Pilots vs. Denver, Friday 11/13/09, Merlo Field

Geezaldinho wrote:I thought Brooke's run into the box and assist was the play of the night.

I agree.

I think Kelsey's two saves were the plays of the night ... in addition to Taylor's assist ... and her goal ... and ....

And, I think Oregon State's win against Ohio State tonight, at Ohio State, is the upset of the Tournament so far.

Agreed on the saves

That first save Kelsey made was phenomenal after a very dangerous counterattack, that second one was just a great reaction (and we definitely got a little lucky it was within her range)

all i can think of is sophie saying how she hates to go up against kelsey in practice because you can't help but strike the ball at her because she is so i
intimadating.
that first save, if it had gotten by kelsey, very well could have changed the complection of this game. it was the first quality strike of the game and an incredible save by kelsey!

That first save was definitely highlight reel (what's the new term for reel since it's all digital now?) material and I hope we get to see when the Pilots put theirs up on Youtube.

Wonderful photo of the scorers on the sports page of the Oregonian this morning.

The Denver coach had already gotten a yellow card for saying something after a call was made on a corner kick.

Whatever came from the bench...it was shouted out! Both cards came when the ref was WAY OVER on the other side of the pitch! He took a long stroll across the pitch each time. Who says Refs are deaf? Selective hearing, I guess?

GO PILOTS...BEAT THE HUSKIES!!!

I'd say the cause of the Denver assistant coach's outburst was frustration: frustration at being dominated, being shut out, being held to 2 shots on goal, and having no chance to succeed. The game is for the players not some sideshow on the bench. At the start of the 2nd half, when the Pilots came out a bit flat and Denver had some possession going on for maybe 5 minutes, Garrett Smith showed his displeasure and concern by merely standing up. For him to even rise during a game must send a signal to his team to get their act together. Given a choice of a screaming complainer or someone who lets his team handle their own business on the pitch, I'll choose Smith's method. And I'd note that Garrett went over and spent some time after the game talking to the Denver coach in what appeared to be a calm conversation for both of them.

Geezaldinho wrote:
I thought Brooke's run into the box and assist was the play of the night.

eProf wrote:
I agree.

Though it wasn't captured on the Channel 2 KATU highlight of the assist last night...Taylor's fancy moves in the box "broke the ankles" of 2 defenders! She did some crossover move with a spin and turned for the cross...both defenders bit hard and fell around her! That was SWEET! Dani finished Taylor's cross...back of the net baby!

I think Taylor was feeling pretty good about herself, eh? She clocked out her timecard...with that nice shot from the corner of the box. Nice job last night Taylor!

GO PILOTS!!! BEAT THE HUSKIES!!!

Coach Smith looks like a genius for putting Taylor in when he did. When we look back and rank this freshman class in terms of their careers, we may need to recall this night when Taylor broke thru for her first goal and a beauty of an assist. Having two frosh midfielders scoring tournament goals is a huge bonus for a veteran team. (No one player can replace Michelle E., but the team can still carry on with performances like this.)

Taylor's reaction was priceless after her rocket of a goal: Covering her face as if in disbelief, showing humility and joy at once, smiling ... wow! Great game, great promise of more to come.

The highlights for the Denver game are available on Youtube.

http://www.youtube.com/UPPurplePride#p/a/u/0/WdPnV0_96OI

Was Sophie's deflection on the first goal a back-heel? It looked like it, and it looked like a world-class difficult shot.

When I saw it live on video Friday night, it looked like a back-heel to me.

On the replay, there are players in the way, so you can't tell for sure. But with the direction the ball went in the goal, it almost had to be a back-heel or inner right foot/heel.

It was a brilliant goal. Masterful.

harryb,
yes, you are absolutely right that sophie's goal was in deed a back-heel.