2004 SLU Billikens Official Thread

Discussion in 'College & Amateur Soccer' started by soccertom, Aug 6, 2003.

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  1. Sandon Mibut

    Sandon Mibut Member+

    Feb 13, 2001
    If SLU can score a couple, they're gonna win this game. That won't be easy as Maryland has one of the best - if not the best - defenses in the country.

    But, Maryland has had trouble scoring most of the season. They've been shutout twice, have scored just once in a game eight times and had five when they scored just two.

    Further, their attack is plagued by injuries. Dominic Mediate, who scored a lot of goals for Maryland in last year's NCAA Tournament, is out for the season with a broke shoulder. Abe Thompson, the team's leading scorer as a freshman and sophomore, is nursing plantar facitis that has relegated him to a reserve role and top reserve Erwin Diaz, a member of the U17 national team two years ago, has been plagued by injuries all year and can't play a lot right now.

    That's not to say Maryland's cupboard is bare. Unhearlded sophomore Jason Garey has emerged to lead the team in scoring with 12 goals and All America midfielder Sumed Ibrahim has shrugged off a slow start and has put up good numbers the past two months.

    But, if the game is a shootout, Maryland could struggle. The trick for the Bills will be cracking Maryland's defense. Scott Buete is probably the best defensive mid in the country while Seth Stammler and Clarence Goodson are probably the best center back pair in the country.

    Vedad will have his hands full with the 6-4 Goodson. How that matchup goes will likely determine who wins. If Goodson can shut down the Booming Bosnian, I like Maryland's chances. But, if Ibisevic can get a couple, I don't see Maryland having an answer.

    This will be a great game and I'm looking forward to watching it. Whomever advances will have gotten past a good team.
     
  2. soccertom

    soccertom New Member

    Jun 2, 1999
    Agreed.

    Sandon is this game being televised in the Maryland area?
     
  3. soccertom

    soccertom New Member

    Jun 2, 1999
    Quite frankly the person most likely to shut down Vedad is Vedad himself. I have a hard time imagining any single defender in the country capable of stopping "V".
     
  4. terp fan

    terp fan New Member

    Nov 21, 2000
    Agreed

    I agree with most of this analysis, UMD has struggled to score against good teams. The defense has been there every game though and they will probably carry the day again. I think UCLA is the best attacking team in the country and they were only able to get one shot on target over 90 minutes against this group and scored zero goals. So the issue becomes even getting quality chances much less goals. This game will not be a shootout, it will be a low scoring hard fought game played by two outstanding teams. If St Louis is relying on one guy to carry them (which I doubt) against Maryland it will probably be a long sad ride home.
    A point that may have been overlooked is that St Louis is a young team with a big future while UMD is a veteran Final Four team that will not be satisfied with anything short of the National Championship. There is sense of urgency within the team. Sometimes young teams think there will be many more chances and may not be 100% focused on the opportunity.
    Two things is certain, Saturday will be wet and cold. As Sandon would say....bring your rubbers.
     
  5. Redstorm

    Redstorm New Member

    Apr 7, 2003
    New Jersey
    I agree with Terp fan...I believe Maryland's experience and well seasoned veteran leadership will overcome the youthful inexperience of the St Louis squad, although it will be a close matchup..I see Maryland winning in a close hard fought battle, maybe even via the Golden Goal!! and weather will play a factor also! The north-east coast is expected to see snow/sleet/rain on Friday and throughout Saturday. I will be at the SJU-Creighton game Friday night, where SJU seeks to avenge last years loss to Creighton in OT...Should be another great matchup, hoping my Johnnies pull it out and go on to Columbus to face the powerful Terps in one final four matchup!! May the best teams win!!!
     
  6. firstouch

    firstouch New Member

    Sep 2, 2003
    Re: Agreed

     
  7. soccerinstlouis

    soccerinstlouis New Member

    Nov 10, 2003
    I sure hope your Johnnies beat Creighton, but it is SLU they will have to face in Columbus, not MD.
     
  8. soccerinstlouis

    soccerinstlouis New Member

    Nov 10, 2003
    Agreed!

    I like the way you think!
     
  9. gsterp

    gsterp Member+

    Jul 16, 2003
    College Park
    Agree with most of what Sandon and terp said. From the guys on the team that I've talked to the last couple days, they've all said that they aren't looking past this game since if they don't win it, they won't be going to the College Cup anyway. I think Sandon might be overstating our offensive problems a bit, at least regarding manpower. Mediate is out for the year, but he really didn't produce at all for the team this year, especially for a guy that started every game up top. Diaz has been invisible all year too outside a nice strike against UConn. Garey is the prime threat to score, but is prone to waste a couple decent chances a game.

    Not sure what style of attack you play, but I'd probably say our weakness defensively is down the right side (our left). Bertz can be beat and that would pull either Stammler or Goodson out of the center somewhat, opening that up. Of course, Sasho has us essentially playing with 2 d-mids most of the time, Buete and Rodway. Either way, the back gets bottled up a lot of the time. Most of the goals I've seen us allow this year have been loose balls in the box that haven't gotten pounced on either by Palmer or the defense.

    Should be another cold one, or rather it will be another cold one on Saturday. Started snowing here a couple hours ago and forecasts have it keeping up through the weekend. Must be something about the quarterfinals and snow, since last year we played in a snowbank while beating UConn.
     
  10. lastword

    lastword New Member

    Sep 20, 2003
    College Park, MD
    I like the way you think?

    SLU has zero chance on Saturday. I think the Terps will beat them like a rented mule. SLU has a bunch of frosh that just haven't played anyone in a big game on the road. Vedad will get his six shots, and more than likely less, but the Bills will not score. The Terps may not score either, but they will win in PKs. BTW, the Terps have the best home field advantage in the country; look at PKs for and cards against. SLU cannot win.
     
  11. kami

    kami Member

    Nov 27, 2001
    Saint Louis
    Club:
    Arsenal FC
    Uhm....guess you missed these wins on SLU's schedule this year . These wins were all on the road:

    Akron Charlottesville, Va. W, 1-0

    Virginia Charlottesville, Va. W, 3-2 (OT) (tourney win)

    Clemson Greenville, S.C. W, 2-0

    Furman Greenville, S.C. W, 1-0 (OT) (tourney win)


    Two teams (VA, and Akron) made it to the third round of the tourney this year. Clemson made it to the first.

    Also, what are the rules in regards to weather and tourney games? Its looking like it will be rain/snow and below freezing for tomorrow's game. Sunday appears to be nice day weather wise. Woudl htey delay it?
     
  12. soccertom

    soccertom New Member

    Jun 2, 1999
    Re: I like the way you think?

    lastword ponder these facts,

    Saint Louis vs. the ACC: The Billikens are 2-0-0 this year against ACC opponents. SLU shut out Clemson, an NCAA Tournament team, 2-0 at the Furman Classic. The Bills beat ACC Tournament champion Virginia 3-2 in overtime at the Cavaliers' own season-opening tournament. SLU is 13-11-5 all-time against ACC opponents.

    NCAA History: The Billikens have qualified a record 42 times in the 45-year history of the championship. The Billikens have won a record 10 national championships. Saint Louis is the winningest team in NCAA Tournament history at 65-30-4 (.678).

    Road Warriors: The Billikens are 9-2-1 away from Hermann Stadium in 2003.

    Challenging the Best: Saint Louis has played nine ranked teams this 2003 season and posted a 7-2-0 mark with seven of the nine matches at road or neutral sites.

    Working Overtime: Saint Louis has set a single-season record in 2003 with 11 overtime games surpassing the mark of eight in 1997 ... is 7-1-3 in extra time with the only loss at No. 21 Cincinnati and the seven OT wins surpasses the former mark of five set in 1999.

    Streaking: The Billikens have a seven-game unbeaten streak.
     
  13. firstouch

    firstouch New Member

    Sep 2, 2003
    Re: I like the way you think?


    Woooooh, Lastword....zero chance? SLU cannot win?
    All season long, the also young coaching staff at SLU has used the entire group of 23 young players in every situation, they are teaching them "to play".
    They dont really scout other teams. They have worked on making this group recognize what they need to do, how to adjust on the field to get results.
    So far these youngsters have done very well. They have really struggled at times, but also have been spectacular.
    As far as this game....if as you say, Vidad will get his six shots....well, dont count on this match going into overtime, he is capable of netting all six. Vidad is still just learning, but he is the best collage "pure striker" that I have seen in many years!
     
  14. XYZ

    XYZ New Member

    Apr 16, 2000
    Big Cat Country
    SLU can't win. SLU can't win.

    Spread the word:
    SLU can't win!

    I hope all the players and coaches at Maryland know this.
     
  15. kami

    kami Member

    Nov 27, 2001
    Saint Louis
    Club:
    Arsenal FC
    OK, beyond all this "We're gonna win...you suck" crap, I would really like to hear some constructive opinions from maryland fans regarding tomorrow's snowbowl with SLU. I believe there has been plenty written here to get a feel for SLU's team and where they are dangerous and weak. I don't know much about Maryland except their big, veteran, and just a damn good team. There was one post on here about them but I'd like to see some more.

    **UPDATE: just read that the game has been postponed to Sunday.
     
  16. Attacking Minded

    Attacking Minded New Member

    Jun 22, 2002
    A big, verteran, damn good team about sums it up for Maryland. They were big enough to beat Clemson to the ball and put the hurt on them pretty quickly via. free kicks. With Sumed playing underneath, they have a potent attack.

    But . . . . . . . . SLU is a very well coached team and if they can handle Md physically, I think, they will come out on top.
     
  17. afgrijselijkheid

    Dec 29, 2002
    mokum
    Club:
    AFC Ajax
    1-0 SLU!!!!!

    matteson with a bicycle(?) 12'
     
  18. sakana

    sakana BigSoccer Supporter

    May 23, 2003
    USA
    Club:
    OGC Nice
    Nat'l Team:
    Colombia
    Good LORD these announcers are horrible. You can sort of tell when goals are scored, but very little else is clear.

    Hutton saved a PK.
     
  19. sakana

    sakana BigSoccer Supporter

    May 23, 2003
    USA
    Club:
    OGC Nice
    Nat'l Team:
    Colombia
    2-0 Bills. Another goal off a corner, this time by Wickart.
     
  20. afgrijselijkheid

    Dec 29, 2002
    mokum
    Club:
    AFC Ajax
  21. sakana

    sakana BigSoccer Supporter

    May 23, 2003
    USA
    Club:
    OGC Nice
    Nat'l Team:
    Colombia
    2-1 Bills. Goodson (sp) with his head off a corner. Almost the end of the half. MD has a big lead on shots.
     
  22. sakana

    sakana BigSoccer Supporter

    May 23, 2003
    USA
    Club:
    OGC Nice
    Nat'l Team:
    Colombia
    Christ. 2-2, another goal off a corner. In the seconds left in the half, Vedad managed to get a yellow after the goal. How many yellows=suspension?
     
  23. JGSLU37

    JGSLU37 New Member

    Nov 25, 2003
    St. Louis, MO
    With that yellow card today, Vedad will not be able to play in the semifinals if the Billikens advance.
     
  24. sakana

    sakana BigSoccer Supporter

    May 23, 2003
    USA
    Club:
    OGC Nice
    Nat'l Team:
    Colombia
    That's what I was afraid of.
     

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