[oldalum]

The center ref was very frustrating. I think your point about favoring defenders in their part of the field is correct and she seemed consistent in that respect, but it is not consistent to call an identical action a foul if committed by an offensive player and not if by a defensive player. I don't understand the rationale for that, and I don't understand why, in such a low-scoring sport, the defense should be favored in such a way. I looked her up and she is a NWSL center ref. I suppose the NCAA should be commended for importing high-level refs for important NCAA matches, but I wonder if the style of refereeing and play in the NWSL is different from the NCAA; if so then I think it would be better to just use the best college refs.

It is also possible that the Pac-12 teams and refs favor the clean, skilled game that we enjoy watching, while the SEC and perhaps other leagues encourage more physical play. Or maybe that's just how Florida plays, I simply don't know.

[oldalum]

The center ref was very frustrating. I think your point about favoring defenders in their part of the field is correct and she seemed consistent in that respect, but it is not consistent to call an identical action a foul if committed by an offensive player and not if by a defensive player. I don't understand the rationale for that, and I don't understand why, in such a low-scoring sport, the defense should be favored in such a way. I looked her up and she is a NWSL center ref. I suppose the NCAA should be commended for importing high-level refs for important NCAA matches, but I wonder if the style of refereeing and play in the NWSL is different from the NCAA; if so then I think it would be better to just use the best college refs.

It is also possible that the Pac-12 teams and refs favor the clean, skilled game that we enjoy watching, while the SEC and perhaps other leagues encourage more physical play. Or maybe that's just how Florida plays, I simply don't know.