Stanford women’s soccer has another amazing team this year. The team is 5-0 with 26 goals (an average of 5.2 goals per game) to their opponents five game total of 3. Stanford has 28 assists so far; opponents only 2.
As is standard for a Paul Ratcliffe coached team, Stanford plays a quick passing, ball possession game modeled loosely after the Barcelona style in men’s soccer. There are a number of marvelous players to watch. Some of my favorites are Naomi Girma, a wonderful center back with speed, ball possession, and passing skills; Kiki Pickett, short but stout in every possible way; Madison Haley, a strong and speedy midfielder who could have a break out season; and Sophia Smith, who has just returned to the line up but could be one of the best strikers in the country.
There is, however, one player who stands out, even in this multi-talented roster. According to her coach, Caterina Macario, who has already won national player of the year awards in her first two seasons, aspires to have a season that truly sets her apart from other players. In her first five games this year, she’s doing exactly that.
Macario already has 9 goals in 5 games. Macario was scoreless in the match against West Virginia. In her other 4 games, she has scored at least 2 goals (Macario had a hat trick against USF). To put this in perspective, in her sensational freshman year, Macario led the nation with 50 points (2 points per goal; 1 point per assist). Her 16 assists were also tops nationally. But as good as she was, Macario’s goal total that year was 17. This year, she already has 9 goals in her first five games. Her productivity is likely to decrease against Pac-12 opponents, but her chances of exceeding the 17 goal total, perhaps by a substantial margin, seem rather good.
Macario is on course to be the most productive player ever at Stanford, and that’s a pretty elite group to be in. So what is it about Macario that makes her such a formidable player?
Macario is fast. With her back to the goal, she can turn and run explosively toward the goal.
Macario has great dribbling skills. She can maintain control while faking an opponent out of her shoes.
Macario shoots the ball with force. Just ask the Stanford keepers who defend her in practice.
Macario shoots the ball with finesse. She can bend it like Beckham. On free kicks, she’s a wonder.
Macario is a great teammate. Her nation leading 16 assist total in her freshman year was no mistake.
Macario is awfully good. Every time she has the ball, opposing players and coaches tense up. They double or triple team her. That may cut down Macario’s productivity, but opens up opportunities for other Stanford players. When she is on the field, the entire team plays better..
I can’t wait to see a healthy Macario team up with a another talented and speedy striker who also has national team aspirations: Sophia Smith. We’ve not really seen that combination in full bloom. Last year, Sophia Smith was coming into her own while Macario was hampered with an injury. Then Smith went out with her own season ending injury.
Smith is back and had a goal and three other shots on goal against USF. Barring injury, the best is yet to come.
As is standard for a Paul Ratcliffe coached team, Stanford plays a quick passing, ball possession game modeled loosely after the Barcelona style in men’s soccer. There are a number of marvelous players to watch. Some of my favorites are Naomi Girma, a wonderful center back with speed, ball possession, and passing skills; Kiki Pickett, short but stout in every possible way; Madison Haley, a strong and speedy midfielder who could have a break out season; and Sophia Smith, who has just returned to the line up but could be one of the best strikers in the country.
There is, however, one player who stands out, even in this multi-talented roster. According to her coach, Caterina Macario, who has already won national player of the year awards in her first two seasons, aspires to have a season that truly sets her apart from other players. In her first five games this year, she’s doing exactly that.
Macario already has 9 goals in 5 games. Macario was scoreless in the match against West Virginia. In her other 4 games, she has scored at least 2 goals (Macario had a hat trick against USF). To put this in perspective, in her sensational freshman year, Macario led the nation with 50 points (2 points per goal; 1 point per assist). Her 16 assists were also tops nationally. But as good as she was, Macario’s goal total that year was 17. This year, she already has 9 goals in her first five games. Her productivity is likely to decrease against Pac-12 opponents, but her chances of exceeding the 17 goal total, perhaps by a substantial margin, seem rather good.
Macario is on course to be the most productive player ever at Stanford, and that’s a pretty elite group to be in. So what is it about Macario that makes her such a formidable player?
Macario is fast. With her back to the goal, she can turn and run explosively toward the goal.
Macario has great dribbling skills. She can maintain control while faking an opponent out of her shoes.
Macario shoots the ball with force. Just ask the Stanford keepers who defend her in practice.
Macario shoots the ball with finesse. She can bend it like Beckham. On free kicks, she’s a wonder.
Macario is a great teammate. Her nation leading 16 assist total in her freshman year was no mistake.
Macario is awfully good. Every time she has the ball, opposing players and coaches tense up. They double or triple team her. That may cut down Macario’s productivity, but opens up opportunities for other Stanford players. When she is on the field, the entire team plays better..
I can’t wait to see a healthy Macario team up with a another talented and speedy striker who also has national team aspirations: Sophia Smith. We’ve not really seen that combination in full bloom. Last year, Sophia Smith was coming into her own while Macario was hampered with an injury. Then Smith went out with her own season ending injury.
Smith is back and had a goal and three other shots on goal against USF. Barring injury, the best is yet to come.