I don't ever want to sound like Trump but "believe me", Dennis is better. Or I will just say that Chandler isn't very good, for that level anyway. Just like the last U20 WC team, there are players that probably shouldn't deserve to be there, but is there for whatever reason. For example, most everyone knew Campbell was better than Rowland with the last cycle, and it showed with the u23 group.
Parchman disagrees with you on Rowland. And Chandler evidently for that matter. But I agree with you that Dennis is good and am looking forward to watching her play as a freshman this year! Rating the YNT: Top 5 girls goalkeepers Article Written by Will Parchman Published: July 18, 2016 0 Comments The American women’s goalkeeping throne has been held by Hope Solo for so long and so unquestioningly that it’s almost easy to forget there’s a raft of talented young prospects climbing up through the ranks. Even now, a bevy of hugely impressive keepers are working their way up. And these are the top five. Last week, we ran through the top five best U.S. boys prospects at every position based on a blend of current ability and future projections. You can find each of those articles below. Boys Top 5s - Goalkeepers - Defenders - Midfielders - Forwards Today, with that series done and dusted, we officially move to the girls side of life. And we start with the top five goalkeepers. A quick reminder — this series takes into account the top five young prospects currently eligible for a USYNT (read: U23 and down) who have yet to be capped by the full USWNT. Some of these players are pros, some are college keepers and some haven’t yet arrived from their club career. But all have the promise to one day earn a starting gig and wear the three-starred crest at a World Cup. Here are the best of the best. 5. Brooke Heinsohn One thing you’ll notice about every keeper on this list is that they’re already in college. Regardless of whether you’re talking men’s or women’s, soccer tends to reward veteran leadership at goalkeeper more so than any other position, and it’s difficult to accurately project a keeper’s talent in the women’s game if she hasn’t yet done it at the college level. Unlike the men’s game, women’s college soccer is still the pinnacle of the game at that age level, and each of these players have been in both USYNT and college camps. Well, everyone except one. That’d be our No. 5 keeper, the 18-year old Brooke Heinsohn. If the name sounds familiar, it should. At least to basketball fans. She’s the granddaughter of former Boston Celtics legend and NBA Hall of Famer Tommy Heinsohn, who won an astonishing eight NBA championships in 10 years as a player. Brooke comes from that same athletic stock, and it’s clear the 6-foot-1 keeper has all the tools to break out in college as a national name. After a sterling club career with New England FC, Heinsohn joins Duke this summer as one of its most heralded freshman arrivals. The nature of keepers at a level up tends to be sitting and watching for at least a spell, but don’t count out her ability to win minutes. She was called up to the U18 WNT as recently as this month, and by dint of her outsize ability and, more importantly, her promise, she established herself as the best non-college keeper in the country. 4. Rose Chandler Last season, as a redshirt freshman, Rose Chandler had a catbird seat to history. Penn State rolled through opponent after opponent in 2015, mincing them with a quality attack undergirded by one of the most efficient defenses women’s college soccer has ever seen. The Nittany Lions hung their collective hat on that defense, and well-traveled keeper Britt Eckerstrom was between the posts for every match and racked up a team-high 2,370 minutes. Meanwhile, Chandler made five cameo appearances and largely learned at Eckerstrom’s feet. Meanwhile, Penn State won a national championship, its first, on the back of Eckerstrom and that steel defense. Chandler has long been one of the most promising American keepers in the pool, and her standout performances over the years with the USYNT have supported those claims. A heady keeper with one of the best organizational minds in the game, Chandler should get her chance to showcase her massive promise this year as the heir apparent to Eckerstrom, who’s now in the NWSL. Chandler will be handed the keys to a Penn State defense that returns a huge amount of talent in 2016, and she’ll have her chance to guide it from the back. One of the reasons she’s not higher is she still hasn’t had the opportunity to consistently guide a high-end back line. If her 2016 is productive, as it should be, Chandler could see her stock rise massively in the USYNT system. 3. Abby Smith It had only been four months, but by May Abby Smith was making a strong case to become the starting keeper for the Boston Breakers. At 22 and fresh off a sterling career with Texas, Smith impressed the Breakers staff with her preternatural quicks and her incredible distribution. An injury to Libby Stout opened the door for Smith, and she impressed in her debut. But disaster struck on her second ever appearance. In a match against the Chicago Red Stars in May, Smith landed awkwardly and tore her patellar tendon in addition to straining her ACL. The injury set her on the shelf for the season. It was a bitter twist to a young career that appeared to be taking off. Smith is practically a cheetah off her line, and there are few in the pool better springing off for a timely punch or to sweep away a chance. Her time at Texas proved she can hold up a defense herself, since the Longhorns hardly owned a back line with the talent Chandler has at Penn State or Campbell has at Stanford or Rowland had at UCLA. Smith was asked to do much more at the college level, and she routinely rose to the challenge as the beating heart of Texas’ defense for years. That constant siege mentality dipped her in the fire early, and her fearless attitude casts her as a unique talent for the future. If she can return from her knee injury as good as before, she might have better future prospects than either Campbell or Rowland. 2. Jane Campbell There was really only one player who could’ve kept Jane Campbell out of net for the 2014 U20 World Cup, and that player is No. 1 on our list today. Campbell and Rowland developed a friendly Pac-12-based rivalry quickly, as Campbell backstopped a Stanford defense that quickly usurped UCLA’s throne as the Bruins’ vaunted senior class moved off after the 2014 season. Suddenly, with her former foil out of college soccer, Campbell was arguably the best women’s college keeper in the game. And, with Campbell somehow still only 21 considering her vast wealth of experience, she resides on that throne even today. Campbell is on the eve of her senior season with the Cardinal, and it’s poised to break records. In front of Campbell, USYNT stalwarts Stephanie Amack and Maddie Bauer anchor a back line that Campbell will lead from the back. Whatever Campbell lacks in outright anticipatory vision, she more than makes up for in sheer athleticism. There are few, if any, keepers in the pool with as much outright spring off her line than Campbell, who seems to cover post-to-post in a single bound. Indeed, last year Campbell allowed a paltry 13 goals to get by her with the Cardinal, and believe it or not that number could dwindle. The future battles for USWNT supremacy between Campbell and Rowland down the years should be a fascinating watch. 1. Katelyn Rowland The 2014 U20 World Cup was hardly a perfect affair from the U.S. point of view. That team in fact had some fatal flaws, and it could not sidestep them as it crashed out of the first knockout round in penalties against a resolute North Korea side. It was a bitter pill to swallow, but one player who distinguished herself above the noise was then-UCLA netminder Katelyn Rowland. The spry keeper hasn’t always had a ton to do at the back thanks to her past playing behind some incredible defenses, but it’s a fallacy that great keepers don’t work to cultivate that kind of calm. Rowland is, almost without question, the most promising young American keeper who’s yet to get in a match with the full USWNT. She’s been nigh unbeatable at times at just about every YNT level, and the 2013 national title she helped capture with UCLA - the Bruins’ first ever on the women’s side - featured one of the all-time defenses in women’s college soccer history. Buttressed by that experience, Rowland’s made her way to the NWSL, where she’s picking up spot minutes as the second keeper for the WNY Flash. Rowland’s instincts cast her as a sure bet to earn national team call-ups once Solo hangs up her spikes, and the fact that she’s still just 22 is a sign she’ll be in the mixer for years to come. Indeed, with Solo’s influence on the wane, the time might be now to start lobbing Rowland meaningful minutes. She’ll need them to improve.
Topdrawer, most trusted soccer source in America... Rowland is so good, and is that why she was the third string for the 23s?? Now, to be fair, certain national team staff makes insane decisions as I've stated before so there is that. Good for Chandler in any case.
Statement by Erica Dambach on players in U20 World Cup. Looks like Chandler will remain and not play in the World Cup. Statement from Head Coach Erica Dambach on PSU student-athletes’ participation in FIFA Under-20 Women's World Cup pic.twitter.com/vvU4orWCpN— Penn State Women’s Soccer (@PennStateWSOC) August 19, 2016
It's because Brooke Heinsohn (Duke) is going to be red shirting this fall and be apart of the under 20 team.
I think the release is just referring to the fact that Chandler already used her red shirt year and thus is going to stay and train with the team. Pretty sure she will be on the u20 roster.
I do believe you are correct. Thanks for the clarification. The coach does state that the team supports their five (5) players who are going to the U-20 WWC.
Some news updates: 1) The Penn State women’s soccer team opens the 2016 season ranked No. 2 in the nation, as the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA)...The Florida State Seminoles took the top spot in the NSCAA women’s division I rankings with 751 total points, 20 ahead of the defending NCAA champion Penn State Nittany Lions. The Seminoles received 18 first place votes, followed by Penn State with 10 and Duke with two. 2) Following a breakout sophomore season in 2015, junior forward Megan Schafer (Langhorne, Pa.) has been named to the 2016 Missouri Athletic Club's (MAC) Hermann Trophy Watch List, as announced by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) Wednesday. 3) PSU just played it first match of the season against WVU. The match ended in a 1-1 tie after 2 OT's. The match aired on BTN, but I couldn't watch it. Here's the link for all the match stats and pbp: http://www.gopsusports.com/sports/w-soccer/stats/2016-2017/psuwvu1.html Here are the match highlights: The season opener of BTN's coverage of women's soccer ended in a 1-1 draw between @PennStateWSOC and West Virginia. https://t.co/a0acWWMtez— Penn State On BTN (@PennStateOnBTN) August 20, 2016 4) PSU plays Hofstra on Sunday. Here's the video link: http://www.gopsusports.com/collegesportslive/?media=534490 and game tracker link: http://www.gopsusports.com/gametrac...ool=psu&sport=wsoccer&camefrom=&startschool=& .
Penn State comeback was short to BYU, in 3-2 loss. The missing backline players showed in this match. Ashley Hatch had a hat trick. Scoring for Penn State were Frannie Crouse and Charlotte Williams. Things do not get any easier. Next at UCLA and Long Beach State. The defense needs to gel with new and untested players. Hats off to BYU. http://www.gopsusports.com/sports/w-soccer/recaps/082616aaa.html
Did anyone watch the match? What are the "big mistakes" that Erica mentions in her post match review?
Tough match vs UCLA (considering how well PSU played most of the match) losing in the first sudden-death OT by a set piece golden-goal by Flemming (one of the shorter players out there). On a more positive note, I found some good online streaming links of the PAC12 network: www.nowwatchtvlive.co/pac-12-network-live-stream-watch-pac-12-network-online-free/ www.oklivetv.com/pac-12-network-live/ www.stream2watch.cc/live-television/united-states/pac-12-network-live-streamAlso, I think the new international players (Freiganag and Fisk) are really helping our midfield and the defense kept Jenkins off the board.
The big one: the keeper Dennis seemed to misjudge Fleming's lofted header, not elevating or even raising her arms, just staying low with bended knees. Echard, at the near post, was the only one to react at the line, going up a bit and coming up short. Penn State should have won in regulation.
Lions get back on the winning side with a 2-1 win over Long Beach State. Crouse had a brace for Penn State. http://www.gopsusports.com/sports/w-soccer/recaps/090416aaa.html
I wonder how good this team could have been with the 5 missing national team players? They should be really competitive next year. They will add the following new YNT freshmen: Frankie Tagliaferri, F Kerry Abello, D Emma Thomson, FAlong with this year's foreign national youth team members: Laura Freigang, M Grace Fisk, DPSU team should be legit.
Shea Moyer 2017- midfield is on the u18 YNT and was selected to train up with the u20s at the NTC event happening this month. She is worthy of a note.
OK, I finally went back and watched this match. I think PSU was playing well the first 5 minutes. They were playing in BYU's half and were passing and linking up well. PSU was playing compact, pressing high, and winning the ball back quickly. PSU also had a nice cross come across the mouth of goal with no one in a good position to get on top of it. BYU's first goal was off of a big mistake by PSU's goalkeeper - A. Dennis. She received a backpass and didn't realize that a BYU player was closing in on her. When she finally saw her, it seems she panicked and tried to quickly distribute up the field. The ball right to another BYU player and 2 passes later the ball is in the back of the net from an undefended A. Hatch (there was no time for the PSU defense to regroup). To her credit, A. Dennis did have a nice save about a minute later, pushing a shot wide, which ended up hitting the post. For the remainder of the 1st half both teams had their chances, although PSU seemed to have more possession and better control of the game, but BYU was organized defensively. Freigang had a nice look on goal in the closing minutes of the 1st half from about 12 yards out, which was probably the best chance of the match for PSU. Start of 2nd half. A. Dennis made another error early on, coming out for a ball in her 6 yard box and losing control. Luckily PSU cleared it out - she obviously needs more experience and the fact that R. Chandler is away with the U-20's is good for her. Both teams coming out with an offensive mentality, which is very fun to watch. Second goal by BYU - E. Ball made 2 bad passes in the back, and the second one cost her. She passed right into an onrushing BYU player who made 1 pass to A. Hatch who drive towards goal with a defender on her back and scored (57'). Ball gets subbed out (no surprise). First goal by PSU was via nice build up from the back with a cross from H. Echard to F. Crouse who heads it in (62'). Second goal by PSU was via goal kick headed forward by ?? (video quality is bad, cannot see the numbers) taken by F. Crouse who bumps off a BYU player and passes right in to the path of an onrushing C. Williams who shoots near post and scores (66'). Tied at 2 now. Offensive push continues for both teams. BYU had a nice passing sequence in front of goal at about the 75th minute and a shot on goal shortly thereafter which was pushed wide by Dennis. Another shot wide by BYU, whose looking more and more dangerous. Third goal by BYU was a cross in front of goal (and in front of 3 PSU players) to an onrushing A. Hatch who burried it (78'). There were several chances by both teams in the last 10 minutes. PSU had a very nice chance in the final minutes right in front of goal - BYU keeper collected it, PSU player ended up in the net, literally (foot tied up into back of net). Some odd notes: A Dennis' distribution scares me at times (gotta take better care of the ball), which I'll chalk up to rookie inexperience. Also, M. Schafer has not been in good goal-scoring form so far this season. If she gets back on her game look out. A. Hatch looked good on the ball all match long; always dangerous and very speedy. That about wraps it up.
PSU vs Minnesota --> Sept. 16, 2016. Teams tied 1-1 after 90'. 59' - PSU's Megan Schafer scores. 60' - MN's Simone Kolander scores Headed to OT.
Sorry to report that the PSU WoSo team lost in the first round of the B1G conference tournament to Rutgers today by a score of 0-2. I didn't expect the team to do much this year, just too much talent missing to the Women's U-20 World Cup. The Nittany Lions will now wait for the NCAA Selection Show on Nov. 7 at 4:30 p.m. (EDT) to find out where they be placed in the bracket of the 2016 NCAA tournament.
There's no guarantee they'll make the tournament. Last year, Wisconsin won/shared the Big Ten regular season conference title, and didn't get in the tournament. So you never know.
The difference is that last year Wisconsin's RPI was 47 -- deep at the edge of the bubble for selection Penn State's is 28, and they have had results against likely seeds including a tie with #2 WVA.