SLU Women's Soccer Thread

[cgeldmacher]

Why in the world do you do that in the box in OT in an NCAA tournament game?  Just dumbfounded.

[thatskablamo]

1 minute ago, Lord Elrond said:

Crap, can Karani stop the PK?

Well, that was dumb. Our goalie has nothing to be sad about. She’s not the one this loss is on. 

[ThreeTimeBilliken]

What was she thinking?

so stupid. 
clear pk

[Lord Elrond]

Looked like Karani guessed right, but I think her foot slipped. Appropriate for this lousy field.

[thatskablamo]

Just now, cgeldmacher said:

Why in the world do you do that in the box in OT in an NCAA tournament game?  Just dumbfounded.

Long flight home for that girl. She’ll always be remembered for that foul.

[slufanskip]

That play should be a major issue for all soccer fans. A foul on a play that wouldn’t result in a score 1 out of 100 times if there wasn’t a foul turns into an 80% chance of a goal play. It’s stupid. 

it was a foul but that’s a tough call right there. Even if that had been them against us, imo it shouldn’t have been called. And truthfully with this ref, had it been the other way, it probably doesn’t get called

[White Pelican]

I never played but several of my brothers did, into the high school level. A foul in the "area" is a penalty kick. I knew as soon as the girl went down, the game was all but over.

I've always thought a PK was too harsh for most fouls but for where they occurred. I don't think you can argue the call that by rule, a PK was warranted tonight. Now, if they would let the ref have some judgment, but as far as I know, they don't.  A foul in there is a PK.

I do think, however, they should be kicked from further away, but no one asked me.

 

[ThreeTimeBilliken]

12 minutes ago, slufanskip said:

That play should be a major issue for all soccer fans. A foul on a play that wouldn’t result in a score 1 out of 100 times if there wasn’t a foul turns into an 80% chance of a goal play. It’s stupid. 

it was a foul but that’s a tough call right there. Even if that had been them against us, imo it shouldn’t have been called. And truthfully with this ref, had it been the other way, it probably doesn’t get called

It’s a clear foul. I can’t believe it was reviewed. But to say it shouldn’t be called is laughable. 

[slufanskip]

5 minutes ago, ThreeTimeBilliken said:

It’s a clear foul. I can’t believe it was reviewed. But to say it shouldn’t be called is laughable. 

Are you saying a PK is given on every foul in the box against an offensive player? fact everything that could be called a foul in the box isn’t actually called. That play should not be turned into a game winning goal. 

[SLUBALLS]

Legal is hitting shoulder to shoulder at either 3 and 9 on the body while also playing the ball.  Hitting from 4 and 8 though without effort for ball, refs will call.  Do it in the box….pk.  
 

Too bad.  Hell of a response by SLU each time they went down.  Looked like two #1 seeds going at it vs #1 vs #8.  
 

Felt like we would come out on top like Penn St. did to us in last year’s final game. On to the spring.

[White Pelican]

wrong sport never mind

 

[ThreeTimeBilliken]

1 hour ago, slufanskip said:

Are you saying a PK is given on every foul in the box against an offensive player? fact everything that could be called a foul in the box isn’t actually called. That play should not be turned into a game winning goal. 

Not at all. But clear, stupid, unnecessary fouls will be called. It was so obvious, the referee’s assessment would be docked if he did not call it. 

[pakapablo]

15 hours ago, thatskablamo said:

Long flight home for that girl. She’ll always be remembered for that foul.

Another way to think about it, she scored two goals so without her we would have never been in OT. That is a LOT to process for for a single player in her final game.

[billikenfan05]

17 hours ago, thatskablamo said:

Long flight home for that girl. She’ll always be remembered for that foul.

That girl has a name. Don’t be lame.  

[thetorch]

One of these years this program is going to break through and make a final four.  Thought we would be getting more respect from the Tournament committee by this time.  We were much better than an 8 seed.  Eventually we will get that respect and we will make a breakthrough final four appearance. 

[courtside]

Irvine, California.

USC 4 SLU 3 OT

Fun game. Tough result.

It’s a game that SLU expected to win, and, a game that SLU played well enough to win. Credit to USC, who is a great experienced team that played well. It was a later tournament matchup and feel, played in the Round of 32.

SLU has been able to elevate its level each round of the NCAA Tourney in recent years. The game was everything expected from the pregame scout and then some. (Separate follow up with that)

SLU was able to get the style of game they wanted to play with pace and pressure. USC had a few early build ups of connecting 9 passes in a row, 7, and eventually 4  on their early goal. But SLU was eventually able to ramp up pressure on the USC back 5, turn the Trojans over in the middle of the field, win 50/50 balls etc…And SLU was efficient with its scoring chances.

USC played their unique version of a 4–3-3. They started their 10 Seniors. Their only change was moving Farmer back to center back next to Courtnall, and inserting Derrien as their lone defensive midfielder. This was in part because Farmer is a more reliable defender and Derrien is better at getting forward offensively. 

SLU played its 4-2-3-1.  Unavailable: Luebbert who picked up a longer term foot injury in the A10 semifinals

The pace of Cortland and Jackson at outside forward was a handful at times. Hayes found ways to score. Sampaio can put the ball on a string at times in the midfield. Alagoa can make plays. Courtnall, Farmer, etc are solid and experienced in back blocking shots or knocking away the final pass. But SLU gave as much as they got in all phases. Pace, physicality, combo play, individual and group defending, set pieces, aerial duels, 50/50 balls. Gaebe, Larson, Kim, Sawyer, Simon, Le, Schwartz, Houck, Stram, Heckel, Schreiber, Puricelli, Karani, Howard, Brinkman. Full team effort. 

SLU was pretty efficient with its scoring opportunities. Dangerous on set pieces. Veteran players came to play in the post season all over the field. There were long stretches of 1-1 and 2-2 where SLU was close to getting a lead that would have changed the game a bit. SLU was the first team all season to score 3 on USC and only 3 teams had scored twice on them. 

The 2020 and 2021 classes at SLU will be remembered for being the most successful classes in program history.

………………

USC has already advanced to the Elite 8 with  their 3-1 win Sunday over Wisconsin. (They host Wake Forest at the Track Stadium in Carson where they played the majority of their home games this season)

[courtside]

On 11/19/2024 at 5:00 PM, courtside said:

 

USC.

This will be a challenging but winnable game for SLU.

USC is the Big 10 Regular Season Champion in their 1st season. They’ve been a top 10 team nationally the entire season. 

3rd year head coach Jane Alukonis is in her 3rd season. She played at Duke and she coached at UCLA and Arizona State. She inherited 6 Freshmen who start today as Seniors. Developing players, adding both veteran transfers and nee young recruits. USC is an older team. They start 10 Seniors. They play 5 transfers (Texas A&M, Florida State, Harvard, UPenn, Mississippi State) 15 of their players are from Southern California. Canada, Portugal, Luxembourg, Brazil will also be represented in their lineup. They have 3 former USYNT members, and 2 for other countries. 

USC is heavy possession team. They like to keep and hold the ball, build from the back. Cerebral, methodical, deliberate. They want to wear out opponents by making them chase the ball. SLU is a direct team. Force turnovers, transition, counters, combination play. 

USC plays a 4-3-3.  But they do it in a unique way.m that looks like a 4-1-2-3. SLU is expected to be in their 4-2-3-1.

USC plays 4 in back. Harris, Courtnall, Gonzalez or McDougal, and Griffin. In isolated scoring needed situations, USC has moved Colbert back to right back from right forward. She a a burner. And Harris is a converted forward at left back. The other 2/3 are center backs.

Farmer is the lone defensive midfielder. Sampaio and Alagoa play in front of her in the middle 3 as attacking mids. And that 3 alignment is unusual. Sampaio is dangerous taking set pieces, and creating in the offensive third. Unique player with size. She will join pressure with Alagoa the FSU transfer. They both move up with center backs on set pieces as USC will drop its wing forwards less likely to win aerial balls. There will be space at times for SLU offensively between Farmer and Sampaio/Algoa.

Jackson, Hayes, and Colbert are their forwards. Hayes is a their best scoring threat in the middle up top. Jackson is very good going to her left with pace and finding the 2nd or 3rd ball in the 18. Colbert is an undersized pace wide right player. Both wings are fast. Flores and George provide wing depth with Anderson in the middle. Colbert and Jackson are undersized but heavy pace players wide. They will combine with outside backs up the line or with either Sampaio or Alagoa to get to the end line for cut back crosses mostly on the ground. Hayes can play as a target or in space. She is their best pure scorer. Taking away Alagoa and Sampaio in the. middle is a focus, as well as slowing down pace wide defensively. 

USC likes to methodically play through all 4 lines. back line to Farmer, up to Sampaio/Alagoa, and either wide to the wings or through/target balls through the middle. USC can very quickly reverse fields with several 1/2 touch passes. From there they quickly play tight space combination. SLU has to stay with runners in the half field. Back 6 has to hold at the 18-20. Sampaio is a distance shot taker and a free kick shot taker. She’s also a set piece aerial target with Courtnall and Farmer.

Gladu is not a big keeper but she has good footwork and quickness. She makes some highlight reel saves. She has on occasion had issue with more benign plays. And she frequently dives down to either side. Stays back often on free kick service inside the 18.

SLU can make the USC back 5 uncomfortable with pace and pressure in the offensive third. Have to pressure the USC back 5 in SLU’s attacking third. Speed them up, make them impatient with distribution, but negate transition down the middle. Half field defending requires group defending outer edge of 18 in the middle, and not getting caught in isolation plays with runners. High percentage clears. Control space. Diagonal runs, reversing the field. Force fouls and set pieces and be dangerous with them. SLU will be able to run at defenders. Need to be strong on the ball at both ends of the field, and with hold up play when without numbers.

USC has skill and pace all over the field. Limit unforced errors, make the safe defensive plays/clears. USC likes several pass connection build up goals. Make them play for that vs quick counters. Take chances offensively. USC isn’t a super high scoring team but they consistently find 1 to 2 goals every game. Led the Big 10. That little extra punch is what separated them for the Big 10 tittle. Need max two way play from everyone and a full 90. 

It’s more of a Sweet 16 matchup vs an earlier in the Round of 32. Another great opportunity for SLU. The winner will play Sunday night at 4pm PST. 6pm Central Time.

 

USC 4 SLU 3 OT

Plays and sequences that stood out in the game.

It’s always fun to compare pregame scout with post game analysis. The game was as expected from both teams. 

USC’s unique version of a 4-3-3 vs SLU’s 4-2-3-1.

USC started 10 Seniors, 2 of which were grad transfers. Their only wrinkle was the non Senior. Instead of Gonzalez or McDougal, they went with Freshmen Derrien as their lone defensive midfielder, and they moved Farmer back to center back next to Courtnall. Farmer gave them an experienced reliable defender and Derrien gave them more offense from the defensive midfield position. 

2 routine late first half wing forward subs and that was it for USC the entire game. SLU also shortened its bench a bit as expected for the game. 

Former National Champion USC coach Keidane McAlpine recruited half of USC’s starters. He took the Georgia HC position a few years ago to be closer to his former Birmingham home. Alukonis added the experienced transfers as well as some younger depth/future stars. 

9th minute, USC had a 7 pass sequence from a left side throw in, Jackson, Sampaio, Derrien,, Algoa, Griffiin, Hayes, Derrien, to Colbert running onto a ball edge of the box. Puricelli came out but she bobbled it on the slide. Ensuing scramble was Colbert to Derrien, to Griffin who slotted a through ball to Jackson cutting. Jackson stopped her run and turned and took a left footed shot off of the post from 10 yards. Typical USC type of sequence. 0-0

11th minute, a 4 pass USC sequence and goal. Sampaio, Jackson, Alagoa, Colbert, SLU had 6 defenders but Colbert squared it to Hayes top of the box who was trailing the entire play. She ran onto it in full stride, cut right and she hit a perfect shot through Heckel’s legs far post corner. Puricelli was screened and deep near post. SLU was defending cutters in the 18, and they gave Hayes just a step for a quick shot that needed to be blocked. Talked about Hayes pregame as the Texas A&M transfer who is USC’s most prolific nature scorer and shot taker.0-1.

After the USC goal, SLU started doing a better job jumping passing lanes.  But USC’s pace at outside forward was given SLU some challenges at times (Colbert was getting a few diagonal balls chipped in space) Lots of tests for Schreiber who did well overall. (Luebbert who splits time there has had a long term injury since the A10 semifinals) Eva has had to go the full 90 for a while. 

25th minute, nice sequence for SLU winning midfield 50/50 aerial duels, Le up to Simon back to Schwartz up to Larson squared to Gaebe whose through ball inside the 18 for Simon was cleared last second by Farmer. Moving Farmer to CB was helpful at times for USC.

28th minute. 9 pass USC sequence. Courtnall, Griffin, Farmer, Courtnall, Derrien, Harris, Sampaio Hayes, Jackson. But Hayes was offsides on front.

33rd minute: Heckel, Schwartz, Heckel, Schreiber, to Larson who made a long diagonal run through the middle of the USC defense. Larson got past Derrien and Courtnall. Left footed shot from 18 was well struck but at the head of Gladu. Anywhere else and it’s 1-1. But Hannah would get another chance and bury it later. 

35th minute Sawyer played an aerial ball edge of the box for Gaebe to Larson to Simon to Gaebe, but her shot was blocked by Courtnall from 10 yards. 

After more sustained SLU pressure, USC countered with Hayes up the left wing. Diagonal ball to George was well defended by Schreiber as was her through ball to Hayes (Heckel). Late first half rest subs for USC’s burners on the outside.(Colbert and Jackson) made those plays easier to defend. Then Hayes sat for the final 8 minutes. Those attacking forwards weren’t subbed out again all game for USC.

………………

44th minute Sawyer won a 50/50 ball at midfield to Larson. Larson’s downhill run was cleared to Schwartz who placed it left side of the box to Howard. She made a quick cut back on Griffin and Farmer and she tried to bend a 20 yard shot into the top far corner. (She did this often as a youth player). Gladu back pedaled and she got a hand on it tipped off of the cross bar straight down. Gaebe beat Courtnall for the tap in goal but Gladu was somehow able to get a foot on it while lying on the ground to flick it just enough to prevent Gaebe’s goal. 

……………..

Halftime

……………..

47th minute. Harris, Alagoa, Sampaio, to Jackson diagonally. Left edge of the box with Houck, near post routine upper 90 save for Puricelli. 

…………….

48th minute. Simon won a foul on a 50/50 aerial duel with Derrien. Houck free kick flicked on by Heckel for Gaebe was too far across the end line.

48th minute. SLU pressure forced a turnover, Schwartz to Gaebe, who flicked it in behind for Simon but Farmer cleared it away. Another turnover forced by Sawyer to Simon back to Sawyer in behind was scooped up by Gladu. Same sequence, Sawyer’s pressure bothered Harris, and Larson’s pressure bothered Farmer’s who received a squared pass from Harris. Larson steal and left footed shot from 18, upper near 90. 1-1 game. Again Farmer moved back to center back for the game. 

50rh minute after a few minutes of additional pressure and forced turnovers by SLU, Sawyer placed a long target pass to Gaebe, Her through ball to Larson and Simon was cleared by Farmer.

52nd minute Schreiber long pass up the line to Gaebe in the corner. 1v1 with Courtnall. Good help from Greiffin getting back to knock it away before Gaebe could shoot or find Sawyer who was open cutting in right side of the box.

54th minute. Another forced turnover Houck on Jackson, who squared Gaebe. Emily turned, beat Derrien but her low far corner shot from 20 was wide just beyond the post.

56th minute. Sampaio wide to Jackson who made an end to end run in space. Her cross for Hayes was defended by Heckel. Foul on Heckel. Bad call there. Sampaio’s 25 yard free kick hit the bottom of the post and grabbed by Puricelli. No rebound. Colbert was unmarked as a runner standing on the doorstep. And Jacksom got around Sawyer. This will be important later as USC scored on a rebound. Mentioned pregame that Sampaio is a dangerous set piece taker. She scored from distance to defeat Penn State in the final minute. 

57th minute. Houck drew a foul from Jackson in a midfield aerial duel. Heckel another flick on for Larson and Gaebe over the end line. 

Elise Le jumped a Harris pass to Sampaio, and she took it to the 18, cross for Larson middle of the 18 was knocked away by Derrien. 

After more SLU pressure. Colbert wide, played a long diagonal ball over the top for Jackson in behind the defense. Puricelli came out to clear. Jackson a late knee to the inside of Emily’s knee. Yellow for Jackson. Emily exited the game. 59th minute. 

Nimu long ball down the middle found Simon. She chipped Larson in space 1v1 with Courtnall. She got around Courtnall and she played it back to Simon inside the 18. Julia chipped it just beyond Gaebe at the 6. 

62nd minute. Colbert won a 50/50 ball wide. She played it up the line to Alagoa. Her middle of the 18 cross made it past the first runner in for Jackson but Nimu made a nice diving save on the cross. But she couldn’t hang on to it. Loose ball pinballed to Hayes from 20. She chipped it over Karani off of the post. Jackson beat 3 SLU defenders to the ball for the tap in as SLU was caught ball watching. Nimu was caught standing beyond the 6. If she had made it back another yard she catches the first shot. It was a hustle play by Hayes who tipped it away from Nimu to Sampaio who played it back to Hayes. SLU defenders were slow to get in position to clear. 1-2 against the run of play. 

64th minute Gaebe won a corner v Courtnall because Gaebe wins corners. Houck service was headed out by Farmer to Sawyer edge of the 18. One time Hannah volley shot was tipped in by Stram who got around Harris in front of Gladu. Mentioned pregame that Gladu like to stay back in those situations. 2-2

67th minute. Colbert wide pass other side to Harris up to Jackson on the wing. She turned inside and she made a long diagonal run in space. Shot from 18 was wide. Too much cushion in transition. Nimu did a good job coming out and cutting the angle to force it just wide.

68th minute. Colbert and Alagoa combo play to Colbert in the corner with pace. Her low service for Hayes was knocked away by a sliding Stram saving a possible goal inside the 6.

71st minute. Sampaio combination play with Jackson back to Sampaio. She turned and she elbowed Larson in the nose. foul called. Yellow Card given. That knock bothered Larson the rest of the game. 

Howard won a 50/50 ball to Gaebe 1v1 with Farmer. Gaebe shot blocked for a corner. Houck service punched out by Gladu headed back in by Le. loose ball high shot by Schwartz save Gladu

75th minute. Off of a throw in, Sampaio placed a through ball inside the 18 for a cutting Colbert but Nimu was super quick to come forward and slide and cover it. Many keepers wouldn’t have gotten to that with the speedy Colbert.

77th minute. Gaebe won a 50/50 ball with Farmer middle of the field, headed 3 v1 on Courtnall with Larson and Simon, but Farmer poked it away from behind while on the ground. 

78th minute. Colbert to Alagoa and her service to a cutting Hayes was knocked away by a sliding Houck. 

79th minute. Gaebe flattened Courtnall running into a Simon pass in space. They battled all game. Then Simon stripped Courtnall from behind to Gaebe who found Sawyer 1v1 with Farmer but Farmer was able to knock it away as Sawyer was cutting inside the 18 all alone. Farmer saved a goal there.

Loose ball Alagoa diagonally to Jackson in space but Nimu came out again and she knocked it away 20 yards from goal. 

Alagoa had a good look from 20 yards after a long ball to Cortland. 

85th minute Nimu came out again edge of the 18 to make a sliding play after a Jackson flick on header for Alagoa in behind the defense. Hexkel was injured on the play in an aerial duel with Hayes. She had to come out of the game. The next minute Colbert was able to get past Schreiber wide and provide service to Sampaio. She controlled top of the box to Alagoa wide. Alagoa chipped it over Schreiber for Colbert  behind the defense from 25 yards. Colbert settled and shot it 2 touch into the near corner for a goal. Colbert left early and she was clearly offsides even beyond the central defenders away from the ball. VAR review and the goal stayed. 87th minute. 2-3

88th minute Hope Kim won a foul from Jackson. Houck set piece headed by Larson to Stram whose left footed shot found the far post corner. 3-3.

89th minute. Courtnall long ball to Jackson in behind Houck and Heckel. but Jackson had a touch that sent it wide and she slipped on the turf after that. Nimu was well in position for a save there.

93rd minute, Sampaio diagonal ball over the top for Jackson who ran into the 18. Shot blocked by Stram on the run as the last line of defense.

94th minute. Long Larson run through the USC defense. One last player to beat was Courtnall for a walk in goal but Courtnall was able to knock it away as Hannah cut back with wide open space. Saved the game for USC there. Larson steal, played it up to Sawyer wide, long shot wide near post. 

98th minute. USC throw in front of SLU’s bench. Schwartz and Heckel marked Hayes 35 yards from goal from behind. But Hayes was able to maintain possession and make a short give and go with Colbert who was marked by Schreiber. Hayes cut into the 18. She was fouled by Stram for the PK. 3-4 OT Final. 

The PK call is a tough one there. I have long been for a rule change about non goal prevention fouls inside the 18 being outside of the 18 free kicks. PK’s are for goal prevention. Sophia was trying to use her shoulder but she wasn’t in front enough of Hayes and her arm was extended 50/50 call there. If she had kept her arm down and just used her shoulder to knock her down it wouldn’t have been a PK. Even with that I wouldn’t have called a PK there. It would have been a poor angle shot or service to a cutting Jackson who was marked well by Houck. Stram saved 2 other likely goals in the game and she scored 2 goals. There are tons of plays in a game that define a 98 minute game, not just one play in OT.  Nimu guessed the correct way but she went low and the shot was a no chance upper 90.

[Lord Elrond]

Jackson on USC as far as I could see, deliberately ran into Emily Puricelli. That should have been a red card. Dirty play by a dirty player as far as I’m concerned. Don’t bother to get me to change my mind on this.

[Cowboy II]

-report on Emily's knee? 

[billikenfan05]

27 minutes ago, Lord Elrond said:

Jackson on USC as far as I could see, deliberately ran into Emily Puricelli. That should have been a red card. Dirty play by a dirty player as far as I’m concerned. Don’t bother to get me to change my mind on this.

The tackle was dirty. No two ways about it. There was absolutely no reason to give anything more than token pressure there. She was never going to win the ball.

[Lord Elrond]

10 minutes ago, Cowboy II said:

-report on Emily's knee? 

Her Billiken career is over, I hope it won’t impact her potential pro career in the NWSL or USL SL, if she gets on with someone

[slufanskip]

1 hour ago, billikenfan05 said:

The tackle was dirty. No two ways about it. There was absolutely no reason to give anything more than token pressure there. She was never going to win the ball.

Here’s what got me on the foul and why I think red was warranted. No problem with her going in hard, in fact that’s what she should do. However, she had time to lessen the severity of the contact by turning away. She didn’t. She actually turned her shoulder into Emily doubling down on hard late contact 

[shempie]

1 hour ago, Cowboy II said:

-report on Emily's knee? 

Torn ACL and MCL

[Cowboy II]

24 minutes ago, shempie said:

Torn ACL and MCL

-thanks, that is terrible

[Lord Elrond]

45 minutes ago, slufanskip said:

Here’s what got me on the foul and why I think red was warranted. No problem with her going in hard, in fact that’s what she should do. However, she had time to lessen the severity of the contact by turning away. She didn’t. She actually turned her shoulder into Emily doubling down on hard late contact 

And that’s why it’s a red card as far as I’m concerned