OSU Beavers

Apparently some people didn't read Harry's post. I used to be an athlete (back when Millard Fillmore was president) and I know how hard it is to perform in excessive heat. The heat was the biggest factor in the performances on both sides. That said, I was surprised that GS waited so long to start subbing...it was apparent all over the field...on both teams...except, for some strange reason, Nichole...who stood up far better than Pac 10 all star Colleen Boyd who ran out of gas at 10 minutes of the second half.
GS also made me very happy by putting both McCluskeys in at the same time...I got a picture, but it is blurry...I may post it later anyway.
As for the performances, I agree, as I usually do, with Harry Redknapp's assessment of the players. Dani was voted offensive MVP, but I would have given it to Michelle Olivier...solid performance.
One last comment, although it is for last Friday's game, Cloee wore number 24 instead of 10 and I was very disappointed...number 24 belongs to the ace up Garrett's sleeve for next season...and I don't want that to change.

First, Cloee only changed to 24 late in the game after ripping off 10 during a throw-in and throwing it to the bench--maybe blood on it or something. As rough as it got at times, it easily could have been blood.

I thought the team played so much better than the last time we saw them at Merlo. Especially on Friday when they showed the intensity that was lacking earlier. For me, a key to that was Sippel, Brooke and Capell all starting and Dani at forward. It was close to the old Pilot soccer seeing Sippel and Bridges playing the overlapping game down the left side. That showed that they were finally getting the idea of Pilot soccer. Parker played her best game yet on Friday though today she showed more fatigue than others and that might due to her thinner frame. The Beavers pushed her around a lot more, especially when she tried to hold the ball. I think her best game comes from moving the ball quickly until she gets stronger. One thing that seems strange is Halley's lack of touch compared to last year. Maybe not practicing up front has changed her focus just enough. Once she gets that touch back, she could be a real force because she has the strength to disrupt and she wins a lot of balls in the air.

Today was a drop off from Friday but anyone who has played soccer or football in heat like that would understand and should have expected that, especially after 110 minutes on Friday. It wears you down pretty quickly and I was impressed with the way the gals pushed hard to the end. Capell was so tenacious on that last run along the end line despite playing so many minutes that it was clear that the ladies had come out to win this thing in the OT. Great result.

One more thing. Seeing Kassi and Lorielle playing side by side for awhile in the second half was fun. They really didn't have any drop off as Lorielle held her own, especially for a freshman who hasn't played much at this level.

This was a great win for this team on a very tough day. Neither side was going to get a lot of chances or a lot of possession.

The best part about this game was two things.

The team got to contribute as a whole, not necessarily in the places where they would normally be and did pretty well to a player. That's going to be really important down the road with this small roster. People are going to have to be flexible.

The other thing is that they made more out of their chances, and they had the services to the striker in the box that has been the hallmark of the recent seasons. The last few games that hasn't been very well timed. Sometimes players made runs and no one was in the box in the two previous games.

Now... If we can combine the possession game we have been able to have the two games before that with the finishing we know these players are capable of, we could be back on track.

Also, I think we now all know where Dani should be playing. She shouldn't have to set up the plays and finish them. We need to keep her near goal and get the ball there.

This team is centered around making her a threat. That will eventually open it up for others.

purple passion wrote:As for the performances, I agree, as I usually do, with Harry Redknapp's assessment of the players. Dani was voted offensive MVP, but I would have given it to Michelle Olivier...solid performance.
One last comment, although it is for last Friday's game, Cloee wore number 24 instead of 10 and I was very disappointed...number 24 belongs to the ace up Garrett's sleeve for next season...and I don't want that to change.

I think Cloee is keeping the 10 shirt (even if the 10 is usually worn by the CAM, but anyway...) and the 24 was the spare they had.

At this point Dani has to be the MVP but Olivier should not be overlooked. She's been fantastic at her usual center back spot but also filled in quite nicely elsewhere. It's too bad for Bridges she had to sit out Sunday but fortunately it opened up a spot to put Olivier.