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12-03-2017, 02:15 PM
(This post was last modified: 12-04-2017, 11:47 AM by
Viking_Guy.)
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