SMU / Oklahoma St.

I'd really like to see SMU get the ball out of their own end with regularity - both to see our defense tested a bit more (in person, where we can get a good long look at it), and also to see how the pilots do in transition back into SMUs end. We're missing Mich. E., I'd like to see what our breakout looks like.

There was a lot less probing and a lot more attacking thrust tonight. A bunch of shots blocked by the 20 or so (18 after the red card) blue stockings in the box. The fullbacks were very aggressive pushing up and both they and the outside mids were not bashful about cutting inside against the grain rather than taking it into the corner for the cross.

Despite the fact that we only scored two, I'm a lot more optimistic about the team's offense off this performance than last week's.

Sunday should be more of a test!

OK State beat the Ducks 1-0 tonight.

SoreKnees wrote:There was a lot less probing and a lot more attacking thrust tonight. A bunch of shots blocked by the 20 or so (18 after the red card) blue stockings in the box. The fullbacks were very aggressive pushing up and both they and the outside mids were not bashful about cutting inside against the grain rather than taking it into the corner for the cross.

Despite the fact that we only scored two, I'm a lot more optimistic about the team's offense off this performance than last week's.

Sunday should be more of a test!

Yes, I liked tonight's offensive performance. And Foxhoven celebrating in front of the students is class. Once she gets open on goal she's a clinical finisher. Capelle came on for Kreminsky at the half and had a few good looks. I really like the movement on her shot.

There was a stretch in the second half where SMU was able to get through to the Pilot goal for some decent chances but the defense was able to tighten up. I like the idea of changes like Kelly for Olivier and Jackman for Winters in order to keep the key starters rested as both subs did fine out there.

UPSoccerFanatic wrote:Oklahoma State's 1-0 win over Oregon was in double overtime. Oklahoma State scored the winning goal at the 104 minute mark. The stats were pretty even, with Oklahoma State having a slight edge.

Of particular interest, Oklahoma State's starting forward Treadwell and an Oregon player apparently got into a fight, and both were ejected with red cards. So, Treadwell will not be playing on Sunday.

KATU just showed the fight in Eugene. The OK state player reached back and grabbed hair/ponytail, the Ducks player retaliated. Apparently hair pulling is now the mode.

I think we have found our running mate up front with Dani. Michaela looked to me like the 'spark' we have been looking for, an I have been a huge fan of Halley's since she arrived on campus!
Seeing Taylor start at the outside right mid was pleasing, and keeping in mind previous posts where it was stated, 'it wasnt my shot to take', my impression was that Taylor could have taken more advantage of her defender and created dangerous opportunities.
Cruz looked much more comfortable an at ease in the game tonight. Are the freshman jitters over? I believe she scored the first goal tonight off of a Dani free kick, but i could be wrong.
Lastly, while I am still some what confused over Erin starting in goal over Haillee [is Haillee still injured?], personally I would like to see Erin be more aggressive an assertive! There were two instances tonight, in my opinion, that Erin acted on her instincts and then second guessed herself. Both times nearly lead to goals for SMU. Gratefully, late in the game it seemed like Erin started to trust her instincts, first punching out a corner kick, an second, coming out for a long ball an INTIATING the contact with the offensive player. After seeing that I feel more confident with Erin.
Over all, after two games, I am liking the progression so far. As long as our girls keep getting better and better, I'm happy!

here's the video of the Oklahoma State - Oregon game from KVAL showing the fracas and the winning goal.

(click the picture)


Both players were ejected.

I completely agree with Fozzie about Michaela. After seeing only two games (couldn't tell much about the 2nd game), I am becoming more and more convinced we need that speed and spark up front. This team is almost unbelievably solid through the lineup, and on the bench - potential all-stars starting almost everywhere - but there is no Michelle/Meghan/Christine to CREATE the goals. In the two games I have seen, there were no (zero, nada) goals EARNED off the normal run of play. Sophie's goal was off a rebound the keeper probably should have held. Michaela's was off a restart, and Danielle's was playing a man up. These were all goals scored as a result of continual offensive pressure against lesser teams - sooner or later, we'll get a goal. However, against Stanford, UCLA etc, we won't have that continual offensive pressure. We need someone who can CREATE a goal after the team gets her the ball in a dangerous spot. I think we are getting the ball to people in dangerous spots EXTREMELY well over the two games (there's that all-star lineup), but no goals from all those opportunities. Michaela is no Michelle, at least not yet, but she may be the closest we have right now, at least until Kendra hopefully gets back at full speed. I was VERY impressed by the quick turn-and-shoot Michaela had that went just left. She seems to be the only attacker that can do that - CREATE a shot from a dangerous position.

Admittedly, two games is not much to go on, but that's the way it looks to me right now. We may be in for lots of 1-0 type games where bad luck could lose a game for us. Let's hope the Oklahoma State game proves me wrong.

I agree that Micaela appears to be an offensive spark . . .she certainly puts the ball on goal with pace, which does not appear to occur too frequently in her absence, at least so far.

But I also agree with the assesment on Erin Dees. There have been balls on which Erin has retreated into the net that I think she could have gotten had she not retreated, creating opportunities for our opponents. She appears tentative. Clearly has a strong leg. I too suspect she will be good once she gets more settled.

I wonder whether Oklahoma State will be a tough match for us, difficult to score, etc. I would start Micaela as our opportunities too score may be more limited.

Go Pilots.

Had to watch the game on video last night: couldn't be at Merlo. Wife's birthday party. Thought about going to game an watching party on video but not a good idea!

My impression was that Pilots did not get as much success as usual in taking people on and getting to the byline and getting crosses in. Tayor/Michelle C and Kendall had relatively quiet games. Not bad, just not as impressive as we have seen in the past. On offense Sophie did not touch the ball as much as we'd like (Megan Sweeney commented on that).

Dani is searching for her touch. Last year I thought she had improved coming deep and with her back to the goal; not there yet this season. Having said that she took her goal very well.

Couldn't tell from video but it looked like SMU had only one person up front and was getting lots of people behind the ball.

For all the questions about Erin Dees she made one very important save when the ball deflected off a defender out left into the path of a runner for SMU and Erin came out got down and pushed it wide.

SMU was late getting on the field...is that the reason there was no introduction of players, Pilot for the Day, or National Anthem???

Dani's scoring reputation appears to be something other teams respect and she seems to be drawing constant defensive attention. I haven't watched the replay of the game yet, but it seemed like there were 2 defenders on her whenever she touched the ball (I know that's not literally true, but it felt like it from the stands). Her work rate remains high despite the defensive attention which is great to see.

I think they were having mic problems - again! That's why no intro's or anthem.