[muiron]

The men's unbeaten streaked ended Thursday evening at the Q. They gave up only their second goal of the season but U of Pacific used it to hang on to a 1-0 win.  We outshot them about 14 to 6 but they scored fairly early (17th minute?) when one of our defenders slipped and fell at the top of the box. (Good finish, though.) And we had a flurry of shots and close calls late in the game. But it wasn't an unfair result. Credit UoP. They controlled possession for long periods and made us chase, and chase, and chase. Our passing was not crisp and our midfield was not controlling. And we didn't finish any of the decent opportunities we had. We knocked UoP out of the tournament early last year on PKs after a 0-0 draw that wasn't much different from this match. It wasn't a fluke then, or now.  The defense for the Stanford men is fine, but they are going to need to find some more goals if they want to make a deep run in the tournament.  

On a happier note, the Stanford women opened Pac 12 play with a 2-0 win over 7-1-0 Arizona. It wasn't as close as the score. We outshot them 30 to about 7 (?) and they rarely threatened, or even possessed. It was a little frustrating that we kept trying to go up the middle in the first half into a packed box when crosses from the wings might have been more effective, but we managed two second half scores - a header from Catarina Macario on a nice ball in by Jaye Boissiere on a free kick in about the 60th and a nice fast finish from about 8 yards out of the middle of the goal by Jordan DiBiasi on a great cross from Catarina in about the 78th. There weren't a lot of moments of magic. Our passing wasn't consistent and too often our forwards seemed to keep the ball on the dribble, going into groups of two, three, or four defenders with the fall and not coming out with it.  But there was never really any tension to the match.

Tierna was there in a cast and on one crutch. Michelle Xiao wasn't dressed and seemed to have a bulge on one knee, covered by her pants leg. Sam Hiatt was there but not dressed. Beattie Goad started at defensive mid and shared a lot of time with Belle Briede, who we haven't seen much but who impressed. Jaye Boissiere looked good, especially in the first half, running quite well.  A good performance and a comfortable win, but we can play, and have played, SO much better!

No match on this Sunday for either team. We've got doubleheaders next Thursday and Sunday. Thursday is the men at 5:00 v SD State and the women at 8:00 v UCLA; Sunday is the women at 1:00 v USC and the men at 5:00 v. UCLA.  Serious soccer! Come out and watch! 

Go Card!

[muiron]

The men's unbeaten streaked ended Thursday evening at the Q. They gave up only their second goal of the season but U of Pacific used it to hang on to a 1-0 win.  We outshot them about 14 to 6 but they scored fairly early (17th minute?) when one of our defenders slipped and fell at the top of the box. (Good finish, though.) And we had a flurry of shots and close calls late in the game. But it wasn't an unfair result. Credit UoP. They controlled possession for long periods and made us chase, and chase, and chase. Our passing was not crisp and our midfield was not controlling. And we didn't finish any of the decent opportunities we had. We knocked UoP out of the tournament early last year on PKs after a 0-0 draw that wasn't much different from this match. It wasn't a fluke then, or now.  The defense for the Stanford men is fine, but they are going to need to find some more goals if they want to make a deep run in the tournament.  

On a happier note, the Stanford women opened Pac 12 play with a 2-0 win over 7-1-0 Arizona. It wasn't as close as the score. We outshot them 30 to about 7 (?) and they rarely threatened, or even possessed. It was a little frustrating that we kept trying to go up the middle in the first half into a packed box when crosses from the wings might have been more effective, but we managed two second half scores - a header from Catarina Macario on a nice ball in by Jaye Boissiere on a free kick in about the 60th and a nice fast finish from about 8 yards out of the middle of the goal by Jordan DiBiasi on a great cross from Catarina in about the 78th. There weren't a lot of moments of magic. Our passing wasn't consistent and too often our forwards seemed to keep the ball on the dribble, going into groups of two, three, or four defenders with the fall and not coming out with it.  But there was never really any tension to the match.

Tierna was there in a cast and on one crutch. Michelle Xiao wasn't dressed and seemed to have a bulge on one knee, covered by her pants leg. Sam Hiatt was there but not dressed. Beattie Goad started at defensive mid and shared a lot of time with Belle Briede, who we haven't seen much but who impressed. Jaye Boissiere looked good, especially in the first half, running quite well.  A good performance and a comfortable win, but we can play, and have played, SO much better!

No match on this Sunday for either team. We've got doubleheaders next Thursday and Sunday. Thursday is the men at 5:00 v SD State and the women at 8:00 v UCLA; Sunday is the women at 1:00 v USC and the men at 5:00 v. UCLA.  Serious soccer! Come out and watch! 

Go Card!

[oldalum]

Did nobody go to the game? OK, but your funeral for leaving it to me! :)  A routine victory over formerly 7-1 Arizona. In the first half Arizona packed it in on defense, content when they got the ball to just boot it downfield or try to start a counterattack. As a result, we had almost all the possession and outshot them 14-1 in the half, with some nice quick plays to generate opportunities, but did not challenge their excellent GK at all: we put all our shots right at her or not on frame. In the second half, more of the same, until we were awarded a questionable? free kick on a contested header. Boissiere put it into the middle of the box, Girma headed it on, and Macario finished by heading it over the GK from close range. Then Arizona had to come out and try to score, the game opened up, and both teams got more chances, culminating in an excellent run to the end line by Macario, who crossed it in front of the goal where DiBiasi redirected it to the far post. Arizona only had one really threatening opportunity and missed the frame.

Sam Hiatt did not suit up to play, which is concerning, so Boissiere played holding mid and Goad started in midfield. Goad hardly touched the ball and Belle Briede replaced her to better effect. Briede started the second half, and Goad had a better stint relieving her. Excellent play from the usual suspects (Haley, Macario, Pickett, McGrady, Girma, Boissiere and Cook); I was again impressed by how solid Cook is while defending a forward one-on-one. Jahansouz never had to make a tough save, but came out quickly a couple of times to boot the ball away. Kuhlmann did not play; injured?

[oldalum]

Did nobody go to the game? OK, but your funeral for leaving it to me! :)  A routine victory over formerly 7-1 Arizona. In the first half Arizona packed it in on defense, content when they got the ball to just boot it downfield or try to start a counterattack. As a result, we had almost all the possession and outshot them 14-1 in the half, with some nice quick plays to generate opportunities, but did not challenge their excellent GK at all: we put all our shots right at her or not on frame. In the second half, more of the same, until we were awarded a questionable? free kick on a contested header. Boissiere put it into the middle of the box, Girma headed it on, and Macario finished by heading it over the GK from close range. Then Arizona had to come out and try to score, the game opened up, and both teams got more chances, culminating in an excellent run to the end line by Macario, who crossed it in front of the goal where DiBiasi redirected it to the far post. Arizona only had one really threatening opportunity and missed the frame.

Sam Hiatt did not suit up to play, which is concerning, so Boissiere played holding mid and Goad started in midfield. Goad hardly touched the ball and Belle Briede replaced her to better effect. Briede started the second half, and Goad had a better stint relieving her. Excellent play from the usual suspects (Haley, Macario, Pickett, McGrady, Girma, Boissiere and Cook); I was again impressed by how solid Cook is while defending a forward one-on-one. Jahansouz never had to make a tough save, but came out quickly a couple of times to boot the ball away. Kuhlmann did not play; injured?

[Viking_Guy]

OA--

Arizona actually did start out a little higher up the field - they put some pressure on starting about 3/4 field in the first 10 or 15 minutes.  But they didn't fully commit to it; as Stanford's passing through the backline wore them down, the pressure line dropped further and further into their own end.  (For non-soccer folks, what I mean by pressure line is at what point on the field you choose to actively defend the player possessing the ball.)  By about 30 minutes in, I was looking at Alana Cook bringing the ball forward over the halfline, one player half-heartedly within about 15 yards of her, and the nine other field players with 8 yards of their own penalty area.  OA is right, it made it frustrating to watch Macario receive the ball and instantly be surrounded by 4 defenders.  Also led to a lot more of the low-percentage attempts at tricky passes.

I will say, I am getting more and more frustrated by the officiating of Madison Haley.  And I'm tempted to start thinking unkind thoughts about why she's not getting calls.  In the first half, she and a defender were jostling as she went into the top of the box.  The defender stuck her leg across Madison's path of travel and chopped her down, with the ball rolling about 2 feet in front of where the defender "tackled."  No call.  There is no question Haley plays a physical game - she's playing as a hold-up forward, and she's generally bigger and stronger than her opposition.  But that doesn't mean she's not getting fouled as well.

More generally, I think OA called it - I'm not sure you can play Goad centrally, at least not in a two-way role - she was better in the second half, when UofA had to come out of their shell a little bit and give her some space, than she was trying to maneuver under pressure in the first. Breide was the better option.  And that's not a sentence I thought I would be typing at this point in the season.

Next week is critical.  I think we can win both, and it really helps that they're at home.  But we need to get off to a better start in both games.

VG

[Viking_Guy]

OA--

Arizona actually did start out a little higher up the field - they put some pressure on starting about 3/4 field in the first 10 or 15 minutes.  But they didn't fully commit to it; as Stanford's passing through the backline wore them down, the pressure line dropped further and further into their own end.  (For non-soccer folks, what I mean by pressure line is at what point on the field you choose to actively defend the player possessing the ball.)  By about 30 minutes in, I was looking at Alana Cook bringing the ball forward over the halfline, one player half-heartedly within about 15 yards of her, and the nine other field players with 8 yards of their own penalty area.  OA is right, it made it frustrating to watch Macario receive the ball and instantly be surrounded by 4 defenders.  Also led to a lot more of the low-percentage attempts at tricky passes.

I will say, I am getting more and more frustrated by the officiating of Madison Haley.  And I'm tempted to start thinking unkind thoughts about why she's not getting calls.  In the first half, she and a defender were jostling as she went into the top of the box.  The defender stuck her leg across Madison's path of travel and chopped her down, with the ball rolling about 2 feet in front of where the defender "tackled."  No call.  There is no question Haley plays a physical game - she's playing as a hold-up forward, and she's generally bigger and stronger than her opposition.  But that doesn't mean she's not getting fouled as well.

More generally, I think OA called it - I'm not sure you can play Goad centrally, at least not in a two-way role - she was better in the second half, when UofA had to come out of their shell a little bit and give her some space, than she was trying to maneuver under pressure in the first. Breide was the better option.  And that's not a sentence I thought I would be typing at this point in the season.

Next week is critical.  I think we can win both, and it really helps that they're at home.  But we need to get off to a better start in both games.

VG

[oldalum]

Apparently one of the announcers said Haley should have drawn a penalty kick, probably on that play you mention.
For such a strong, stocky player, she's on the ground far more than anyone else. Can't all be poor balance :)

[oldalum]

Apparently one of the announcers said Haley should have drawn a penalty kick, probably on that play you mention.
For such a strong, stocky player, she's on the ground far more than anyone else. Can't all be poor balance :)

[Viking_Guy]

Muiron--

Two comments on the men's game.

(1) Our lack of size really came back to bite us.  Pacific was bullying our midfield around the pitch, especially their best field player, the mid on the left.  Most of our players were giving up probably 2 inches and 15 pounds to their match-ups, and were getting knocked off the ball a lot.

(2) The officiating, again.  I am INCENSED that there wasn't a straight red card shown midway through the second half. A Pacific player came high across the legs of Jared Gilbey with a high foot, hitting him on the right thigh before raking his left shin with the bottom of his boot.  If he had hit him square, as it looked like he intended, it would've been Tierna Davidson all over again - he would've broken his leg.

More generally, the men's game has GOT to be more closely called.  The ref pulled one yellow about 12 minutes in, but the game got more and more physical (there were 5 fouls called on the Tigers within the opening 10 minutes of the second half), and a second yellow didn't come out until that Gilbey incident (71st minute), and then it was a double, on the player and Gilbey for retaliating.  I would've retaliated, too, if someone had stamped down on my shin with the bottom of their boot with every intention of injuring me.

In any case, the weaknesses are what have been identified - lack of a true finisher, problems scoring goals, and lack of midfield presence.  I mentioned earlier this season, I think the player they miss the most is Drew Skundrich.  But graduating 8 primary contributors, this was always going to be a transitional season.

VG

[Viking_Guy]

Muiron--

Two comments on the men's game.

(1) Our lack of size really came back to bite us.  Pacific was bullying our midfield around the pitch, especially their best field player, the mid on the left.  Most of our players were giving up probably 2 inches and 15 pounds to their match-ups, and were getting knocked off the ball a lot.

(2) The officiating, again.  I am INCENSED that there wasn't a straight red card shown midway through the second half. A Pacific player came high across the legs of Jared Gilbey with a high foot, hitting him on the right thigh before raking his left shin with the bottom of his boot.  If he had hit him square, as it looked like he intended, it would've been Tierna Davidson all over again - he would've broken his leg.

More generally, the men's game has GOT to be more closely called.  The ref pulled one yellow about 12 minutes in, but the game got more and more physical (there were 5 fouls called on the Tigers within the opening 10 minutes of the second half), and a second yellow didn't come out until that Gilbey incident (71st minute), and then it was a double, on the player and Gilbey for retaliating.  I would've retaliated, too, if someone had stamped down on my shin with the bottom of their boot with every intention of injuring me.

In any case, the weaknesses are what have been identified - lack of a true finisher, problems scoring goals, and lack of midfield presence.  I mentioned earlier this season, I think the player they miss the most is Drew Skundrich.  But graduating 8 primary contributors, this was always going to be a transitional season.

VG

[oldalum]

I watched a few minutes on video and was similarly impressed by Pacific's possession and how our players were getting bounced around by them. FWIW, the announcer also said that should have been a straight red card.

[oldalum]

I watched a few minutes on video and was similarly impressed by Pacific's possession and how our players were getting bounced around by them. FWIW, the announcer also said that should have been a straight red card.

[BobK]

Anyone see Haley’s dad at games ?

[BobK]

Anyone see Haley’s dad at games ?

[Spike]

I’m just getting into soccer and really appreciate your game recap and analysis. 
Thank you.

[Spike]

I’m just getting into soccer and really appreciate your game recap and analysis. 
Thank you.

[BostonCard]

Merged the two soccer threads.

BC

[BostonCard]

Merged the two soccer threads.

BC