Cox vs. Reed

No worries! I don't think the woodshed is necessary for Ellie at all! I'm sure it'll all eventually work out! I don't think Ellie purposely ignores Michelle. And I'm sure Garrett will evaluate and present game footage as a training tool and point out these discrepancies. If we as a common fans notice Ellie's oversight...you can bet Garrett also has it on his list to address. But, you never know for sure anyway...could it be that how we see Ellie play is part of a game plan? Maybe the coaching staff saw some opponents overplay in certain situations and instructed Ellie to take the the attack deeper on her own? Someone mentioned "using Michelle as a decoy" or "because she's marked"? That's more plausible than Ellie ignoring Michelle!

That said...I do believe its mostly Ellie missing Michelle. But again, I don't believe its intentional!

Ellie reminds me of a kid who's just realized she doesn't have training wheels on anymore! Or like the exited new puppy who realizes that the leash is off for the first time! She just has the inate urge to RUN RUN RUN herself into obilvion!! At this stage in her career, Ellie is just like that undisciplined puppy....you love her....but sometimes hate the behavior! Let's be patient with her and allow her to enjoy her journey! I see more Good than Bad here...I believe enormous strides will come with her play! I'm desperately trying not to use any more canine analogies...but...once her temperment settles down on the pitch....the Ellie-Michelle combination has so much potential to be UNSTOPPABLE when it equilibrates!

GO PILOTS!!!

I have to disagree, now more than ever. In yesterdays game Elli again had a clear opportunity to pass to an open Michelle and keep the ball wide and after looking directly at her she took the ball to the middle. After the play you could see Michelle giving Elli some "Personal" instruction. I think even her patience has a limit and after a year and a half of play I think everyone has waited long enough for Elli to learn the game. Is there anyone besides Elli who thinks that you can dribble the ball faster than you can pass it? Does Elli not realize that while she is dribbling she is allowing the opposing defense to recover and mark their players. Now I'm not a coach but I think you want to get the ball forward and past the defense in the quickest way possible to enhance any scoring opportunity.

If you want to make a comparison to Stephanie Lopez just remember how Stephanie did so much more by doing less. She used her skill to beat an opponent then passed the ball forward while staying in position defensively. If you were open you got the ball, there was never any hesitation about wanting to pass to one player and not another. That's what "Team" is all about.

As for the rest of the Pilots. Tsao was her usual superb self. Sweeney played great and appeared to mesh well with Michelle for the short period they were on the same side. Kelsey came up big several times. Keelin and Meagan dominate the middle but Meagan's passing and shooting is still a little erratic at times. McKluskie and Olivier continue to improve and settle in and Michelle and Danielle are in a class of their own. When they are together there probably isn't a better tandem playing.