Santa Clara -- Thursday 11/7

It was a wonderful game to watch. The team really put it all together for 90 minutes. Santa Clara did get worn down by the end of the game from all the chasing they had to do, their defenders were having a hard time keeping up with the Pilots by the end.

Downing is a senior so is eligible to graduate. It is a mystery why she would pass up a chance to be the starting keeper next year. She obviously has her reasons.

A great night all around:
Tree topples Ducks, Timbers advance and the Pilots win.

Very impressive showing against a good team. SC's forwards were a handful and the defense did a great job. Offensively, it was fun to watch the Pilots passing in tight quarters. As the ESPN announcer passed on, Garrett said the team was playing very well and that it was not a good time for other teams to play them. They certainly look like a team that could do some damage to tournament seedings if they continue.

Watching the replays of the foul leading to the PK, it was somewhat questionable. Even the announcer commented that it probably shouldn't have been called. She did agree with the call that negated Evans' goal. That one looked like it could have gone either way to me, but I'm sure some Pilot bias may contribute to that sentiment.

Great defense all game (how frustrated was Marlborough?), and the best possession we've seen. The Pilots out-teamworked some amazing players.

The PK looked like a hard foul in the box. At home, with the advantage of replays - and from ONE of the upper camera angles - it's clear Boon came in just after Julie Johnston passed the ball, planted her foot, and JJ landed on top of it, twisting her ankle or knee. Not a foul, but it did look like a late tackle at speed, during the game. Boon had an amazing game too - I feel like we saw her raise her game to another level.

It's often fun to read the story on the opponent's web site after a UP victory. Am I wrong, or is this not at least the third time, maybe more, that our fans have been described this year as "hostile"?

http://www.santaclarabroncos.com/sports/w-soccer/2013-14/releases/20131108rtm52p

jc wrote:It's often fun to read the story on the opponent's web site after a UP victory. Am I wrong, or is this not at least the third time, maybe more, that our fans have been described this year as "hostile"?

http://www.santaclarabroncos.com/sports/w-soccer/2013-14/releases/20131108rtm52p

Vocal might be a better word. But, the squad does try to give players on their side a hard time. Ordinarily within bounds of propriety, although I once told one who was over the top to cut it out. And ordinarily, the players on the receiving end get a kick out if at and even motivated. I think Kate Markgraf mentioned during the broadcast that when she played, she loved playing in this kind of "vocal" atmosphere.

We sat the student side, as we often do.
They can be rough and rude.
Last night, during a throw in, toward the end of the game, near the drum squad, frustrated SC player was complaining to the security guard who was ignoring her. I couldn't figure out what she was complaining about. In retrospect she probably didn't like that there flags and half naked men crowding her (in her opinion). It was a sign of how much we took them out of their game. I think a focused player wouldn't have noticed. A smart player would have gotten the ball quickly into play when her team was down 2 goals and time was running out. What did she think a part time, glorified usher was going to do?

I have to think that most teams love coming to Merlo. Which is more demoralizing; playing in front 1,000s of hostile fans on a first class field with first class facilities or playing on a hard caked weed encrusted lot in front of a few bored parents? (OK, SCU has comparatively good facilities and attendance, but still.)

Dan No Yell wrote:

I have to think that most teams love coming to Merlo. Which is more demoralizing; playing in front 1,000s of hostile fans on a first class field with first class facilities or playing on a hard caked weed encrusted lot in front of a few bored parents? (OK, SCU has comparatively good facilities and attendance, but still.)

Several coaches, including UNC, FSU, and Texas, have commented on the great atmosphere at Merlo and Dorance even said he wished his fans were like that.

For the record, last year's attendance at Santa Clara was 692 for the rivalry game.
I'll bet a pretty good chunk of that was Pilot fans.

Fantastic effort by the Pilots! I thought their best execution of the season was in the first half against Wake Forest, but this was as good and for the full 90! I can't think of a single Pilot on the field who did not contribute and exert optimal effort! Special recognition to Ellen Parker and Danica (who battled all night), Micaela (who logged many miles & had two assists), Dees (who had multiple crucial saves!) and the defense (who stymied a potent offense). Congrats!

Let's hope they stay focused and build on this in the game on Sat.

Many ex-players spotted at the game - Ellie, Keelin, Dani, Kassie.

As others have said, this was perhaps the best performance from a Pilots side that I have seen in the last three years, with the exception of the first half of Wake Forest, though I think I could make a case that this trumps that. I actually stayed up until 1 am and then watched the entire game on tv. It was beautiful. The commentator who was a former SCU player talked about the hostile environment four times. Really? SCU choked and Portland continues to grow each week. Frisbee's header off the corner, LaProvatte's emergence as a consistent scorer, the defensive line, Ellie (is she really a freshman? She reminds me of Stephanie Lopez the way she goes forward. Lorielle has come into her own. I love it when Sippel comes in. She makes things happen. Parkes, Ariel, Allison, Danica, Rebekah, Ellen, Amanda all amazing last night. And Dees!!! The only goal was a PK. Not bad. Not bad at all.

Dan No Yell wrote:Downing?

Yep....she's graduating; it's time for her to get on with her life beyond soccer.
 
(confirmed by Garrett)