Offensive Uncertainty

Cheers to all the defenders -- the back line has been taking care of business. Almost nothing is getting behind them as they win all the 50-50 headers. They are passing more and distributing the ball more than the other teams' midfielders. The Pilot mids have been so tough and are winning the ball back quickly. Kendall and Sophie were clamping down on the left side whenever OSU tried anything up the line. Keelin is everywhere, including the attack. Ellie and Jessica are playing all game at the highest level, able to make attacking runs and threaten non-stop -- that's fitness! The D is here; the O will come.

Bro

I agree with you on the pass and throw distribution from Erin: it is vastly to be preferred over the long punt for exactly that reason. 100% possession is bette than the lottery - even with Keelin and Sophie who win more than their fair share of balls in the air.

It helps to have a back four that can all play with the ball and make a pass: MichO has played holding mid, Elli is a converted winger, Jess a converted forward, and Cloee is no slouch on the ball either. One upside to the opposition dropping everyone back is that it allows you to play the ball out fromt he back.

Uncle John wrote:Fan From Afar,

From what I saw this weekend in Portland, the goals are just barely off the horizon.

They will probably dock just about the time you land at the airport and get set up to watch the first game against Wisconsin. If not by then, they will surely materialize against Syracuse.

No worries.

(Accept about Kendall maybe - you can worry about her a little bit.)

Have fun next weekend,

UJ

I hope you're right, UJ - But - - - I'm from Syracuse!!! Oh well. I still hope it happens.

I agree with everyone about Dees rolling the ball out. I love it. Also, a good point about using possession as a form of defense, which will lead to lower scoring games.

Hopefully, Kendall will be suited up this weekend. If not, Cruz to left outside? Elli up to left outside?

My guess would be Cruz. Also waiting to see if Ellen P makes an appearance this weekend. Rumor that she would be training this week and might be fit to play by the weekend. She was on campus in the spring and played in spring games so is further along in the acclimation and freshman jitters process than her classmates.

Elli has finally settled into her position at outside back, so it seems unlikely to switch her up front. I'm with 'Arry on guessing Cruz, but I am biased as I also really dig Cruz's physical style of play. Our bench seems to have been recruited with a strong, fast, passing offense in mind and so there are three or four players that could potentially play the wings.

I also am guessing Cruz. She seems to me to be the most advanced at this point among the frosh for our passing style of play. Another possibility would be Kassie at outside defense and Elli up to outside mid, but I doubt it.

Here's hoping Kendall is OK.

Is Emma healthy? Molly?

My vote is for Taylor to play left wing until Kendall recovers. If you remember earlier last year, Taylor subbed in for Kendal and did a good job. Michelle Cruz had started and has subbed in for Talor at right wing and it would make sense for her to start in that position. That's my guess!

I don't see Ellie moving at all from left back.

Michelle C played some on the left on Sunday. Hard to imagine Elli moving forward. Emma and Molly have not been suited up to play yet.

OK fellas, here is my FIRST prediction for this weekend.....

T. Brooke at left mid, M.Cruz at right mid. Everyone else as is. (Also, according to my embedded sources.... Emma is still nursing an injury but Molly is good to go.)

And my SECOND prediction for this weekend.....

The goals will happen! Trust me. Sophie and Keelin are getting the team tuned up for their break out weekend. The team's destiny rests in their strong & capable hands.

So hang on to your hats up there in Seattle. If you don't, the wind (from all those goals) just might blow them out into the Straight of Juan De Fuca.

Have fun (I will be with you in spirit).

Gonna hold you to that, UJ

Bridges will also get significant time at mid, especially at left mid. Good first couple games and a little shaky (frosh jitters?) against Okie St. But I hear she has a strong left foot and obviously has good size.

Ellen Parker might appear also!

OK, so my vision was slightly off.

I envisioned a WORLD WIND created by a vast number of UP goals. Maybe what I really saw was simply a nice, steady, pleasant BREEZE. But come on, 5 goals scored for vs 1 goal scored against, with 2 more wins, that's not bad!

Plus,from what I've read, there were other positive results. Sophie, Keelin, Elli, and Jess are playing steady as rocks. Taylor and Micaela are coming on like gang-busters. Erin and the rest of her freshmen sisters (Sarah, Ellen, Amanda) are getting more experience and playing with more confidence.

The only unsettling thing is the team appears to still be a second half team. (But that can be fixed by inspiring and motivating coaching.)

The good news is that next weekend's competition does not seem to be too, too formidable (at least on paper that is), so some more lessons can be taught and more knowledge gained.

But the following 2 weekends against Texas A&M,then on to Cal and Stanford; the team will most likely need to play the full 90 minutes.

One does not want to get behind those teams if one can help it.

Comparing six games this year to the entire season last year, the offensive statistics look like this: 2009 GPG 3.61, 2010 GPG 1.83; 2009 shots/game 16.6, 2010 shots/game 18.3; 2009 shots on goal .497, 2010 shots on goal .436; 2009 goals/shot .217, 2010 goals/shot .100