Pilots @ Oregon 10/5 7:00pm - LET'S CHAT!!!

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I just checked to see the results of the Portland/Oregon game and found out the Portland Pilots won by 4 to 0. Don't know the details as yet.

Losttime as always

It was a great game. The Ducks put on a good show for about the first 20 minutes. Score was only 1-0 at half. Portland controlled the second half. Refs weren't calling anything. Final was 4-0.

I'm trying to remember (just got home from the game), but I believe Sophie Schmidt scored twice, Wozzy got one and then Janelle Jacka came off the bench with 8 minutes left in the game and put one in the net not too long after that. (Someone may want to check me on who scored.)

Second biggest crowd in history at Pape Field...deathly quiet when the score became 3-0. The student cheer section left the Pilot visitor seating area about that time, too. Apparently chanting in unision, "Purple is ugly," didn't have the desired effect. Some Portland fans were chanting back, "Purple is beautiful," once the goals started flying.

Stephanie Lopez did start and played quite a bit. Looked great.

Christine Sinclair and Tiffeny Milbrett were in the Pilot section. Sinc must have brought us some good luck. Last time she played at Pape Field in 2005, I think she had five of the six goals we scored there.

The Pilots played very very well. That was the Best-All-Around game since Florida State that I've seen personally.

PMS was right. It was par for the first 20 minutes. In fact, the first 10 was mostly the Ducks on the offensive. They had us on our heels a little bit. I have to admit...it was a little worrisome that we were in for another long night. But the girls eventually settled down and slowly took control.

Sophie "Scott" Schmidt was subbed in with about 5 minutes left in the first half but played all of the 2nd half. Her entry was certainly a turning point in the match. She played center-forward and became a fixture in the box....caused a lot of havoc for the Ducks. She's seems to be comfortable playing with her back to the goal and receiving services that way. This is a trait I haven't seen with our other forwards. She's an unmovable force once she posts up! The defenders can't physically move her out of there.

The one BIG intangible I saw when Sophie played at that forward position was she brought much maturity and poise. I NOTICED that the Pilot attacks were no longer felt rushed or hectic! Her affect on the offense was to calm it down...she obviously doesn't rely on speed. So...the attacks were sure, organized and confident. For those that were there to witness it...the offense seemed slower...but definitely more precise and surgical!!! That my fellow Pilot Fans was a demonstation and definition of PATIENT play! I LOVED IT!! Its been awhile since I've seen the Pilots "whittle" a team down like they did to the Ducks tonight! Believe me folks...it was literally inch by inch!! The Ducks started to slowly melt like the Wicked old Witch....after having a bucket of water dumped on them.

I know Angie loved having Sophie to send in balls to. What an awesome tandem they make! Angie ruled the Midfield as always. Man...she was sprinkling the pitch with her "what-the-hell pixie dust" and had everyone (especially the Ducks) mesmerized! She's an All-American magician!

Stephanie "Staples" Lopez was AWESOME! It was good to see her back and wearing Purple again! She is amazing and has a odd..odd knack of always being in the right place at the right time! Her defensive instincts have been noted before (and why she's a starter on the WNT)....but its almost in-humane to actually see it for yourself...how she anticipates where the ball is going or could come from.

This was the level of quality play we've been anticipating all year everyone....it was beautiful soccer!

GO PILOTS!!!

I'm sitting here wondering what possessed Garrett to play Scotty up top tonight

Where does he come up with this stuff?

Thanks for the live reports, guys.

I can't wait to see what they do to the Zags.

Yes, thanks pms and phantom, for the game report.

I almost feel like I was at the game myself after reading your posts. You can only pick up so much from live audio, though it's better than nothing.

Sounds like we're finally back! And ready for WCC play. With Wozzy, Sophie and Stephanie, and a solid and versatile supporting cast, perhaps anything is possible once again!!!

The Eugene Register Guard reported this morning that Coach Tara Erickson ripped into her team for their effort last night against Portland.

Annie Woznuk got some props in the story, too. Boy....the RG really needs to invest in a media guide or at least look at a line-up card.

There were a lot of Pilot fans at the game. I'd say at least over 100 folks in attendance....filled the visiting section with a Sea of Purple! Great fan support!

GO PILOTS!!

I was interested in what Tara had to say about the game. Here's the link to the story...different RG writer. I laughed at Garrett's comments on Sophie.

http://www.registerguard.com/news/2007/10/06/b1.sp.uosoccer.1006.p1.php?section=sports

In today's Oregonian, there's a tibit about his plans to move her to forward...."a position she hadn't played since she was 11 or 12." It worked really well!! Sophie was a natural at forward. I definitely picked up how Garrett's strategy in playing her upfront counterbalances the speed of Ellie and Michelle. They're styles compliment each other. Nice move Coach!

Pilots played well last night. At one point in the seond half there was a spell of play involving Schmidt, Lopez, and Woznuk - right in front of the Pilots sections. It was a magical phase of fluid one-touch passing that was sublime. A glimpse of what we were missing the past few weeks.

Schmidt played up front in the 4-4-2 alonside Chandhoke, then Enyeart, then Jacka. She was a revelation. Not fast, but strong ont he ball, quick to close down defenders when they had the ball, and great touch - whether hiolding it up or passing it around. First goal was a nie run onto a beautiful through ball from Woz and a very nice side of the foot dink past the outcoming keeper; the second was a strong header from one of Lopez's fine corners.

Woznuk looked like a new player with these two back. Michaelson and Cronkrite were tough and uncompromising as always. Lopez = flawless. Winters gets better and more confident with each game, wins most every header in her orbit and does the simple stuff that you want from the holding MF. Budge and Reed were bussing and useful.

If I had to guess I'd say the starting line up for show time appears to be:

Davis; Tsao, Michaelson, Cronkrite, Lopez; Reed, Winters, Woznuk, Budge; Scmhmidt, Enyeart.

My one concern is right defense. I'm just not comfortable with Tsao there. She made a couple of dubious plays last night that put UP under pressure in needless ways. Seems like Garrett prefers her to Scifo but I don't see it.

All I can say is... Garrett for USA!

A week is too long to wait for another game.

Great post, Martin Jol. Helped me to "visulize the game". To quote: "At one point in the seond half there was a spell of play involving Schmidt, Lopez, and Woznuk - right in front of the Pilots sections. It was a magical phase of fluid one-touch passing that was sublime."

Simply splendid, MJ. Keep it up!

I also agree with your starting lineup, and would also include Scifo at right back.