soccer mountain.
Indiana, the second-year coach says, is the perfect place to do it.
How fast can that happen, especially under pandemic conditions that have kept players and coaches apart since mid-March? This Holland native can't wait to find out.
"It's going to take some time. I hate it. I'm the least patient person in the world."
Impatience doesn't mean short cuts. Van Bennekom is building the right way for the long term.
"Consistency and roster depth are going to make us. I have no doubt we'll be a consistent top-30 team. It's getting through this period."
Making Indiana a must-come destination for top recruits is part of the process.
"Recruiting becomes easier when you win," van Bennekom says. "The way we play, the way we teach and the way we run our program will help down the line."
Standout sophomore midfielder Avery Lockwood sees the possibilities.
"I wouldn't be here if I wasn't optimistic about the program," the Michigan native says. "We're really on an upward climb."
Case in point -- IU made the Big Ten women's tourney last season for the first time since 2016 in van Bennekom's Hoosier debut.
"We're still trying to make the environment more intense every day," Lockwood says. "We want to get our commitment to the next level every time. I think we'll get there. I plan on getting there. Especially since I have only four years here, I've got to make it happen quick."
Elite Hoosier soccer success is personified by the men's powerhouse program. It is a perennial national title contender with eight NCAA championships.
"To get where the men's program is, to be in the top 10, top 5 every year, will take a while," van Bennekom says. "To be in the top 30 within the next two years, we'll be there. That's very realistic with our resources and staff and facilities, the players we have, the recruiting that's going on."
"I feel really good about it. If we don't get it done, then we're doing something wrong. I have no doubts."
Doubting isn't part of van Bennekom's style. He's too busy making a difference in so many areas, from hiring a strong coaching staff (adding Sergio Gonzalez, promoting Emily Basten) to boosting recruiting (bringing in seven freshmen, plus a transfer from Rhode Island, for this season) to exploiting the upgrade to Armstrong Stadium (set to be ready by late July).
"I'm so excited," he says. "Our players, even the ones we didn't recruit, have made a huge impact. What people see from the outside, not just in the state of Indiana, but around the country in women's soccer, we're making a name for ourselves."
Adds Lockwood: "With Erwin as our coach, I don't think it would be any other way with the players we have coming in, and the strides we've made. Even in the short amount of time we had to train in the spring, you could see it. I'm super optimistic about where we're going."
Van Bennekom made a major impact last year by mixing 12 newcomers with savvy veterans for an 8-9-2 record. The Hoosiers finished seventh in the Big Ten after placing 11th the previous season.
Lockwood made the Big Ten's all-freshman team. Defender Allison Jorden was second team all-conference. Both have been named team co-captains for this season.
"Allison and Avery represent our program's values, philosophy and goals on and off the field," van Bennekom says.
Then there was goalkeeper Bethany Kopel and her nine shutouts last season. The six Big Ten shutouts set a program record.
"Last year went as well as I could possibly imagine in terms of how we played and developed and the overall culture of the team," van Bennekom says.
Now he imagines more with a multi-dimensional approach.
"There are a lot of components. We have a very good and dedicated coaching staff, but we are always only going to be as good as our players."
"We have some really talented players. We have some really good young players.
"Where we were last year was a great starting point. Where we are next season -- and hopefully there will be a next season -- is a step better. Then a step better after that."
Van Bennekom has built a coaching staff to make it happen. He brought back Gonzalez as Associate Head Coach. Gonzalez coached at IU from 2013-17 before spending the last two years at Ohio State. He promoted Basten, a former Hoosier player, from volunteer assistant coach to assistant coach. He made Tara Ballay the director of soccer operations (she had been a volunteer assistant coach at Rider University). He moved Alex Ng from director of scouting operations/video analyst to volunteer assistant coach.
"Sergio is one of the best, if not the best, goalkeeping coaches in the women's game," van Bennekom says. "He's proven that at different levels. He was a no-brainer.
"Emily has proven to be really good in all aspects, some that I'm not so good at. With coaching and recruiting and some of the missing pieces she provides, she also was a no-brainer. She and Sergio have a great history at IU.
"Alex has proven to be really valuable. I coached Tara in club soccer. She's been a behind-the-scenes asset.
"Everybody has their roles and is an expert in what they do. It's a good fit."
He gets no argument from Lockwood.
"Sergio is the big change. Emily became full time. I loved her from the start. I'm happy that she's there.
"Sergio, in the short amount of time I got to train with him, I really like him. His knowledge of the game is also great. He has a family. Sometimes he brings his kids there. It's nice to see that aspect. Help build that family aspect into the team."
Van Bennekom arrived at IU in December of 2018 with a stellar coaching reputation. His four years as associate head coach at Duke produced two College Cup appearances, a 2015 national runner-up finish and a 68-17-11 record. It was the best stretch in program history.
Before that, van Bennekom coached at Alabama and at New Jersey Institute of Technology, as well as with multiple club teams. He also coached professionally and worked with U.S. Olympic gold medalists Christie Rampone, Kelly O'Hara and Jillian Loyden.
That all led to a Cream 'n Crimson opportunity he intends to maximize.
"I'm so excited to develop this program and have fun along the way. There's nothing better than succeeding and winning and being proud of the program. I want our alums and the country to know our program. I want Indiana to become a brand name in women's soccer."
"We're headed that way."
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- Erwin van Bennekom coaches to summit the women's college soccer mountain.
Indiana, the second-year coach says, is the perfect place to do it.
How fast can that happen, especially under pandemic conditions that have kept players and coaches apart since mid-March? This Holland native can't wait to find out.
"It's going to take some time. I hate it. I'm the least patient person in the world."
Impatience doesn't mean short cuts. Van Bennekom is building the right way for the long term.
"Consistency and roster depth are going to make us. I have no doubt we'll be a consistent top-30 team. It's getting through this period."
Making Indiana a must-come destination for top recruits is part of the process.
"Recruiting becomes easier when you win," van Bennekom says. "The way we play, the way we teach and the way we run our program will help down the line."
Standout sophomore midfielder Avery Lockwood sees the possibilities.
"I wouldn't be here if I wasn't optimistic about the program," the Michigan native says. "We're really on an upward climb."
Case in point -- IU made the Big Ten women's tourney last season for the first time since 2016 in van Bennekom's Hoosier debut.
"We're still trying to make the environment more intense every day," Lockwood says. "We want to get our commitment to the next level every time. I think we'll get there. I plan on getting there. Especially since I have only four years here, I've got to make it happen quick."
Elite Hoosier soccer success is personified by the men's powerhouse program. It is a perennial national title contender with eight NCAA championships.
"To get where the men's program is, to be in the top 10, top 5 every year, will take a while," van Bennekom says. "To be in the top 30 within the next two years, we'll be there. That's very realistic with our resources and staff and facilities, the players we have, the recruiting that's going on."
"I feel really good about it. If we don't get it done, then we're doing something wrong. I have no doubts."
Doubting isn't part of van Bennekom's style. He's too busy making a difference in so many areas, from hiring a strong coaching staff (adding Sergio Gonzalez, promoting Emily Basten) to boosting recruiting (bringing in seven freshmen, plus a transfer from Rhode Island, for this season) to exploiting the upgrade to Armstrong Stadium (set to be ready by late July).
"I'm so excited," he says. "Our players, even the ones we didn't recruit, have made a huge impact. What people see from the outside, not just in the state of Indiana, but around the country in women's soccer, we're making a name for ourselves."
Adds Lockwood: "With Erwin as our coach, I don't think it would be any other way with the players we have coming in, and the strides we've made. Even in the short amount of time we had to train in the spring, you could see it. I'm super optimistic about where we're going."
Van Bennekom made a major impact last year by mixing 12 newcomers with savvy veterans for an 8-9-2 record. The Hoosiers finished seventh in the Big Ten after placing 11th the previous season.
Lockwood made the Big Ten's all-freshman team. Defender Allison Jorden was second team all-conference. Both have been named team co-captains for this season.
"Allison and Avery represent our program's values, philosophy and goals on and off the field," van Bennekom says.
Then there was goalkeeper Bethany Kopel and her nine shutouts last season. The six Big Ten shutouts set a program record.
"Last year went as well as I could possibly imagine in terms of how we played and developed and the overall culture of the team," van Bennekom says.
Now he imagines more with a multi-dimensional approach.
"There are a lot of components. We have a very good and dedicated coaching staff, but we are always only going to be as good as our players."
"We have some really talented players. We have some really good young players.
"Where we were last year was a great starting point. Where we are next season -- and hopefully there will be a next season -- is a step better. Then a step better after that."
Van Bennekom has built a coaching staff to make it happen. He brought back Gonzalez as Associate Head Coach. Gonzalez coached at IU from 2013-17 before spending the last two years at Ohio State. He promoted Basten, a former Hoosier player, from volunteer assistant coach to assistant coach. He made Tara Ballay the director of soccer operations (she had been a volunteer assistant coach at Rider University). He moved Alex Ng from director of scouting operations/video analyst to volunteer assistant coach.
"Sergio is one of the best, if not the best, goalkeeping coaches in the women's game," van Bennekom says. "He's proven that at different levels. He was a no-brainer.
"Emily has proven to be really good in all aspects, some that I'm not so good at. With coaching and recruiting and some of the missing pieces she provides, she also was a no-brainer. She and Sergio have a great history at IU.
"Alex has proven to be really valuable. I coached Tara in club soccer. She's been a behind-the-scenes asset.
"Everybody has their roles and is an expert in what they do. It's a good fit."
He gets no argument from Lockwood.
"Sergio is the big change. Emily became full time. I loved her from the start. I'm happy that she's there.
"Sergio, in the short amount of time I got to train with him, I really like him. His knowledge of the game is also great. He has a family. Sometimes he brings his kids there. It's nice to see that aspect. Help build that family aspect into the team."
Van Bennekom arrived at IU in December of 2018 with a stellar coaching reputation. His four years as associate head coach at Duke produced two College Cup appearances, a 2015 national runner-up finish and a 68-17-11 record. It was the best stretch in program history.
Before that, van Bennekom coached at Alabama and at New Jersey Institute of Technology, as well as with multiple club teams. He also coached professionally and worked with U.S. Olympic gold medalists Christie Rampone, Kelly O'Hara and Jillian Loyden.
That all led to a Cream 'n Crimson opportunity he intends to maximize.
"I'm so excited to develop this program and have fun along the way. There's nothing better than succeeding and winning and being proud of the program. I want our alums and the country to know our program. I want Indiana to become a brand name in women's soccer."
"We're headed that way."
Players Mentioned
Defender
/ Women's Soccer
Goalkeeper
/ Women's Soccer
Midfielder
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