Well, the Stanford Womens Soccer team has made it to base camp.
The problem is, UCLA, by virtue of their 1-0 defeat of Stanford last Friday, arrived there first, thus getting all the best shelters, and have all but secured the most favorable passage to the summit that is the College Cup trophy. UCLA has essentially won the Pac-10, and thus has virtually assured itself of a top seed going in to the NCAAs.
Stanford is still well-positioned, but likely will have to take a steeper path to the rarified air of that same podium; one rife with obstacles such as the ice walls of having to play at altitude, and the crevasses of having to play strong teams in neutral or hostile venues and conditions.
Only if Stanford wins it all will they have established themslves as an elite program. Another crash-out in the lowly second round will cement its status as a bottle-rocket for at least another year.
There was no video of the SU - UCLA match, and the match reports have been very sketchy. But reading between the lines it sounds as if UCLA clogged the midfield with such success that Stanford had no penetration up the middle to speak of, and were marginalized to the flanks, where they won corners but little else. Not only that, but word is Stanford's defenders coughed the ball up repeatedly in their defensive third, which if true makes it a miracle that Stanford did not get shredded for more goals.
A #1 seed in the NCAAs is unlikely for Stanford. The #1 seeds will likely go to major conference winners such as UNC of the ACC, Notre Dame of the Big East, Florida of the SEC, and UCLA of the Pac-10.
All that said, there is not a soccer team in this country that Stanford cannot beat, including UCLA.
From here on out, Stanford needs to remember the lesson from the Philadelphia Flyers and go out and win soccer games.
The problem is, UCLA, by virtue of their 1-0 defeat of Stanford last Friday, arrived there first, thus getting all the best shelters, and have all but secured the most favorable passage to the summit that is the College Cup trophy. UCLA has essentially won the Pac-10, and thus has virtually assured itself of a top seed going in to the NCAAs.
Stanford is still well-positioned, but likely will have to take a steeper path to the rarified air of that same podium; one rife with obstacles such as the ice walls of having to play at altitude, and the crevasses of having to play strong teams in neutral or hostile venues and conditions.
Only if Stanford wins it all will they have established themslves as an elite program. Another crash-out in the lowly second round will cement its status as a bottle-rocket for at least another year.
There was no video of the SU - UCLA match, and the match reports have been very sketchy. But reading between the lines it sounds as if UCLA clogged the midfield with such success that Stanford had no penetration up the middle to speak of, and were marginalized to the flanks, where they won corners but little else. Not only that, but word is Stanford's defenders coughed the ball up repeatedly in their defensive third, which if true makes it a miracle that Stanford did not get shredded for more goals.
A #1 seed in the NCAAs is unlikely for Stanford. The #1 seeds will likely go to major conference winners such as UNC of the ACC, Notre Dame of the Big East, Florida of the SEC, and UCLA of the Pac-10.
All that said, there is not a soccer team in this country that Stanford cannot beat, including UCLA.
From here on out, Stanford needs to remember the lesson from the Philadelphia Flyers and go out and win soccer games.
2 comments:
Ron,
My relatives said that that both games were wonderful to watch. The card played very well for 75 minutes and then let Dimarino(sp), the All American rip an outstanding shot that no goalie could have saved. A brief mental lapse cost the Card. After the goal, the Bruins had the better play, they say. Other parents told me that absent Kelley O was sorely missed. The timing and flow of the forwards was different and the Bruins were able to shut down the middle. Kel was out due to a possible concussion from a LT shot in practice on Thursday before. It was brutal. She had to go through three tests the trainers use for a possible concussion and it killed her to sit out Friday.
The team felt upset but confident that they can play with and beat UCLA.
USC was thought to play a very physical game and they delivered. Hard fouls were numerous. The first half was played like the UCLA match. After Stanford scored on the header, the Trojans had to open up and thus were exposed to two more quick goals. USC scored quickly after the third Card goal in the 89th minute. My brother Dan thought that USC had the tougher team, by a whisker. USC announcers conceded that the very fast Card have a better team than the National Champs of last year.
If the Trojans had concentrated on playing skillful soccer versa physical soccer, they may have succeeded.
Just my take,
Jer
Thank you, Jer, for the inside scoop!
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