Pilots v. Oregon

This is sort of a mini-cusp of the season. We had a great win, and a sort of not so good loss.

UP has to at some point define how the season will go. As we all know, that will in part depend on the Heath of the small squad.

Without dealing in specifics, A-Fan and I went to practice today, the immediate future looks good.

Yeah, I think that the key is just for the team to convert and score consistently... On a positive note, we did dominate the shots on goal stat against OSU (9-3). I´m really hoping that the UNC game was a sign that Amanda Frisbee is going to meet her potential this season.

Go Pilots!

I'm particularly loving the showing of 2 freshmen... DeGrood and La Prevotte. Fearless play. Very impressive. I think the pair may have been over looked and under-recruited by other programs? I don't remember hearing that they were blue-chip recruits or had NT credentials? But, very glad to have them on the team. They're fit the mold of a good HS/Club player who becomes a great college (Pilot) player. I know we're only 2 matches into the season but from what I've seen so far...the future looks bright for them. Sorta like how I felt with Keelin.

Go Pilots!!!

Most of the "regulars" probably already know this, but besides soccer tomorrow evening, there will be more food than usual and fireworks too.

The 7 PM game, which will be the first since students have been arriving on campus, will feature a pre match food cart party in the Chiles Center Plaza for UP's annual Bites on the Bluff. The event starts at 4 PM, is open to the public and features food from Burgerville, Seven Riders BBQ, Thai Cottage, Dano’s Dogs, Philly’s Best Sandwiches, Nicola’s Pizza and TNT Kettle Korn.

After the game there will be a fireworks display that will begin at 9 PM and last 10 minutes.

(You might even be able to get a beer at the Alumni House to go with your Kettle Korn )

DoubleDipper wrote:Nicola’s Pizza

I hear that they're closing this place down and it is moving locations and opening as take-out only. They have a sign on their door on Lombard, but I wasn't able to stop and check what it said.

Pilots win 2-0!

Capelle scores in the 3rd minute, and what is being scored as a Ducks own goal in the 86th... it was a close call, and upon further review that may be changed.

PilotNut wrote:Pilots win 2-0!

Capelle scores in the 3rd minute, and what is being scored as a Ducks own goal in the 86th... it was a close call, and upon further review that may be changed.

Yea, we appeared to be equally divided on whether it was an own goal or not (I said, "not")......regardless, their goal keeper was definitely in "no man's land" and probably feeling totally helpless as the ball bounced over her head.

Best atmosphere I've seen for a game in a long, long time tonight. The combination of approximately 1500 students, the many proud parents of incoming freshman, the Duck's fans, all the "regular" fans, the food vendors, the weather, and the fireworks gave a great boost to the beginning of the academic year.

I believe the official attendance was announced as 4,910...a little over capacity!

I thought Cameli got the second but I was standing near the penalty area so didn't have the clearest view. I did see Capelle's. Nice cutback from Parker to find her.

The defense was solid again tonight, and it's been good through the first three games. Johnson doesn't look like she's missed a year, McCluskie is significantly improved, Bridges is good in the center and those two make a good pairing, and all De Grood has done is come in as a freshman and lock down the right back spot.

Before the game I noticed Brooke was kicking the ball around with the rest of the team. Good sign.

I watched the video stream from the portlandpilots.com website... I have to say the production quality is OUTSTANDING. Very well done... multiple camera angles, replays, play-by-play (Adam Linnman) and color (Angela Harrison) commentators, a decent picture quality and only a few small breaks for buffering. It is a clear step up from previous broadcasts. Well done, Athletic Dept!

The broadcast showed the 2nd goal several times, and even in ABC Super SloMo it was very difficult to tell who got their foot on the ball... but if I had to decide, I would have said "own goal", but it only happened because Cameli was right there, millimeters away. Hardly a run of the mill own goal... but hang the goal on the UO keeper for being way out of position.

Per Dave Taylor (Ticket Manager) during the broadcast, the game was officially a sell out.

Ive spent the last half hour looking at the goal, too. i keep trying to freeze at ball contact and can't get it, but Man, that was close. i think i saw one frame on the iPad (it actually has a better replay function) and i think i saw the Duck did get first contact, but it also looks like maybe they both touched it.

either way, great play by Cameli, goals come when you get the defenders running at their own goal under pressure.
Pretty damn nice play by Kendall getting the ball upfield after stuffing the Duck attacker.



The video is great this year. nice replays - slo mo even, multiple camera angles, great job by Angela and Adam.

Good game. While the offense only put one (and a half) in the goal, they had some good opportunities. They seem to be improving their team play every game. It was nice to have some substitutes available to come in, give the starters a break and put a different look on the field for the opposing defenses to have to deal with. I especially like the contrast between Micaela and Kaila in front. M is a jitterbug out there, dodging defenders and breaking down the defense. K comes in and is a pure speed merchant, blasting past defenders. It's a tough transition for the defense.

This was the first game I've seen this year, so these are first impressions. There seemed to be a lot of pluses and a lot of minuses. Kendall was the best player on the pitch by a wide margin. After a shaky start, she was flawless in the last 75 minutes. La Prevotte was very impressive: lots of speed, skill, and energy. Erin Dees's distribution seems improved this year and I've always thought she was the best shot-stopper on the squad. Sarah Bridges seems surprisingly at home at center back and McCluskie the Younger is channeling her sister effectively.

On the negative side, I worry a bit about team speed. Brooke's return will help that, but there were 2 or 3 players who were routinely torched by the speedier Ducks. There were also a few occasions where an opponent was allowed to run 20-30 yards after beating a Pilot before a teammate closed her down. Both that problem and the large number of poorly aimed passes will probably improve as players become more familiar with one another. Set pieces last night were not really threatening. Perhaps if Jeter starts to get more time we will have a threat from corners, but we don't have much physicality up front with Micaela, Kaila, Noelle, and/or Amanda. Finally, we have struggled to finish chances for the last two years. Micaela's finish was lovely but I think the jury is still out on whether this team will be able to take advantage of scoring opportunities, and this may decide 4-5 games over the course of the year and be the difference between contending for a conference title and struggling to make the tournament.

Just some thoughts. I'm curious whether others agree...

All in all, a decent performance in a tricky match-up. We have often struggled against fast, physical teams, so it was reassuring that we never really looked like losing this one.

Anyone else notice the little "PRU" patch on the left shoulder of the white kits? It's a nice tribute.

Great catch.

The ref called interference on this play late in the second half......was it?

Is there a specified distance a player must give the keeper? Is it more of a judgment call based upon the circumstances? As a basketball guy, I saw this as just a nice play....play on!

Anytime we can send the Ducks home disappointed, I´m happy. I´m glad that the freshmen are shining and the team is showing some improvement. I did not get to see the game either, so, I have no comments about the team speed. But, it sounds like we´re holding our own in the midfield and converting enough goals to win. Overall, I think that Americans have the tendency of running too much and not playing technical enough. Were the players who were getting "torched" not running as hard to simply let the defenders do their job and to keep their spacing on the field? Or were the players getting burned actually defenders? Anyway, you can´t argue with the result, and I´m feeling good about the direction of the program again. So far...so good.

We watched the streaming video and really liked all the angles and especially the replays. This is a definite upgrade from last year. Very impressed. One thing I noted from watching on the video is that Erin Dees needs more spit on her keeper gloves. I don't think she is getting enough on them.

Indigo Kid wrote:We watched the streaming video and really liked all the angles and especially the replays. This is a definite upgrade from last year. Very impressed. One thing I noted from watching on the video is that Erin Dees needs more spit on her keeper gloves. I don't think she is getting enough on them.

She did it before every goal kick.

Need to ask her how that helps...

Indigo Kid wrote:
We watched the streaming video and really liked all the angles and especially the replays. This is a definite upgrade from last year. Very impressed. One thing I noted from watching on the video is that Erin Dees needs more spit on her keeper gloves. I don't think she is getting enough on them.


She did it before every goal kick.

Need to ask her how that helps...

1. It makes them more sticky/tacky, which helps to catch it. Especially with the newer balls. Easier and less hassle than using a water bottle all the time. You'll see some keepers keep a wet towel hanging on the side netting for this effect, too.

2. It's also a mental preparation/reset button - you'll notice many keepers have this. Kicking the ground with the toe of their boot before a kick, bouncing the ball a certain amount of times, adjusting socks, pulling at the shoulder of their jersey are all routines before kicks, or after shots to help clear the mind and focus on what's in front of them.

I guess I get 2.

but you don't need your hands tacky to kick a goal kick, do you?

Sure. What if your team doesn't win the kick and it comes right back at you? Need tacky gloves.

KFTC wrote:Sure. What if your team doesn't win the kick and it comes right back at you? Need tacky gloves.

Haha. Well, if you want to unnerve that forward coming at you, just go back to your net and wipe the damp towel, then come out to meet her.


Might unnerve your coach for good measure...

SoreKnees wrote:This was the first game I've seen this year, so these are first impressions. There seemed to be a lot of pluses and a lot of minuses. Kendall was the best player on the pitch by a wide margin. After a shaky start, she was flawless in the last 75 minutes. La Prevotte was very impressive: lots of speed, skill, and energy. Erin Dees's distribution seems improved this year and I've always thought she was the best shot-stopper on the squad. Sarah Bridges seems surprisingly at home at center back and McCluskie the Younger is channeling her sister effectively.

On the negative side, I worry a bit about team speed. Brooke's return will help that, but there were 2 or 3 players who were routinely torched by the speedier Ducks. There were also a few occasions where an opponent was allowed to run 20-30 yards after beating a Pilot before a teammate closed her down. Both that problem and the large number of poorly aimed passes will probably improve as players become more familiar with one another. Set pieces last night were not really threatening. Perhaps if Jeter starts to get more time we will have a threat from corners, but we don't have much physicality up front with Micaela, Kaila, Noelle, and/or Amanda. Finally, we have struggled to finish chances for the last two years. Micaela's finish was lovely but I think the jury is still out on whether this team will be able to take advantage of scoring opportunities, and this may decide 4-5 games over the course of the year and be the difference between contending for a conference title and struggling to make the tournament.

Just some thoughts. I'm curious whether others agree...

All in all, a decent performance in a tricky match-up. We have often struggled against fast, physical teams, so it was reassuring that we never really looked like losing this one.

I agree with your +&-s.

I said after the last game that team needs to bulk up to be able to play more physical teams.
Of 3 games this year, UO was the least physical team.

Last year we had an ever changing starting line up and lots of substitutions.
I like the tighter rotation we have seen so far this year.

I will say again, McCluskie is going to score off a header real soon.

DD, concerning interference, I'm no rules expert, however I watched the replay of the game on the Pilots website. One of the announcers, Angela Harrison, former Pilot goalie, said of the play that this happens all the time and is rarely called. She speculated that someone might have spoken to the official before the game and that it was on his mind and that's why he called it.