University of Findlay Women’s Soccer – Coach Sierra Tom

In today’s episode, I speak with Coach Sierra from the Findlay Women’s Program in Ohio. We talk about the mix of personalities on the squad. Coach also shares about the professors caring about success both on an off the field. Plus, we discuss the importance of preseason in getting to know the players. Learn more about University of Findlay Women’s Soccer.

Matt: [00:00:00] Hi everybody. Welcome to Discover College Soccer. Today I am lucky enough to be joined by Coach Sierra at Findlay University in Ohio. Welcome, coach. 

Coach: Thanks for having me. Yeah, 

Matt: thanks for, sorry, university of Findlay. I said Findlay University. You know, it’s my fault. There you go. You know, I, I, we got that in my, you know, Ohio.

I live in Florida. We got the University of Miami. You’re in Ohio. Got Miami University. It’s a, yeah, whatever. 

Coach: Yep. 

Matt: Um. Excited to talk to you. I think I’ve talked to several of the, of your conference foes, uh, over the years, so it’s good to, to get you guys on. We’re talking here middle of June, um, as, as a D two school.

I probably know the answer to this, but I’m gonna ask anyway. Are, are you completely done with your 20 fives or you still got one or two hanging out there, or what’s that looking like for you guys? 

Coach: Yeah, no, our 20 fives is. Is pretty much complete. So we feel really good about it right now. Um, yeah, that class is definitely wrapped up.

We’re, we’re bringing in five freshmen this year, [00:01:00] and we’re really excited about ’em. 

Matt: Okay. Now for the class of 26, you know, you’ve had some time. Mm-hmm. Where, where does that stand? Uh, for you guys, where, when do you look to wrap up that, that next class or what’s that look like? 

Coach: Yeah, so that class is definitely progressing right now.

Um, really happy with where it’s at. We have five verbal commits so far, and I could see that class ending up, um, maybe six to eight players total. Um, so again, it’s, we’re definitely moving along with it. We have a couple more key pieces to fill, um, but. So we’re, we’re just about there. We’re hoping by the end of the summer-ish we can, we can wrap it up.

Matt: Wow, okay. So you’re almost a year out, uh, a year ahead of schedule, I guess is the best way to put that. Okay. Um, well, one thing, if, if looking at your, your roster from the fall, um, you know, not. May, maybe [00:02:00] indifference to a lot of other division two squads, but not, not a, not really an international, uh, heavy roster.

And, yeah, a, a few but maybe not a ton of transfer. So how has that transfer portal thing kind of affected you guys? Or, or is that something you even, even look at these days? 

Coach: Yeah, so I’d say in general, like it’s kind of a newer thing for our, um, program is the transfer portal. So we have, we’re gonna have three total on the team this fall.

So it’s definitely something that we are looking into. I don’t want it to be my main method of recruiting. I definitely enjoy bringing in freshmen and developing them over four years. Um, but I definitely think that the Port portal provides. Key pieces that we can fill on our team and a lot of opportunity in there.

And um, you know, the players that we have brought in that are transfers, we think they’re the best fit for our team. You know, they have added to us [00:03:00] tremendously. And not only personality wise and um, how good they are off the field, but how great team of great of a teammates they are and, um, what they contribute on the field too.

So really excited about them. Something we’re open to, but again, I don’t think it’s our top priority. 

Matt: Okay. Well when it, when it’s back to those traditional recruits, kind of, where do you like to go to see players? What are the tournaments or leagues or where, where are you, where are you finding folks, uh, that these days?

Coach: Yeah, yeah, we’re definitely, um, all over the place with the leagues. You know, I was at Missouri, um, watching the Regional league this past weekend. Really enjoyed the talent there. I think that those games were extremely competitive and fun to watch. So I enjoyed it quite a bit. Um, we go to a lot of ECNL events and a couple GA events too.

So I do also really like to go watch individual teams and, you know, singular games. In a day. Um, so I think that kind of gives us a different outlook. We [00:04:00] don’t kind of fall in with the crowd of the other coaches. Maybe it makes us stand out a little bit. So I do like to do that and kind of follow that method too.

Matt: Okay. Well what about ID camps? Do you guys do your own, do your staff work external camps? Are they a factor in your recruiting process? 

Coach: Yeah, for sure. Um, we have. Anywhere from three to four camps a year. So our next one coming up is July 27th. Um, that’s kind of our big summer one, so that’s a good one to come to.

Um, during that camp, we definitely like to see a lot of 20 sixes, you know, to again, continue to wrap up that class if we can. And then we like to see a lot of 20 sevens, maybe get some 20 eights. There to, to kind of get a scope on them. Maybe a little first insight on them too. So, um, that’s a really good camp.

Then we’ll do one in November and one in like, February, March or something like that too. So. Okay. Definitely. We, we enjoy the ID camps, like I think that. We definitely wanna see kids play in their environment with [00:05:00] their club or their high school. But the ID camps are a great way, um, for the players, the recruits to get on campus work with us.

We go through like what a normal training session would be with our team. Um. And also we have probably anywhere from like 15 to 20 of our own players that come to the camp to stand around, talk to the recruits, answer any questions, things like that. So I think that’s kind of something that might set us apart too.

Matt: Okay. Well, whether it’s at camp or one of these league events or any game, kind of what makes up the hierarchy of things you’re looking for in a player both on and off the field. 

Coach: Yeah, so definitely. Um, overall talent wise, we want you to have the basics. You know, we want you to be really sound technically, um, physically speed of play is a big factor.

So the more of those types of things that you can bring in, you know, the better it’s gonna be when you get here. Um, and kind of the faster you’re gonna take off and, and really earn a, a solid [00:06:00] spot in the program. So those are kind of the initial steps that we look for. Um, really like when kids come on visits and they’re, they’re fun to talk to, you know, they can bring some personality.

We have quite a range of personalities on our team, so always looking to, to add to that, we have. Quite a few girls who are very silly, very loud, bring a lot of energy, um, and make practices fun. And then we have some that are very serious competitive all the time that raises that competitive level. And then we have, you know, your more quiet, reserved type girls that, that, um, really, you know, they’re doing the right things all the time.

They’re getting their homework done. So every little piece is important to us, so. Mm-hmm. Awesome. 

Matt: All right. Well, let’s, uh, well, one more question on the roster side. I, is there a roster size that you find is ideal that you’re trying to hit each season? 

Coach: Yeah, we try to stay around 30, um, you know, give or take five or so, so.

Matt: Okay. [00:07:00] Well, let’s talk a little bit more about the school. Um, like I said, I’ve, I’ve driven through Findlay many a times, but I’ve never been on campus. So excited to hear about it. You can give us some unique perspectives, as I’m not mistaken, you’re also an alum. Yes. Uh, so what is it about Finley? What, what are, what’s the, the great things about it?

Maybe some things we wouldn’t even know about going through the website. 

Coach: Yeah. So, um, I think it’s a great place academically, our girls really, really succeed here. Um, a big piece of that is the people that are, that are on campus. So whether it’s professors that are helping you make up homework, whether it’s.

Them, um, telling you good luck. But the day before a game or when you get back to class after missing for a day, they’re asking you how it went. You know, just being really invested in your soccer journey I think is important and really, um, is again, another thing that stands out. Um, and helps the girls be successful.

You know, if they know and see that our professors are really caring about their success on and off the field, [00:08:00] it really helps them be invested in each class. So I think that’s a huge piece. Um. A lot of our girls study physical therapy. That’s a very popular major. Um, we have a lot of options in the exercise science route.

Um, so again, then we get the chemistry, the biology, the pre-meds, those sort of things. So I’d say most of our roster is in the medical field. And then we definitely have a big chunk that’s doing business and marketing. Um. In town. We have, um, marathon, which is a, a big oil company. The headquarters are in Findlay, so a lot of our girls get internships opportunities.

We have a current senior who just graduated, who’s gonna start a full-time job there in August. So again, I mean, she’s making good money there, right from the. Start so great opportunity with that business in town. Um, quite a few girls in marketing that I’ve seen a lot of success with businesses in town getting internships, things like that.

So that’s a big piece. Um. [00:09:00] Then on the team, you know, you also have, like I said, business, medical fields most popular. Um, we do have quite a few psychology and stuff like that. So the university definitely offers a wide range of areas that you can study and be successful in, and I don’t think, there’s not a single one that does not work.

With playing soccer. So I think that’s a big piece too, is a lot of recruits will come in and be like, Hey, I was told this isn’t gonna work. What does Finley feel about it? And I’m like, we, we will do it. We’ll be, I’ll be flexible, you know, I’ll move things around as best as we can to make it doable for the students.

Um, and the professors do the same. So I think that’s a, a good advantage for sure. Okay. Um. When you’re, if you come on campus, I recommend don’t just drive around it, you gotta get out, you gotta walk down the main walkway to really experience it. Um, like our main little drive of campus is like a walking drive, so.

You gotta [00:10:00] get in the middle of it to really experience it. And um, you know, we’ve got a couple new facilities. Um, there’s a really cool, the golf team just got a new facility, which is like indoor stimulators and stuff like that. Um, there’s a new turf field on campus, which we use for our speed and.

Conditioning training. So I think that’s a good resource. Um, our home field is grass, which is kind of different nowadays too. Um, so that’s something we really take pride in taking care of and um, we like to use it to our advantage ’cause yeah, not very many people have grass home fields anymore. 

Matt: Yeah, for sure.

Um, well you mentioned the academic piece, and one of the challenges, especially for, for freshmen coming in right, is really balancing the demands of being a college soccer player as well as mm-hmm. The demands in the classroom. So kind of what support systems does the school have to really make sure the student athletes are successful in both aspects.

Coach: Yeah, so the athletic department provides a liaison [00:11:00] for us. So it’s someone that works with both athletics and the, um, education side. And they are someone that we can always go to if there’s any sort of issue. So she’s someone that we’re in constant communication with back and forth to see how we can make things better, um, what needs changed year to year and things like that.

So I think that’s a great resource to have if there are any issues. Um, and she’s great. She comes out to a lot of the, um. Sports games and you know, the players see her physically. So I think that’s a good piece too. Um, and then, you know, we have the tutoring center, which is very available to our students too.

You know, sometimes you get out of practice late and you know, you need something available then. So that’s another good resource that’s available for the students. Um, and then with our team. Just alone. Like we do study tables and things like that and monitoring the girls academically. Um, and they keep a really, really high standard, I think our GPA normally falls around at 3.65.[00:12:00] 

Um, so something we’re really proud of. 

Matt: Yeah. That’s fantastic. Mm-hmm. Well, let’s rewind to October, kind of heart of that conference season. Walk me through what’s a typical week look like for a player in terms of winter practices, games, classes, meals, all that stuff. 

Coach: So, um, during the fall we try to lift at least twice a week.

Um, so, you know, game days are normally in the GMAC conference are normally Thursday, Saturdays, um, so like Monday you’d probably have a lift. Maybe you have a team lift in the morning, 7:00 AM. Um, we have a great strength staff on campus, something that the girls have really learned to love the weight room, and I think that’s a big piece of how successful our team has been recently.

Um, so you maybe go to lifting in the morning, you go to classes anywhere from 8:00 AM to about 3:00 PM Um. For scheduling classes, they really do a good job of keeping them, you know, in between 8:00 AM to [00:13:00] 3:00 PM and then maybe again at 7:00 PM That way you have that time slot in the middle of the day for, um, your practice.

So in the fall, practices are typically three 30 to five 30. Um, you know, as the week builds up, we start to implement more and more of our game plan. So each day practice does look different. Um. If we have a pre-game practice on a Wednesday, we’re doing a lot of, um, implementing game plan, a lot of slowing it down, and a lot of scout on those days too.

Um, we like to do a lot of team meals for games too, because we, like, as a team, I think a big thing of our culture is eating together, sitting down, having a meal is important to us. Um, so that’s kind of what those Wednesday. Practices might look like Thursday, game day. Um, our travel schedule looks anywhere from 30 minutes going to Tiffin down the road to, um, you know, Northwood’s about four hours away.

So kind of, we have one in Kentucky that’s about six [00:14:00] hours away too. So we do have a range. I’d say on average travel’s about two hours, so nothing drastic, I’d say. Um, and then Friday practice is normally a little bit lighter because it’s in between those game days and then they always have off on Sundays in the fall.

Matt: Okay, great. Mm-hmm. Well, let’s talk a little bit more about the team. We talked about your roster size, but who else fills out that roster? Talk to me a little bit about your staff. What role does everybody play? Maybe what other support staff are in the athletic department that are helping out? 

Coach: Yeah. So, um, on staff right now we have me as a head coach.

And then, um, Isaac Sanders is our assistant coach. Um, he is going on a year with us right now. Um, he’s young. He’s fresh, he’s ready to go and he brings a lot of energy, um, someone that the girls can really relate to. Um, they feel very comfortable around him. Um, and I think that gives a good advantage with our assistant coach.

Um, and then we have Kennedy Slovak, who’s on our. [00:15:00] Staff as our goalkeeper coach. So she actually is an alumni too. And man, is she a gamer. She shows up ready to go every day and she brings that competitive drive, um, with the goalkeepers. And that’s something that’s important to us because yeah, a lot of times only one goalkeeper does play, you know, and she’s gotten them to a point where they often split time.

So I think that’s something is, that’s unique too, is a lot of times we have two keepers playing in every game, so. Just kind of depends on, on what we’re feeling that day and how the evaluation process is going. So, um, and then from our athletic department, you know, we have. People who come out and work our games who, you know, run the stats and things like that.

So Kyle Neman and Meredith Whipper are huge, huge pieces to our success as a, as a team. Um, getting our media day stuff out there, promoting the team is huge. We get huge crowds out at our games, which we love to see. And sometimes we play a Thursday game at one o’clock. You [00:16:00] know, it’s like, it’s hard for people to get there, but we always have a solid crowd.

And even our spring games, um, you know, I think we had one home spring game. And I’ve like never seen that many people at anyone’s spring game before. So it was fantastic to look across the field, see parents, grandparents, cousins, friends of friends, you know, the baseball team, everyone was there. So I think that’s, um, a really cool environment that we create here.

Matt: It sounds like it. Well, what about you? Let’s talk about your, your coaching style, the style of play that, that you look to play there. 

Coach: Yeah. So, um, when it comes to me and the method that I coach, I really like to really make it specific to each player. So I don’t have one method that I’m trying to do, right?

So we’ve had players that I really can, can get on. Maybe I’m yelling at them across the field and I’m saying, Hey, let’s go. You gotta pick it up, you know? They respond to that, which [00:17:00] is fantastic. But then the next player beside them, I gotta pull ’em off the field. I gotta have more of those side conversations, um, and really explain everything step by step, you know, so you definitely get two sides to, to every team, and there’s a very big variety.

It’s my job to figure that out as fast as possible, right? So as a freshman come in, that preseason week is huge for figuring that sort of thing out. Um, even now, like again, like I see a lot of our commits out playing in the spring and over the summer, and I can observe them and see how they respond to.

So kind of trying to get that jump on it before pre-season even is big. Um. So, yeah, so that’s kinda my general coaching style, how I’m gonna, um, interact with players. I think another big piece is, um, having that stuff start in the office, right? So building those relationships. I wanna know our girls’ parents’ names.

I wanna know their siblings. I wanna know what they’re getting up to. I wanna know the extracurriculars that they’re doing outside of [00:18:00] soccer and big projects they have in the classes. Things like that are really important. Um, ’cause I wanna be, I’m invested in them, right? And it’s not all about. Soccer all the time.

So I think that’s a big piece too. Um, and then on the field stuff, you know, same thing with our formation and things like that. I wanna be flexible. So I want to put our girls on the field. Give them the most opportunity to be successful. So we’re gonna adjust depending on what type of players we have year to year, if we have a lot of speed up top versus if we don’t, what kind of style are we gonna play.

So in general, we do play a very, um, possession oriented style, but again, formation, things like that can change year to year based off of personnel. Okay. 

Matt: Well. I believe you’ve had now one full year, uh, at the helm there, right? Yep. So this was your first full spring season. What does that off season typically look like for your players?

Coach: Yeah, so off season [00:19:00] is definitely a little bit lighter than the fall. Um, so we’re probably, we’re out there about five days a week or so. Um, that normally consists of one game day a week. We’re allowed five game days in the spring and we really, really try to go see and play division one schools in the spring.

So given us a lot of competition, we went and played. Um. BGSU this spring and actually tied them. So that was a huge, huge moment for the team. And that was pretty early in the spring too, so I think we’re, we’re very fired up after that. So that’s a big accomplishment. They’re great competition and they’re right down the road too.

So, um, good environment over there. Um. So, yeah, so we’re, again, practices fall anywhere from three 30 to five 30. Sometimes we get pushed back a little bit because of lacrosse is out there too, and it’s their main season. So things like that happen, but, and then we’re mainly on our turf practice field in the spring too.

So we do have, practice-wise, we have both available for turf and grass. So we definitely flip flop depending on who we’re playing [00:20:00] and what environment it is. So 

Matt: that’s great. 

Coach: And that, that season normally goes from like, this year, it went from the last week of February to like beginning of April. So it’s a, it’s a bit shorter for sure.

Matt: Yeah. Okay. Well, I really appreciate all the insights. I’m gonna leave you with one last question, and that is, if you had a piece of advice for someone going through this college recruiting process right now, what would that be? 

Coach: I think that the recruiting environment is only getting scarier and tougher.

Um, so I think that just for recruits to really, really find the right fit, you know, take your time in doing that. Um, really get to know the coach. You know, I do say like, you’re not supposed to pick a place because of the coach, because our environment too, like people move around a lot. Um, probably won’t be me.

I’m a, I’m kind of a lifer, but um, you know, I think developing that relationship with the coach and making sure you’re talking to players when you’re on campus too, I think is a big [00:21:00] piece. ’cause those are the people that are most. Almost guaranteed to be there for a decent amount of time with you during your experience.

And you know, when you, when you end your four years, you’re gonna remember the relationships you created. Um, I also advise, you know, when you get to a school, like start building relationships with the whole athletic department too. I think that is, um, gonna help make your experience really good too. 

Matt: Yeah, absolutely.

Well, coach, I really appreciate it. Wish you the best of luck, uh, in the upcoming season, and if you get down to any of the events down here in Bradenton, uh, make sure you look me up and we’ll get together. All right? 

Coach: Yeah. Thanks for having me. I appreciate it. 

Matt: Thank you.