Offensive Uncertainty

If Pilots don't get at least some goals in transition, or on breakaways, it will be a tough grind all year. They will break through, even without Enyeart -- the overall team speed is there (and remember the speedy outside backs that attack). Sending through balls to test the D line and get somebody 1:1 v the keeper can really help the cause.

On top what others have noted, I think Pilots need Kendra at last year's speed to really crackle again. She was a demon last season till injured. Her speed and experience will be welcomed on her return; hope it comes soon.

UPSoccerFanatic wrote:
Although a good number of posters are concerned about offense, the one thing that leaves me a little unhappy is not offense but rather the CSN goal and the flurry at the end of the game. (They had 4 shots in the first 89:20 and four shots in the last 40 seconds.)

This. A-Always, B-Be, C-Closing, regardless of the score.

For the record, I'm not worried about the offense after one weekend.

UPFAN wrote:I am not worried that the offense will produce. The good news is that there are lot of players who can score and a lot of depth. Also, it is great to have a spark off the bench, depending on how the game is going. Still, 42 shots in the first 2 games is pretty darn good and I think it will simply be a matter of time before they find the back of the net more regularly. It always takes a little more time to gel offensively, so I think patience is in order.

In another thread it was stated that the tourney committee doesn't take into account scores, so if the team does their job with team defense, our worst case should be a tie. To win, we just need one more goal than the opponent. Sounds easy, huh..........?

I agree completely. We cannot ignore the stat of shots on goal. Foxhoven will find her groove, and we'll have plenty of higher scoring games soon enough. But, shots on goal is what really shows our dominance. If you look at the games that ended our seasons in recent years, the other team dominated that stat. We should dominate shots on goal against lesser competition, and we have enough talent to hit some of those shots from further out as the season progresses and players get their rhythm.

I agree that defense is crucial, but if we aren’t scoring as we should be then one goal from the other team can result in a loss. I’ve been thinking about Dani's goal scoring ability last year and to me she is an amazing finisher but definitely relied a lot on players to get her the ball in front of the goal. Enyeart was the main key to this, but our midfielder group of Sophie, Keelin, Kendra, and Kendall were also huge factors. To me this midfielder group really clicked and was one of the best midfielder group in the nation. I agree with Purple Haze that we need Kendra added in, and I also hope her return comes soon.

Remember..... Kendra, Keelin, Sophie, Jess and Ellie will ALL be gone next year. Other people need to be brought along and be given a good opportunity to gain GAME experience.

I can't help but feel sorry for players like Emma and Molly K. From what I have seen, they are both good players but I don't think they have been given a decent chance to show what they can do.

And if they don't get a chance soon, it may be too late. Practice only goes so far.

Uncle John wrote:Remember..... Kendra, Keelin, Sophie, Jess and Ellie will ALL be gone next year. Other people need to be brought along and be given a good opportunity to gain GAME experience.

I can't help but feel sorry for players like Emma and Molly K. From what I have seen, they are both good players but I don't think they have been given a decent chance to show what they can do.

And if they don't get a chance soon, it may be too late. Practice only goes so far.

They will be gone, but, every year we reload, and our goals are set extremely high once again. Student athletes are very lucky; they'll all get their minutes. But, honestly the seniors have earned their stripes. Sink or swim, I want to see the seniors play...

It seems Garrett team philosophy comes from the European "indirect" style of play that emphasizes ball control and many short passes, as opposed to long airballs. I would guess this early in the season; Garrett "Possession Soccer" emphasis is to teach his new players this style of ball control. Note this style of play normally will not produce a great number of shots however it should create one to four wide open easy shots per game.

It is my opinion Garrett is using these first games to tutor his players on the importance of a good first touch to stay out of trouble while maintaining proper spacing in relation to the ball, his opponents, and teammates.

Therefore at this time, speed will not be the issue until opposing team’s defense start to win the 50-50 balls and apply synchronized high pressure defense. At that time the team should shift gears with a more direct counter attacking styles that uses long passes and long "over-the-top" airballs where the team will easily showcase its speed for all to see.

How about this philosophy: Score two or three goals by whatever means necessary and without apologies, and then play solid possession soccer and shut down any chance for the opponent, while seizing any advantage for another goal.

We all know the problem with 1-0 games -- a fluke goal can make them 1-1. We've seen that happen before and we know soccer is unfair that way. Come playoff time, 1-0 games are the norm and the Pilots will have to be ready for seizing and holding that slim lead over strong teams. A single goal often determines who goes to the College Cup. But no one wants an early-season tie against a lesser team to mess with the team's success.

Whatever philosophy the Pilots operate under, or whatever season-long development plan they have, I'll trust their coaches who live and breathe this stuff.

purple haze wrote:
We all know the problem with 1-0 games -- a fluke goal can make them 1-1.

This is especially a problem with a freshman keeper who has less experience and still learning to play with the defense.

Another problem with 1 nil, or 2-1 games against lesser opposition, is that those games leave you with a nagging doubt that the team can raise the level of play up to stiffer competition, such as Stanford, Santa Clara. even perhaps Oklahoma State.

Reassurance on Sunday would be nice.

Go Pilots.

There sure is a lot of fretting going on, for three wins and no losses into the season. Go back to the 2002 season and look at the game scores from beginning to end. You can do that by going to the Pilots women's soccer page, clicking on Statistics, and bringing up the 2002 stats.

UPSoccerFanatic wrote:There sure is a lot of fretting going on, for three wins and no losses into the season. Go back to the 2002 season and look at the game scores from beginning to end. You can do that by going to the Pilots women's soccer page, clicking on Statistics, and bringing up the 2002 stats.

+107

Supporting more than one team gives one perspective, is all I'm saying...

I'm with UPSF. Too early to be down on the team and the players. Kendra is not back yet - rumors of an appearance within the month are encouraging. Amanda F and Ellen P - two heralded freshmen who are real candidates to fill the two outfield positions not covered by returning starters - are not in action yet. And at the back, Cloee C is essentially starting over after only playing 5 games last year and we have a new GK settling in.

I know that it's not the same thing but after watching my Spurs lose at home to Wigan yesterday I'm very happy with 3 wins from the first 3 games. Against teams who've essentially played not to get thumped by dropping 10 players behind the ball and hoping to counter-attack for any goals.

I'm looking forward to this afternoon.

Straw men are afoot: I am not sure anyone is down on the team, nor do I think the discussion is actually engaged in "fretting," at least not much. More like a strong grasp of reality, at least where it concerns the team's performance. 3-0 is a good beginning and much better than the alternative. Of course there is much to be optimistic about . . .let's hope our reason for optimism increases this afternoon.

We are splitting hairs and debating degrees of excellence here. We are hoping for perfection, realizing it is extremely difficult and unreasonable for all but a few teams, given the many variables in any sport. Can't wait for today's game and see what happens. What happens on the field is more important than my opinions about it.