So Halley Scores Golden Goal!!!

Was resting during game. Looks like UW tougher than some thought. Tell me about the match. And was this Halley's first college game? (no - she played in two matches earlier in the season.)

Thanks, Buzz!

(No prob, Woody.)

Wow. I just posted it in the UW thread. I'm thinking like FANatic--now I feel cool!

It is hard for me, watching the video patch, to decide whether the Pilots were a little unlucky or was UW GK brilliant in forcing the game to OT.

Hope we get lots of comments on that point, Auto, when the troops get back from the men's match a little later this evening.

No one is posting so I am assuming everyone stayed for the men's game.

For those of you out of town, it's been raining here non-stop for hours. Wonder if that could have contriuted to the low score, or just two tough teams knocking each other around.

I was really caught off guard when Halley came in for Danielle with about 12 minutes to go in regulation. At that point, I really hoped that Halley would score the go ahead goal. That she got it 3:18 into the first overtime was so cool for her and the team's and coach's confidence in her.

I didn't know she could play up front, but obviously she can. Hopefully another much needed offensive weapon when Elli and Michelle take off. She will have seven conference matches to hone those skills and get back into game-shape.

The UP website has a summary of the game. I guess they were actually trying to get Halley out of the game because of a sprain when she ended up scoring!

They actually have a video of the goal on there as well.... What a great setup by Sophie!

Shots after 90:00 were 12-6 Pilots, with 4 UW saves and 1 off the post. The box score doesn't give degree of difficulty, though. Guess we'll have to wait for the fans who actually sat through it.

I have to confess I was all ready to see two matches for the price of one...until it started raining this morning and didn't stop. Ended up following the live stats and watching the ALDS.

That's not such a bad evening, Trumpet.

And sitting in the rain all night is not a real comforting thought. (And you can't use umbrellas in the stands so you better have on a jacket with a hood! Or a great big old hat, Texas style!)

Yeah, I'm a wuss and proud of it...

the first half, the ladies had a couple of real good chances, one off the cross bar as noted. in the second half, the ladies upped the pressure an had several really good chances. the ladies were more unlucky then the uw keeper was brillant. charney missed a one v one wide open shot against the uw keeper an halley whiffed on a wide open shot. an that's besides several other really good looks where we just rocketed the ball right at the keeper that she couldnt hang on to, but recovered.

the game really changed when enyeart came in with about 4 minutes left in the first half. she played the entire second half. her speed really has an incredible inpact on the game. i hate to say, but i think she is the one of the 'three amigas' we will miss the most!

m. rapinoe had a terrific game imo, she laid it all out, all over the place, deke'g an dancing around every defender, never giving up on any play in her area. best she has looked this season i think.

an lastly, halley kreminski. i was really happy to see her come into the game. the one previous time i saw her play, i was really impressed with her game.
the game winning goal was a thing of beauty. great pass by soph [who also played a great game], but the finish!! wow!! after the game, during the ladies warm down run. im betting that the smile on halley's face will be there even after she goes to sleep tonight an when she wakes up in the morning!

Notning like a lap full of lukewarm rain to test one's soccer fanaticism. My take on thegame was that UW was really keen to do well and came in with a solid game plan on defense. Huskies really kept our outside backs from making too many long runs; they kept Ellie Reed in check for the most part with double-teams. The Pilots were not earning those deep runs to the touch line by Tsao or Reed or Sweeney, and those runs have just shredded other teams.

This was the closed and most defense-minded game we've seen since USC. Huskies never really threatened on offense, however.

And let's note that the wet field and nonstop rain made precision passing a tough task. Lots of passes went astray.

Huskies keeper did kepp her team in the game by stopping not only Charney point-blank but also Megan R. who tore straight up the middle to blast a low shot that seemed sure to go in.

Coach Smiths' faith in Halley was borne pout by a great goal. Untilh then she had been slipping and sliding on the field and appeared to get up tenderly with some limping. Smith ahd motioned to Foxhoven to gi in -- doubtless for Halley -- and Foxhoven was standing at midfield to go in, when Halley scored.

Let's give it up for a coach who has shown an uncanny sense of which player to sub into the game lately: Jackman's two goals and this game-winner by someone whom we have not seen playin some weeks.

Memo to Huskies: Our freshmen can beat your freshmen. Get used to it.

The highlight of the game for me was Megan's attempt at a bicycle kick during the first half...it happened just outside the right side of the box. There was cross or clear (couldn't really see what happened before)...but the ball went up really really high! Megan had her back to the goal...and I could tell she wasn't thinking about trapping and controlling it! With the ball still in the air....she gave a quick peek over her left shoulder...and gave it a go! Beautiful form....but...damn...she shanked it!!

There was a discussion about bicycle kicks in a previous post. Only one or 2 of those ever attempted? Well...add this one too! But I was really happy to witness it! My kids decided to stay home because of the weather...but their eyes lit up when I told them what Megan tried tonight!

GO PILOTS!!!

Yeah, Megan earned style points for the bicycle kick. Odds of success in these weather conditions was low, but she gave it a try. She never ceases to awe the crowd -- she's worth the price of admission every game.

Only a couple ever tried? Nah. There was one year when Tara Koleski seemed to try one a game. I kept hoping she'd get one, but never did. Other players noted for giving it a try? Reggie Holan, Vannessa Talbot, and most recently, Budgie last year.

One of these days.....

I saw that bicycle kick and I thought what fearlessness and confidence. 90 percent of the player who are capable of it (which is probably less than 5 percent overall) are afraid to even attempt it for fear of looking foolish if they miss. Megan is so over the top wanting to win she is willing to do it all. I admire that; alot.

All I can say is I think UW might be the sleeper in the Pac 10. They won't win it but they will make some good team very unhappy.

UW did look pretty good tonight. I don't think many tonight who saw the game thought they would beat UP, but on a night when footing isn't great, a low scoring game is always risky.. They had a good game plan. always double outside and drop the mids early. It kept them in the game

Kreminski may add something up top we need a bit more of - speed. If she can stay healthy.

I don't think I've ever seen Tara play...but I like her already!

I missed Natalie's attempt!? I was at every home game last season! Sheeesh..how'd that happen? I must have been in line for a Hot Dog or Kernel Corn or something!?

Its nice to see the players have fun with it when an opportunity arises...Yes...One of these Days?!!! I hope I'm at that game to see it!

GO PILOTS!!!

Great goal for Halley. I'll bet she'll take a little ribbing: "Whiff on one shot and win the game with the next!" But also, let's give credit to Sophie for a fantastic job of controlling the ball, burning two defenders to take it to the end line, and feeding a perfect ball to Halley.

Here's as good a place as any to report: Great night for the Pilots' RPI. They win a game. They add UW's record to their strength of schedule -- at 9 wins and 1 loss since the loss to the Pilots doesn't count in calculating the Pilots' RPI. Plus, the other Pilots' opponents (both already played and to be played) amassed a 7-3-1 record tonight. (In a couple of those games, Pepperdine lost to UCLA 1-0 and Santa Clara lost to Stanford 5-0.)

Pilots dominated the game last night. Danielle hit the bar with a great effort in the first half. Megan, Charney, and Hallie all spurned good chances in he second half. Megan made a fab run into the box but with only the keeper to beat she went for power over placement and the keeper made the save. Great pass into the box from Megan set up Charney who looked to have placed it into the corner only for the shot to scoot past the post. Hallie had a scrambled chance just after coming on that was blocked. She made amends in OT.

Interestingly Sara Jackman came on late in the game and almost scored another key goal; long ball into the box and she ran on but could not quite get the touch. She payed wide right when she came on.

Player of the game for me was Sophie. Never stopped running and working. Made the goal with nice skill and a burst of pace and a perfect cut back. Megan was strong too, and Michelle O and Kassi were rocks at the back. Michelle seems to find a way to make a lot of good passes from the back and not just belt it out or downfield: big advantage to be able to pass from the back. Tough choice for me between her and Danielle for rookie of the year. Kassi is the latest in a long line "much better than expected" awardees, Keelin last year, Emily Michaelson (walk-on to four-year starter).

Good win in horrid conditions: it rained pretty much non-stop and was belting down at several points in the game.

I'm inspired to make a long road trip next weekend and go to the Gonzaga game. Not sure if I have the technological savvy to post on the road but I'll find out.

GUPhantom wrote:I don't think I've ever seen Tara play...but I like her already!

I missed Natalie's attempt!? I was at every home game last season! Sheeesh..how'd that happen? I must have been in line for a Hot Dog or Kernel Corn or something!?

Its nice to see the players have fun with it when an opportunity arises...Yes...One of these Days?!!! I hope I'm at that game to see it!

GO PILOTS!!!

We talked about Tara last year in the memory lane thread

And about budgie's try after the Santa Clara Game

You posted right after me. Were you in a kettle corn coma?

Some random thoughts from a first time poster...

Does anyone else think Megan should be near the goal on corner kicks rather than taking the kick? She has amazing leaping ability! I actually get a sense of calm when Megan has the ball. She controls it so well and switches it frequently.

I like Keelin's play, too. She uses her body well to shield the ball.

I agree with previous posts that Michelle E. is under-utilized.

I thought Michelle O. made a fantastic defensive play late in the second half that could have saved a UW score. If the opposing player had gotten by her, she was headed for a 1-v-1 situation, but she just got a foot on it and sent it out of bounds.

I have not been as high on Kassie as others might be, although, I thought she played better in the UW game. In earlier games, she got turned around, back pedaling, and didn't make good decisions in touchy situations.

Ah, there's nothing like soccer in the rain!

So - to everyone at the game, (and not at the game) - Halley is called a MF on the team roster. But didn't she come in for Danielle last night and play up top?

When she scored the golden goal, she certainly was positioned like a striker.

Also, in the two previous games she played in, does anyone remember what position she played in those games?

With her size, speed, (and she's known for a tremendous "air" game), and with Rachel gone, and Michelle to be gone soon, if Halley could play up front, she might just give us another high-powered weapon like Danielle. (True or not?)

(I haven't seen her play this season in game or training, so please let the commemts flow!!! I do realize NO ONE has seen her play too much thus far this season because of injury.)

UPSoccerFanatic wrote:Here's as good a place as any to report: Great night for the Pilots' RPI. They win a game. They add UW's record to their strength of schedule -- at 9 wins and 1 loss since the loss to the Pilots doesn't count in calculating the Pilots' RPI. Plus, the other Pilots' opponents (both already played and to be played) amassed a 7-3-1 record tonight. (In a couple of those games, Pepperdine lost to UCLA 1-0 and Santa Clara lost to Stanford 5-0.)

Correction: The Pilots' opponents amassed a 8-3-1 record last night.

Later addition: Plus, Colgate beat American U today, bringing the Pilots' opponents' record for this weekend to 9-3-1. Add to that UW's 9-1 and our opponents' record numbers so far this weekend will receive an 18-4-1 boost.

Question: UCLA played a close game against Pepperdine last night, winning 1-0. Pepperdine had one shot off the crossbar and one off the post. San Diego did not play last night. Thoughts about Sunday's UCLA-San Diego game?

The rainy game was a good test of our love of watching the women and of our rain gear.

The # of shots indicates that we were somewhat in charge. My view was that we dominated possession by a significantly large amount than the shot chart indicates, but that often those possessions didn’t lead to a shot. But unlike several of the other posts, I did not feel so confident that we would win. While we had the upper hand, Washington never gave up, and under those conditions an unexpected turnaround could have occurred.

I was more impressed with Washington than I expected to be. I thought they played well.

In the 1st half I couldn’t figure out if Garrett had instructed Megan S to take the ball up only so far, or if she was making her own decision to not advance the ball further. Several times when she had an open field ahead of her, she would stay back or even pass back rather than aggressively charging the opening. Without her attacking, the defenders could drop back and limit the options for both her and the team. In the 2nd half with Elli & Michelle E playing on the same side, the ball was pushed up much more aggressively.

Megan R: so aggressive on both sides of the ball, great ball control & able to change directions as the defense dictates; 1st time I’ve seen the bicycle kick live-a treat!

Elli: energizer bunny never stops and is an asset on both sides of the ball; still keeps the ball at times when passing would be better

Keelin: always working; ball control much like Megan R; spends a lot of time flat on the ground since she goes so aggressively for everything in the air, leaving her vulnerable, and also because she is the spearhead of our defensive

Michelle E: as others have said, her speed would be much better utilized up front, where she is so dangerous and creates opportunities both for herself and others

Sophie: another of our hard workers; that video of the winning goal exemplifies how hard she worked all evening

Halley: glad to see her back; I’ve liked what I’ve seen in her limited action; I anticipate that her all-around athleticism & size will lead to very good things

Jessica: solid game

Players of the game: Megan R, Keelin, Sophie

fan,
halley may have played in either the u of o game of the ucla game, but i don't remeber her. where i took notice of her was at the usc game. she came into the game late an provided, in my opinion, an instant spark. i was delighted!! an when she came into the came last night, i expierenced the same feeling. halley is this years keelin, the player nobody knows or notices, but she is a player!! as for your question, as i said before, the only game i noticed her in was the usc game, an she did play up top. last night she played up top again. i like the combo of michelle an foxhoven up top an sophie an halley. i feel their chemistry is the most dynamic between the four of them

[quote="UPSoccerFanatic"]

UPSoccerFanatic wrote:
Question: UCLA played a close game against Pepperdine last night, winning 1-0. Pepperdine had one shot off the crossbar and one off the post. San Diego did not play last night. Thoughts about Sunday's UCLA-San Diego game?

Didn't San Diego lose 1:0 to USC in double o.t. the first game of the season? It sure would put a new wrinkle in the equation if they could pull it off.

But then they lost to UCSB. I think our best hope is to just focus on our own wins...