One Santa Clara fans take

I've seen 4 Pilot games this year and have the following reaction to yesterdays game and comments here.
The Pilots were/are the better team, have better players, play a better brand of soccer(yes we used to play the same way), dominated possession and probably deserved to win the game. Possession doesn't equate to conquest and Pilots were fortunate/lucky to escape the last 20 minute Bronco barrage with a victory. One crossbar, one post, one disallowed goal(looked like correct call)and numerous near misses and balls blocked off the line offset by lots of possession one touch buildup resulting in 2 best clear chances and one goal. In short a wonderfully contested game by 2 teams with different styles, played with passion,heart, and skill.
Unnoted in this forum but there was a strong wind which resulted in Pilots playing with short field first half and IMO partially responsible for Pilot domination 1st half as Broncos are reduced to playing long ball over top. Broncs definitely benefited from 2d half wind.
Further thoughts:
Pilots played without best player;Broncos without 2of 3 best field players-Allie Vernon(stud ballwinner think Keelin) and Jenny Laponte(outside back equal of Tsao or Reed who has provided most of service this year) not to mention that best player Amanda Poach is only about 85% after 2 1/2 years of 3 different gruesome injuries. IMO the dominant player of 2005,2006 Bronco teams.
Pilots goal and Kendalls success all day to large extent a function of no Laponte so inexperienced freshman defender right back(former forward) compounded by substitute freshman other outside back not sliding over to cover Hailey not to diminish what was a beautiful goal. A too common occurrence(Stanford) and I can't stand the way Broncs play soft low pressure defense. Bugged me for the 8 years I've been watching Broncs
Pilots are doing better job recruiting...Pilot frosh are more advanced with exception of Jenny Johnston but I like our sophs. Not evident yesterday but I think Michaela has the instincts,quickness and vision to be a top finisher. A couple of subpar recruiting years(Rapinoes) coupled with unbelievable run of SCU injuries accounts for much of recent Pilot dominance.
Keelins strike at halftime was fantastic;Hennigers save even better as the ball appeared to be past her when she pushed it over bar. IMO even prettier than the goal although Pilot fans might not agree.
Having said all this, I do think Pilot fans need to take purple filters off their glasses...Yes the ref could have called a PK when Keelin was shoulder to shouldered and fell down in box; I think ref called it correctly as far as I am aware shoulder to shoulder is still allowed in box.
I was at Portland-Stanford game(rooting for Pilots). Stanford mopped the field with Pilots 1st half...11-1 shot disparity understates Cardinal dominance. I'd told Stanford fans sitting near me that Sophie would be the best midfielder on pitch so I was quite surprised to see her start uptop...it was only when Coach changed formation and seemed to move Sophie and Keelin into middle with Taylors speed tucked in behind that Pilots began to right the ship and get some of play...I eventually concluded that Coach threw freshmen into deep end of Stanford pool as a learning experience and they were shellshocked. I do think that Portland benefited more from this game as a result. As a sometime fan it seems obvious to me that Pilots need both Sophie and Keelin in middle to compete with the Stanfords,UNC etc. I don't know why Dani wasn't playing as much in beginning of season but you guys have all the pieces needed but I wonder how you will do with high pressure defense of UNC...I thought the same thing about Stanford last year and that turned out to be correct to my chagrin.
Hopefully NCAA will treat you better this year(no UCLA fetish possible this time) and you will get #1 seed you again deserve.

Thanks for the insights. It's helpful for an outside observer to look at the team. I agree that the younger Pilots are going to be great and some of them are very good already (I've liked Capelle from the first game of the season).

Good luck to you the rest of the season. The WCC will be represented well again in the tournament.

I agree with PPT. I was watching the game with my wife, and on the replay of the Winters ball (not the shot, the shoulder-down), commented to her that shouldering a player off the ball is allowed by the rules.

One thing no one has mentioned so far: The Pilots controlled a huge percentage of the balls in the air. The Pilots are good in the air, but they controlled far more than I had expected. -- Not to shortchange Bea's massive foot. I love her as a keeper.

thanks for the perspective. We miss having SCU as a top seed and knocking off UNC in the tourney more than once. Not something UP has been able to do.

gnarly wrote:thanks for the perspective. We miss having SCU as a top seed and knocking off UNC in the tourney more than once. Not something UP has been able to do.

Santa Clara also hasn't been able to win multiple titles...

I also agree about Keelin's take down. I was hoping for a foul, but it was the correct call, as was the no-goal call (they most likely would have canceled each other out).

Good observations, Bronco Billy. I am also somewhat of an outsider, being so far away, although I do get to see at least two games each year (4 this year), so I probably also bring a little of an outsiders view. Here's one observation - Cloee is sometimes like an adult playing soccer against children out there. Even not being able to see the full field and watch her off the ball, I can see that she is a monster defender. She continuously breaks up entry passes into the attackers, to the point where you wonder that the other team doesn't just give up trying and stick with attacking down the flanks. Of course, out there you have Jess and Ellie - not any easier. I also thought that Cloee and Kassie played well together, covering behind each other. There were several times when a path to our goal seemed to be opening (on TV), but one of them always came into the picture to cover.

I keep waiting for our final pass putting someone into a dangerous position to start clicking. That last connection hasn't been there much at all. As well as Michelle C. has filled in (I thought she has been real solid), it will be great to get Sophie back. When does that happen?

fan from afar wrote:. it will be great to get Sophie back. When does that happen?

World Cup qualifiers end selection Monday. She will be back for the first week of the tournament, though I suspect Garrett might rest her the first weekend, or at least the first game.

fan from afar wrote:Cloee is sometimes like an adult playing soccer against children out there. Even not being able to see the full field and watch her off the ball, I can see that she is a monster defender. She continuously breaks up entry passes into the attackers, to the point where you wonder that the other team doesn't just give up trying and stick with attacking down the flanks.

I've had the same observation about Cloee. And I love the look on her face as she calmly dispossesses the opponent or anticipates the pass and cuts in front to intercept. It's like she's saying "You should know better than to bring the ball in here."

I remember feeling the same way about Stephanie Lopez Cox when watching her play in her first year. She was just simply better than the players against (and, realistically, with) whom she was playing.

It will be interesting if we get to see Cloee matched up in the tournament against Morgan of Cal, Press of Stanford (does anyone have observations from that match?), Leroux of UCLA, or one of the other top forwards.

Interesting comparison the Steph.

Most folks don't remember she was a central defender her freshman year.

As i told Geezer after the Cal game I think it was, I expect by her senior year Cloee will be playing the whole back line by herself.

Not to quote a terrible Sly Stallone movie, but she really is "Judge, Jury and Executioner" back there... And it is all kinds of awesome to watch!

Geezaldinho wrote:Interesting comparison to Steph.

Most folks don't remember she was a central defender her freshman year.

How's this get here? feel free to delete it.

Thanks for the SCU viewpoint and adding so many details, Bronco Billy.

As for Clooe: She puts her body on the line every game. She's had bloody noses, head-to-head crashes, a black eye ... and just keeps on going. It is excuiting tos ee her move up a bit, as she is skilled with the ball on the dribble or to pass. At some point she will score a header off a corner kick -- she has been just off-target enough this season. A goal from a defender is a real boost in the post-season and she can provide it.

One must not forget what allows Cloee to roam more freely; 2 EXCELLENT outside backs (Elle n Jessica)who have the speed and skills to cover for each other. I'm not saying Cloee is bad (I love her aggressiveness, enthusiasm,n leadership from the back) only you have to remember the teamwork.

Anyone else have tickets to the College Cup????

GO PILOTS

santa pilot wrote:
Anyone else have tickets to the College Cup????

GO PILOTS

The missus and I were talking about it. We have weddings 90th birthdays, an Argentina trip, and a couple other things to think about.

But if the Pilots go to the CC, I'm there.

Me too!

BroncoBilly wrote:I've seen 4 Pilot games this year and have the following reaction to yesterdays game and comments here.
The Pilots were/are the better team, have better players, play a better brand of soccer(yes we used to play the same way), dominated possession and probably deserved to win the game. Possession doesn't equate to conquest and Pilots were fortunate/lucky to escape the last 20 minute Bronco barrage with a victory. One crossbar, one post, one disallowed goal(looked like correct call)and numerous near misses and balls blocked off the line offset by lots of possession one touch buildup resulting in 2 best clear chances and one goal. In short a wonderfully contested game by 2 teams with different styles, played with passion,heart, and skill.
Unnoted in this forum but there was a strong wind which resulted in Pilots playing with short field first half and IMO partially responsible for Pilot domination 1st half as Broncos are reduced to playing long ball over top. Broncs definitely benefited from 2d half wind.
Further thoughts:
Pilots played without best player;Broncos without 2of 3 best field players-Allie Vernon(stud ballwinner think Keelin) and Jenny Laponte(outside back equal of Tsao or Reed who has provided most of service this year) not to mention that best player Amanda Poach is only about 85% after 2 1/2 years of 3 different gruesome injuries. IMO the dominant player of 2005,2006 Bronco teams.
Pilots goal and Kendalls success all day to large extent a function of no Laponte so inexperienced freshman defender right back(former forward) compounded by substitute freshman other outside back not sliding over to cover Hailey not to diminish what was a beautiful goal. A too common occurrence(Stanford) and I can't stand the way Broncs play soft low pressure defense. Bugged me for the 8 years I've been watching Broncs
Pilots are doing better job recruiting...Pilot frosh are more advanced with exception of Jenny Johnston but I like our sophs. Not evident yesterday but I think Michaela has the instincts,quickness and vision to be a top finisher. A couple of subpar recruiting years(Rapinoes) coupled with unbelievable run of SCU injuries accounts for much of recent Pilot dominance.
Keelins strike at halftime was fantastic;Hennigers save even better as the ball appeared to be past her when she pushed it over bar. IMO even prettier than the goal although Pilot fans might not agree.
Having said all this, I do think Pilot fans need to take purple filters off their glasses...Yes the ref could have called a PK when Keelin was shoulder to shouldered and fell down in box; I think ref called it correctly as far as I am aware shoulder to shoulder is still allowed in box.
I was at Portland-Stanford game(rooting for Pilots). Stanford mopped the field with Pilots 1st half...11-1 shot disparity understates Cardinal dominance. I'd told Stanford fans sitting near me that Sophie would be the best midfielder on pitch so I was quite surprised to see her start uptop...it was only when Coach changed formation and seemed to move Sophie and Keelin into middle with Taylors speed tucked in behind that Pilots began to right the ship and get some of play...I eventually concluded that Coach threw freshmen into deep end of Stanford pool as a learning experience and they were shellshocked. I do think that Portland benefited more from this game as a result. As a sometime fan it seems obvious to me that Pilots need both Sophie and Keelin in middle to compete with the Stanfords,UNC etc. I don't know why Dani wasn't playing as much in beginning of season but you guys have all the pieces needed but I wonder how you will do with high pressure defense of UNC...I thought the same thing about Stanford last year and that turned out to be correct to my chagrin.
Hopefully NCAA will treat you better this year(no UCLA fetish possible this time) and you will get #1 seed you again deserve.

As others have said, it´s always nice to get some views from outsiders to the site...especially within the WCC. I´d expect SCU´s recruiting to improve again as the team continues to improve and rebuild again. The best teams in women´s soccer actually have remarkable consistency in college soccer, and I expect SCU to rebound. Brandi Chastain will continue to be a great ambassador for soccer in the area, and I hope the rivalry continues to grow again.

Well, the CC tickets haven't arrived yet (won't be sent out until late November at the earliest), but we always make our early offering to the DI Women's Soccer gods. They've blessed us a number of times and double blessed us twice, so it's a good investment.

Is the seating in NC first come first serve as at A&M or is there reserved seating?

A_Fan wrote:Is the seating in NC first come first serve as at A&M or is there reserved seating?

It's all "general seating," which I take to mean general admissions. No reserved seating, just as at College Station. That will be good. It will allow all the Pilots fans to sit together, just as at College Station.

GO PILOTS

santa pilot wrote:

Anyone else have tickets to the College Cup????

GO PILOTS

I have a brother in Greensboro and will likely be there if when the Pilots get that far.