So Halley Scores Golden Goal!!!

Was resting during game. Looks like UW tougher than some thought. Tell me about the match. And was this Halley's first college game? (no - she played in two matches earlier in the season.)

Thanks, Buzz!

(No prob, Woody.)

Wow. I just posted it in the UW thread. I'm thinking like FANatic--now I feel cool!

It is hard for me, watching the video patch, to decide whether the Pilots were a little unlucky or was UW GK brilliant in forcing the game to OT.

Hope we get lots of comments on that point, Auto, when the troops get back from the men's match a little later this evening.

No one is posting so I am assuming everyone stayed for the men's game.

For those of you out of town, it's been raining here non-stop for hours. Wonder if that could have contriuted to the low score, or just two tough teams knocking each other around.

I was really caught off guard when Halley came in for Danielle with about 12 minutes to go in regulation. At that point, I really hoped that Halley would score the go ahead goal. That she got it 3:18 into the first overtime was so cool for her and the team's and coach's confidence in her.

I didn't know she could play up front, but obviously she can. Hopefully another much needed offensive weapon when Elli and Michelle take off. She will have seven conference matches to hone those skills and get back into game-shape.

The UP website has a summary of the game. I guess they were actually trying to get Halley out of the game because of a sprain when she ended up scoring!

They actually have a video of the goal on there as well.... What a great setup by Sophie!

Shots after 90:00 were 12-6 Pilots, with 4 UW saves and 1 off the post. The box score doesn't give degree of difficulty, though. Guess we'll have to wait for the fans who actually sat through it.

I have to confess I was all ready to see two matches for the price of one...until it started raining this morning and didn't stop. Ended up following the live stats and watching the ALDS.

That's not such a bad evening, Trumpet.

And sitting in the rain all night is not a real comforting thought. (And you can't use umbrellas in the stands so you better have on a jacket with a hood! Or a great big old hat, Texas style!)

Yeah, I'm a wuss and proud of it...

the first half, the ladies had a couple of real good chances, one off the cross bar as noted. in the second half, the ladies upped the pressure an had several really good chances. the ladies were more unlucky then the uw keeper was brillant. charney missed a one v one wide open shot against the uw keeper an halley whiffed on a wide open shot. an that's besides several other really good looks where we just rocketed the ball right at the keeper that she couldnt hang on to, but recovered.

the game really changed when enyeart came in with about 4 minutes left in the first half. she played the entire second half. her speed really has an incredible inpact on the game. i hate to say, but i think she is the one of the 'three amigas' we will miss the most!

m. rapinoe had a terrific game imo, she laid it all out, all over the place, deke'g an dancing around every defender, never giving up on any play in her area. best she has looked this season i think.

an lastly, halley kreminski. i was really happy to see her come into the game. the one previous time i saw her play, i was really impressed with her game.
the game winning goal was a thing of beauty. great pass by soph [who also played a great game], but the finish!! wow!! after the game, during the ladies warm down run. im betting that the smile on halley's face will be there even after she goes to sleep tonight an when she wakes up in the morning!

Notning like a lap full of lukewarm rain to test one's soccer fanaticism. My take on thegame was that UW was really keen to do well and came in with a solid game plan on defense. Huskies really kept our outside backs from making too many long runs; they kept Ellie Reed in check for the most part with double-teams. The Pilots were not earning those deep runs to the touch line by Tsao or Reed or Sweeney, and those runs have just shredded other teams.

This was the closed and most defense-minded game we've seen since USC. Huskies never really threatened on offense, however.

And let's note that the wet field and nonstop rain made precision passing a tough task. Lots of passes went astray.

Huskies keeper did kepp her team in the game by stopping not only Charney point-blank but also Megan R. who tore straight up the middle to blast a low shot that seemed sure to go in.

Coach Smiths' faith in Halley was borne pout by a great goal. Untilh then she had been slipping and sliding on the field and appeared to get up tenderly with some limping. Smith ahd motioned to Foxhoven to gi in -- doubtless for Halley -- and Foxhoven was standing at midfield to go in, when Halley scored.

Let's give it up for a coach who has shown an uncanny sense of which player to sub into the game lately: Jackman's two goals and this game-winner by someone whom we have not seen playin some weeks.

Memo to Huskies: Our freshmen can beat your freshmen. Get used to it.

The highlight of the game for me was Megan's attempt at a bicycle kick during the first half...it happened just outside the right side of the box. There was cross or clear (couldn't really see what happened before)...but the ball went up really really high! Megan had her back to the goal...and I could tell she wasn't thinking about trapping and controlling it! With the ball still in the air....she gave a quick peek over her left shoulder...and gave it a go! Beautiful form....but...damn...she shanked it!!

There was a discussion about bicycle kicks in a previous post. Only one or 2 of those ever attempted? Well...add this one too! But I was really happy to witness it! My kids decided to stay home because of the weather...but their eyes lit up when I told them what Megan tried tonight!

GO PILOTS!!!

Yeah, Megan earned style points for the bicycle kick. Odds of success in these weather conditions was low, but she gave it a try. She never ceases to awe the crowd -- she's worth the price of admission every game.

Only a couple ever tried? Nah. There was one year when Tara Koleski seemed to try one a game. I kept hoping she'd get one, but never did. Other players noted for giving it a try? Reggie Holan, Vannessa Talbot, and most recently, Budgie last year.

One of these days.....

I saw that bicycle kick and I thought what fearlessness and confidence. 90 percent of the player who are capable of it (which is probably less than 5 percent overall) are afraid to even attempt it for fear of looking foolish if they miss. Megan is so over the top wanting to win she is willing to do it all. I admire that; alot.

All I can say is I think UW might be the sleeper in the Pac 10. They won't win it but they will make some good team very unhappy.

UW did look pretty good tonight. I don't think many tonight who saw the game thought they would beat UP, but on a night when footing isn't great, a low scoring game is always risky.. They had a good game plan. always double outside and drop the mids early. It kept them in the game

Kreminski may add something up top we need a bit more of - speed. If she can stay healthy.