Pilots versus Washington State

When was the last time WSU came here undefeated? Maybe never? Still, UP played a strong second half against UW Friday and can string two halves together Sunday. If they can't, the prospect of being 2-7 would make last year seem like the good old days.

It sounds like a major improvement in the UW game. I was expecting a spanking given Washingtons record and ranking. Let's hope that's what we see tomorrow afternoon. It would probably help if they stopped conceding PKs!

It was encouraging to watch the Pilots play two solid halves today. Both lovely goals and many nice defensive stands. Maybe they are turning a corner and learning to play together. i continue to be impressed with Sarah Jones in the center. She has great distribution and sees the field well. I also liked how the Pilots used the whole field today. Running the ball up the line again and again yielded results. It was great to see them win.

Winning. It is better than losing.
Yes, Sarah Jones is playing great, and starting to pass forward.
Babcock looked great off the bench and Marin also looked good.

Disappointed in the number of shots (8?), and lack of killer instinct.
For example, they were happy to hold possession and run out the clock the last 10-15 minutes. Good coaching strategy, maybe.

I am going to watch for La Pravotte's touches. Seems like she is not getting enough. Are defenses shutting her down?

Dan No Yell wrote:Disappointed in the number of shots (8?), and lack of killer instinct.
For example, they were happy to hold possession and run out the clock the last 10-15 minutes. Good coaching strategy, maybe.

But it worked....right?

WSU did outshoot the Pilots 14-10 in the match....each side putting five shots on frame.....and the Cougars earned seven corners to Portland’s two, but WSU scored ZERO goals!!  This was the first time in a year that WSU has been held scoreless on the road....and that was against Stanford.

Although I attend most UP soccer games to support the student-athletes, I really have no understanding of the coaching nuances of the game, but I do know that the side with the most goals wins.  I think most of us saw a bit more maturity and TEAM cohesiveness these last two games....that should bode well heading into WCC play.

Yes it worked. And I wasn't saying otherwise. Wins are great.

Here's an interesting item: Using the RPI's measure for strength of schedule, as of the end of last Sunday, the Pilots so far have played the 7th toughest schedule in DI women's soccer.

When you count the Cougar shots...

0ne was from inside the box out of the 8 in the first half. Zero were on frame. Most were from 23 yards and out.


The second half wasn't much better.

All of the pilot shots but 1 were from inside the box and most were on frame. And we had more crosses. Several of their corners were blocked crosses.

Different idea of what they were trying to do.

I don't want to start a new thread, so with a convincing win over WSU it seems like this is a good place to ask the question, "How close are the Pilots to being a quite good team?"

We've had two games, and maybe three, that I thought the Pilots were the better team, but where they lost. Oregon State and Cal State Northridge were pretty clear to me. Yes, the Pilots needed better finishing, but if they were to play these teams again, I'd favor the Pilots by a decent margin. Illinois was a little closer, but the Pilots missed two of what looked like open net shots; and Illinois got a cheap PK at the end to win. (And yes, I believe Janet Rayfield disrespects the game by teaching her players to dive any time they come close to having contact in the box. Garrett apparently forgot to warn his players about that.) I thought the Pilots were the better team in that one too.

So, suppose the Pilots had won those three games, which is a pretty reasonable supposition? They'd be 6-3. And, they'd be #15 in the RPI rankings.

I think these girls are much closer to being a quite good team than many realize.

Thanks very much UPSF. That is an encouraging analysis about this team and one that I sincerely hope is right on. I have wanted so much to feel good about the team this year but have this anxiousness about the future that has been nagging at me. You have given me reason to believe! Thanks again.

I agree with you UPSF, the team has talent and they are starting to jell. I've been to a couple of practices, both times after losses. Even after the losses they are upbeat and obviously having fun at practice. That to me is a good sign, they are not getting discouraged and are working hard.

"How close are the Pilots to being a quite good team?"

I'd say they are close and have a good shot at doing well in the WCC.
I think they are 2 years away from being a national force.
Right now there are not enough players on the squad.
We are not aggressive enough on offense. (Finishing, killer instinct)
And a few fixable defensive problems.

None of this is meant to put the team down. They are great, the freshman class is strong. Only 2 seniors, so next year should be even better.

I have another question.
I have seen both goalies play.
Both are good. Not as great as some past UP goalies.

Which goalie do you think should be starting?

How would you judge?

In 2005 Cory had  a handful of saves until the NCAA tournament. Her major activity was to figure out different ways to lean on the goalposts. She had to make less than 2 saves per game, letting in 9 goals.

That year opponents averaged 5.7 shots per game. ( not shots on goal--- total shots)
She made 45 saves in a season of 25 games.

Last year the total was over 20 per game. This year the number is just under 13, and the goals per game average is pretty much in line with those numbers. One keeper this year has 45 saves and the other 47 and the season is only 9 games old.

I think it's very smart to have both keepers getting time now. I'd pick De Haan for conference play. A little more experience.