Re: spring training

by KFTC on Sat Mar 29, 2008 9:43 pm

Is SPU considering or trying to join the WCC?

Not that I know of, but it's been bandied about for quite some time that Seattle U. wants to; with their transition over the next 2 years to D-1, it's going to give the WCC something to think about, even though they've said no in the past.

And if my international schedule is correct, Sophie is with the Canadian Senior Team preparing for the CONCACAF Women’s Olympic Qualification Tournament in Mexico, which runs about the first 2 weeks of April.

I did hear rumblings from some of my contacts today of a potential recruiting coup. I wouldn't believe it if I didn't know the veracity of my sources; but since I do, well...I just don't know what to say about this one. We'll see if one of you unearths something in the next couple of days.

by UPSoccerFanatic on Sat Mar 29, 2008 10:42 pm

For 2008?

by PurpleGeezer on Sun Mar 30, 2008 12:47 am

UPWomenSoccerRookie wrote:UP started out watching SPU execute the possession game better than UP! Things settled down as the game proceeded, with the second half dominated by UP.

Michelle Enyeart was the dominant player on the field for the 2nd week in a row. It was nice to Emily playing a forward and scoring a goal!

Hailee looks bigger and more sure of herself this year. Her kicking game is consistently longer than Kelsey’s.

Jessica didn't play at all, and I didn't see Sophie, nor any recruits.

I'll bet Michelle could spot the rest of the players on the field 30 yards and still beat them in the 100. On both her goals you could see them coming 40 yards away. You had enough time to just watch and savor the whole event.

Michelle looked like she was taking special pains to set up Emily, and it paid off.

The first time Emily cracked a shot -- unfortunately, right into the keeper's gut.
The second blast was a score -- made me wonder if Garrett played her in the wrong position for 4 years.
The third shot -- well, When Christine did it, she said she hit it with her purse....

by fozziewozzie on Sun Mar 30, 2008 1:50 am

oh come on everyone.
i had to work today an i was really hoping for a lot more infomation on todays scrimmage. what i have read here so far is that enyaeart was her usual self. all over the pitch. come on, was that all there was in the game today?!!

by PurpleGeezer on Sun Mar 30, 2008 2:10 am

Oh no!

There was lots more....

The Villa band is rounding into shape nicely, and the guy who waves the big
purple flag after each score looks like he's in mid-season form! Very Happy

by **GUPhantom** on Sun Mar 30, 2008 9:06 am

I don't know Geez. SPU had a pretty strong ad-hoc cheering squad. I noticed that Villa looked pretty vulnerable by the pressure and sometimes couldn't muster a response. More work for the men in kilts to do. They succumbed to the cold....a couple of them put on pants to keep warm. That was weak!

Fozzie...besides the U-20 trio...Michelle, Keelin and Ellie...I liked how Sara Jackman and Kristen Kelly are coming along. They were solid and aggressive against SPU. Kelly was part of a what looked like a "bad bounce" that lead to the only goal by SPU. I think the bad bounce threw her off-coverage. When the ball got by her...it was a short-break away for SPU. Kelsey had no chance. Other than that, you can tell she's benefiting from all the PT she's getting.

Though Janelle did score...(via a cross I think from Enyeart)....I think she's having trouble with the level of competition. She had many opportunities to have a impact yesterday...but, I just don't see that she's a D1 level player. She doesn't appear to have the physical or technical skills to free herself from defensive pressure as a forward. She's an easy mark.

I'd like to see more from Kendra though. She was top 10 recruit nationally according to SoccerBuzz. Michelle was a top 50 in the same class. But, I don't know yet...it seems she's not progressing as quickly as I though she would. Rolling into her JR year....I would've like to see Kendra with her credentials and experience....eating up SPU yesterday...or maybe even during the previous game against WSU! But I haven't seen her dominating or stepping up her play yet. I expected her to be one of our top forwards last year. But, Racheal Rapinoe and Natalie Budge definitely made claims to that spot on the dept chart last season ...I think this is why she's fallen off the starting lineup.

GO PILOTS!!

by FANatic on Sun Mar 30, 2008 10:50 am

Great points, Phantom. I only saw the WSU game, but what you talked about above I would tend to agree with.

Am I missing something? I didn't see the game against SEATTLE PACIFIC UNIVERSITY, but I don't recall seeing a final score and who scored all the goals. I feel like you are all, (except Fozzie), talking about the match as if every reader on the forum attended it. Set me straight if I am wrong. (Slap me, I kinda like it!) Twisted Evil

by PurpleGeezer on Sun Mar 30, 2008 11:25 am

You go to the spring games just to get a little fix of watching players and dreaming about next year, not because you want to keep score. There will be plenty of time for that come fall.

For the record, I don't think that the SPU goal was just some fluke caused by a bad bounce. They were a good team, better than a lot of D1 teams we normally face, and they put lots of pressure on the defense for the first 25 minutes or so.

But to answer your question, the score was UP 3 - SPU 1

I have no idea who the SPU scorer was.

our goals were by:
Janelle (Michelle)
Michelle( she did so much running after the pass to her I forgot who made it)
Emily ( Michelle)

not necessarily in that order. They don't keep score, remember?

by UPSoccerFanatic on Sun Mar 30, 2008 1:34 pm

To weigh in, Janelle scored the first goal. It was off a brilliant run by Elli. Elli gook it down the left side, around the defender at the back line, one-touched it further in towards the goal, then hit a perfect cross that went past one Pilot (Michelle, I believe), and right to Janelle, who easily right-footed it in.

Next came the SPU goal. I thought that the first problem was that Cori had possession of the ball and did not get rid of it fast enough. She seemed, throughout the game, to be trying to control the gall and not just kick it out, so it may be what she's working on, but this time it didn't work. SPU stole the ball and sent a cross to the middle about the 35-yard mark. The field was wet and the ball skipped away from Kristen, who was left pretty exposed by herself. The SPU forward was fast and did some good dribbling, faked around Kelsey, and easily put it in.

The Pilots' second goal was a patented Enyeart run, got the ball about the 45-yard mark, pushed it forward to the left, outran the defenders, brought it back to the middle, went right past another defender, and put it in.

The Pilots' third goal started with a brilliant pass from Kendra to Michelle, curving the ball around the SPU left defender. Michelle took it deep on the right but close in to the goal, slotted the ball across the goal to Emily, who left footed a great far corner shot past the keeper.

SPU definitely was a good team, as expected based on earlier posts. They actually were one of the more composed teams I've seen at Merlo Field. But, they could not handle either Michelle or Elli. Michelle was the dominant player on the field, but Elli, especially as the game progressed, became more and more dominant. Elli played left back, with Megan (Sweeney) in the right. Scifo played the first half and Emily subbed for her in the second. Jessica did not play, apparently nursing some kind of injury, maybe from the WSU game.

Michelle, Elli, and Keelin all played superior games. Megan also looked very solid and, with Elli, was able to break down the SPU defense in the second half. Kendra played attacking mid on the right side, as she did last week. I felt she worked very hard the whole game and put a lot of effort in on defense, which I think is something she just is learning. Based on how she played last year, I think she is more fit and much more committed to very hard work this year. Maybe also adjusting to her role and realizing she's not going to be the superstar she once thought she would be.

The problem I saw was central defense, which looked pretty vulnerable to me.

I think that if we had had Sophie playing up front, it would have been a slaughter.

Question: Who do people think will be playing central defense in the Fall?

by KFTC on Sun Mar 30, 2008 2:07 pm

With the departure of Stephanie Cox, Kelli Cronkrite, and Emily Michaelson I think it's going to be a free-for-all back there come pre-season. In spring season, with players gone and/or nursing injuries, it's just about stopping the gaps enough to get through the games. But we'll see who, of the returning players and recruits, steps in and earns the spots come August.

Speaking of, UPSF, this recruit would be a late-August arrival, I'm told. Don't be surprised if a very tight lid is kept on this one. Mum's the word!

by SoreKnees on Sun Mar 30, 2008 2:13 pm

Michelle Olivier seems like a sure starter in the back if she's as good as advertised. Inside or outside?

Beyond that, it seems like the Pilots have three players whose best position is holding midfield: Keelin (who took control of the spot last year), Sophie (who never looked quite comfortable to me up front), and Sara Jackman (who looked good early before losing the spot to Keelin). Would it seem reasonable to expect one or two of those players to compete with Kristen Kelly and Kori Nicholson for a spot as inside back?

by **GUPhantom** on Sun Mar 30, 2008 2:25 pm

The first question is who'll be around for the 2008 season? Will Michelle, Ellie, Keelin and Sophie all be away for the U-20 World Cup? That's potentially 4 starters who could be absent....it's hard to "phantom" how the Pilots would do without them.

But, excluding any surprise walk-ons or transfers Garrett may bring it...there'll be many opportunities for the reserves and the incoming freshmen to fill in!

UPSF...I agree. The center back line spots are open. I think Jessica Tsao and Megan Sweeney have proven themselves on the outside. They're quick and consistent. The only missing attribute I see with them is size. But they're smart players and seem to stay organized with other teammates on defense. What we're missing in Central defense is SPEED!! I think the size is there with Kori and Kristen....but like you...I did notice too that SPU seemed to challenge and pressure the middle of our defensive line. There were a couple of runs up the middle by SPU forwards which left me with some trepidation! It'll be interesting to see how threats from bigger, faster and more skillful forwards are managed. We were killed last year by UCLA up the middle...remember Cheney's and Adam's runs?

In looking at the incoming 2008 class....I'm thinking that a couple of them may fill the spots in the middle back line...McCluskie, Oliver and Foxhoven anyone?

GO PILOTS!!!

by **GUPhantom** on Sun Mar 30, 2008 2:34 pm

KFTC...you're killing me? Ok...I'll bite and ask? How about a hint? Late August arrival...Are you saying post-Olympics? Must be an international player? Another Canadian National? Or maybe a transfer? Who and where from? Hmmmmm??? Question

by Harry Redknapp on Sun Mar 30, 2008 9:16 pm

Starting XI in the fall is wide open right now because of three major questions:

Will Enyeart, Reed, Winters, and Schmidt be available or will they redshirt because of U20 World Cup? Schmidt's status is more uncertain because I'm not sure if she's still playing U20 or if Canada have or will qualify.

Will Megan and/or Rachel Rapinoe be fit? Megan was kicking the ball about in warm-ups yesterday, but neither of the sisters played.

How many recruits do we have and how good are they? Five names have been most spoken of: Michelle Olivier, Charney Burk, Danielle Foxhoven, Kassandra McCluskie, Hallie Kreminski.

We've got two very good goalkeepers. No problem there. After that it's all a bit speculative.

Megan Sweeney looks very strong at RB. Jessica Tsao was very good at the end of last season: can she play LB or does she move to MF. Korie Nicholson and Kristen Kelly are playing CB in spring: jury is out on both of them. Olivier is a national team CB. Sara Jackman has the size to play back there. McCluskie is listed as a defender. Reed has looked fabulous at LB but may not be playing. Schmidt could be great at CB alongside Olivier but ditto.

Kendra Chandhoke is playing on the right in MF in spring; she's not seeing the ball as much as she'd like but she tackles back and fights for everything. Winters is looking marvelous as the holding MF but ... Jackman is a level below Winters. Burk and Foxhoven are both hightly regarded and maybe Tsao plays MF. Megan R would be automatic choice at the point of the diamond if she's healthy.

At forward it's anybody's guess. Enyeart is brilliant but will she be playing. Rachel R would be starter if she's back to full fitness. Janelle Jacka is playing in spring but is a step off the game if we're honest. Schmidt? Tsao?

Not sure where Kreminski plays.

So if everyone 's here and fit we could have:

Davis/DeYoung; Sweeney, Olivier, Schmidt, Reed; Foxhoven/Chandhoke, Winters, M. Rapinoe, Burk; R. Rapinoe, Enyeart. With Tsao, Chandhoke/Foxhoven, Jackman, Nicholson ,Kelly, Kreminski, McCluskie, Jacka off the bench. That's a heck of a team!

Or worst case:

Davis/DeYoung; Sweeney, Olivier, Nicholson/Kelly, McCluskie; Kreminski, Tsao, Jackman, Burk; Chandhoke, Foxhoven.

Or any combination of the above!!!

by UPSoccerFanatic on Sun Mar 30, 2008 10:55 pm

KFTC, since you seem to have the information on this one, how much should we speculate about who the mystery newcomer might be? If the Pilots are keeping a very tight lid on it, if one of us has an educated guess, should we avoid making it in public? The Pilots must have their reasons for keeping this confidential, so if they're good reasons, I wouldn't want to be one to figure it out and make the information public and upset their plans. Of course, it would be fun for all of us to try figure it out, and some of us might actually come up with the right guess, but maybe we should just let it be. Any guidance? Evil or Very Mad