[Hieronymus]

This year, Stanford would likely benefit again from a week of rest after the end of the regular season before NCAAs. But they may need a win or two in the ACC tournament to burnish their record for the NCAA committee. The ACC tournament schedule is brutal. A team seeded 3rd, 4th, 5th or 6th would need to win 3 matches in 8 days to take the title. Of course the tournament semis and finals are played across the country in Cary, NC. The 1st round is played on campus sites at the home of the 3rd and 4th 

Last year I was pro rest. The team was beat up, injured and tired. This year I want them to play as many of the top teams as possible.

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Finally watched the game so random thoughts.
- gritted out 2 wins against top teams that were low on style points, but got the job down. Again, I hate the bunker, and I don’t think they are very good at it; but it’s probably useful to do it some in the regular season.
- that said I think they beat UVA 4-1 if they don’t get cute in the second half instead of almost ending up with a tie.
- the team struggled with FSUs speed and athleticism. First time this year the opponent clearly had better athletes.
- that said, I find Dudley’s play appalling. How one player can continually throw elbows at opponents heads without cards is insane. The Boamah elbow was late and off ball and at a minimum is a yellow, but it was so unnecessary it could have easily have been red. The post goal skirmish with Evans should have been an ejection. There was no reason for it; the clock stops. It’s frankly embarrassing behavior. Also the lead up to the Bhuta card was an absurd no call. A full speed run at a player is not a legal shoulder to shoulder play. Some day an opponent is going to go medieval on her. Finally, if you want to see a heinous red go back and watch the championship game 2 years ago and check out the elbow that split Wesley open. That somehow wasn’t even noticed by the official.
- they are not a natural counter team. They only managed it once, but they made it count on the first goal.
- the defense has to be better with ball handling and distribution. Murdock was the only starter who was acceptable in the game. Evans as the primary trigger was especially poor. It has never been her strength, but it was flat out bad against FSU.
- And as noted above, Murdock was really good overall in this game.
- the last 2 games confirm they are a top 5 team and a contender, but they aren’t simply going to blow away the other top teams. 
- Kohler is an amazing ball hawk, though the team press had limited effect overall the last 2 games
- hope Freer is ok. And it’s not all by design, but I like she was willing to metaphorically crack some skulls in this game.

[Hieronymus]

This year, Stanford would likely benefit again from a week of rest after the end of the regular season before NCAAs. But they may need a win or two in the ACC tournament to burnish their record for the NCAA committee. The ACC tournament schedule is brutal. A team seeded 3rd, 4th, 5th or 6th would need to win 3 matches in 8 days to take the title. Of course the tournament semis and finals are played across the country in Cary, NC. The 1st round is played on campus sites at the home of the 3rd and 4th 

Last year I was pro rest. The team was beat up, injured and tired. This year I want them to play as many of the top teams as possible.

---

Finally watched the game so random thoughts.
- gritted out 2 wins against top teams that were low on style points, but got the job down. Again, I hate the bunker, and I don’t think they are very good at it; but it’s probably useful to do it some in the regular season.
- that said I think they beat UVA 4-1 if they don’t get cute in the second half instead of almost ending up with a tie.
- the team struggled with FSUs speed and athleticism. First time this year the opponent clearly had better athletes.
- that said, I find Dudley’s play appalling. How one player can continually throw elbows at opponents heads without cards is insane. The Boamah elbow was late and off ball and at a minimum is a yellow, but it was so unnecessary it could have easily have been red. The post goal skirmish with Evans should have been an ejection. There was no reason for it; the clock stops. It’s frankly embarrassing behavior. Also the lead up to the Bhuta card was an absurd no call. A full speed run at a player is not a legal shoulder to shoulder play. Some day an opponent is going to go medieval on her. Finally, if you want to see a heinous red go back and watch the championship game 2 years ago and check out the elbow that split Wesley open. That somehow wasn’t even noticed by the official.
- they are not a natural counter team. They only managed it once, but they made it count on the first goal.
- the defense has to be better with ball handling and distribution. Murdock was the only starter who was acceptable in the game. Evans as the primary trigger was especially poor. It has never been her strength, but it was flat out bad against FSU.
- And as noted above, Murdock was really good overall in this game.
- the last 2 games confirm they are a top 5 team and a contender, but they aren’t simply going to blow away the other top teams. 
- Kohler is an amazing ball hawk, though the team press had limited effect overall the last 2 games
- hope Freer is ok. And it’s not all by design, but I like she was willing to metaphorically crack some skulls in this game.