vs. Florida State (Results)

This Oregonian Article on Megan Rapinoe says she won't play this weekend (Reed will start in her place), Tsao will start for an injured Sweeney and Kelsey Davis will start in goal.

I'm full of confidence that they will make the game not about revenge from last year but about starting the season off right.

For those not able to make the game:
Stats and Audio

Florida State scores in the second minute.

Audio is not working once again. But in other news, I'm personally fine with it being about revenge now.

Edit: Halftime and FSU is still up 1-0. Live audio is canceled due to technical difficulties. I might be developing a soccer-induced ulcer.

ROCK.

Portland 2 : 1 FSU

Second half goal by Natalie Budge and an OT golden goal by Rachael Rapinoe.

I anxiously await your game reports.

Sorry the feed went out. I'll fill in with some impressions.

First off, Fla St is a real good team. they'll be seeded high in the tournament. It's not a pretty team, but they had good speed, size, and toughness.

They scored early in the game on two mistakes (Tsao fell down and allowed a good cross from the outside, and the defense didn't track back correctly to cover the cross). The shot was from about 8 yds directly in front.

It looked like UP hadn't quite gotten into the flow. maybe the freshmen weren't used to the pace of D1 ball, but most seemed to settle in ok after a few minutes. Actually most of the player were making mistakes early.

Fla. state put the ball in the net off a free kick later in the period, but it was called back because two Fla state players obstructed Davis in front as she was going after the ball on the drive into the box.

As the game wore on, UP took over the midfield, and ended up with many more scoring chances. I think the shot total was perhaps 18-7 in UP's favor

The second half was dominated by UP with a couple of exceptions. We were putting lots of pressure on Fla state. I remember several runs where players outran the Fla state defense for good crosses, resulting in a couple of pipe shots and several other near goals. They had the nice tight passes that we all hope the Men's team would stick with. After a while all teams will slow down from the chasing. You got the feeling one goal wasn't going to stand up.

Eventually, a cross from Enyeart to Budge and a great individual effort by Budge resulted in the first goal.

Fla state put the ball in the net again on one of their only offensive runs of the second half, but the breakaway was called back for offsides. Kelsey also had to stop a couple hard shots from the outside, especially from their striker, Yamaguchi.

I think the tieing goal took the wind out of Fla st. The combination of UP pressure and the UP atmosphere didn't allow them to regroup after. Same as the last time ND came in here.
The only real question was if there would be enough time. it took till overtime, but a long pass to Rapinoe at the top of the box and a great individual effort to beat her defender ended it. The keeper had no chance. The cheering started before the ball crossed the line.

Fla state was gassed by the end, with players coming off with cramps, etc. You could see they weren't ready for OT.

Great crowd! the cheering continued well into the warm downs and into the fireworks. If there were any recruits there tonight, their search is over. they won't find that atmosphere anywhere else. The crowd was anounced at 4800+

The Back line still needs to work together better. it seems like the same thing happens every year, that it takes a couple games for them to settle in. The offensive mids and strikers are in midseason form. The new kids had the jitters, possibly excepting Ellie Reed. She was beating one and two players down the side on a regular basis. It's going to be a joy to watch her the next four years. The last time a player impressed me like that during her first game was Frenchie's first game.

Holding mid for most of the game was Jackman, and she looked more like she was trying to avoid mistakes rather than make plays. It's to be expected for a first game. She'll be good once she settles in. Winters was a little better when she came in late, but she was fresh and her opponents weren't, and she got to see the pace of the game. Jesseca Tsao got beat a few time on the wing, but she was a freshman playing out of possition, so it went OK considering. She won't see many opponents as big and fast as the players they were throwing against her, anyway. Tsao got better as the game wore on.

I remember Emily's first big game against Texas up in Seattle, and she was tentative then, too, and got beat on several runs. Now she's rock solid.

The defense looked strongest at the end of the game with a back line of Scifo on the right, Nicholson and Michaelson in the middle, and Kroncrite on the left. Winters was the holding mid, then.

Great games by several players, Woznuck, Rapinoe, Kroncrite, Reed, Enyeart, Michaelson , Scifo all come to mind. Scifo made the best decisions coming out of the back, I thought.

Did I mention Budge has the most amazing work rate?


Davis had some great stops. She made your breath stop a couple times, but that's probably 'cause we are used to Cory in there. I think Davis is a keeper :-)
All in all, a great game. UP soccer at its finest. It's wins like this that will keep UP home during the playoffs.


Great game! Go Pilots!

Stonehouse, thanks for the report.

How about the amazing depth of this team? I count four starters out for the game--try that in basketball, volleyball or baseball. Depleted or not, this team played an entertaining brand of soccer against a formidable opponent. BTW, I know the story re three of the four, I do not quite know the story re Sweeney. (?) When will Sweeney be back?

FSU plays tough, intimidating soccer--a number of times taking down potential break aways of our strikers. I recall a balll down the right side in which the FSU defender simply pushed the Pilot forward down--no yellow cards were issued though. I believe the ref was out of position on that play even if he did speak directly to the player involved. Still, I am sure the number of sprawls on the turf by Pilot players far outnumbered the Semninole sprawls to the turf. Is this version of the Pilots on the small side? It appeared they were smaller than the Seminoles . . .

I did not think the Pilots did particularly well on free kick set pieces around the goal, following some of the FSU fouls.

I also noted that after their goal, the Seminoles seemed to pack it in around their goal. Shots were difficult to get and and more difficult to get to the goal. It may have been an indication of how much firepower even this depleted Pilot team has or it may be the style FSU plays because they are at times outmanned in the ACC. Getting up on NC, for instance, might well lead one to pack it in around the goal and try to hold on.

Nataliee Budge does indeed have an amazing work rate. Someone should take a blood sample from her, not for Bonds like performance enhancement, but lets get a blood cell count--her blood oxygen levels have to be high. She doesn't stop, ever. And, last night she showed nice skill around the goal, not only scoring but putting a couple shots right there--also a few nice crosses.

Elli Reed coming down the right side will probably be a frequent sight for the next four years. We picked up yet more speed and skill there.

Rachel Rapinoe seemed frustrated throughout the match. It may well have been that the Seminoles were putting a number of bodies on her. Of course, her frustration level abated some withl the nice left footed shot to send us all home. A well earned goal off a skilled play with, I think three Seminoles in the vicinity, two of whom she went around. Once around the defendersa the shot was struck with great pace, to the far right side of the goal beyond the reach of a good FSU goalie. I did enjoy Rapinoe's embrace of Coach Orlandos after that, as though they had been working on the very move Rachel used and it worked! She has been a force now for many games for the Pilots. Who outside the coaching staff would have thought that before her sister's injury?

I also thought Keelin Winters showed well, showed a toughness we will need at the midfield spot. Woznuk is glue; our offense is much the better with her present. Michaelson always strikes me as a heady player who, if she can get near a ball, will send it back. She almost always seems well positioned.

Can those present at the game please indicate whether they thought the second goal of the Seminoles waived off by the ref (the one where Tsao was beat, the pass down the middle of the field, with about 3 minutes left in regulation) was close to not being offsides? I am pleased that offisdes was called and I will leave it to the line judge to know his business. That did look close to being onside to me, however.

There is a great college atomosphere for these games. They are always fun with the stands full, with the students being so vocal. I am disappointed the stadium was not completed for this match, but hope to see it done soon. At one point I know there was discussion of expanding the seating. That does not appear to be a near term goal now--last night I wonder whether they could have sold more tickets?

Once we are at full strength, how does one juggle the minutes on the turf for so many able players?

As the lady behind me said all night: "Good Job."

Enough already, Go Pilots!

First of all...I just read that #1 UNC lost their home opener 1-0 to South Carolina (unranked) yesterday. That's as shocking a loss as Appalachian State beating Michigan. Wow! I don't see Coach Dorrance as the kind of guy who let's his Tarheels rest on their laurels...but...it looks like the Gamecocks weren't intimitaed by their reputation at all.

FSU was a good measure of how true the #4 ranking is for the Pilots. Even though we're "shorthanded"...the team played solid last night! Most of the girls acknowledged by Purplegeezer and wrv were right on! I whole heartedly agree with most of the observations.

Angie Woznuk is just FABULOUS! You can tell the FSU players were giving her the respect she's earned as a All-American. Angie may not always be noticed as the best player on the team...BUT...to me...she is definitely the most important player on the team...she is our quarterback...and controls the midfield pace of play. She was such a calming presence to the young Pilots last night.

A couple of freshmen to note who played "fearless" were Sara Jackman and Keelin Winters! Who would've known it was their first collegiate game? I saw a lot of maturity in how they performed. They were aggressive at the get go. And...they're gonna get better? Wow!

I'm still shaking my head at what's to come this season. Don't forget...Megan and Sophie will be stepping in and working with Angie at the midfield. Also, Steph's return to the backline should settle our defensive side down. It was evident to me that FSU's game plan was to lob over the midfield and attack Jessica's Tsao inexperience at right back....Megan Sweeney's spot. Jessica seemed to be the most vulnerable and still may be "healing" from her own ACL tear.

Those knee injuries are scary part of women's soccer. But if this team stays healthy, it definitely looks like there's a good chance in our future for NCAA Championship #3.

GO PILOTS!!

I agree with what everyone said. But to me the most amazing thing is that we won this game without three of our most important players lopez, schmidt and rapinoe. FSU is a really good team and I'm really excited about watching this team this year, especially when everyone gets back.

Add Sweeney. She has a meniscus tear and may be out a while.