[Hieronymus]

Re Stanford's defense as its weakness, and in particular, concerns about speed, I wonder why Lizzy Boamah did not enter last night's game until well into the second half.  Up until then, I figured she must be injured.  Now I wonder if her late substitution was because Ratcliffe is not happy with her for some reason and wanted to send her a message.  The Smith sisters who shared one of the outside defender roles are scrappy but not fleet of foot.

I had noticed a drop in Boamah's minutes the last 2 games. Here's her last 5:

Clemson 86
Pitt 68
Boston College 90
Syracuse 62
VA Tech 29

I thought maybe Ratcliffe was looking for more of an offensive impact. It's been strange.  Even though Boahmah is good at getting downfield, and has played forward for Stanford, she has yet to contribute a point this season. She can be a bit wild in going for goal, and has at times wasted good possessions, so I thought that might have been the concern. But for the next two games, as you say, speed will be the most important thing. I do prefer her over the Smith sisters for that reason.

With Murdock back, starting minutes were going to adjust across the back line. You have Evans, Murdock, Boamah, Freer and S Smith. So not everybody is getting 70-80 minutes every game.

I am not jumping to any conclusions on the preferred 4 yet. Ratcliffe this year has rotated players much more because of the crazy depth and due to injuries.

For what it’s worth my preferred 4 right now is:
Boamah - Murdock - Evans - Freer.

[Hieronymus]

Re Stanford's defense as its weakness, and in particular, concerns about speed, I wonder why Lizzy Boamah did not enter last night's game until well into the second half.  Up until then, I figured she must be injured.  Now I wonder if her late substitution was because Ratcliffe is not happy with her for some reason and wanted to send her a message.  The Smith sisters who shared one of the outside defender roles are scrappy but not fleet of foot.

I had noticed a drop in Boamah's minutes the last 2 games. Here's her last 5:

Clemson 86
Pitt 68
Boston College 90
Syracuse 62
VA Tech 29

I thought maybe Ratcliffe was looking for more of an offensive impact. It's been strange.  Even though Boahmah is good at getting downfield, and has played forward for Stanford, she has yet to contribute a point this season. She can be a bit wild in going for goal, and has at times wasted good possessions, so I thought that might have been the concern. But for the next two games, as you say, speed will be the most important thing. I do prefer her over the Smith sisters for that reason.

With Murdock back, starting minutes were going to adjust across the back line. You have Evans, Murdock, Boamah, Freer and S Smith. So not everybody is getting 70-80 minutes every game.

I am not jumping to any conclusions on the preferred 4 yet. Ratcliffe this year has rotated players much more because of the crazy depth and due to injuries.

For what it’s worth my preferred 4 right now is:
Boamah - Murdock - Evans - Freer.