My impression of the MD style of play was that it was geared to intimidation. Some people intimidate with bluster, some take it to right up to one's nose, other are willing to draw blood to make their point. I observed a few situations in which our Stanford players were unwilling to be intimidated, but weren’t retaliatory. In those situations, MD took it to the next step — they were willing to bloody our noses. It didn’t work. The referees controlled the game. Owusu and another player got four fouls each early on in the first half. Owusu is a very skilled player and didn’t get another foul for the rest of the game — she knew exactly what she was doing, and she backed off. The other player did not, she fouled again and had to sit on the bench for the rest of the game. Our players, on the other hand, are tough and well disciplined! I gained an added degree of respect for them that day.
As I said, the parents of one of our starters were warned by other parents with players in the Big 10 that their child was in danger of physical harm in playing MD; and they were rightfully concerned. It’s hard to respect coach Brenda Frese, because she could stop it!
As I said, the parents of one of our starters were warned by other parents with players in the Big 10 that their child was in danger of physical harm in playing MD; and they were rightfully concerned. It’s hard to respect coach Brenda Frese, because she could stop it!