[DenverCard]

Like Nick Chevotarevich in the Deer Hunter, Stanford Men's Soccer continues to repeatedly advance in seemingly coin-flip situations.  While their defense is stellar, and Nico Corti has played fantastically in goal this year, it nevertheless leaves me nonplussed how Stanford finds a way to perform just enough better (in either the live action or in the penalty kick shootout) to prevail, over and over.  Were soccer games decided on the basis of subjective judgment as to who seemed like the better team -- like the decision in a boxing match, where goals merely represented a solid punch -- there were a few games this season (St. Louis, the first one against UCLA, one or both against Washington), and tonight's match when I think such a decision would have gone to the opponent.  Yet in all but the game against St. Louis and a tie v. Washington, Stanford just gets it done.

Next week game against Wake Forest will be a tremendous challenge given the history between the teams and a packed stadium at Wake.  Can't wait to see Stanford's response.

[DenverCard]

Like Nick Chevotarevich in the Deer Hunter, Stanford Men's Soccer continues to repeatedly advance in seemingly coin-flip situations.  While their defense is stellar, and Nico Corti has played fantastically in goal this year, it nevertheless leaves me nonplussed how Stanford finds a way to perform just enough better (in either the live action or in the penalty kick shootout) to prevail, over and over.  Were soccer games decided on the basis of subjective judgment as to who seemed like the better team -- like the decision in a boxing match, where goals merely represented a solid punch -- there were a few games this season (St. Louis, the first one against UCLA, one or both against Washington), and tonight's match when I think such a decision would have gone to the opponent.  Yet in all but the game against St. Louis and a tie v. Washington, Stanford just gets it done.

Next week game against Wake Forest will be a tremendous challenge given the history between the teams and a packed stadium at Wake.  Can't wait to see Stanford's response.