Huskies up next

OK folks. next week shapes up as he battle for the Northwest.

The Huskies beat Hawai'i 2-1 in overtime. This gives them the same 9-1 record the Pilots have. Several of us have watched UW several times this year. Is there anyone who thinks they can pull off a win against UP?

There's always that chance: OSU-USC football this week!

So far this UP team has been very focused. I think that it could be one benefit of the "three amigas" situation. If they were not going to be gone later, then there would be a very settled starting line up and a group of bench players. As it is, while we could all probably outline a first choice line up - with one or two questions perhaps (Elli at left d or left mid?, which parallels the Michelle at mid or forward question; Korie or Kassi alongside Michelle O?) but realistically we'd know Garrett's answers to those questions by now.

Instead, we have the whole puzzle of what the team might line up like after they are gone: and everyone in the squad still has something to play for. That means that every game is very serious for the players. Makes it harder for an unranked team to pull an upset I think (and hope).

I think UW is a sleeper. Look for them to finish higher in the Pac 10 than anyone thinks.

Maybe--- but I look at their schedule for this month and I think.....no way.

UCLA is already making a spot for the Nat Trophy in the Wooden Center...again. They are ripe for the picking if not UW then Im thinking Stanford. UCLA Defense is one of the best in the NCAA but I am not sure they can get it done offensively....ah ...but this is for another thread I guess.

Do I think the Huskies have a shot at beating UP at home after this weekend? It is probably about the same likelyhood of Garret sporting Mullet. Not likely.

Auto Pilot wrote:

Do I think the Huskies have a shot at beating UP at home after this weekend? It is probably about the same likelyhood of Garret sporting Mullet. Not likely.

Weren't you the one complaining to T. Wally about disturbing images?

Don't know much about the Huskies this year. Anybody want to clue me in?

Also, what is their strength of schedule, or RPI, if you will, compared to Portland's, after 10 matches?

What are their strengths, weaknesses? Coke, or Pepsi? (Couldn't help myself on that last one... )

Here is a Portland Tribune 9/29/08 article previewing this Friday's match of the Pilots against an "improving" UW squad.

Nice read.

FANatic, UW is #22 in the current RPI rankings. Their RPI is significantly lower than Portland's due to their weaker strength of schedule. Their opponents have won barely over 50% of their games, whereas the Pilots' opponents have won just under 70% of their games. Plus, the Pilots' opponents' opponents have won a higher percentage of games than the Huskies' opponents' opponents.

The one thing the Huskies will have going for them is that they are very hungry. They've had a three-year drought, and they're enjoying their success. The Pilots will need to be firing from the start.

It sure looks like she'll get more time or share it with Kendra, depending on how Kendra's foot is.

wrv wrote:Doesn't appear these notes on Friday's matchup have yet been posted:

http://www.portlandtribune.com/sports/story.php?story_id=122262891388832200

Is this an indication Jacqua will get significant time when our 3 U-20s are gone?

Go Pilots!

From the article:

• The Huskies are young, with three seniors, eight freshmen, 10 sophomores and seven juniors.

Funny about perception.

Of the current active players, UP has one Senior, five Juniors, 8 sophomores, and six freshmen.

Who's younger?

If you count only starters, we are still younger than the Huskies.

I don't know too much about college soccer; that's why I let the experts do all the posting on this topic. Can you explain why the UW roster breakdown shows 28 players, while the UP roster adds up to 20? How many 'inactive' players do the Pilots have?

Rachael Rapinoe is the other Senior and co-captain along with her sister Megan. She had a season ending (and probably career ending) injury. She's still a captain, though.

As far as the number of players, there is no NCAA limit, only the number of scholarships (14). It is possible that some players are playing without athletic scholarships. On average, a Huskie gets half a scholarship, a Pilot 2/3.

Teams can split scholarships, so most players get a partial, and in UP's case this can often be supplemented with academic scholarships.

UP had a 3.51 GPA as a team last year.

wrv and/or Geezer:

When you guys are talking about "Jacqua", are you talking about Sara Jackman, WCC POW, or Janelle Jacka?

FANatic wrote:wrv and/or Geezer:

When you guys are talking about "Jacqua", are you talking about Sara Jackman, WCC POW, or Janelle Jacka?

You're one of those fine print kind of guys , aren't you?

I usually think of Nate or Josh. Since I lived in DC, it could be their father Jon.

But I'm betting wrv was thinking of Janelle. I'm sure he'll weigh in...

Or maybe former Pilot Nate Jacqua from MLS? Nah.

Jackman and Jacka are both earning the right to more game time. Jacka has looked much improved in the games I've seen this season.

As for "young" teams: I wondered at season's start how well the young Pilots would do on defense vs. more veteran squads. Well, some of these Pilot freshman are clearly not the usual first-year players. Olivier and Foxhoven had tons of high-level experience before joining the college ranks. Sophomore Sophie Schmidt has World Cup and Olympic experience. And of course the 3 U-20 players --2 sophs and a junior -- have an all-star gig.

"Young" in college years may be true, but the Pilots are more veteran than their years alone can measure.

The young Huskies will be going down Friday ; it's only a question of how deep.

My opinion is the reference is to Janelle Jacka. Back to the topic. On paper the Pilots are the overwhelming favorites. If we play well the outcome will never be in doubt in favor of UP. If UP is flat and UW plays out of their heads it could be a game. Regional or local games sometimes end up with odd results.

However, if the Pilots bring their no shots no goals against mentality again to this game, I am sure the offense will rise to the occasion. Our record and their record is misleading. We have taken a much more difficult road to 9-1 that UW. We should expose them.

I have the feeling that the Pilots are not going to come out flat for games. I think the players are determined to do everything they can to force the Women's Soccer Committee to give them a #1 seed this year. The sophomores have one and the juniors/seniors two years of experience with what happens when you don't get a #1 seed -- sent on the road for the first two rounds of the tournament and playing away in the quarters, with all the disadvantages that go with it. I think they are determined not to have that happen this year. And, I think they know that the only way to prevent that is to force the NCAA to give them a #1 seed. I think they also know that the only way to be assured of a #1 seed is to win out from here on.

As a great coach said:

And there is still lots to play for: unlike past seasons where the starting XI would be set by now, this year there is the playoff conundrum to deal with so players like Sara Jackman, Janelle Jacka and others are fighting for a place in the team. And others Michelle O and Sophie S are getting to play in several positions as Garrett searches for the right mixture.

It's a fascinating situation. It's certainly provided lots of fodder for our speculation.

Great point, Martin! I can't remember a season quite like this, can you, or anyone else out there?

It's made it incredibly interesting, albeit frustrating having 3 top players play the regular season but not the playoffs. (I have to be careful not to start obsessing about that. Although I know my friends here will set me straight, as you all have done on 3 or 4 previous occasions this season, I think.)

I know it's too soon for this, but here goes anyway: Barring injuries, in 2009 we have the potential to go undefeated, as in 2005. There. I said it. You heard it here first! (Although no one will remember this post if it does happen.)

Now - back to the Huskies!!!!

Yes, back to the game

Because it's over! Kreminski in the 4th minute of extra time for the 1-0 Pilot Win!

Not bad for a 1st goal, huh?

Slight threadjack: Former Portland Beaver Jason Bay just put the Red Sox up 4-0, top 1st in Anaheim with a solo3-run jack. Gotta give my guys a shout-out!

Huskies must have felt great at halftime and end of regulation with a 0-0 score. Pilot faithful never doubted the outcome. It was just a matter of time till the golden goal. How cool for Halley; kudos to Sophie Schmidt for the winning assist. I can get used to four seasons with this amazing group of freshmen.

Speaking of Freshmen, Kassi looked really really imposing in the central defense. It looks as though her and Kelsey along with Michelle O and Jessica are really clicking. At the beginning of the year Kassi seemed a little unsure when to clear away or upfield. All that is gone. She is playing like an upperclassman. Jessica, the unsung hero, made numerous forays up the flank giving UW fits on coverage. Unlike the Penn State game, there were no serious threats to our goal that I could see. Bless their hearts I can feel the years being added to my life.