[Viking_Guy]

A bit more on the midfield.  Again, the lack of size seemed to be killing us.  Time after time, our midfielders would get shrugged off as they went in after 50-50 balls, often ending up on the turf while the Gaels players streamed forward.  One reason that Andrew had so much work was the number of even-number chances we gave up in transition while our midfielders were trying to get back into the play.  On multiple occasions, Gaels midfielders shrugged off two challenges, leaving two Cardinal defenders out of position, and our center backs trying to defend forwards 1v1 in the center of the pitch.

It also seemed like we conceded the center channel of the field almost entirely - I watched Logan Panchot play most of the game, offensively at least, within 10 yards of the sideline, instead of ever trying to flow to the middle of the field.  So the team ended up having what possession they did have go either immediately over the top to two forwards who are not great back to the goal players, or so close to the sideline that they hit many uncontested passes over the touch line for Gaels throw-ins, and in all cases allowed St. Mary's to use the sideline as an extra defender.

They were tough, and game.  But giving up 20 pounds and 3 inches was costly.  I was really concerned about free kicks and corners.

The other thing I thought - they were not outworked.  But they were outrun - St. Mary's got into the open a lot, and our defenders' recovery speed was definitely lacking.  You could see it in the chances referenced above - the midfielders who got shrugged off trying to get back into the play, but not being able to make up significant ground against someone carrying the ball forward.

We'll see what happens against the Zips, and in Gunn we should trust.  Having lost seven starters, making the NCAA quarters is remarkable.

VG

[Viking_Guy]

A bit more on the midfield.  Again, the lack of size seemed to be killing us.  Time after time, our midfielders would get shrugged off as they went in after 50-50 balls, often ending up on the turf while the Gaels players streamed forward.  One reason that Andrew had so much work was the number of even-number chances we gave up in transition while our midfielders were trying to get back into the play.  On multiple occasions, Gaels midfielders shrugged off two challenges, leaving two Cardinal defenders out of position, and our center backs trying to defend forwards 1v1 in the center of the pitch.

It also seemed like we conceded the center channel of the field almost entirely - I watched Logan Panchot play most of the game, offensively at least, within 10 yards of the sideline, instead of ever trying to flow to the middle of the field.  So the team ended up having what possession they did have go either immediately over the top to two forwards who are not great back to the goal players, or so close to the sideline that they hit many uncontested passes over the touch line for Gaels throw-ins, and in all cases allowed St. Mary's to use the sideline as an extra defender.

They were tough, and game.  But giving up 20 pounds and 3 inches was costly.  I was really concerned about free kicks and corners.

The other thing I thought - they were not outworked.  But they were outrun - St. Mary's got into the open a lot, and our defenders' recovery speed was definitely lacking.  You could see it in the chances referenced above - the midfielders who got shrugged off trying to get back into the play, but not being able to make up significant ground against someone carrying the ball forward.

We'll see what happens against the Zips, and in Gunn we should trust.  Having lost seven starters, making the NCAA quarters is remarkable.

VG