SLU Women's Soccer Thread

[courtside]

10 hours ago, courtside said:

SLU is seeking one of the four number 2 national seeds. Dayton is seeking an auto trip to the NCAA Tourney. Dayton will also enter squarely on the bubble with their 44 RPI.

We’ll see if Dayton once again plays a 4-4-2 against SLU, or if they play a 3-5-2 as they have more recently, after losing Raimondi and Sheldon to injury. 

Hegg is likely to replace Raimondi at left back. If Sheldon can’t give it go on left wing, Huber will move to there from up top, and Goins will play up top with Gemelli, with Benigno just behind them. 

Either way, Dayton will likely play their wings super deep. SLU will have Halverson and Houck playing higher at outside back, and, taking the space in the attack when possible, playing triangles and diagonal ball's. SLU can play more diagonal balls to make Dayton move East West in the final third.

If Dayton only plays 3 in back, not something they prefer vs the Billikens, SLU will find the corners. If Dayton isn’t effective with their physicality and collapsing with their wings and backs, and SLU can get good spacing, 1v1 battles in space with pace would be an advantage for SLU. Dayton isn’t going to be able to match the pace, but they will be physical.

Reda has been a solid first year keeper all season. Donley has been a back line find, a converted forward. 

Dayton will want to play the middle of the field wings to the 3 up top in the middle hoping for some counter numbers there. SLU will want Dayton’s back line to play higher than Dayton prefers, and for the game to open up much more from the outset.

SLU will likely play 4-2-3-1 unless or until they need more offense. That would choose to wear Dayton down over 90 minutes. But a 4-1-3-2 is there for taking if they want to be more aggressive, or later if more offense is needed.

……………………

SLU RPI is still 8. 

USC upset UCLA 2-0. And with it, they moved into the top 15 RPI with a few big wins. And Stanford gets the regular season Pac 12 Title even though they had a 1-1 draw with Cal. For SLU purposes, it just crowds the field and adds a third team from their league to compete for seeding. (The Big Ten added a 2nd team the day before and so forth.) If SLU wins it will have earned a 2 seed. But it will go up against some other very good teams from higher profile leagues for seeding.

 

 

SLU 4 Dayton 0.

Dayton did in fact play a 3-5-2. And Dayton did in fact have trouble defending the corners, and they were also isolated 1v1 several times. SLU forced many turnovers and controlled the middle of the field in addition to out wide.

SLU was strong on the ball in the final third, much more so than in the game at Dayton. The physicality as a target or in space began with Kelly and increased with Gaebe. This combined with strong two way wing play (Larson, Groark)  and Hannah Friedrich being Hannah Friedrich, and it’s a lot. 

Larson kept the play alive to Groark alone. Emily had more time and unexpected space. Kelly back tracked to force a foul. Friedrich service to Heckel was just wide. 

SLU’s first goal, Larson making an individual effort play to herself on the wing, diagonal run to the goal, rebound to Groark who passed it back to Larson for the finish. 

https://twitter.com/sluwsoccer/status/1589324163101372416?s=21&t=clzskQ24Pdnofu8IlIqE8Q

https://twitter.com/atlantic10/status/1589325339804635136?s=21&t=clzskQ24Pdnofu8IlIqE8Q

Gaebe overpowered defenders, went around a 2 time A10 First Team All Conference player in alone. Reda had the save.Talked about how Reda was solid all season, and a keeper upgrade for Dayton this year. 

SLU’s 2nd goal was Sawyer playing a through ball for Gaebe in spacing splitting two defenders and slotting the finish. 

https://twitter.com/sluwsoccer/status/1589330289628614656?s=21&t=clzskQ24Pdnofu8IlIqE8Q

https://twitter.com/atlantic10/status/1589331726039658496?s=21&t=clzskQ24Pdnofu8IlIqE8Q

In the 2nd half, Larson had a chance, then Kelly had an individual effort play to get in alone and she’d like the finish back similar to Groark earlier. Groark put another wise after Gaebe won a 50/50 ball. Groark returned the favor heading ito out Gaebe in alone and a nice kick save for Reda. Stram also had an open header wide.

SLU scored their 3rd goal when Friedrich made a nice play up to Groark, and she followed her pass finding space and getting the return back and finishing far post.

https://twitter.com/sluwsoccer/status/1589337078604914688?s=21&t=clzskQ24Pdnofu8IlIqE8Q

https://twitter.com/atlantic10/status/1589338235364290560?s=21&t=clzskQ24Pdnofu8IlIqE8Q

Halverson made a strong run to Kelly in alone and shot at the keeper. 

SLU’s 4th goal was Friedrich making another play in the middle, up to Kelly, wide to Larson who slotted it back to Kelly for the finish. 

https://twitter.com/sluwsoccer/status/1589345996039151617?s=21&t=clzskQ24Pdnofu8IlIqE8Q

……………………

All of SLU’s 30 players are recognized and appreciated internally, deservedly so. It’s always nice to see different people recognized, as many as possible throughout the season and in the post season. I was happy for players such as Houck etc…who are more than deserving of recognition. SLU could have a dozen players recognized. 

…………………….

SLU will head into the NCAA Tourney with an RPI of 8. It briefly hit 7 today until Penn State defeated Michigan State (among other results.)

SLU is a deserving strong candidate for a top 8 seed. In my opinion, there are about 13 teams trying to get into the top 8. ACC has 5 teams, SEC has 3 teams, Big 10 has 2 teams, Pac 12 has 2 teams. And SLU. Just my opinion.

I have SLU in the top 8 based on what I’ve seen this season, along with 4 ACC teams, 1 SEC, 1 Big 10, 1 Pac 12 team. A 2 or 3 would not be considered surprising. A 4 would be a negative surprise. A 1 isn’t going to happen. A 2 is deserving and earned. 

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[Taj79]

Cappalletti gave up two goals and Reda gave up fpur yet they are all tournament team and Purcelli is not?  Robbed again.  

[Lord Elrond]

10 minutes ago, Taj79 said:

Cappalletti gave up two goals and Reda gave up fpur yet they are all tournament team and Purcelli is not?  Robbed again.  

The other goalies are so much busier.  Emily Puricelli had to make 0 saves against Loy-Chi, 3 saves against St Joseph’s, and 2 against Dayton. 5 saves total in 3 shutouts.  Notice our entire back line was in the All Tournament team, and Lyndsey Heckel was the outstanding player of the tournament.

[slufanskip]

20 minutes ago, Lord Elrond said:

The other goalies are so much busier.  Emily Puricelli had to make 0 saves against Loy-Chi, 3 saves against St Joseph’s, and 2 against Dayton. 5 saves total in 3 shutouts.  Notice our entire back line was in the All Tournament team, and Lyndsey Heckel was the outstanding player of the tournament.

Based upon that Emily won’t make 1st team all American or 3rd team or heck even the 45th team as those go to players on teams. 
 

it’s just like all A10. 4 out of the 9 goals Emily gave up were against a top 5 at home plus a top 25 on the road along with a shut out of top 10 Ark. Had the Davidson keep played those 3 teams she wouldn’t be in contention for the All Conference team. It wouldn’t be close. Most great keepers play on great teams and have great defenses. That shouldn’t be held against them. Emily is considered one of the best keepers in the country yet can’t make the 1st team All A10 or All tournament team because her defense is too good. The logic is ridiculous 

[Lord Elrond]

5 minutes ago, slufanskip said:

Based upon that Emily won’t make 1st team all American or 3rd team or heck even the 45th team as those go to players on teams. 
 

it’s just like all A10. 4 out of the 9 goals Emily gave up were against a top 5 at home plus a top 25 on the road along with a shut out of top 10 Ark. Had the Davidson keep played those 3 teams she wouldn’t be in contention for the All Conference team. It wouldn’t be close. Most great keepers play on great teams and have great defenses. That shouldn’t be held against them. Emily is considered one of the best keepers in the country yet can’t make the 1st team All A10 or All tournament team because her defense is too good. The logic is ridiculous 

I didn’t say it wasn’t ridiculous, yet there it is. It’s kind of like how a defensive player who scores goals is rated higher than one who does a much better job preventing goals.

[courtside]

RPI before NCAA Tourney:

1) Florida State

2) Alabama

3) UCLA

4) Notre Dame

5) North Carolina

6) Penn State

7) Duke

8 SLU

9) Arkansas

10) Virginia

11) Stanford

12) South Carolina

13) Pittsburgh

14) Harvard

15) Michigan State

16) Georgetown

17) Northwestern

18) USC

19) Clemson

20) BYU

21) TCU

22) UCF

23) Rutgers

24) Tennessee

25) Xavier

26) Texas

27) Georgia

28) Brown

………………

One computer model for example, projects SLU as 8th overall NCAA seed:

1) Florida State

2) North Carolina

3) UCLA

4) Notre Dame

5) Stanford

6) Alabama

7) Duke

8 SLU

9) South Carolina

10) Virginia 

11) Pittsburgh

12) Michigan State

13) Penn State

14) Arkansas

15) Georgetown

16) Clemson

USC and Northwestern were also considered. 

Just for fun it projects potentially SLU hosting Tennessee 2nd round, hosting South Carolina in the Sweet 16 game, and playing at Florida State in the Elite 8. 

……………….

A different, even more detailed computer model, has SLU as the 10th overall seed or 2nd best #3 seed. 

That model has in order:

1)Florida State, Notre Dame, UCLA, Alabama,

2) North Carolina, Duke, Stanford, Virginia,

3) Pittsburgh, SLU, Penn State, Michigan State,

4) Arkansas, South Carolina, USC, Georgetown. 

…………………

SLU will have its season best ranking in the Top Drawer Soccer Poll tomorrow, 8th.

 

[Cowboy II]

-I sure hope we have a long way to go this season and then two more seasons of Emily Gaebe, she rocks

[NoCoBillsFan]

The women got a 2 seed and will play Memphis in the first round. Florida st is the 1 seed, Arkansas is the 3 seed, and Pitt is the 4 seed.

[bauman]

10 minutes ago, NoCoBillsFan said:

The women got a 2 seed and will play Memphis in the first round. Florida st is the 1 seed, Arkansas is the 3 seed, and Pitt is the 4 seed.

Great News!!!!

[slufanskip]

33 minutes ago, NoCoBillsFan said:

The women got a 2 seed and will play Memphis in the first round. Florida st is the 1 seed, Arkansas is the 3 seed, and Pitt is the 4 seed.

I’m watching now. Thats’s awesome.I think that gives us 3 home games when we win

[Lord Elrond]

Gotta beat Memphis first! But I agree, SLU should be favored heavily to win. I never want to jinx the team by looking past the next opponent. Looks like Memphis got there by beating 3 straight teams in OT in their conference, one on PK’s after the two OT’s. So people had a hard time scoring on them late in the season. Also, looking at the SLU record book, we haven’t played them since 2010.  We did not play the same opponent this year, so no common opponent to compare against.

Now what would really be cool is if Missouri State can find a way to knock off the #3 seed in our little group, Arkansas….  Ok, just a dream, but anything can happen.

[bauman]

Is it like basketball where there are 4 regions?  If so and we are the #2 seed in our Region, then would that mean that Memphis is a 15 seed in the Region? 

[courtside]

Getting a 2 seed was the top goal regarding the bracket. If, and it’s a big if, SLU can keep winning, they can host Round 1, Round 2, and the Sweet 16 game. And, if, another big if, Florida State loses at any time prior to the Elite 8, SLU can host all the way to the Final Four if they keep winning.

……………………..

With that said, every game will be a tough game including the first game hosting Memphis. Memphis has a long time coach over two decades, and this will be their 5th straight NCAA Tourney. It is a heavy (17) International Team, specifically Canadian, but not limited to Canadian players. It’s long been a thing for good Canadian players to go play at Memphis. 

Memphis is only in because they won their conference tourney. (Their 77 RPi was not good enough.) Mostly that means getting past Central Florida (an NCAA Tourney team) and SMU. The Mustangs didn’t have the season they expected. Memphis has two draws with a good UCF team. Some teams are better than their RPi and Memphis is one of them. 

A theme in the first few rounds of SLU’s part of the bracket, are defensive teams. Mississippi State for example. was one of the better defensive teams nationally this season.

RPI was a huge factor selecting teams, and with seeding. It was less of a factor with early round opponent matchups. Some thought SLU would perhaps get SIUE (playing at Northwestern) or Missouri State (playing at Arkansas). But Memphis is fine. I like to see SLU play new teams. 

…………..

SLU is 4th ranked nationally this week in College Soccer News. 

………….

This is the bracket:

https://twitter.com/ncaasoccer/status/1589730157811888130?s=21&t=-aGS5ORYKFHIi40V23LX_g

 

[Lord Elrond]

It is interesting how international the Memphis team is. Of the 29 players, 12 are Canadian, 2 from the Netherlands, 1 each from Denmark, Japan, and Germany. Only 12 from the US (one of them is a local player, Sarah Bozeman from O’Fallon, MO) and only 1 from Tennessee.

[courtside]

42 minutes ago, Lord Elrond said:

It is interesting how international the Memphis team is. Of the 29 players, 12 are Canadian, 2 from the Netherlands, 1 each from Denmark, Japan, and Germany. Only 12 from the US (one of them is a local player, Sarah Bozeman from O’Fallon, MO) and only 1 from Tennessee.

As mentioned, Memphis has long been a program with good Canadian players. This is not a new thing for them. Nakao, Smit, Kerkhof, and sometimes Huber will also play a lot, representing some of the other countries. They have a few good players from Dallas Solar as well, one of the best youth club programs nationally. This will be their 6th NCAA Tourney in the past 7 seasons. They will be ready to play.

Sarah Bozeman was the starting keeper on last season's Missouri Class 3 Girls State Championship Team, Fort Zumwalt South. Two of her high school teammates (and close friends) were 2024 SLU commits Audrey Smith and Ashley Miller. Sarah was also a club teammate of 2022 Billiken Hannah Smith. Sarah has had 4 starts in her first season. Claire Wyville, a redshirt Junior is expected to start for Memphis Saturday.

 

[Lord Elrond]

Tickets are on sale on the Billikens website as per usual. 

[Midtown Madness]

Our interview with Katie Shields ahead of Saturday's NCAA First Round match. Find out why two players may be in the dog house over the A10 Championship celebration, and whether or not Katie thinks Memphis' Canadian heavy roster is looking forward to Saturday's temperature forecast!

[courtside]

All things Memphis.

Memphis was expected to win the AAC regular season. They did not. They returned roughly 8 starters, a very experienced older team. They filled a couple of spots with International non-Canadian transfers. 

Memphis plays a familiar 4-2-3-1 and 4-1-3-2 formations.

Stordy, Spray, Smit Bray in back

Huber Kerkhof or often times, just one.

Jones Nakao Alonzo across the attacking midfield.

Miller up top.

Jones will pair up top at times too with Miller, when they play 2 up top. Their few subs are later first half subs up top in the attack.

……………

SLU can have some success using the width of the field, playing diagonally through Friedrich or Groark to the other side, or back to same side wings. Shots from distance, 18-20, set pieces etc….get the game to open up which sometimes takes a half. These are opportunities, along with drawing set pieces in the final third. 

……………….

Offensively Memphis led the AAC in earning corner kicks, and they were 6th nationally in this category. That’s a lot. They create plenty of set piece opportunities but they have been less efficient finishing them outside of 2nd and third chances. One reason is lack of aerial size up front. But they will finish mistakes 

This also comes into play with wing service and set pieces. Alonzo on the left wing takes many of their set pieces, end swingers. Jones works and creates on the right wing to win corners and set pieces.

Miller plays up top with Nakao just behind her in the central midfield. With the above two players, those four combined create and finish many of their opportunities. Seto provides good size and energy off of the bench. At times there is a lot of space in the central midfield, and while solid, their defensive mids can be an opportunity. Back line has a lot of experience and is strong on the right side. 

SLU can bottle up Miller and Nakao in the middle with Miller, Lawler, Stram, and Heckel. Memphis can try Jones 1v1 with Halverson, and Alonzo 1v1 with Houck. Limit set piece opportunities. When things fall apart they will look to Jones to make a play. They are not a methodical East West possession team. They will press and counter. (which is good for SLU to get Memphis to open up a bit. This will show more in the 2nd 90.) SLU will need its attacking midfield and wings to back track at times which is a team strength. 

It’s more about SLU’s execution than anything else. For SLU playing strong on the ball in the final third is essential. Be on the front foot early in the game. Memphis is a fairly direct team, they defend and counter. Sometimes they will sit deeper earlier in the game. They play very hard. They wouldn’t mind a middle of the field played first half. They have an athletic but undersized keeper. It will be colder, so it will be more challenging to maintain efficiency, being sharp, and at times the hame will he about 50/50 battles. 

………………

Last year, Memphis won 14 games, defeated LSU in the NCAA Tourney, and lost a close tough 1-0 game to Duke after that. Many of their players from that are back. They outplayed everyone in their conference tourney. They hung around in their few bigger games and lost them in part against 2nd half bursts of transition. They are very capable.

Memphis does not have a deep bench but it hasn’t caught up with them yet. Many of starters are prepared to play a full 90 and beyond. The strength of their team is that they are solid, good, collectively as a group across the 11. 

You will see players in the game for Memphis from 5 different Canadian provinces, a couple from Texas, one from Ohio, one from California, as well as one from Japan, Germany, and the Netherlands. 

……………..

Hannah Larson was named to the Top Drawer Soccer National Team of the Week. She’s at least the 4th different Billiken to do so this season. 

……………..

Regarding NCAA Selection, as mentioned, RPI was a big factor in both making the tourney and seeding.

In the few instances where it was less so, the team in question lacked both strong non-conference wins, and strong league wins (Dayton, Wisconsin, etc) RPI isn’t a be all end all. Nebraska’s 58 RPI was considered too high for an invite despite a few impressive wins and draws against top level teams.

League finish didn’t seem to matter much. 

SLU schedules strong non-conference teams. They achieved strong non-conference results against some of those top level teams. That combined with going unblemished in its league earned them a top 8 national seed. Hopefully SLU can get back to a 5th or even 6th strong RPI number of games next season. 

……………….

SLU is expected to have all 10 of its 2023 recruits sign today.

………………

[Lord Elrond]

Can’t wait for Saturday. To all fans, come on out, and don’t forget your tickets or thermal underwear!

[Lord Elrond]

36 minutes ago, Midtown Madness said:

Our interview with Katie Shields ahead of Saturday's NCAA First Round match. Find out why two players may be in the dog house over the A10 Championship celebration, and whether or not Katie thinks Memphis' Canadian heavy roster is looking forward to Saturday's temperature forecast!

Great interview, and I hope Hannah Larson and Sydney Beach figure out how to get out of Katie Shield’s sons doghouse.

[slufanskip]

38 minutes ago, Lord Elrond said:

Can’t wait for Saturday. To all fans, come on out, and don’t forget your tickets or thermal underwear!

I have to work, I’m going to hate missing this game. I’ll need to stay off this thread until I get home to watch it. Not sure I’ll be able to do that. 

[Pistol]

37 minutes ago, Lord Elrond said:

Great interview, and I hope Hannah Larson and Sydney Beach figure out how to get out of Katie Shield’s sons doghouse.

That cracked me up. My 3-year-old would've lost her mind if she saw that. Just no way to conceptualize what's happening when your parent gets a giant Gatorade bucket dumped on her head.

Hopefully it won't be the last time!

[SLUBALLS]

1-0 Memphis. Sorry but what a complete disappointment for a team coming in as the A10 champ, 2 seed and a 20-1 record…..and then they lose at home.

Memphis played us straight-up and converted on 1 of their 5 shots.  Long ball to back post and a sliding Memphis player taps the ball just inside the post.  
 

My single biggest complaint was the unforced turnovers by SLU …. over and over again they simply killed any build-up, possession or quick moves forward.  The 10 or so shots we had were nothing that truly menaced the Memphis keep, all 5’5” of her.  
 

Brutal way to end the season.  

[slufanskip]

50 minutes ago, SLUBALLS said:

1-0 Memphis. Sorry but what a complete disappointment for a team coming in as the A10 champ, 2 seed and a 20-1 record…..and then they lose at home.

Memphis played us straight-up and converted on 1 of their 5 shots.  Long ball to back post and a sliding Memphis player taps the ball just inside the post.  
 

My single biggest complaint was the unforced turnovers by SLU …. over and over again they simply killed any build-up, possession or quick moves forward.  The 10 or so shots we had were nothing that truly menaced the Memphis keep, all 5’5” of her.  
 

Brutal way to end the season.  

As much as I’ve loved watching this team, my only gripe is how many times we try to play direct and in reality we just turn it over. I get that it’s the style we play and obviously it’s been very successful, but there are numerous times throughout a game where just playing it long and hoping is the wrong play. 
 

I’ve been at work today so I haven’t watched but even with the loss, I’m disappointed but have had such a fun year following the team. It’s soccer as you know, sometimes the better team just doesn’t win

[Lord Elrond]

Agreed, not a good note to end the season on. Memphis came out strong in the second half, which is usually what SLU does. The Billikens had their chances, but couldn’t convert them.  Gotta do the work all over again next season. Hopefully by then I will warm up, it was cold out there.