12-10-2019, 09:45 PM
One of the two most intense sporting events I have ever attended, in terms of the degree of my complete collapse after the victory. I think it edges Andrew Luck's 3 OT victory at USC in 2011 but close call. The difference is that I was so completely bonded with this wonderful team. A defeat would have been truly heartbreaking.
I love the whole team, esp Cat, Maddie, Sophia, Sam, Kiki, (and now Katie) but I want to highlight this VG comment.
In just every sport, in just about every season, defense wins championships. In soccer, center backs are the rocks. And Naomi is a great rock. Calm, collected, fast, smart, skilled...the perfect CB. Yes, I love Kiki and Katie came through big time, but Naomi was the "man of the match."
And second, by the player who I think was really the MOP, but plays a position that won't get it - Naomi Girma. Her PK hit SIDE NETTING about 5 feet off the ground - that's the definition of unsaveable. And she time and again cleaned up 1v1s, and through balls, and stepped forward to short stop UNC attacks from getting off the ground. Stanford gave up 1 goal in two games against two of the top 10 offenses in the country.
I love the whole team, esp Cat, Maddie, Sophia, Sam, Kiki, (and now Katie) but I want to highlight this VG comment.
In just every sport, in just about every season, defense wins championships. In soccer, center backs are the rocks. And Naomi is a great rock. Calm, collected, fast, smart, skilled...the perfect CB. Yes, I love Kiki and Katie came through big time, but Naomi was the "man of the match."
And second, by the player who I think was really the MOP, but plays a position that won't get it - Naomi Girma. Her PK hit SIDE NETTING about 5 feet off the ground - that's the definition of unsaveable. And she time and again cleaned up 1v1s, and through balls, and stepped forward to short stop UNC attacks from getting off the ground. Stanford gave up 1 goal in two games against two of the top 10 offenses in the country.