aug 16th intrasquad scrimmage

while i am unable to attend the scrimmage today, i am thouroughly expecting a full report from everyone on this board about our incoming frosh!! i know last year at this event i was blown away by elli, even though half way through the year keelin was my favorite!! with the extremely talented incoming frosh class we have coming in, i am incredibly interested as what your preceptions are on our incoming frosh. i am sure everyone on this forumn who can't attend the scrimmage wants everyones impressions!

go pilots!

First off let me say it was hot! It was a short scrimmage, but the freshman looked good. More importantly both Rapinoes are healthy and it was nice to see Rachel firing on goal from all distances. Megan looks to be ready for a big year (after the scrimmage Garrett gave a short talk and assured the crowd that the twins are healthy.) Sophie was not there as expected and Chandhoke and Jacka didn't play - they were both on the sidelines in their uni's but wearing running shoes which would seem to indicate some type of injury prevented them from playing. Did I mention that it was hot?

A few of my thoughts...

1. This is going to be a very interesting year. Once again, we've got quite a few players who could be starters elsewhere, but will likely be coming off the bench. What a great problem to have.

2. It was great to see the Rapinoe sisters (co-captains this year) on the pitch together.

3. Kassi McCluskie had some great plays. She's not going to be afraid to bang some heads.

4. Danielle Foxhoven is going to be a terrific weapon.

5. It's nice to see Megan Sweeney back.

6. The defensive backs are young, but give them time and they're going to be a formidable unit.

7. It was interesting to see that the women's program is still more fan-friendly. The men did make themselves a bit more available to the crowd (they had the first scrimmage), but it's a whole different vibe with the women.

I am really looking forward to next week! By the way, like last year's home opener, there will be a fireworks show after the game.

The scrimmages were fun. Nobody's going all out. We don't want anybody hurt before things even start!

I made a point of just watching the new kids and the Rapinoes, for obvious reasons.


My major technical analysis is

Yah. Hard to judge abiliites and chemistries with intra-squad scrimmages. Would've been nice to preview a little bit of that with the SPU scrimmage yesterday. But, with that said....what's not to be GIDDY about with this 2008 team???

1. U-21s - Keelin, Ellie and Michelle. I think they stood out. All 3 looked very sharp. They played together on the "white" team. Man...we're gonna miss them in Nov for sure! But hopefully, they can influence and ready some of the the freshmen who'll surely fill in.

2. The Rapinoes - Shheeessh! I still hold my breath...(not because of their knees)....when they're attacking in the box. They definitely can make things happen! Megan and Racheal...we've missed you! Welcome back!

3. The Freshmen - Only time will tell for sure...but they definitely fit the bill as probably the most loaded and well-rounded class of recruits ever for UP. I liked Emma's performance particularly. Maybe because it looked like she's recovered from a knee injury of her own. Other teams may have shied away from wanting to sign her but she was steady on the pitch. She'll be productive and make her mark this season.

4. Best of the Rest - my votes go to Megan Sweeney and Jessica Tsao. They're just oozing confidence when on the pitch already. They looked like a very dependable and reliable duo to me. They leave no doubt they will do their jobs well...whatever Coach Smith wants.

Toooo many weapons on this team. If they mesh quickly...the Ducks don't have a chance! I don't need the countdown anymore....see ya next week for the FIREWORKS!

GO PILOTS!!!

With regards to Oregon, I keep thinking about Charles Barkley's Dream team quote.

I don't know anything about Angola, but I know they're in trouble.

Purplegeezer wrote:With regards to Oregon, I keep thinking about Charles Barkley's Dream team quote.

I don't know anything about Angola, but I know they're in trouble.

I do think Oregon will have their hands full with us. Their defense should be okay, but their senior goalkeeper "retired" earlier this summer after sustaining a bad knee injury. I'd have to doublecheck, but I think it's a freshman and a sophomore competing for the job now. Heck of a game to break in the lucky winner.

I attended the UO game at Pape Field last season. The Pilots were "seriously" undermanned. I think there were only 4 players on the bench and half of them were probably "injured and unavailable".

Anyway, this was the game when Sophie (fresh off her WC experience) was introduced as a "Pilot" for the first time....to the Ducks. Garrett experimented and put her up top as a forward? ....Huh?

What an impact Sophie had during that game!!!

4-0....Game over!

I'm sure the Ducks would prefer that she stays in China.

GO PILOTS!!!

Such a fun day full of good vibes and fine Pilots soccer. Assitstant coach Lauren Orlandos Hanson, commenting on our matching hats, told me, "The men and women look good." She was understated and right. The whole event oozed relaxed confidence and hopes of great things to come.

Scrimmage thoughts and observations: Two attacking Rapinoes will cause opposing keepers to rethink their choice of position: this pair can be devastating. The 3 US U-20 players -- Michelle, Keelin and Ellie -- were totally in sync on offense for the white squad; whatever time they spend with the U-20 team will be repaid to UP karma in the long run. Jessica Tsao can really help the offense with passing and ball skills -- someone needs to step up as the next "Wozzie." And Korie Nicholson coming up from the back to score a goal for white -- that's a bonus.

I'm still trying to memorize the names and numbers of the newcomers. Some impressions: that's no longer Kelli Cronkrite wearing 14, but Halley Kreminski, who is big (built like Sinclair, dare I say) and fearless in the air. Petite Charney Burke took the corner kicks for the white squad and sent the ball into the danger zone. Danielle Foxhoeven turned on instant offense for purple. Olivier and McCluskie anchored the central defense for purple and did well. I didn't see much of Emma Nelson, who played on the far side of the field from the shade (yeah, it was a scorcher), other than that she made good passes to the rampaging Rapinoes, always a wise move. What a nice sign that the freshmen seem to blend right in. Yeah, they belong here.

All in all, a great way to spend a few hours among healthy young people striving to do great things.

purple haze - that was wonderfully written. You have made my day.

Your desription of "the rampaging Rapinoes" gave me "geese-bumps". (I have a habit of changing words in popular sayings. Drives some people nuts. But keeps me from getting bored.)

Also appreciated the quote about the freshmen: "What a nice sign that the freshmen seem to blend right in. Yeah, they belong here."

"The 3 US U-20 players -- Michelle, Keelin and Ellie -- were totally in sync on offense for the white squad; whatever time they spend with the U-20 team will be repaid to UP karma in the long run." ------->What a great observation!

I am looking forward to an extravaganza, (think that's how it's spelled), Saturday night under the lights in the cozy confines of Merlo Field. (And I'm talking about the match and the crowd involvement, NOT the fireworks or other opening night festivities!)

BRING ON THE DUCKS.....

Didn't get good pics of all the freshman...but here at least is something I could share share with folks who couldn't make the 2008 meet and greet!

The Rapinoes introducing the Freshmen...


2008 Pilots


From the left side...new players in purple (Michelle Olivier and Kassi McCluskie). From the right side...Halley Kreminski.


On the left side...Emma Nelson. On the right side...Danielle Foxhoven

Great job, Phantom! I wasn't there, but this really gives me a point of view as to how they looked on Saturday.

Appreciate your thinking of the rest of us. Very unselfish!!!

A white out is an attempt by a team to have all their fans wear white. I'm not sure just what the impact is supposed to be. It can be pretty neat to see a whole stadium in white - Google 'white out Penn State' for some photos. Of course their stadium is just a little bigger than Merlo.

I was impressed on one play at the scrimmage when Michelle E. had the ball on the far side of the field and was speeding down the field. Emma Nelson kept right up with her on defense. It was only one play and it was just a scrimmage, but if Emma is that fast, what an asset for the Pilots.

Thanks for the pics it was really sweet to see the Rapinoes in full uniform...together.... I am so excited. I will be missing the Oregon opener but plan on flying up for the SC/UCLA weekend.

I am sure I will get all the info I need on the games I miss so thanks in advance. Sorry to miss the fireworks in Merlo though I saw them last year and they were as good as my whole city puts on for the fourth of July

thanks everyone for the updates. now my next question is [and maybe this should be a new thread], should we just redshirt the u-21's like we did megan, wozzie an steph??? its sounds like our frosh did an admirable job an our soph's have grown. what do you think??

fozziewozzie wrote:thanks everyone for the updates. now my next question is [and maybe this should be a new thread], should we just redshirt the u-21's like we did megan, wozzie an steph??? its sounds like our frosh did an admirable job an our soph's have grown. what do you think??

I don't think that's in the cards. It's a long season. We'll need those players. Garrett was also sounding like all three would play at the season ticket affair.

I agree Geezer, especially with the tough early schedule. It would behoove the Pilots to have the experienced players on the field. No matter how good the freshman may be it would seem to be a lot to expect of them to have meshed enough to be able to be competitive against top level programs like SC or UCLA that early in the season.

granted it's a long season. but the time of the season we lose these most talented players is in the playoffs! how far do we really expect to go w/out them? would it not be more prudent to let them redshirt now an bring them back for next year with another year of international experience under their belts.

i really hated it when wozzie, megan an steph went to thailand for the worlds becuase i felt we could have won another ncaa championship. i learned to live with the decision, even admitting that it was the right call. an that me think maybe redshirting keelin, michelle an elli might be the way to go?

Garrett like always has been class act about this and has the girls best interest at heart, he wants Keelin and Michelle to have the opportunity to jump to the new womens pro league before the talent pool makes it harder for them to gain a foothold. I respect whatever decision Garett and the girls come to on this.

Aleppiek, you mention the new women's pro league. Do you know when it starts (first draft etc.)? I am a little confused because there is also a "semi-pro" league going that has been playing a while (they play against the Vancouver Whitecaps).

Anyone who knows I would appreciate the info.
Thanks

Auto Pilot wrote:Aleppiek, you mention the new women's pro league. Do you know when it starts (first draft etc.)? I am a little confused because there is also a "semi-pro" league going that has been playing a while (they play against the Vancouver Whitecaps).

Anyone who knows I would appreciate the info.
Thanks

Here's the WPS site info about tryouts.
Here

Basically, they want to start tryouts this fall and start up next year sometime. There are still lots of problems to overcome, so I wouldn't sell the house to go to a team city just yet. If you are really intersted. it's time to start contacting league people.

Due to Olympic fever I'm a bit late getting back to thank FANatic for the kind words about my post. I love this Pilot Nation -- most enjoyable source of good clean fun on the Web!

after reading stoney's link to graham hayes' article which quoted garrett about not red shirting our girls for delaying their enterance in to the new professional women's soccer league, i now can understand why u of p will not red shirt our team. an i wholeheartedly agree!! an being selfish as i am to championship's, i wish garrett is/was as selfish as i am.