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Post by bearsandbulls on Aug 9, 2018 9:48:17 GMT -5
So, start off the season with a "friendly" against our neighbor American University. Not much can be gleaned from the game other than everyone getting some touches on the ball. American is not a powerhouse WSOC team so a good warmup.
The Hoyas emerged with a 5-0 victory. With worries about the loss of Corboz, it is good to note that Carusa did very well 1 v 1 and is very good at getting the ball into the box. Also realize this game was played with mixed teams each half (half ones, and half twos on each team).
So Penn State U looms on Saturday on the road. That will be a real early season test as they are pre season ranked #4.
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Post by bearsandbulls on Aug 12, 2018 13:25:22 GMT -5
The soccer ladies travelled to Happy Valley, home of Pedophile State U. yesterday, and came away with a 0-0 draw against the preseason #4 rated team.
From the sounds of the flow, the defense was very, very solid; the Nittany Lions pretty much controlled the flow of the game, and new grad transfer Kira Carusa made some unbelievable moves in the box.
Next up our first game that counts toward NCAAs later on: Georgia University at a weekend mini tourney at Virginia Tech U in Blacksburg. Games on Aug 17 vs. Georgia and Aug 19 vs Virg Tech. The Hokies, not being rated in the top 25, may not be as tough this year, but never overlook them.
go Hoyas
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RusskyHoya
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Post by RusskyHoya on Aug 17, 2018 11:32:55 GMT -5
Nice set of pre-season accolades. The Hoyas will have a big ol' target on their backs...good...
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Post by HoyaSinceBirth on Aug 17, 2018 17:58:45 GMT -5
Hoya’s won 1-0 over Georgia on a Caruso goal in the 13th minute
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RusskyHoya
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Post by RusskyHoya on Aug 19, 2018 19:57:37 GMT -5
*Almost* correct, ACC Network. Almost. Hoyas play to a draw with the Technical Turkeys in Blacksburg. A not uncommon type of early season match - both teams sloppy in the early going, coming off of just a day's rest, in the midday heat. When the run of play favored the Hoyas, they looked like the clearly more polished side; when the shoe was on the other foot, you had to give credit to VT for their commitment to the attack, playing only three in the back as they sent players and balls - many, many balls - forward toward the Hoyas' frame. Not content to sit back against a higher-ranked foe were Chugger Adair's charges (what. a. name.), which makes since, since they apparently had not scored a goal at home since SEPTEMBER 7, 2017. That is an incredible statistic. Tech had quite a few young players out there, but their talent level is high. The Hoyas, for their part, also rotated through quite a few, a suspicious number of who were named Jenna (one of the VTech bros in attendance could be heard on the stream yelling during a substitution: "WHAT? HOW MANY JENNAS DOES YOUR TEAM HAVE?!" Good one). Plenty for the Hoyas to deconstruct from the film. The biggest one for me is the need to get the ball to Carusa more. She wasn't able to do a whole lot today, but her ability to cause problems is apparent. Like Crystal Thomas before her, she's a transfer who can make something out of nothing, but she is bigger and seemingly stronger than Crystal was. When the Hoyas are having a tough time generating chances, she looks to be the X factor who can generate the needed goal. Hopefully VT does better this season than their third-from-the-bottom projected finish in the ACC. The Hoyas need to rack up all the non-conference wins they can to avoid meeting the fate of last year's team, unceremoniously shipped off to a road match in round one. A win over Duke on Thursday would be huge in that regard.
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Nevada Hoya
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Post by Nevada Hoya on Aug 23, 2018 18:05:23 GMT -5
It looks like a 0-0 tie with Duke.
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RusskyHoya
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Post by RusskyHoya on Aug 23, 2018 22:11:40 GMT -5
Less ragged of a game from both sides than the preceding tilt against an ACC opponent. A couple days' practice can make a big difference at this stage of the season.
Duke is clearly a very talented team - lots of young women with good size, speed, and all-around athleticism. They forced a large number of unsettled situations and many dangerous opportunities that necessitated desperate defending. Their final touch simply deserted them, however, and they had many shots blocked...including a wicked strike that could well have gone in the back of the Hoyas net if it hadn't hit one of their own players square in the head. It was that kind of day for the Blue Devils on offense.
On balance, though, the Hoyas did do a good job of disrupting Duke's attack for long stretches of the match. The opportunities that came for Duke were generally more a product of individual skill and physical prowess creating space and time. When the Blue Devils tried to orchestrate an attack and go about things in a deliberate manner, they found themselves frustrated most of the time.
In the midfield, I thought Grace Nguyen had the best game of her career (that I've seen, anyway). She won a number of individual battles, looking heady on the ball and active off of it, and just generally was much more of a felt presence in this contest than I've ever seen previously. That is an extremely encouraging sign to say the least!
Very glad to see Paula G-W back on the pitch. The true heir to Crystal Thomas, even if she has not (yet!) shown the same level of goal-scoring prowess, Paula showed flashes of being the disruptive presence she can be, finding seams in the tightest of spaces and staying half a step ahead of the Duke defense. She may well become the John Stockton of the Hoyas attack...
...but for that to happen, Georgetown is going to need some of its would-be Karl Malones to step up. Kyra Carusa, Amanda Carolan, Jenna Menta... a goal-hungry Hoya nation turns its lonely eyes to you. Or, hell, anyone willing and able to make a run and put themselves on the end of one of Caitlin Farrell's numerous crosses into the box. There were some good chances generated, and lots of not-altogether-promising shots sprayed toward the frame beyond that, but timing and shot selection/accuracy remain areas for improvement.
All in all: this team looks to have tremendous potential. The talent is there, the experience is there, the leadership is there (that was one heck of a run back and saving tackle, Leah McCullough), the coaching is there (I sat next to some Braddock Road Youth Club moms, and they are ready to nominate Kristen Meier for sainthood). Will it all gel? Only time will tell.
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Nevada Hoya
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Post by Nevada Hoya on Aug 23, 2018 23:09:03 GMT -5
Since some basketball analogs were mentioned by Russky, it is appropriate that I mention that the Duke keeper is the granddaughter of Holy Cross All-American and NBA rookie of the year for the Celtics Tommy Heinsohn (my favorite player growing up). Also Celtic coach and announcer for the Celtics for 38 years.
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RusskyHoya
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Post by RusskyHoya on Aug 25, 2018 21:33:29 GMT -5
If the quotes in the match recap in the Voice are any indication, the squad has some similar thoughts to mine about the offensive issues: Yale will not have the talent of Duke or Virginia Tech, but you can bet they'll come in with a well-designed gameplan to counter the Hoyas and with nothing to lose by pulling out all the stops. Their coach has been there for 20+ years - long enough to get his own name on the endowed title of the position (aside from being a giant mouthful, my main reaction to "The Loring Family and Rudolph L. Meredith Head Coach of Women's Soccer" is imagining what it would be like to have "The Leonsis Family and Patrick Ewing Sr. Head Coach of Men's Basketball" start showing up on letterhead). Apparently Yale only scrimmaged once prior to their 3-0 pasting of Howard on Friday, so the Hoyas really have no excuse not to come out and take advantage. Looking for some significant offensive wattage in this one!
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RusskyHoya
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Post by RusskyHoya on Aug 26, 2018 22:43:32 GMT -5
Imagine my surprise when I came up the steps to Shaw Field and found myself looking at the back of the Hoyas goal...only to find Arielle Schechtman not in front of it. Imagine my even greater surprise when, within 10 seconds, I watched Yale storm toward on the net on a break and knock in a rebound for a goal. I guess the lesson here for me is: always be in your seat before kickoff. Long story short, Yale played feisty and physical and hung tough for awhile, but they ultimately wore down. They did generate more dangerous opportunities than one would've liked, but once Boo Jackson opened her account to put the Hoyas ahead at the start of the 2nd, the game felt firmly in hand. That goal, by the way... well, just watch. Wow. It's a big enough deal that the Hoyas have a rare offensive threat from the backline in the form of Meaghan Nally. To have two credible goal scoring options from the fullback position? That's a revelation. The Voice's recap is at georgetownvoice.com/2018/08/26/loyal-fellows-go-down-hoyas-prevail-over-bulldogs/
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DanMcQ
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Post by DanMcQ on Aug 30, 2018 11:12:52 GMT -5
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Bigs"R"Us
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Post by Bigs"R"Us on Aug 30, 2018 13:13:54 GMT -5
How do I purchase a tee shirt? 😋
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Post by bearsandbulls on Aug 30, 2018 16:58:19 GMT -5
Tis’ halftime Of the GWU game. Score 0-0. Loving this new look team but we’ve got to find someone to find the net. Shots on with so few scored is not good so far this season. Otherwise, looks solid with chemistry and balance.
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Post by bearsandbulls on Aug 30, 2018 18:03:12 GMT -5
Second half much the same, but Carolan nets one for the win. We beat these ladies 4-0 last year, I think. Not once did I see Carusa’s name come up in the stat play by play. I sure hope she gets touches as the season goes on.
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Post by bearsandbulls on Aug 30, 2018 21:45:10 GMT -5
Second half much the same, but Carolan nets one for the win. We beat these ladies 4-0 last year, I think. Not once did I see Carusa’s name come up in the stat play by play. I sure hope she gets touches as the season goes on.
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RusskyHoya
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Post by RusskyHoya on Aug 30, 2018 23:35:39 GMT -5
Second half much the same, but Carolan nets one for the win. We beat these ladies 4-0 last year, I think. Not once did I see Carusa’s name come up in the stat play by play. I sure hope she gets touches as the season goes on. I wasn't able to get out to this one, but I was over at Mt. Vernon two years ago, when the Hoyas also won 1-0 on an Amanda Carolan goal. We all know how that season went. I would not take the relatively close result as indicative of all that much - it's turf, it's hot, it's midweek, it's coming just a couple of days before a daunting road match at West Virginia. The important thing in these road tilts at GW is to get the heck out of Dodge with a win. GW Hatchet coverage, quality as usual, is here: www.gwhatchet.com/2018/08/30/georgetown-snaps-four-game-win-streak-for-womens-soccer/
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Post by bearsandbulls on Sept 2, 2018 0:31:56 GMT -5
So the next two weeks will largely determine our ceding in the NCAA tourney assuming we do well in the BEAST, which is predicted. To date we have “held serve” so to speak against good opponents and have taken care of business with situations where we were favored. Now, before league play we have WVU tomorrow and Princeton, both ranked, on the road. Wins or strong ties would do a lot to make our case in late October. The most likely win is tomorrow as WVU gives every appearance of not being as strong as usual. However, we are struggling to score ourselves so we need desperately to find the back of the net. Keep good thoughts for the ladies in Morgantown.
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RusskyHoya
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Post by RusskyHoya on Sept 3, 2018 13:24:15 GMT -5
I got to see most of the second half. The Mountaineers are clearly facing a down year - their talent looked more raw, their decision-making more tentative, and I did not see anywhere near as much of their usual aggression as usual. Having said that, the Hoyas defense got tested early and somewhat often, necessitating at least one empty-net clearance by a defender and multiple shot blocks inside the 18. Arielle had to work for this shutout - and work she did.
The 2nd goal by Carusa is rightly being praised for the skill with which she was able to bring the ball down, box out the defender, and then do a rapid turn-and-one-time it at close range. Marvelous. But I have to think that most WVU teams this decade would not attempt to clear the ball out of their box back across the middle and directly off of one of their own players' heads. Yeeeesh.
All in all, a good, competitive performance on the road at a place where it's always hard to come away with a result, even when the home side is down. I feel better about this team's offensive prospects than I did beforehand, which is really the most positive sign you can look for at this time.
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Post by FrazierFanatic on Sept 19, 2018 15:32:17 GMT -5
Women are 7-0-2, won the last 6. Keep it up!
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Post by bearsandbulls on Sept 22, 2018 21:04:29 GMT -5
So now that there is another poster here, I will continue......We don't have the traditional continuation of family names in the program this year, but correct me if I am wrong. This is the first time ever that G'town WSOC has ever gone undefeated in preseason....No losses, two ties.....No big names....One great grad transfer, plus some pretty damn good recruiting by Coach Dave....7-0-2 going into BEAST......Good RPI competition in the pre season....So where is the excitement??? Frazier Fanatic is the Lone Ranger......Tomorrow opens the BEAST schedule at the Johnnies.....Looks very winnable...Run the table in the BEAST and change your Thanksgiving plans.....One game at a time....But Duke, WVU, VT and Princeton all know who G'town is....
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