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WSoc: Stanford 3 UCLA 2 114! - Printable Version

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Re: WSoc: Stanford 3 UCLA 2 114! - Embo - 12-03-2017

(12-03-2017, 02:09 PM)MT link Wrote:If we won a NC in tennis in 76-77, that would be #1;  77-78 would be #2;  2017-2018 would be #42.

You're right, I just corrected my post.  Thanks.  Besides, 42 sounds better than 41!

Re: WSoc: Stanford 3 UCLA 2 114! - Viking_Guy - 12-03-2017

Langdude, not so much sloppy as a bit tired, I think.  Ratcliffe was understandably hesitant to sub in the second half - in the first half, UCLA had much better play when we brought in the substitutes.  There were equally bad plays on either side of half, but in the second half they cost more - I think the recovery speed and ability by the midfield dropped off substantially.

Jahansouz wasn't really struggling that much; the first goal was not her fault at all, but a combination of no pressure on the midfielder making the through ball pass and Davidson whiffing on stopping it getting through.  Can't blame the keeper for giving up the PK in trying to come out on a clear shooter 1 v 1 in the penalty area.  And she learned her lesson on NOT dilly-dallying with back passes if there is any possibility of a player running onto her.  The corner was more a misjudgement of the flight of the ball, and being worried about a simple near-post flick in - and also expecting your far post defense to be better than it was.  Carusa was beaten to the ball a bit too easily.

The larger issue, and it's purely one of tactics, is that the team is inculcated with a drive to keep possession, even if it means passing the ball around the back for endless minutes.  The problem arises when the other team presses forward against that - one bad touch and you've given up the ball in your own defensive third with your midfield out of position.  Cook trying to head the ball back to the keeper, others playing the ball back to Jahansouz with Mace bearing down on her, passing the ball short but into pressure, often neglecting to try to turn the ball upfield - several times our midfielders, without pressure on them, received the ball from the backline and immediately passed it back to another defender, even if that defender was under more duress.

Near the end of the game, with UCLA HAVING to push forward, it took Stanford a bit too long to adjust to "just clear the ball up the wing" mode, but they finally did.

For me, Boissiere did deserve the recognition.  Her ability to lurk around the ball, then cleanly step in and win it as a Bruin tried to make a move, was just astonishing.  The Bruin would try to turn, and Jaye would turn inside her, shield the ball, and come away with it going the other way, over and over again.  The goal was amazing, but her defense-into-offense work was much more important.

Will be interesting to see what happens next year.  Will Davidson move into the midfield, back to her holding midfield spot?  Stanford's recruiting is spectacular, but it tends to draw forwards and midfielders, not defenders as much.  They have a good one coming in next year in Sierra Enge, but she's the only defender in the class, at least currently.  (EDIT: Sorry, misread, another excellent defender in Naomi Girma coming in as well.  Will still be interesting - do we pair a freshman with Cook, and move Davidson to holding mid? To give us another center back with some experience when Cook graduates?)

Also interested to see if the tactics change.  As I said, with Macario and Haley, that would be an excellent up-top combination in a 4-4-2; I think Catarina is a bit wasted outside, where her on the ball dribbling skill can be defended by simply giving ground.  But Ratcliffe is fairly dedicated to the 4-3-3.

But for now, just basking in it.  And waiting on the water polo.

VG


Re: WSoc: Stanford 3 UCLA 2 114! - Langdude - 12-03-2017

Thanks so much, VG. Brilliant, as always. Your summaries and analysis are a boon to those of us who love sports in addition to football and MBB...

-m.

Re: WSoc: Stanford 3 UCLA 2 114! - oldalum - 12-04-2017

On UCLA's second goal, it appears to me on replays that Caruso headed it first, but not cleanly (not up enough) and it went right into the UCLA player's head which was 1 foot away, which it bounced off of (without any time for her to intentionally direct it) and went into the goal. So fairly lucky for UCLA that it happened to go into the net. I wasn't paying attention to Jahansouz's play, but it seems to me she has to deny the near post on that play which happened outside that post. After the initial header went over to the other side of the goal, maybe one of our defenders should have stuck to the far post in anticipation of a header going there?

My take on the subs is that they absolutely should be going full tilt for the minutes they were in there. That is the advantage they bring when they come in. They are in prime fitness and should be able to play at full effort for 5-20 minutes, knowing they don't have to play anywhere near a full game.

Addendum: Stanford W Soccer tweeted that Carusa cleared the ball directly onto the UCLA player's head and into the goal:

59' | UCLA equalizes off a deflected corner. Carusa cleared it straight off a Bruin and into the Stanford net. 2-2. #GoStanford

Re: WSoc: Stanford 3 UCLA 2 114! - Viking_Guy - 12-04-2017

OA--

Good eyes on the redirect.  Didn't see it slowed down enough, but that makes sense.

Yep, Jahansouz needs to take away near first on the corner, but she didn't react very quickly to the flight of the ball - maybe she was screened a bit, but it also looked like she was distracted a bit by the jostling at the near post.  She only recovered by a step - not that she could've done much on a ball redirected on frame from that close, other than maybe happen to be in the way.  Which is my major talent as a keeper :).

Next year's choices are, as I said, going to be interesting.  Including who stays among the redshirts - the only certain loss is Sullivan.  Lee, Jahansouz, and Carusa all participated in Senior Day stuff, but still have eligibility.  I would think Mariah might be moving on, given her injury history.  Boissiere has two more years, but is an academic senior.

The other question is to how to bring new starters into the mix.  We had such depth this year at forward, but need to get more experience for players at mid and in central defense, especially if Davidson moves back to a holding role.  And beyond the two solid defenders we have coming in, we have the 5-star forward Sophia Smith as well.

Tough decisions, but great options.  A fun situation.

VG


Re: WSoc: Stanford 3 UCLA 2 114! - warrenloui - 12-04-2017

Is Sam Hiatt a possibility for center back next year?  she started early in the season but hasn't played since late October, so i'm assuming injury?

Re: WSoc: Stanford 3 UCLA 2 114! - oldalum - 12-04-2017

yes will be interesting to see how the seniors decide their immediate priorities between continuing to play college soccer, possibly playing pro soccer, or getting on with the rest of the lives. But for now, I hope they will continue to enjoy their memories and satisfaction while getting through finals.

Re: WSoc: Stanford 3 UCLA 2 114! - oldalum - 12-04-2017

(12-04-2017, 01:20 PM)warrenloui link Wrote:Is Sam Hiatt a possibility for center back next year?  she started early in the season but hasn't played since late October, so i'm assuming injury?
Sure she should be in the mix for it. I don't remember whether she was injured; my impression is that she was a little too shaky in center back early this year so the coaches felt they needed to move Tierna back there. Hopefully she will be more seasoned next year. It's a tough position in that one mistake can result in a goal.

Re: WSoc: Stanford 3 UCLA 2 114! - BostonCard - 12-04-2017

https://twitter.com/stanfordwsoccer/status/937788648174501888

Enjoy!

Re: WSoc: Stanford 3 UCLA 2 114! - UltimateCard - 12-05-2017

Though many of the details were already covered in this thread, Graham Hayes wrote a very nice piece featuring Andi Sullivan and Jaye Boissiere:
http://www.espn.com/espnw/sports/article/21654105/andi-sullivan-leads-stanford-cardinal-ucla-bruins-claim-women-soccer-national-championship-2017-college-cup