Pilots vs NAU gameday thread

[aleppiek]

Ok folks resurecting the first game thread.... It is again prediction time!

First goal of the playoffs, final score... drop all of your prognostications right in here...


I'll start,

First goal in the 7th minute from our WCC player of the year Megan Rapinoe.

Also I predict a 5-0 Pilot Victory!

All of this following a 1-0 OT victory from WSU.

[PilotDrummer]

Have we confirmed that our tickets will get us into both games?

I say the Pilots will add another shutout to the record books.

7-nil last time. I go, like aleppiek, for a slightly less embarrassing (for NAU) 5-nil.

[aleppiek]

Yes, the ticket is for the day, not a specific session.

[PilotDrummer]

Yes, the ticket is for the day, not a specific session.

[Mr. Burns]EXCELLENT[/Mr. Burns]. I'll have to come after work and watch the first game.

[ohhh_yeah]

We Always Win 4-Nil!

Jessica, Danielle, & Megan (2) to score. Not exactly in that order.

1st goal in the 14th minute.

[Stonehouse]

I'm with ohhh_yeah. 4-0 sounds about right.

I think the Pilots will come out blazing... first goal in the 9th minute.

[Auto Pilot]

ohhh yeah, I like the 4-0 nil. Expect the Lumberjacks to bunker in to keep the game from getting out of control early so I am thinking maybe the first goal comes in the first 10 or not until after 30. See I hit you with the over and under haha. However I would prefer we both get our way with goals in the first 10, 14 and 31st. Thanks for all the great pics by the way. I know of at least one player who uses one on her facebook profile.

[ohhh_yeah]

i have really started to use facebook within the past month or so... it is so funny how many pics i have shot i see on there... especially from the cleveland high students... which player are you speaking about???

[Auto Pilot]

ohhh yeah check your pm on this site.

[fan from afar]

I will also go 4-0, maybe 5-0, but I think Sophie will get at least one, along with Meghan and Danielle. Burke is also due. First goal fairly late - 25 minutes in - I agree that NAU will probably pack the goal box until we score.

[PilotDrummer]

...NAU will probably pack the goal box until we score.

Kinda hard to score if you have everyone in your OWN goal box.

[aleppiek]

With the group we have, I like our chances blasting away... Megan, Charney, Sophie, and Foxhoven have all demonstrated the ability to put shots on frame from distance.

[Auto Pilot]

Well here is what Coach Luciano says about bunkering against us

The bonus of it is we played Portland. We are not going to go into their stadium in awe. We know what their fans are going to throw at us. They are very well educated and very clever in what they say. They are classy in terms of what they do. They create an extremely fun environment for any player to play in. So for us we know the routine. We are staying in the same hotel, playing on the same field. We know exactly how they are going to prepare and come out—the little nuisances they do.

We are excited to be in the Big Dance. In this part of the season it is about winning games, not going for ties and keeping it close. So we are not going to bunker into a defensive shell like we did the first time we played against them. We want to give our players an opportunity to go at it. It could not be a better setting for us.

Great optomism for Big Sky Coach of the Year Luciano.

[Geezaldinho]

[quote="Auto Pilot"]Well here is what Coach Luciano says about bunkering against us

The bonus of it is we played Portland. We are not going to go into their stadium in awe. We know what their fans are going to throw at us. They are very well educated and very clever in what they say. They are classy in terms of what they do. They create an extremely fun environment for any player to play in. So for us we know the routine. We are staying in the same hotel, playing on the same field. We know exactly how they are going to prepare and come out—the little nuisances they do.

We are excited to be in the Big Dance. In this part of the season it is about winning games, not going for ties and keeping it close. So we are not going to bunker into a defensive shell like we did the first time we played against them. We want to give our players an opportunity to go at it. It could not be a better setting for us.

I was SURE he didn't see me chucking Pokies.....

[aleppiek]

Classic... Alley and oop

[DaTruRochin]

He knew what.... but not from where and by who... Hopefully the Pilot Club has some raisinettes or something so you can catch him unawares...

[PilotNut]

So if they know how everything goes and know the routine, I guess that means we win 7-0 again...?



And I think the Lumberjacks might just be a little surprised at the fans and environment tonight... a larger crowd than the first time around, and you know that the students and crowd will "crank it to 11" for the playoffs...!!

[purple haze]

So the coach says: "We know what their fans are going to throw at us."
That makes me want to get creative. Detroit Red Wings octopus, anyone?
(Maybe I will stick to hurling witty remarks.)
Prediction: Portland by many to nil. Foxhoven, Schmidt, Tsao and Rapinoe cause havoc.

[ohhh_yeah]

i seriously have something to throw...

[PilotNut]

I was SURE he didn't see me chucking Pokies.....

It's playoff time tonight, Geez. Break out the slingshot.

[Stonehouse]

Well here is what Coach Luciano says about bunkering against us

The bonus of it is we played Portland. We are not going to go into their stadium in awe. We know what their fans are going to throw at us. They are very well educated and very clever in what they say. They are classy in terms of what they do. They create an extremely fun environment for any player to play in. So for us we know the routine. We are staying in the same hotel, playing on the same field. We know exactly how they are going to prepare and come out—the little nuisances they do.

We are excited to be in the Big Dance. In this part of the season it is about winning games, not going for ties and keeping it close. So we are not going to bunker into a defensive shell like we did the first time we played against them. We want to give our players an opportunity to go at it. It could not be a better setting for us.

Great optomism for Big Sky Coach of the Year Luciano.

I know now isn't the time to say nice things about the opponent (we'll save that for after we thrash them 6-0), but seriously... what awesome comments from a coach. He's not giving the same bland answers and cliches... he's actually communicating what he thinks. Classy but confident, and very positive in his own players. I remember thinking the same thing when we played them earlier this year. I don't know much about his coaching ability, but the man must be a great interview. And, of course, he gave us an all-time great quote when he said Elli Reed "carved us up like granpda on Thanksgiving".

Random side note... before the game against NAU earlier this year, I bumped into a seemingly lost NAU fan by the Chiles Center. He needed directions to Merlo, so I pointed him the right way and chatted with him for a bit. Turns out it was coach Luciano's brother - a super nice guy and I think he said he lived in Portland. So... yeah. Not sure where I'm going with that. But it happened.

[Geezaldinho]

The guy is quickly becoming one of my favorite opposing coaches...

[decrink]

I think the scoreline will be closer this time. The Pilots have to adapt now to the REALITY of three top players gone. Before they could always bring them in, now its 90 minutes without them. Also, NAU is in their biggest game and what their coach says about knowing what's coming is true. Elli scored two brilliant goals out of the 7 if I remember correctly. I say 2 or 3 nil but the Pilots will dominate and only give up several optimistic chances and no more.

[decrink]

I do like how their coach says, "It could not be a better setting for us". What? Wouldn't he rather play a home game? They must have a lousy field down there. How about Wembley? That would be a better setting? How about an away game in Florida? If you have to lose you might as well go to the beach before your return flight. Although its pretty much beach weather out right now.

[Stonehouse]

I do like how their coach says, "It could not be a better setting for us". What? Wouldn't he rather play a home game? They must have a lousy field down there. How about Wembley? That would be a better setting? How about an away game in Florida? If you have to lose you might as well go to the beach before your return flight. Although its pretty much beach weather out right now.

I took it to mean that he was happy that they are playing at stadium they have already played at this season and against a team they are familiar with.

But yes, all things being equal, I'll grant that maybe, maybe, there are other places that could potentially be a bit nicer than Merlo. But not many.