[Spiny_Norman]

Stanford leads Virginia 2-0 after 35 minutes. Charlotte Kohler goals in the 9th and 31st minutes. She ricocheted another shot off the crossbar.

[Spiny_Norman]

Stanford leads Virginia 2-0 after 35 minutes. Charlotte Kohler goals in the 9th and 31st minutes. She ricocheted another shot off the crossbar.

[cardfan77]

3-0 HT with a beautiful long shot from Aikey! 

It should be 6-0 or 7-0. Stanford had many opportunities

[cardfan77]

3-0 HT with a beautiful long shot from Aikey! 

It should be 6-0 or 7-0. Stanford had many opportunities

[82lsju]

3-0 HT with a beautiful long shot from Aikey! 

It should be 6-0 or 7-0. Stanford had many opportunities

now 3-1 ~32 min remaining

[82lsju]

3-0 HT with a beautiful long shot from Aikey! 

It should be 6-0 or 7-0. Stanford had many opportunities

now 3-1 ~32 min remaining

[martyup]

Now 3-2 on a VA penalty kick.  5:04 to play.

[martyup]

Now 3-2 on a VA penalty kick.  5:04 to play.

[cardfan77]

Both UVA goals were on Boamah. I’m glad Stanford survived but that was not a fun 2nd half. I like Aikey consoling Boamah after the game.

[cardfan77]

Both UVA goals were on Boamah. I’m glad Stanford survived but that was not a fun 2nd half. I like Aikey consoling Boamah after the game.

[Hieronymus]

Finishes 3:2 Stanford.

It’s a win but not a very comforting one.

- UVA started in a 352 or 532 and got hammered for 20-25 minutes. They switched to a 433 and got things slightly under control through the rest of the half
- Boamah and Bhuta were wide open to carry the ball forward that first stretch.
- it was an almost perfect 25 minutes - except finishing. It had to be 3 or 4:0 in that stretch, not 1:0.
- and it almost bit them badly. Freer got ‘megged and UVA hit the post. Aikey hit the prayer and the half ended 3:0 instead of 2:1.
- second half was a complete flip - Stanford started slow and went deep downhill from there.
- LB was a defensive disaster. So if people wondered about why some folks were worried about the defense, wonder no more.
- the starting forwards are great running at people, but are mostly unable to play back to goal. Aikey can a little, but that is it.
- rough game for Kitahata - wasteful in the first half, turnover machine in the second.
- Montoya was back though which is great
- the 541 failed. And Aikey almost chest trapped a perfect set up for UVA for the tie. Kohler saved the day.
- Klinger lacks that little burst and gets a lot of shots and crosses blocked as a result.

Ugh. That’s probably a bit too negative, but they never got things under control in the second half. It just got worse as the half went on. I want to see in game problem solving like UVA managed, and it didn’t happen today.

[Hieronymus]

Finishes 3:2 Stanford.

It’s a win but not a very comforting one.

- UVA started in a 352 or 532 and got hammered for 20-25 minutes. They switched to a 433 and got things slightly under control through the rest of the half
- Boamah and Bhuta were wide open to carry the ball forward that first stretch.
- it was an almost perfect 25 minutes - except finishing. It had to be 3 or 4:0 in that stretch, not 1:0.
- and it almost bit them badly. Freer got ‘megged and UVA hit the post. Aikey hit the prayer and the half ended 3:0 instead of 2:1.
- second half was a complete flip - Stanford started slow and went deep downhill from there.
- LB was a defensive disaster. So if people wondered about why some folks were worried about the defense, wonder no more.
- the starting forwards are great running at people, but are mostly unable to play back to goal. Aikey can a little, but that is it.
- rough game for Kitahata - wasteful in the first half, turnover machine in the second.
- Montoya was back though which is great
- the 541 failed. And Aikey almost chest trapped a perfect set up for UVA for the tie. Kohler saved the day.
- Klinger lacks that little burst and gets a lot of shots and crosses blocked as a result.

Ugh. That’s probably a bit too negative, but they never got things under control in the second half. It just got worse as the half went on. I want to see in game problem solving like UVA managed, and it didn’t happen today.

[cardfan77]

I think you captured it well. Whether it was Boamah or Freer on LB, they both struggled. Yes, it was nice to see Montoya back. Sooner than I thought. 

I wasn’t happy with Birkel kicking the ball too early with 25 seconds left. She could have held the ball a little longer and allowing her teammates to be in better position. Instead, she gave UVA another possession.

[cardfan77]

I think you captured it well. Whether it was Boamah or Freer on LB, they both struggled. Yes, it was nice to see Montoya back. Sooner than I thought. 

I wasn’t happy with Birkel kicking the ball too early with 25 seconds left. She could have held the ball a little longer and allowing her teammates to be in better position. Instead, she gave UVA another possession.

[martyup]

ALL RIGHT NOW . . . that we hung on for the win.  Frustrating last 20 minutes.

[martyup]

ALL RIGHT NOW . . . that we hung on for the win.  Frustrating last 20 minutes.

[BostonCard]

First goal by Koehler. Just robs the defender blind.
https://x.com/stanfordwsoccer/status/198...70999?s=61


Second goal by Koeler
https://x.com/stanfordwsoccer/status/198...97094?s=61

And the third by Aikey as time expires in the first half.  What a shot from long range!
https://x.com/stanfordwsoccer/status/198...78390?s=61

Stanford is in the ACC Championship match, against Notre Dame.

BC

[BostonCard]

First goal by Koehler. Just robs the defender blind.
https://x.com/stanfordwsoccer/status/198...70999?s=61


Second goal by Koeler
https://x.com/stanfordwsoccer/status/198...97094?s=61

And the third by Aikey as time expires in the first half.  What a shot from long range!
https://x.com/stanfordwsoccer/status/198...78390?s=61

Stanford is in the ACC Championship match, against Notre Dame.

BC

[BobK]

1-0 Stanford at the half

[BobK]

1-0 Stanford at the half

[BostonCard]

Montoya had the goal.

https://x.com/stanfordwsoccer/status/198...18782?s=46

This team is preternaturally good at making other teams pay for turnovers.

BC

[BostonCard]

Montoya had the goal.

https://x.com/stanfordwsoccer/status/198...18782?s=46

This team is preternaturally good at making other teams pay for turnovers.

BC

[BobK]

Minute 51 2-0 Stanford

[BobK]

Minute 51 2-0 Stanford

[ca245]

2-2 now. I hate these get-the-lead-and-park-the-bus tactics.

[ca245]

2-2 now. I hate these get-the-lead-and-park-the-bus tactics.

[Hieronymus]

1762712572[/url]']
Minute 51 2-0 Stanford

Now 2:2. Stanford has a bad habit of leaving a player open on the far post side 15 yards out or so on the corner. ND finally made them pay for it.

---

1762714227[/url]']
2-2 now. I hate these get-the-lead-and-park-the-bus tactics.

Thing is - and same in most of the second half vs. UVA - it isn’t an intentional park the bus. Danger in a 433 is you need the ball - it isn’t a defending formation. If you get pressed back and can’t get forward the 433  becomes a 451 or worst case practically a 631. Stanford has not shown the ability to reverse the momentum in the handful of games they have gotten pushed back like this.

---

Finally got the ball but no patience. Bhuta to nowhere.

And Nguyen with a near game losing turnover. But ND blows 2v2 the counter

No composure right now.

[Hieronymus]

1762712572[/url]']
Minute 51 2-0 Stanford

Now 2:2. Stanford has a bad habit of leaving a player open on the far post side 15 yards out or so on the corner. ND finally made them pay for it.

---

1762714227[/url]']
2-2 now. I hate these get-the-lead-and-park-the-bus tactics.

Thing is - and same in most of the second half vs. UVA - it isn’t an intentional park the bus. Danger in a 433 is you need the ball - it isn’t a defending formation. If you get pressed back and can’t get forward the 433  becomes a 451 or worst case practically a 631. Stanford has not shown the ability to reverse the momentum in the handful of games they have gotten pushed back like this.

---

Finally got the ball but no patience. Bhuta to nowhere.

And Nguyen with a near game losing turnover. But ND blows 2v2 the counter

No composure right now.

[BostonCard]

Notre Dame has outshot Stanford 20-9, and has twice as many shots on goal.  I think we are lucky to be tied.

BC

[BostonCard]

Notre Dame has outshot Stanford 20-9, and has twice as many shots on goal.  I think we are lucky to be tied.

BC

[Hieronymus]

Freer living dangerously on a yellow. Easily could have been a second yellow there.

If Murdock isn’t injured a sub would be wise.

---

So the last two games have been a whole different level of competition. This is why I wanted to make the ACC tourney. But for example, Klinger slightly overcommitted on the press in the first half and ND had the technical and tactical sophistication to take that little moment and take it right at goal and be dangerous. FSU had the best athletes though ND and UVA are close, but UVA and ND are the best teams we have played overall by far - so tactics + athletes + skill levels.

Note the first UVA game was weird - dominant first half and a park the bus second. This time UVA took the second half and we only intentionally shelled up the last 10 minutes.

---

Aikey now at DM with Nguyen so probably a formation change as well or we just went double pivot 433. Can’t tell yet. Maybe not a bad idea. And as I type that Aikey leaks all the way forward. But my best look says 4231 now in OT.

---

Well that was better. Some edge to Stanford in the first part of OT.

[Hieronymus]

Freer living dangerously on a yellow. Easily could have been a second yellow there.

If Murdock isn’t injured a sub would be wise.

---

So the last two games have been a whole different level of competition. This is why I wanted to make the ACC tourney. But for example, Klinger slightly overcommitted on the press in the first half and ND had the technical and tactical sophistication to take that little moment and take it right at goal and be dangerous. FSU had the best athletes though ND and UVA are close, but UVA and ND are the best teams we have played overall by far - so tactics + athletes + skill levels.

Note the first UVA game was weird - dominant first half and a park the bus second. This time UVA took the second half and we only intentionally shelled up the last 10 minutes.

---

Aikey now at DM with Nguyen so probably a formation change as well or we just went double pivot 433. Can’t tell yet. Maybe not a bad idea. And as I type that Aikey leaks all the way forward. But my best look says 4231 now in OT.

---

Well that was better. Some edge to Stanford in the first part of OT.

[Hieronymus]

And horrendous defending by Bhuta and Freer and Evans. Very, very lucky not to lose there.

---

Onto PKs.

ND better in part 2.

---

Montoya saved - would have won it 5:4.

---

Kohler finishes after a ND miss. Stanford wins 5:4 in rd 6 of PKs.

All right now.

I think we learned more about this team the last 2 games then we did across the entire regular season.

[Hieronymus]

And horrendous defending by Bhuta and Freer and Evans. Very, very lucky not to lose there.

---

Onto PKs.

ND better in part 2.

---

Montoya saved - would have won it 5:4.

---

Kohler finishes after a ND miss. Stanford wins 5:4 in rd 6 of PKs.

All right now.

I think we learned more about this team the last 2 games then we did across the entire regular season.

[CTcard]

Anyone know why Aikey didn't take a penalty kick? 

Shootouts are rare enough that one can't really define a regular lineup. But it seems Aikey also didn't take a kick in the shootout NCAA tournament win last year versus Arkansas.

[CTcard]

Anyone know why Aikey didn't take a penalty kick? 

Shootouts are rare enough that one can't really define a regular lineup. But it seems Aikey also didn't take a kick in the shootout NCAA tournament win last year versus Arkansas.

[BostonCard]

On the one hand, I *think* this should clinch a #1 seed for us (though I remind myself that somehow we weren't even in the top-16 at the midseason vote), now that we have wins against #2 Notre Dame and #7 Virginia to go with the earlier win against #6 FSU.  We were already ranked #1, and have the quality wins we were lacking at midseason.  Plus a win is a win and these were two wins against top-10 teams.

On the other hand, it easily could have (and maybe should have) gone the other way.  Of course, if we had lost to Notre Dame, I think we'd still be deserving of a top-4 seed, but you never know.

What matters is how this goes in the tournament, and there's a decent chance we'll have at least one more match that goes past regulation.

BC

---

The winning kick and celebration:

https://x.com/theACC/status/1987612903600431106?s=20

Also, here was Aikey's goal (the second):
https://x.com/NCAASoccer/status/19875897...91791?s=20

She might be the deadliest player from just outside the box since Macario.

BC

[BostonCard]

On the one hand, I *think* this should clinch a #1 seed for us (though I remind myself that somehow we weren't even in the top-16 at the midseason vote), now that we have wins against #2 Notre Dame and #7 Virginia to go with the earlier win against #6 FSU.  We were already ranked #1, and have the quality wins we were lacking at midseason.  Plus a win is a win and these were two wins against top-10 teams.

On the other hand, it easily could have (and maybe should have) gone the other way.  Of course, if we had lost to Notre Dame, I think we'd still be deserving of a top-4 seed, but you never know.

What matters is how this goes in the tournament, and there's a decent chance we'll have at least one more match that goes past regulation.

BC

---

The winning kick and celebration:

https://x.com/theACC/status/1987612903600431106?s=20

Also, here was Aikey's goal (the second):
https://x.com/NCAASoccer/status/19875897...91791?s=20

She might be the deadliest player from just outside the box since Macario.

BC

[Hieronymus]

Thoughts after the last 2 games, and I repeat we learned more these 2 games then we did all year.

- You can’t let the Stanford outside backs progress the ball unmarked. You will get destroyed.
- The CBs are not nearly as effective at triggering the offense. It was better today, but it mostly required a CB to carry the ball forward and that is a dangerous way to play. It was pretty well controlled though against ND.
- Teams with the skill and the tactics to quickly switch the field cause problems. Most teams can’t do this, and the press can bottle them up completely. ND all game and UVA in the second half were a different level of opponent and can regularly make that switch and break open the press.
- Didn’t get enough out of the wings in these games. Kitihata was ineffective both games and Klinger was pretty invisible today. Montoya was better, though her crossing was rough.
- Holden is the best back to goal forward on the team. Aikey did manage to body up enough to get a lucky bounce on the Montoya goal, but overall the forwards aren’t good back to goal. Makes the last bullet below a bigger challenge.
- Smith and Bhuta are not as fast as you would like outside backs to be, and Boamah has been on a bit of an out of control stretch the last few games. I am concerned. 
- Speed at CB and DM with Nguyen isn’t great either.
- The big red flag though is the team hasn’t shown the ability to work out of bad stretches when they get pushed back. It took OT and a formation change to stabilize things today. But they can’t get trapped back into basically a 631 for almost an entire half like we have seen in these 2 games. A 433 wants the ball and then wants to get the ball when it doesn’t have it. It doesn’t sit back and absorb pressure well for long stretches as we have vividly seen.

[Hieronymus]

Thoughts after the last 2 games, and I repeat we learned more these 2 games then we did all year.

- You can’t let the Stanford outside backs progress the ball unmarked. You will get destroyed.
- The CBs are not nearly as effective at triggering the offense. It was better today, but it mostly required a CB to carry the ball forward and that is a dangerous way to play. It was pretty well controlled though against ND.
- Teams with the skill and the tactics to quickly switch the field cause problems. Most teams can’t do this, and the press can bottle them up completely. ND all game and UVA in the second half were a different level of opponent and can regularly make that switch and break open the press.
- Didn’t get enough out of the wings in these games. Kitihata was ineffective both games and Klinger was pretty invisible today. Montoya was better, though her crossing was rough.
- Holden is the best back to goal forward on the team. Aikey did manage to body up enough to get a lucky bounce on the Montoya goal, but overall the forwards aren’t good back to goal. Makes the last bullet below a bigger challenge.
- Smith and Bhuta are not as fast as you would like outside backs to be, and Boamah has been on a bit of an out of control stretch the last few games. I am concerned. 
- Speed at CB and DM with Nguyen isn’t great either.
- The big red flag though is the team hasn’t shown the ability to work out of bad stretches when they get pushed back. It took OT and a formation change to stabilize things today. But they can’t get trapped back into basically a 631 for almost an entire half like we have seen in these 2 games. A 433 wants the ball and then wants to get the ball when it doesn’t have it. It doesn’t sit back and absorb pressure well for long stretches as we have vividly seen.