Stanford University thread

[cachundo]

Stanford beats Aggies in OT, 1-0.

Stanford were snake-bit the whole game. Plenty of opportunities to score on break-aways, but couldn't find goal. Stanford dominated the whole game.

On the goal, Stanford were offside. Oh well . . .

Aggies had no answer for Withers' domination of the air, and Marquand's shiftiness. I like Spilger.

[cachundo]

Stanford win 1-0 (http://gostanford.ocsn.com/sports/w-soccer/recaps/090802aaa.html)


A beautiful day for a game or two. For this landscape photographer, a perfect touristy cloudless blue sky with temps in the mid-70s.

A gaggle of loud but good-natured Texas supporters chering plenty of Californians with the Longhorns.

Beautiful header by Marcie, upper-right corner, on a cross from Pabon. GK had no chance.

Once again, Callie Withers won plenty of balls in the air. She's deceptively quick for someone her size. Texas had no answer for withers' hustle on the ground and her vertical game in midfield.

I really like Natalie Spilger. Spilger played a very solid game in defense. Spilger robbed the Longhorns of two shots on frame with fabulous blocks inside the PA. It's a wise decision to play the freshman Hayley Hunt alongside Spilger.

The score doesn't reflect how well Stanford played today. Held Texas to zero shots in the 1st half.

I've seen Stanford demolish Santa Clara, Texas A&m, and now Texas. Stanford are the real deal. The scary part is that the offense is not yet clicking into gear.

[Purple04]

I watched Stanford play Texas today. I made some observations, and they might sound a bit harsh, but I believe they are the truth. I don't want to bash their program- I have a lot of respect for players on that team- but they should be a better team than they are.

--

Stanford has unbelievable talent. There is no team in the country, even UNC, that has as good of players as Stanford does. UNC may have some quicker athletes in a few positions, but Stanford's players are comparable at the very least. The players on Stanford's bench are better than starters at some top-10 programs! With this talent level, Stanford should win the national championship this year and next, no questions. Today, Stanford should have played around Texas all day long. This shouldn't have even been a competitive game. Texas is not a bad team by any means. Stanford should just be that good.

That said, Stanford didn't play very well. They looked to possess the ball a little, but for the talent they have, it was marginal. Numerous times the ball was whacked up the field with no reason.

The big girl in the center possessed the ball well for Stanford. The finish on the goal was a good one, but Texas had quite a few chances at the end. This game was not dominated by any means, and it should have been. Again, it would be good by many standards, but Stanford shouldn't be satisfied with this at all.

I don't blame this on the players in the least. They're a very talented group, but it was obvious that their coaching was very poor- I can think of two NCAA coaches that could make this team one of the best ever. Getting rid of Nelson was a the best thing for Stanford to do. I hope they get a good coach in the future because they would be really, really fun to watch. Plus they'd be bringing home championships to Palo Alto, not just quarterfinal appearances.

Good luck to them- with some better coaching, they could go really far. Look how well they've done without it.

[Upper90, Inc.]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Purple04
[B]IStanford has unbelievable talent. There is no team in the country, even UNC, that has as good of players as Stanford does. UNC may have some quicker athletes in a few positions, but Stanford's players are comparable at the very least. The players on Stanford's bench are better than starters at some top-10 programs! With this talent level, Stanford should win the national championship this year and next, no questions.

Hey Purple! I watched Stanford play Texas last year and will see UNC in action this year this Sunday. I agree with you that Stanford is a very strong program. I disagree that they have as much talent as UNC. Not even close in my book. But so what, no one does.

I found Andy Nelson to be a low key guy who knew the game. I am sorry about his resignation. Stanford will likely struggle to replace him until the end of the season. Hope the assts are up to the challenge.

[cachundo]

Originally posted by Purple04
I watched Stanford play Texas today. I made some observations, and they might sound a bit harsh, but I believe they are the truth. Your observation(s) may be the truth to you, but not to everyone else. Stanford has unbelievable talent. There is no team in the country, even UNC, that has as good of players as Stanford does. We'll find out next month when the two teams meet. Stanford do attract plenty of talented recruits, especially in California. But the UNC program still recruits an inordinate amount of talent because of their heritage.

[cachundo]

Stanford ranked 2nd in the country (http://gostanford.ocsn.com/sports/w-soccer/spec-rel/091002aaa.html)

After upsetting top-ranked Santa Clara on August 30, third-ranked Texas A&M on Sept. 6 and No. 10 Texas on Sept. 8, the Cardinal jumped up to No. 2 in the NSCAA/adidas National Rankings released Sept. 9.

[cachundo]

Alisan Pabon Named To Soccer America's Team Of The Week (http://gostanford.ocsn.com/sports/w-soccer/spec-rel/091202aaa.html)

Pabon helped limit Texas A&M and Texas to just eight shots, only two on goal, both ending in 1-0 victories for Stanford. Plays well at right back.

[cachundo]

No. 2 Cardinal Handles Saint Mary's 3-1 (http://gostanford.ocsn.com/sports/w-soccer/recaps/091302aaa.html)

Senior Kelsey Carlson poached, and scored, two opportunistic goals off the opposing GKs' slippery mitts.

The 1st Carlson goal was scored less than a minute after she came in. Talk about timing.

The 2nd Carlson goal came off a nice cross from Marcia.

St. Mary's hung tough in the 1st half, but Stanford were the better team at the end. The Marcie-Marcia show was kind of muted tonight. Marcie's really dangerous when she's facing the goal. The classy fans showed their appreciation when Marcie was subbed out towards the end, and for the grunge work done by Callie Withers.

[cachundo]

No. 2 Cardinal Dominates Oklahoma in Stanford Nike Invitational, 4-0 (http://gostanford.ocsn.com/sports/w-soccer/recaps/092002aaa.html)

A wonderful night for a doubleheader. Clear skies, the cool ocean breezes have died down, and there was a full moon rising. No need for a jacket.

The first 30 minutes was very frustrating for the girls because they just couldn't bury their shots. There was something lethargic about how they set up their attacks too. Marcia twice had opportunities to poach balls in the PA but couldn't sling them past the GK.

The Marcie-and-Marcia show accounted for the first three goals. Someone please tag the label of greatness on Marcie.

With 30 minutes left, Marcie, Marcia, Callie, and Carlson were taken out to appreciative applause from the spectators.

And kudos for the Sooners' GK. She played her heart out and made the score a little more respectable. The crowd gave the GK a round of applause when she was substituted with less than 5 minutes left.

I hope I get to see Spilger get a goal on Sunday. She just enjoys playing, and I think her goal-celebration will be on this season's highlight reel.

[UFGator98]

Congrats to Stanford on another 4-0 dominating win over Florida. Becky has voted the Cardinal #1 all year, they continue to prove her right. Gators with 1 shot, no shots on goal, great defense and off. for Stanford. The announcer said they've allowed 4 shots on goal in their last 5 games(9 overall this year), that is just amazing defense. Stanford will def. be one of, if not the favorite to win it all this year, as long as they keep playing like they are.

[cachundo]

A beautiful day for Bay area tourists. After the morning fog lifted, not a cloud in the sky. Warm temps in the high 70s. Good thing the ocean breezes reach the Farm during mid-afternoon. A beautiful afternoon for soccer.

Stanford - Florida 4-0 (http://gostanford.ocsn.com/sports/w-soccer/recaps/092202aaa.html)

The Marcie-and-Marcia show certainly did not waste any time introducing themselves to the Gators. Marcie got the show on the road with a goal off a deception in front of the GK & her defenders, 3rd minute.

Marcia scored the 2nd goal from a deep FK that looked like a CK from Marcie. I was the fool who stood up, raised his arms, & shouted "YES!!!" as soon as Marcie attempted the FK. It was one of those goals that you can see being scored without happening yet.

Someone please tag the label of greatness on Marcie.

The 3rd goal was a beautiful pirouette move by Callie on top of the arc, 35th minute. Callie's shot was so hard it could have injured the GK, if she foolishly chose to stop it.

The game was over by then. Florida's GK kept the score respectable with some incredible saves. Most of Stanford's shots were on goal. The only goals Kellgren failed to stop were shots that where not humanly possible to stop.

At halftime, Stanford led 3-0, 12-0 advantage on shots. Amazing!

The only goals Kellgren failed to stop were shots that where not humanly possible to stop. The 4th goal was one just like that. Ally running on left with the ball cut back on her defender, launched a beautiful right-footed curler from about 25 yards, a sinker on the upper 90 far post. GK had no chance.

School starts on Wednesday. Then next weekend, a trip down El Camino Real to Santa Clara to face Tennessee and Montana.

[UFGator98]

Yep, becky is a Cardinal fan. Here's what she said in praise of Stanford after the match.

"They are a very, very good team," Burleigh said. "That's probably the best team I have seen in the last five years in college soccer. You can always get better, but today we just got beat by a better team."

"We play these games for a reason," Burleigh said. "In the old days, it was [North] Carolina we played as the standard. I think this year it will be Stanford."

Congrats again on the great start to the season, Stanford will be very hard to beat if they keep playing like they have so far.

[Upper90, Inc.]

Originally posted by UFGator98
Yep, becky is a Cardinal fan. Here's what she said in praise of Stanford after the match.

"They are a very, very good team," Burleigh said. "That's probably the best team I have seen in the last five years in college soccer. You can always get better, but today we just got beat by a better team."

"We play these games for a reason," Burleigh said. "In the old days, it was [North] Carolina we played as the standard. I think this year it will be Stanford."

Congrats again on the great start to the season, Stanford will be very hard to beat if they keep playing like they have so far.

I guess its best to wait and see since the "old" standard and the new will play each other October 4th at St Mary's. Should be very very interesting.

[cachundo]

I hope UNC bring their full squad when they face Stanford. I don't want to hear them use the excuse - that they're missing Reddick, Tarpley, etc. from Ape's camp - when they lose.

It's not that difficult for UNC to be labeled the "best team" when their program recruits the best talent in the nation.

To me, year after year, UNC are the best collection of individual talent in women's soccer. Period.

Not necessarily the best team. But the best collection of individual talent.

Last season, the best team won the NCAA title.

[Upper90, Inc.]

Originally posted by cachundo
I hope UNC bring their full squad when they face Stanford. I don't want to hear them use the excuse - that they're missing Reddick, Tarpley, etc. from Ape's camp - when they lose.

It's not that difficult for UNC to be labeled the "best team" when their program recruits the best talent in the nation.

To me, year after year, UNC are the best collection of individual talent in women's soccer. Period.

Not necessarily the best team. But the best collection of individual talent.

Last season, the best team won the NCAA title.

So if they dont lose is it another round of crow tartare for you Cachundo? Who else could lose 3 players to the Nats and maybe 5 to injury and still stand up to the number 2 ranked team ? they will have more talent out than most programs in the country have!!

Oh yeah, better take your licks this year cuz next year the team gets geometrically better!!!

[cachundo]

Upper90, you seem to be quite dense. Just because your blood bleeds blue doesn't mean everyone else's do. And please point out which part of my post did not acknowledge that UNC have the best talent.

UNC may have had the best talent last year, but in the end, Santa Clara won. The better team won not because they had the best talent, but they got the best out of the talent they had.

If Stanford, or any other team for that matter, can get the best out of the talent they have, then they too will win the NCAA title.

That Stanford will go undefeated the entire season is highly unlikely. There's UNC in 2 weeks. Then there's UCLA and Cal away. Heck, everyone in PAC-10 would bring their A-game against Stanford.

Losing to UNC will not be the end of the world. It's more important for this team to play well against the # 1-ranked team in the country. Winning would be sweet. However, as Santa Clara demonstrated last year, the important thing is to peak towards the post-season. A win against UNC in the regular season will have a hollow ring to it if the team doesn't do well in the post-season.

[Upper90, Inc.]

well at least I did not resort to name calling.



No excuses - now lets just see who has the better team on that one night. We will worry about the post season in the post season.

[cachundo]

I make no excuses for what I wrote. You launch into hysterics even when I agree with your view(s). How much more if I disagreed with your views? So, don't you find the adjective appropriate?

If that one game means so much to you, you can have it. Palo Alto won't lose any sleep if we lose the game. But you and Chapel Hill might not be able to.

No, I take that back. Leland, the coaching staff, and the team won't be able to get any sleep because every AD in the country and every club teammate the girls ever had will be calling them all night to congratulate them if they win.

Back to reality . . .

For all I know, Stanford might lose this weekend. The result might be disappointing, but hey, that's life. Every game is, and will be, a good experience for this team, regardless of the outcome. But as always, a win will be sweet.

[Upper90, Inc.]

There might be some question as to who is the hysterical one (and just who is dense, as in - doesn't get it). And we certainly dont agree on everything, such as your statement of UNC making excuses when they lose which is whart started this string of comments. Now they have never made a habit of losing, ever, but I have never seen them be anything except gracious in a losing effort. But I am definitely not hysterical about this and if anyone is bleeding school colors, well it looks like to me you resemble your own remark. Good luck, I hope the anticipation of the game in two weeks doesn't keep you up at night.

If Stanford can play at the level that SCU did in the championship last year, they will have a very good shot at a national championship. And I am not sure SCU didn't have the better athletes last year too ( so maybe we disagree on virtually every point). I really dont think that I would say that Stanford has better athletes than UNC this year. Which probably makes their task a tad bit harder.

[kareena]

Upper90--why do you feel the need to attack anyone who doesn't agree with you??? And what is your thing with UNC? Most of their fans are capable of supporting the team without putting down others--you might want to take a hint. And, frankly, I'm not interested in what you have to say about this post, so save your tirade.