Pilots v. JMU

One question to ponder in the run up to the next game: who starts at right mid?

I assume that rest of the team is as per the last several games. No reason to change anything when it comes to Kelsey, Jessica, Kassi and Korie, Megan S, Michelle O, Charney, Megan R, Dani and Sophie. But after several very assured games Sara had an off day on Sunday; Janelle came in and had her worst game in weeks, and then finally Kristen settled things down.

So?

I have no idea if anyone was hurt or sick on Sunday. And I've no intel on what has happened in practice this week. All of which is pretty important if you are actually picking the team.

My guess is Sara starts again. "One bad game and out" is harsh. But Kristen or Janelle could be on quick if it does not look right.

Without jinxing the game on Saturday this is a game Pilots should win: it's the next three games that are really tough. Playing any three of Stanford, UNC, UCLA, Notre Dame (assuming that's who wins out) leaves no room for error.

Right mid is a tough one, Harry. Like you said, probably start Sara, maybe back up with Janelle. But I was fairly impressed with Kristen at right mid. She is quick enough, tough and has a strong and accurate leg.

Bet that Garrett is trying different combos again this week in practice. If something is not working, he fortunately does have options.

I think you go with Sara, then Janelle, but definately get Kristen some time there as well, as we may need her to step in come the tougher competition.

Is Chandokee out for the rest of the season?

Karanicole,

It appears so, I think at this point even if she was healthy they would hold her out so that she can potentially use a medical redshirt year. If you play less than a certain percentage of your team's games due to injury you can get a special eligibility extension from the NCAA.

karanicole wrote:Is Chandoke out for the rest of the season?

Yes.

I sit next to her parents. They were indicating that she should be eligible for a redshirt and that she does want it.

In case anyone is feeling overconfident about the JMU game, check out the recap of one of my most frustrating games as a Pilot fan. It was the last game of the 2003 regular season against then 9-7-3 USD, and really hurt our playoff seeding.

Shots on goal:

• Pilots: 17
  
• Toreros: 2

Final score:

• Pilots: 2
  
• Toreros: 2

Here's the link: http://www.portlandpilots.com/news/2003/11/8/28951.aspx?path=wsoc

Lots of Kristen Moore references this week.

That's the scary part about playing an important game against an decided underdog that packs it in on defense. You can outshoot them 17-2, thoroughly outplay them, and then have to go to a shootout. We need a goal in the early going and we'll be fine.

Karanicole must be related to Geezaldinho - notice the extra e?

I agree with everyone else - Sara probably starts, Janelle if needed, Kristen deserves some time. And, you would need to know how practice went his week, if anyone was ill or hurt, etc etc.

After the way she played on Sunday, I wouldn't be surprised to see Kristen start. It's not as though Sara had a starting spot nailed down all season.

fan from afar wrote:That's the scary part about playing an important game against an decided underdog that packs it in on defense. You can outshoot them 17-2, thoroughly outplay them, and then have to go to a shootout. We need a goal in the early going and we'll be fine.

Bunkers can be effective as FFA points out, but they can also backfire. The first time the Pilots played Northern Arizona, way back in mid-September, they tried to pack it in on us and we gave them a 7-0 beating. Playing in our offensive third allowed us to really pressure their goal for much of the game. I realize that this isn't an apples-to-apples comparison because JMU is probably better than NAU and our lineup is different now than then. I just wanted to point out that bunkers aren't always effective.

Agreed. In fact, it probably fails almost all of the time.

I think the bunker D becomes more effective the longer the game remains scoreless - the defensive team gains confidence and the offensive team gets frustrated and then desperate. If we score early, no problem. I think we will. I also don't think Garrett would let the team get frustrated if it's 0-0 at half.

fan from afar wrote: if it's 0-0 at half.

i guarantee it will not be.

OK!! OK!!

I should have said, if it's only 3-0 at half, I don't think Garrett would let the team get frustrated.