What's the Lineup?

We're into June. It's time to start figuring out the starting lineup come August 20 at 7:00 pm. The Pilots look to me to have a lot of depth. Here's a first guess:

GK: DeYoung (Q: Will she be challenged by Dees and/or Downing?)

D: Tsao -- Olivier -- Colohan -- Reed (Q: Could Johnson switch with Reed?)

M: Winters
See Below -- Johnson (Q: Could Reed switch with Johnson?
Schmidt

F: Foxhoven See Below

At right mid, Chandhoke would be obvious except that she presumably won't have recovered yet from her knee surgery when the season begins. Who goes there? I see Parker, Brooke, and Cruz as possibilities. I'm guessing Parker. By the way, with the depth at that position, I think I can see why Charney is transferring. She probably was told she wouldn't have the starting position. And, who goes up front with Foxhoven? There I see Kreminski, Cruz, or Frisbie. Frisbie is left footed, which I like. Which one is the fastest? She's the one I'm going with.

Not to put down the others I haven't mentioned.

Those of you in the know, weigh in!

Those lines....Attacking Mid (Sophie) to Holding Mid (Keelin) to the D-Backs (Elli, Jessica, Colohan and Olivier) are solid. I'm bold and proud enough to say...best in the country!

I agree that Danielle, Halley, and Kendall will get the nod for starting spots. Then its anyone's guess who breaks in after that. Very likely possibilities are newcomers Ellen Parker, Sarah Bridges and Amanda Frisbie, though I think Taylor has developed very well and had a strong freshman showing. She'll garner a lot of PT.

A darkhorse is Micaela. We might have stolen a good one from Lauren and the Ducks! Very interested in watching her play. I read about a "coming out" performance she had during a club match held at Merlo recently. She had a lot of folks here in Pilot Nation who saw her play....wondering where she was going to play? Turns out it was supposed to be the Ducks at the time...but not anymore!

Kendra would be icing on the cake if she can rehab and gets back into game shape before the Playoffs. If she can play to the level she did last year...Wow! Watch out...

GO PILOTS!!!

Assuming everyone is healthy - I agree that Keelin, Sophie, and the back line are set, and probably the best in the country. Danielle and Kendall will start. Obviously, Kendra would also have been a lock to start. Does anyone have any inside poop on how she is doing, and when she is expected back?

I agree with UPSF that speed may well determine who starts up front with Danielle. Someone with breakaway speed would be an ideal complement to Danielle, and left-footed AND fast might be perfect. As for right outside mid, until Kendra returns, I will leave that to you who saw the team in the spring. There seem to be lots of good possibilities. Goalie - Who knows. You would probably go with experience to start, but you need to see the new ones play first. Again, lots of good possibilities.

My biggest concern this year is the health and fitness of Cloee and Michelle O.

Losing them in the playoffs last year was devastating. Hope they are fit to play and can last the season.

Will Sarah Bridges be the Kendall Johnson of 2010? Local girl makes good?

Plenty of candidates for the role up front with Danielle. Assumptions on this thread have been that Sophie stays in midfield. It is possible that she moves back up front.

Ms Parker has been in school all spring so may have the inside track to start early in the season.

For striker opposite Danielle, I would pencil in Michelle Cruz.

She has lightning speed and was born scoring goals, from what I have read and seen on video.

I agree with Harry R that the critical question is central defense and the health and condition of Cloee Colohan and Michelle Olivier. If they both are 100%, it will make a big difference. Question: If not, could we see Sophie back there? She most definitely can play the position.

I also agree with FANatic that Cruz looks like a likely up front partner with Foxhoven.

Assuming Cloee and Michelle are health and that DeYoung gets the starting nod in goal, here's my guess:

GK: DeYoung

D: Tsao -- Olivier -- Colohan -- Reed

M: Parker -- Winters (holding) -- Schmidt (attacking) -- Johnson

F: Foxhoven -- Cruz

I agree with all except I'm going with Cruz off the bench and start Frisbee. I've only seen both on tape and not in person, but never seen anyone punish the ball from far out like Frisbee and big and quick too. Left foot to boot. I like the spark of Cruz off the bench with her craftiness.

Sophie could play anywhere she is asked to. Tough as nails too. I like her where she is as she distributes so well and is nice to see Parker coming along to fill in when Soph is gone next year.

You need someone with a little attitude on D. I remember Hollenbeck in 2005. She didn't get a lot of press, but she sure was an enforcer in several playoff games I saw.


Take a look at this line up:

GK one of the frosh
D- McCluskie, Kelly, Klier, Nelson
MF-Brooke, Parker, Bridges, Jackman
F-Kremenski, Cruz.

Best bench strength I've seen.

We'll need it as something always comes up with injuries, mono, flu, etc.

Can't wait to watch a practice and see the new faces in person. The scrimmages will provide more competition then we'll see in several games.

Looking at the above list of players and potentia lineups, there ae definitely a lot of great options. I definitely like the idea of speed up front. One question that hasn't been raised is do you put Sofie back up front. She did a pretty good job up there two years ago and is such a great distributor. Although that may not be her preferred position. In goal, it will be Hailey. Watching her in a couple of games last year, she is very athletic and quick. She may not have the hands of KD, but I think she's going to be a pretty good one. It's tough to step into the college game directly from high school. The speed of the game takes a little time to get used to. That said it will be interesting to see how the new GKs develop.

Actually I asked the question about Sophie yesterday morning.

My guess is that she'll stay in midfield with Keelin.

I'm happy to see which of the new players rises to the top in the contest to partner The Fox in the Box.

I don't see Sophie playing up front with all the new players coming in who can play there, plus Kremenski. I think her best position is attacking mid, I think she helps the team the most there, and I don't think we have a good alternative to her at attacking mid (a position we need to develop for next year).

Breakaway speed would be ideal up front to complement Danielle, and I agree with Harry - it will be fun to watch to see who ends up there. I would guess it might be starter-by-committee, maybe depending on the opponent, and on who is hot at the moment.

With incoming freshmen it's always an interesting thing to see who makes the transition to the next level. Sometimes there are players who are highly rated coming out of HS who just don't live up to the reputation; some others go beyond.

For example, Keelin is an example of a player whose status now is way beyond her ranking coming out of HS. Charney, on the other hand, is one who has not really matched the expectations. Jessica Tsai was well-known locally but not highly rated nationally and she's had a great career.

Becoming a starter and making a major contribution in your first year is a big deal. UP has a number of players coming in this year: Cruz, Frisbie, Parker are all nationally known; and Bridges and Capaela are local stars.

Next year the Pilots may only need one of them to step up - if everyone else is healthy. Added to which there are the players who got time last year and may move to the next level after a year in the program: Brooke, Klier, Priest.

Given that this is an 11 player game, you need 2 or 3 new starters each year on average. Last year Kendall Johnson showed that she can play. It's not hard to see 3 of this year's 7 incoming class as starters for 3 years in the program.

One part of the fun is seeing who develops and how it all fits together.

The joy for us is that they keep doing it year after year.

I'll watch any of the above lineups. The team is loaded. Great blend of world-quality veterans and rising stars. Everyone needs to be ready to play and contribute at a high level. Seniors must state the message: this is our year.