Penn State game

Do we know for sure that Elli and Michelle E will be able to play in Sunday's game?

We do know that they will be in Pennsylvania for the game. they fly in (presumably Pittsburg) around 10:30 Saturday EDT. Then they still have to get to State College, about and hour and a half away.

The game is an 11:00 AM game EDT.

THe two issues about whether they will play center on how hard the camp was and if they can adjust overnight to the travel.

My guess? they will play limited minutes or not at all, unless it's of an emergency nature.

Garrett once sat Sinclair in a contest with Santa Clara after she played with the CNT the day before. Ali Wagner was in the same tournament and played for Santa Clara.

Agree that they will not start and will receive some limited time to stretch out the kinks from the work at camp. If it is an emergency they may see more time than Garrett wants.

Yesterday wasn't a very good opportunity to evaluate the team without Ellie and Michelle. So maybe we will get a better team and conditions to see where we are playing without Ellie and Michelle their dominant selves. There is going to be a balancing act between trying to make sure we win the remaining games for playoff seeding against making sure the team we take into the playoffs has as much playing time and confidence as reasonably possible.

Thanks, Pilot and Geezer. Your comments make sense, and perhaps Elli and Michelle E will come off the bench for the second half if necessary. Would be nice to be able to win against Penn State on the road without them but may be too much to ask.

The evaluation of the potential playoff team (not to get too far ahead of ourselves - have to do well in conference games, don't mean to offend the soccer gods etc.) is hampered by the injuries to Korie N and Kendra C.

My assumption is that Kendra would be one of the three players who would start in place of the three amigas, playing outside midfield with Charney on the other side. Possibility of Michelle O playing in Keelin's spot is hampered by injury to Korie, because that means that Michelle O is likely to play alongside Kassi at the back.

Beating Penn State is important for RPI reasons. And getting home games in the playoffs is more important than ever this year because of being without three players. Pilots can use every advantage they can find.

Speaking of WCC games, the Santa Clara game is shaping up to be a big deal - as usual. Glad we get to see it at Merlo.

Martin - You are correct about Korie and Kendra being key pieces for the playoff team.

I think Korie would definitely be in the back with Kassie, as Michelle O. moves into Keelin's spot.

I suppose they could put Sophie in Keelin's spot if Korie can't play, but Garrett seems to want Sophie up top. Problably will use her like last year once Michelle E. and Elli are gone.

Kendra gives us a quality player and experience at left mid, with Charney at right mid, and Sophie and Danielle up top.

I believe this is the playoff team, barring injuries:

Strikers: Schmidt, Foxhoven.
Attacking Mid: Megan, the Mad Bomber
Left Mid: Kendra
Right Mid: Charney
Holding Mid: Olivier
Center Backs: Korie, Kassi
Outside Backs: Tsao, Sweeney
GK: Kelsey

If there are injured players, Garrett will just have to go to his bench, mix and match, and keep his toes crossed.

Defense will be the difference-maker. That's the key, especially after losing two tremendous offensive pieces, Enyeart and Reed.

And remember, behind that defense, we have one of the top GK in the country in Kelsey. We've seen what she can do. (She must really frustrate people, giving up only TWO goals in nine games.)

But the defense in front of her MUST BE AWESOME in the playoffs.

Must stop now, or I will be still be writing this tomorrow.

I tend to agree with you Fanatic. If there was someone else who could play forward then Sophie could play in the holding mid spot, which is where she plays for the Canadian national team. Needless to say this is another example of how Rachael R's injury sucks: she would have played forward and that would have freed Sophie to play her more natural position.

I think it's boiled down for me that the 3 amigas are here now to help us gain a top 4 seed. That way, when they leave, all of our playoff matches will be at Merlo until the final four College Cup.

Though we will lose a ton when the three leave, it will help our playoff unit having Merlo as the 12th player. With some luck and TREMENDOUS TEAM AND BACKLINE DEFENSE, we could make it to the final four, where anything can happen.

Hello from State College. It's been raining the past two days, I believe and raining a bit harder now. Anyone know how to find out about rain delays/cancellations?

It's Sunday and I'm not in New Jersey anymore (PA's state motto should be "We're not New Jersey!" and that would be enough), so I've decided to be relentlessly positive.

And would it be too dorky to ask to have my picture taken with Kelsey Davis? I don't know when I'll ever make it out to UP, and I am now like a child and it's like Disneyland is visiting me.

NOT too dorky, ninja. GO for the pic with Kelsey.

I think the coaches and players would be extremely welcoming to a fan at a road game so far away from Portland. Tell them you're a fan from DC and they'll all love you. Promise.

According to Ninja, it's been raining for two straight days. She is at the College Station stadium and it is raining harder.

Another messy, survive someway match. DEFENSE. DEFENSE. DEFENSE.

Pennsylvania's real motto is "Land of Fried Dough"




If it's rained out, don't forget the diner.

Geezer, you're killing me with that cinnamon roll or whatever it is!

Ninja says Enyeart and Reed are there!

Enyeart and Reed not starting.

goal for Portland:) Scored by Schmidt

Thanks for the update. Gametracker is not showing any action yet, although it's after the scheduled kick off.

Nice start! Early goal can portend good things! Let's hope...

Goal by Penn State

Anyone able to follow this on gametracker. It's still locked on pregame on my computer. Very frustrating!

maybe the GT update person is still asleep

Ninja says Kelsey saves a breakaway. but they score off corner...

a second psu goal?

Join the chat. guys watching the live feed will update

Now 1:1

Watching the game by live video. will try to update.

Goal pilots #6 corner !