Non-Negotiable – IU Women’s Soccer Prepares for Success
7/14/2020 8:44:00 AM | Women's Soccer
By Pete DiPrimio
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- For Erwin van Bennekom, the key to Indiana women's soccer success isn't quantum physics complex.
"The overall motto of our program is to prepare to succeed," van Bennekom says. "That includes preparing for success on and off the field, so student-athletes graduate at a consistently high level, prepared for whatever endeavors they pursue after IUWS."
Van Bennekom transited to IU from a four-year span as Duke's associate head coach. His four-year stint, which was the best in the program's rich history, consisted of an appearance in the National Championship game, two College Cup appearances, an Elite Eight appearance, and an ACC title. His past experience and success has helped shape a vision of success for the Hoosiers.
"We want this program to be a rewarding experience and the best four years of their lives, where student-athletes can be a part of an environment that has a positive impact on their overall development. Everybody works hard," he says, "but it's the intentional way you train and learn that's most important."
IU women's soccer takes the teaching over coaching approach, where players are challenged to understand and think critically about everything they do.
"I'm a big proponent of understanding what we're doing, how we're doing it and, most importantly, why we're doing it," van Bennekom says. "It's not just coaches saying, 'Do this,' with no thought process behind it. We want our players to sense and understand why we're doing what we're doing."
This reflects the program's core values, and it starts by looking for players that fit that mold.
"It's the intentional way we go about everything," he says. "In soccer, decision making is the biggest component, the execution of that decision is next. You can't just work hard. Working hard is not even an option. That's what we do. But how we work hard is way more important.
It works, sophomore midfielder Avery Lockwood says, because van Bennekom tells players what they need to hear and not what they want to hear.
"He's very straight forward with what your strengths and weaknesses are. He won't sugar coat it.
"It's his willingness to follow that up and give you every opportunity to get better, whether that's working with him outside of training or going over film. He and the staff are all-in to make you the best player you can possibly be."
This year, the Hoosiers are bringing in forward Gabi Rennie, a member of the New Zealand National team and defender Anna Aehling is on Germany's U-19 national team.
Other newcomers this year are forwards Anna Bennett and Jen Blitchok from Michigan, midfielder Sofia Black from Georgia, and defender Zoe Tiger, transfer defender Karlee Luker, and goalkeeper Susan Oberschmidt from New Jersey.
Van Bennekom is the fourth coach in program history, following Joe Kelly, Mick Lyons and Amy Berbary. He will benefit from an upgraded Armstrong Stadium that returns the facility to among-the-nation's-best status it hasn't had in at least a decade.
"This facility will be a huge boost for the program," he says.
Renovations replaced the north side grandstand with a two-story structure that includes locker rooms, a lobby, a team room, a warm-up room, coaches offices, a conference room and public restrooms for the men's and women's soccer programs.
"…We're so thankful for all the people who have worked on and support this behind the scenes."
Armstrong Stadium improvements will boost recruiting, which has been limited since March because of the pandemic. Traveling to see recruits, and bringing recruits on campus, remain on hold.
"Yes, it's hard," van Bennekom says. "When we get families and players on campus, we can show them what we do. Now, we do it on Zoom. It's not as easy, but we're dealing with it like everybody else."
"What we did last year, how we played, and how we represented our program on and off the field, set a good foundation for the future."
Can having one of the nation's best men's programs -- eight national titles and counting -- translate to women's success?
"People say that all the time," van Bennekom says, "it's not the same and not that easy. Our men's program has over three decades of winning history, eight national championships and I don't even know how many B1G titles. Coach Yeagley, Todd Yeagley and the men's program have created an unbelievable culture of soccer, which can only help us. Jokingly, I've asked Todd to leave some room in the in the championship lobby of our new facility, just in case."
Players started returning to campus on July 6. As was done with football and basketball, they will come in three groups, get tested for Covid-19 and then quarantined before beginning strength and conditioning workouts.
"Unfortunately, as coaches, we don't get summer access to our players," van Bennekom says. "We can't work with them until the preseason starts. We can't wait to see them and interact with them. It's been a long time."
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- For Erwin van Bennekom, the key to Indiana women's soccer success isn't quantum physics complex.
"The overall motto of our program is to prepare to succeed," van Bennekom says. "That includes preparing for success on and off the field, so student-athletes graduate at a consistently high level, prepared for whatever endeavors they pursue after IUWS."
Van Bennekom transited to IU from a four-year span as Duke's associate head coach. His four-year stint, which was the best in the program's rich history, consisted of an appearance in the National Championship game, two College Cup appearances, an Elite Eight appearance, and an ACC title. His past experience and success has helped shape a vision of success for the Hoosiers.
"We want this program to be a rewarding experience and the best four years of their lives, where student-athletes can be a part of an environment that has a positive impact on their overall development. Everybody works hard," he says, "but it's the intentional way you train and learn that's most important."
IU women's soccer takes the teaching over coaching approach, where players are challenged to understand and think critically about everything they do.
"I'm a big proponent of understanding what we're doing, how we're doing it and, most importantly, why we're doing it," van Bennekom says. "It's not just coaches saying, 'Do this,' with no thought process behind it. We want our players to sense and understand why we're doing what we're doing."
This reflects the program's core values, and it starts by looking for players that fit that mold.
"It's the intentional way we go about everything," he says. "In soccer, decision making is the biggest component, the execution of that decision is next. You can't just work hard. Working hard is not even an option. That's what we do. But how we work hard is way more important.
It works, sophomore midfielder Avery Lockwood says, because van Bennekom tells players what they need to hear and not what they want to hear.
"He's very straight forward with what your strengths and weaknesses are. He won't sugar coat it.
"It's his willingness to follow that up and give you every opportunity to get better, whether that's working with him outside of training or going over film. He and the staff are all-in to make you the best player you can possibly be."
This year, the Hoosiers are bringing in forward Gabi Rennie, a member of the New Zealand National team and defender Anna Aehling is on Germany's U-19 national team.
Other newcomers this year are forwards Anna Bennett and Jen Blitchok from Michigan, midfielder Sofia Black from Georgia, and defender Zoe Tiger, transfer defender Karlee Luker, and goalkeeper Susan Oberschmidt from New Jersey.
Van Bennekom is the fourth coach in program history, following Joe Kelly, Mick Lyons and Amy Berbary. He will benefit from an upgraded Armstrong Stadium that returns the facility to among-the-nation's-best status it hasn't had in at least a decade.
"This facility will be a huge boost for the program," he says.
Renovations replaced the north side grandstand with a two-story structure that includes locker rooms, a lobby, a team room, a warm-up room, coaches offices, a conference room and public restrooms for the men's and women's soccer programs.
"
Armstrong Stadium improvements will boost recruiting, which has been limited since March because of the pandemic. Traveling to see recruits, and bringing recruits on campus, remain on hold.
"Yes, it's hard," van Bennekom says. "When we get families and players on campus, we can show them what we do. Now, we do it on Zoom. It's not as easy, but we're dealing with it like everybody else."
"What we did last year, how we played, and how we represented our program on and off the field, set a good foundation for the future."
Can having one of the nation's best men's programs -- eight national titles and counting -- translate to women's success?
"People say that all the time," van Bennekom says, "it's not the same and not that easy. Our men's program has over three decades of winning history, eight national championships and I don't even know how many B1G titles. Coach Yeagley, Todd Yeagley and the men's program have created an unbelievable culture of soccer, which can only help us. Jokingly, I've asked Todd to leave some room in the in the championship lobby of our new facility, just in case."
Players started returning to campus on July 6. As was done with football and basketball, they will come in three groups, get tested for Covid-19 and then quarantined before beginning strength and conditioning workouts.
"Unfortunately, as coaches, we don't get summer access to our players," van Bennekom says. "We can't work with them until the preseason starts. We can't wait to see them and interact with them. It's been a long time."
Players Mentioned
Forward
/ Women's Soccer
Midfielder
/ Women's Soccer
Forward
/ Women's Soccer
Midfielder
/ Women's Soccer
Defender
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