Pilots vs. Virginia Tech, Friday 11/20, Merlo Field

fwill wrote:VT wants to shut out UP at home. When was the last time UP was shut out at Merlo? Against UNC several years ago? My memory is a bit foggy, but that might be because shutouts don't happen very often to UP.

I think I'm right about this:

UCLA last year - we lost 1-0. It was the weekend of my annual trip to Portland. We dominated possession pretty well without scoring, and Cheney scored late on a breakaway. Two days later, we also got shut out in regulation by USC but scored in overtime to win 1-0. I think Sophie scored.

Yeah, but that was in LA, not at Merlo. So when was the last time UP was shut out at home?

It was the home opener, the only game we lost last year (until the quarterfinals).
http://www.portlandpilots.com/news/2008/8/31/WSOC_0831081624.aspx?path=wsoc

To clarify - We lost the home opener last year 1-0 to UCLA on a late goal by Cheney.

Check out this link on this years "Dynamic Duo's" in college women's soccer. http://www.collegesoccer360.com/dynamic_duos.html

The irony is that the picture shown of Dani is her getting flagerently tripped (no call) on the way to an open net in the UCLA game last year. It would have been the equalizer and changed the complexion of the rest of the match. Both of the goalies hands are reaching back to tackle her.

Hmm, that makes me like UCLA even less - not that I liked them much to start with!

That's a pretty broad interpretation of that photo.

Hi, All.
Great website.. gotta love it! No flame wars!

Re: comment about Dani getting tripped at UCLA. Notice that that "call" was the opposite of the phantom foul call against Cori for the quarters in 2007. Much review of the available video shows clearly no contact, but as the UCLA player jumped over Cori, she pulled up her legs, knees to chest and landed on the ground, sliding on her knees, arms in the air. As it was a break away, the ref was just getting to the center circle to make the call. Maybe the video is still on the web? To the UCLA forward, not sure who it was, but she didn't "flop" and my comment is in no way meant to imply that.

To make a long story short, PK called, and knocked in for the winning goal.

Also of interest to note, as soon as they went up by one, someone from the UCLA bench went around and pulled the ball-girls from the sidelines. So every ball kicked out had to be chased by UP, taking up a lot of time.. (Ooops, must have been a mistake!)...

Take it to Texas, UP, seems you get a bit better officiating!

Okay... This is the game I was at. This game was very physical and, boy, those UCLA players were great at shoving, pulling, tackling, holding, tripping, ect... all missed by the ref (it appeared that they are trained that way). They are the devil!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ku5OHbpY5_Q

Yeah, the foul on Enyeart looks pretty blatant and obvious in that video. I guess the lessons of the game though are to play through fouls. Honestly, our national championship teams committed a fair number of fouls too and played very physical. We should be able to compete with anyone in rainy conditions.

Yeah, but they broke my heart that day. Let's get them this year!

... not to overlook VT or anything...

The irony is that the picture shown of Dani is her getting flagerently tripped (no call) on the way to an open net in the UCLA game last year. It would have been the equalizer and changed the complexion of the rest of the match. Both of the goalies hands are reaching back to tackle her.

It isn't from the UCLA game because a) those are this year's uniforms, and b) UCLA is an adidas school and the goalkeeper is wearing Nike gloves. Can't tell which game it's from. No reason getting riled up for UCLA yet when we still have to beat Virginia Tech and they still have to beat Virginia.

MonkeyFan wrote:Check out this link on this years "Dynamic Duo's" in college women's soccer. http://www.collegesoccer360.com/dynamic_duos.html

The irony is that the picture shown of Dani is her getting flagerently tripped (no call) on the way to an open net in the UCLA game last year. It would have been the equalizer and changed the complexion of the rest of the match. Both of the goalies hands are reaching back to tackle her.

Nope.

That's the San Francisco keeper, and Dani wasn't taken down, she scored on the play. You can see it on this clip at about the 1 minute mark.
You can even see the guy on the sideline who took the still photo.

You are right, google images shows we were in white against UCLA last year. I will do better research next time. Someone posted a picture shortly after the game and I thought that was it. Time to focus on VT anyway I guess.

Alright, Pilots: Gametime. Let's do this!

Wow. 4-1 Pilots at the half. I guess I'll eat my words that this one could go to a shoot out. How about Kendra getting it done!

FANatic wrote:Telionis,

Maybe it's because of your football reputation...I don't know. But you guys scare the holy bejeebers out of me.

Really? We do supposedly have the most aggressive / loudest stadium in football. Not so much with soccer. But hopefully, doing reasonably well the last two years, we'll get some better recruits and have an even stronger program next year.
__________________________

Ladies and Gentlemen of Portland, I salute you!

Your team is clearly a great team. Go kick UCLA's ass!!!

It was a pleasure having you in the Pilot Nation, Telionis. Come back and visit us again real soon!

It was the Kendra Chandhoke show tonight folks. Kendra made two goals for Dani with excellent one touch passes that split the defense and Dani finished with authority. And she scored two as well - one from a lovely feed from Sophie and the other from a series of efforts on the VT goals - two of which were scrambled out before Kendra finished it off. Nice night for her after what has been an amazing season. She runs and runs and runs. And is the most graceful player on the field.

Pilots got just what we wanted - an early goal, Kendra to Dani before 5 minutes were on the clock. But for the second week in a row thwey gave upa goal within 60 seconds. Elli lost the ball on the edge of the box, and the VT player turnerd Megan and finished into the far corner.

Unlike last week UP got back ahead relatively soon. And VT did not pose much more of a danger.

Jess and Elli played well. Megan and MO did not have as much to do. Keelin was tough in the middle. Kendall had a good game. Charney was tidy. Sophie is awesome and Dani is not only the fox in the box but continues tio show a strong all around game.

Slight scare late on when hallie went down and limped off buit she appeared to eb OK minutes later and was moving freely on the sidelines.

Last game at Merlo for Kelsey and Megan. Both have had great careers.

UCLA next week. Let's hope we can break the QF jinx.

Write-up on the VT site

http://www.hokiesports.com/wsoccer/recaps/20091121aaa.html

I was mildly amused that the loud and somewhat obnoxious VT cheering section in the row right behind us got quiet in a hurry. But, I believe they were also members of the Timbers Army, so at least they knew their soccer--even if they didn't know their own players.

When we were getting ready to kick off at the start of the match, Dani and Sophie were smiling at each other so confidently, and they seemed so relaxed.

I learned something critically important about the Pilots right then and there. This team has a very strong chance at all the marbles this season.

Talent + Tournament Experience + Momentum = The Big Deal!

If Kendra gets a goal next week, we'll have 5 players with 10+ goals. Nobody else has more than 2.

pms268 wrote:I was mildly amused that the loud and somewhat obnoxious VT cheering section in the row right behind us got quiet in a hurry. But, I believe they were also members of the Timbers Army, so at least they knew their soccer--even if they didn't know their own players.

WHAT WHAT WHAT?

I was not aware any TA were VT fans. I suppose it's possible.

There were 7 TA in my group on the far side, suppporting the Pilots as we have always done.