Washington State

Lots at stake in this one.

First, we obviously need it for our RPI. we gained back a slot today, based I guess on how the folks we have played did, but if we want a shot at that #1 slot we are going to have to keep winning out.

Also, if we win this one, we can sweep our PAC10 foes for the year. That would give us the best record in the PAC10

They are 7-2-0 right now. Four of those wins were against teams with losing records.

their best win was definitely BYU who are 10-2-0. The also beat Idaho (8-4-0) and Texas (4-5-2), but that might not be such a big deal this year.

They were soundly beaten 4-1 by a good Florida State team and were surprised by Colorado College 2-1

They are rested. After Friday, so are we.

Should be fun!

Looking forward to see what happens today. Assume that most of the rested players will see extensive time: Kelsey, Sophie, Michelles O & E, and presumably Kendall. Will be next installment in the much-debated Sophie and Michelle E positional drama!

I think we should broaden the debate by playing Sophie at center defense alongside Michelle O (Mo and So), shift Hallie K to holding mid and play Keelin up front with Kendra and Kendall (K-K-K), with Elli and Enyeart out wide.

Interesting to see if any of the less often featured players who got time on Friday have changed their status. I'd be interested to see Molly Klier against tougher opposition, for example.

Elli put in a full shift and appeared to get a knock when she scored, so wonder if she will be 100%.

Molly is the real deal. I watched her in the summer league at UP. She displayed the same calm, confident type of play we saw on Friday night. Unfortunately for her the Pilots have a lot of talent with more experience ahead of her. No doubt about it though, before she graduates she will be a starter.

I like Emma as well, she is very fast and while she seemed to be a little reluctant to go forward with the ball, that will come with more playing time in the future. I was amused on a couple of plays the Montana players were really trying to manhandle her. I thought to myself, they don't realize this girl's father played in the NFL, she's not going to back down.

I suspect that we will see a Pilots lineup much like the one used versus the Beavers, and a short bench with limited subs if the score stays close. This should be a good game against a worthy ranked foe and excellent preparation for the upcoming conference games.

All kidding aside, I agree with p haze: barring injuries I expect to see Kelsey, Jessica, Michelle O, Megan, Elli; Kendra, Keelin, Kendall; Sophie, Michelle E, Danielle.

Charney, Hallie, and maybe Taylor will come off the bench; how much they play and whether we see anyone else will depend upon how the score goes.

Most UP fans are more hardcore than the majority of women's soccer fans around the country. Do the voters really pay that much attention to RPI? In my opinion, RPI, polls, and voters take some of the fun out of women's sports. I just want to watch a passionate team that screams and slides when they score and cries when it loses no matter who the opponent is. That's what I love about women's soccer.

Regardless of what our RPI is, we need Stanford to lose to someone in the Pac-10 to gain a top spot in the tourney, but, it's far too early in the season to think about that. We have to take care of business against every opponent and enjoy the season first...

athleticjames wrote:Most UP fans are more hardcore than the majority of women's soccer fans around the country. Do the voters really pay that much attention to RPI? In my opinion, RPI, polls, and voters take some of the fun out of women's sports. I just want to watch a passionate team that screams and slides when they score and cries when it loses no matter who the opponent is. That's what I love about women's soccer.

Regardless of what our RPI is, we need Stanford to lose to someone in the Pac-10 to gain a top spot in the tourney, but, it's far too early in the season to think about that. We have to take care of business against every opponent and enjoy the season first...

One reason that I watch the RPI closely is that I want to KEEP seeing passionate entertaining soccer into the tournament.
Without it, I''l be looking at a Gametracker screen....

There are four #1 seeds. We just need one of them.

Any updates? I am otherwise occupied.

24th minute, we just had our first shot...

http://sidearmstats.com/portland/wsoc/?

Wish my phone supported flash!

GOAL!

Foxhoven top of box.... Assist Enyeart

Poor Taylor... tripped in front of an open goal.

Is Molly an inside defender?

Is Emma an outside defender?

Thanks.

Another goal?

WSU seems to be knocking pretty hard here in the last 5 minutes of the game. I don't know how quality the shots are, but the only shots I'm seeing are WSU shots... I'd really like to see us clear the ball and hold it at the other end for... 2 minutes.