Portland-Texas A&M, September 17

Assumption on my part is that Erin, Jess, Cloee, Michelle O, Elli, Keelin, and Sophie are written in ink on the team sheet.

Micaela is close to that status right now. I'd start Dani with her. Taylor will start on the right: not sure who is on the left. Wild card could be Elli, with Kristen Kelly playing center and MO on the left?

TAMU thinks of itself as playing a high pressure defense. They also have speed up front.

Given that, I look to see Jess, Michelle Olivier, Cloee, and Elli in the back (or Kristen Kelly if MO is not able to play). I'm betting on Keelin and Sophie as the spine, with Taylor and Sarah Bridges on the wings, unless Michelle Cruz and/or Kendall is ready to play. I see Dani and Micaela up front, with Hallie coming off the bench to beat on TAMU. Another possibility in there somewhere is Ellen Parker -- I wonder how she would do on the wing, I think possibly great a la Kendra. And, of course, if Kendra is able to play I see her, although I'm inclined to believe the coaches will work her in rather than starting her. In goal, I see Hailee.

This will be a big game for the players. TAMU cost them a #1 seed last year.

GO PILOTS!

UPSF

Are you sure about Hailee in goal? I think Erin will be back.

Harry Redknapp wrote:UPSF

Are you sure about Hailee in goal? I think Erin will be back.

Not sure, just my guess as to what the coaches will do.

I can see your line of reasoning. Hailee has already been in high pressure matches against USC and UCLA and came out of those experiences with Flying colors.

The key (again) is how healthy she is, which we probably won't know.
She was held out all Spring and couldn't go the first practice this summer.

I'd be fine with either.

For the record, my guess is the same as UPSF. I really hope Cruz can play. Sarah is coming along, but I think that's a big drop at this point if Michelle can't go. To me, the only real question is goalie, and I am guessing Garrett goes for the experience. We can't afford any goalie mistakes this game, and while Erin has been great at times, she has also been shaky at times.

Cruz clearly brings a lot of skill to the field, but she avoided a half-dozen crossing opportunities from the left wing in a recent game. The opponent quickly learned that she wanted to cut back inside on her right foot and she was double-teamed every time.

Bridges (strong left foot) replaced her at that point and the whole dynamic of the game changed. We started getting to the goal line on the left side and open up the defense with crosses.

For that reason alone, I might give Bridges most of the minutes at left mid until Kendall's left foot returns. An alternate strategy that they seemed to use more against Penn State is for Elli (who seems to be very strong with both legs) to overlap more and get the ball into the corner with Cruz either filling in behind her or cutting inside for a short pass at the corner of the box.

It will be fun to watch how this all unfolds on Friday night! I hope the nice weather holds!

Hello from Houston, Texas! I was transferred here about 6 months ago and so have missed all the fun at Merlo this fall. However, I'm returning to PDX tomorrow for a few days and plan to be sitting with my daughter in Section B on Friday night rooting for my favorite team. (The Rice Owls are fun to watch but don't hold a candle to the girls in purple!)

I'm excited to see all the girls but I'm especially interested in seeing Micaela in action. It's pretty cool to think a rising star can come out of Gresham!

Go Pilots!!! Beat them Aggies!!! and I'll see y'all on Friday night.

Welcome back, Poopdeck!

Have you been in Houston long enough to have gotten into the Aggie Joke culture? When I lived there 25 years ago, Aggie jokes were the favorite (at least among non-Aggies) local variation on the ethnic joke theme.

Hey, SoreKnees. I've heard a couple but since I'm not from these parts I'm probably spared the juicy ones. I do pick up on the Aggie-Longhorn rivalry, though. They rib each other quite a bit.

The game against A&M should be a good one. I see that they've only lost once...to the Tarheels.

I'm going with UPSF on the lineup with the exception of the keep. Erin Dees has shown steady improvement and seems better prepared for a team like TAMU than DeYoung.

We are bringing friends to this game just so they can see how fantastic women's soccer can be. Go Pilots!

fwill wrote:I'm going with UPSF on the lineup with the exception of the keep. Erin Dees has shown steady improvement and seems better prepared for a team like TAMU than DeYoung.

I have a hunch that DeYoung gets the start if she's healthy because of her experience level.

TAMU Player to watch? Defense or Offense? Who's their star?

Well...I did some homework....

Rachel Shipley