9/9 UP vs. Purdue

Or should the subject really be UP vs PU?

Gametracker here: http://www.cstv.com/gametracker/launch/intro_wsoccer.html?sport=wsoccer&camefrom=540241&startschool=wash&event=537484&school=cs&#

Let's hope it starts on time today.

There is also a 'listen' link on Purdue's website: http://purduesports.cstv.com/sports/w-soccer/sched/pur-w-soccer-sched.html

I can't get it to work on my Mac just yet, so I'm not sure if it's a paid service and what the requirements are. It appears that you have to pay to listen to Purdue broadcasts. Yet another reason why UP rocks.

I'm looking forward to seeing the Pilots put the Boilermakers away.

In the 28th minute and only one shot on goal. Hopefully they can pick it up.

Nearly halftime and our last shot was in the 6th minute... something's wonky. Where's that potent offense?

Looks like a physical game. Big 10 style of play? Many fouls. But Pilots seem to be giving some back too.

Yellow Card for Rachael Rapinoe in the 56th minute. Purdue scores in the 57th.

This does not look like a pretty game. We've got a lot of work to do defensively in the future.

Looks like something happened in the 56th with two yellows given out.

the gametracker is being strange again, saying M. Rapinoe was subbed out then later she takes thre shots..? Anyway, if she is really in there, it seems we are looking more aggressive.

Lets hope its wrong about the score

Ouch. UP 0 : 1 Purdue. Maybe I jinxed the Pilots with that little pre-game send up...

Let's hope whatever issues caused this little crash get sorted out by next weekend and for sure by the time we make our way down to UCLA.

Exactly, wonder how much this is going to effect the rankings. Looked like the pilots were peppering the goaling towards the end.

Yah. Disappointing road trip/tournament. Can't expect to win and keep a #1 ranking by playing par soccer against motivated teams eager to prove themselves.

Game report from Portland: http://www.portlandpilots.com/sports/wsoccer/release.asp?release_id=4479

Doesn't really say anything that you couldn't gather from the gametracker.

And from Purdue: http://purduesports.cstv.com/sports/w-soccer/recaps/090907aaa.html

Apparently the goal came after there was a red card to a Purdue player after she punched Rachael Rapinoe in the face. Rachael took her down first, but that is very not cool.

I went up for the game today, and it was not pretty. When Megan came in she did add a lot of pressure up front. The defense was shaky again today. Purdue's goal was very nice. Rachael left the game hurt, hope she is ok.

Well that was depressing. UP loses to Purdue 0-1 on a second day where it became obvious we have more work to do.

UP gave up another goal to a lob into the box . This time it was on a corner. Lob to the far post, headed back to the near post and headed in poin blank. Not very good coverage by UP.

Once again A team clogged the midfield to slow down UP, this time it worked. They did it by using a 3-5-2 with a very fast sweeper and dropping one of the strikers to midfield. Usually, UP will demolish a 3-5-2, but not today.

No good passing in the middle, and we look slow pushing the ball up the outside, which is what that defense gives you. There wasn't a lot of focus about who to get the ball to. We seem to work better if we pick a taget, but today there wasn't one until Megan came in late . By then, there wasn't enough time to exploit her talent.

The good things are that apparently Rachel wasn't hurt, Megan looked pretty good for the short time she was in, and we're at home next week.


Observations from the weekend.

We got pushed around a bit. We need to get more Physical. the refs are allowing it, and we're getting the short end.

Also, we need to get better in the air, especially in the box.

We're still good enough to get into the playoff., but we need to step it up a bit if we are going to go deep into them.

Lastly, we need all our players back-- it does make a difference.

Thanks for the assessment Geezer!

Two Purdue players...Okoroafo and Stapleton dominated the Gametracker play by play log. They must've have been wonderful players to watch but...yes...also an indication that our defense was porous!!