SCU @ Pilots - 11/02/2008

great game! the keeper for santa clara was a sub in the second half an she absolutely stonewalled the pilots on several occasions. the score could have very easily been 7-0 if not for her.

jessica was OUTSTNADING not just for her 3 assists, but there were a couple of times where the ball was bouncing around dangerously in our box an it was jess who cleared it. as great of a game she had offensively, she was equally as good defensively!!

best goals of the game were megan's second off of jess's cross. i hope there is video of it somewhere because it wasn't that simple or easy. an sophies header to close the scoring. difficult angle for both jess an sophie. i'm amazed it went in!!

KATU had highlights just now of Megan's goal and Sophie's second goal, with Jessica's assists. On the last goal the guy was raving about the assist, not the goal.

I imagine they will do it again at the 11:00 news.

The yellow cards were flying like autumn leaves today. Santa Clara looked desperate and overmatched but never gave up. Portland dished it right back at them. Beautiful goals, feisty play, a hat trick of assists fo Jessica, the last-minute tribute to Rachael ... can't top that. Smiles all around on the Pilots after this one.

On to San Diego!

They were raving about the assist in the ESPNU broadcast booth also. Christine Sinclair came in started doing the color with Cat Whithill and she commented that Jess was able to get her hips turned on the ball which allowed her to play it back right to Sophie's head. Evidently Christine has been coaching the team on this subject as the commentator called her a proud mother after she made the twisting the hips point.

Love those amazing Rapinoe sisters! Thanks to the whole Rapinoe family for all the wonderful seasons at Merlo.

Waiting for her daughters to join her and some adoring fans at the rail above the Pilots bench after the game, proud mom Denise Rapinoe commented, "It's gone by so fast!" Luckily it's not over quite yet.

Coach J Smith paid Megan the ulimate compliment and respect today by giving her a special Senior Day Gift....assigning
her a shadow!

I think a lot of us believes what Coach J Smith believes...as Megan goes...so goes the Pilots! But trying to stop Megan's influence on a game...is easier planned than executed. I have not seen a Pilot marked as closely as Megan was today since Christine. And...Megan was not even playing attacking-mid. She was on the left wing.

I must say...the other #3 (Jenny LaPonte)...a freshman...worked her butt off trying to stay in Megan'a back pocket! Kudos to her. It was a tough job. She was a very physical mark that did not back down whatsoever. It was hard not to keep my eyes off the pair as they engaged in their own personal battle. Wow!...I started to feel SORE myself by the half! \

I think Coach J Smith's plan may have backfired a bit though. Having Jenny in Megan's face all game only fired her up and kept her more actively involved in finding ways around the defensive tactics. Heck...she slipped away from Jenny for enough of a moment....and volleyed in a beautiful strike off a cross! And of course....putting a mark on Megan...only opens up other Pilots for more chances. Today...I think Sophie and Jessica were key players who also hurt the Broncos.

I for one am gonna miss watching Megan's intensity and will to win at Merlo!

GO PILOTS!!!

wow!! #3 who was in megan's back pocket for most of the game is only a frosh?!! santa clara will be back an the rivalry will contintue!!

Well, that was a great way to end the women's home season. All four goals were beauties. When Megan scored hers my reaction was "no way did she just do that." And Rachael is my choice for woman of the match.

I have no idea how you get a penalty or a card when you are on the ground holding the ball. Likewise, I don't know how you call Megan's handball deliberate. Of course it was handball, but on purpose? Both those cards were terrible.

When the Rapinoes came over after the match both were so grateful ohhh_yeahh would do that for them (he made the signs; we just held them). Rachael actually said, "This means the world to me."

Well, the Pilots mean the world to me. So, thank you.

ppt,
as for megan's card. i have to say that it was her third hand ball during the match an i thought it was dileberate. i actually saw a side of megan i have not seen previously. she is much more physical an much more the rascal i think any of us would have thought. that make me appreciate hr all the more!!

Jenny Laponte

Yes..only a frosh...but...with U-14 to U-17 National Team experience. That explains a lot! We'll have to keep an eye on Jenny.

For those who have Dish Network, I just noticed that they are re-broadcasting the game at 9:30 pm tonight. Now I wish I had DVR to be able to see some of those great plays over and over.

PurplePrideTrumpet wrote:

When the Rapinoes came over after the match both were so grateful ohhh_yeahh would do that for them (he made the signs; we just held them). Rachael actually said, "This means the world to me."

Well, the Pilots mean the world to me. So, thank you.

i love it... in the first minute you can clearly hear "we always win four to nil" on the espnu broadcast...

still uploading photos but i have to share my new favorite pilots photo...

Jessica Tsao--

All of last year and the beginning of this season, I always had the "uh oh" nervous reaction when Tsao got the ball. Wow! what a difference a season can make. A very dangerous soccer weapon is entering into the evolution of potential greatness. Remember where our last great 'attack style' defender ended up?

And she's only a sophomore. When I see her come down the wing from her spot in the back I say, "uh oh" too.