UCLA is the team that presents the biggest challenge to Virginia, out of all the teams at the College Cup. UCLA is the most athletic team there, and Darian Jenkins from UCLA is someone that you have to defend at all times. She is a havoc machine. Taylor Smith is an athletic and clutch goal scorer. UCLA presents problems for Virginia in this match. If Virginia wins, I see them going on to win the College Cup Final. Coaching Advantage: Virginia (slightly) Athletic Advantage: UCLA Skill Advantage: Even (both teams have a lot of good skilled players) Intelligence Advantage: Virginia (No player on UCLA's roster has Morgan Brian's brain) UCLA is lucky to get to play Virginia in 70 degree weather, and not 40 degree weather.
Steve Swanson won 1-0 by holding on late (extra conservative) against Germany at the 2012 U-20 WWC Final. It's like he thought history was going to repeat itself. He was lulled into that trap because it worked before in a HUGE game. It didn't work out today the way it did last time.
I think the better team prevailed. UVa had lots of possession, but almost no good scoring chances. Their one goal was on a big defensive mess-up that UCLA wasn't really even helped into by UVa. As the game wore on, it became clearer and clearer that UCLA was stronger. Maybe the pressure got to UVa, but having seen the UCLA-North Carolina game, I think UCLA's strong defense and its defenders' ability to hold the ball and move it around under pressure were what did it.
If? Sounds like fun, if..... ......Abby Dahlkemper doesn't give Virginia an assist, UCLA wins it in regulation
Nah, they didn't choke, they were outplayed or to be precise, they were outrun. For me, this game was not about defensive mistake with 5 minutes left or missed PKs. Of course they had a chance to pull it through, but truth is, that possession style, chemistry and technical skills can level the physical advantage only to some degree and clearly physically dominant UCLA team was just too much to overcome for my beloved Hoos. That's very tough and sad night, but I still believe this team plays unique and attractive kind of soccer, soccer that many other woso teams will aspire to play in the future. "UVa style" is for real.
No doubt Virginia is for real. UCLA had more future NWSL professional players on their roster, maybe by a 2-to-1 ratio over Virginia. That is not a choke by Virginia.
Ucla outplayed them, especially in the second half and OT. Uva is a wonderful team, but ucla had some better athletes. Ucla came very close to scoring two times in OT. I do not see this at all as a uva choke.
I agree. I think Swanson did amazing job with the players that he had. I hope they can do better next year beacuse I really love to watch this kind of soccer. As for Morgan Brian she really looked tired in the latter stages. I hope this will not affect her chances for MAC Hermann Trophy. I really think she deserves it this year. This picture tells it all.
Congratulations to UVA on a great season! I thought the team played some very exciting (and at times, elegant soccer)! The team chemistry that many players have alluded to was very much in evidence last night. It was fun to watch the synergy and organization in the UVA midfield, especially in the first half, as we Tarheel fans have not seen so much of that at home. I had not seen Brian play this season as she was absent from the UNC vs UVA game. I enjoyed her playmaking skills, esp. in the first half. Thanks to the whole team for an exciting evening of soccer!
I would agree with this analysis. And I would also agree with others who have commented that UCLA simply has recruited the best collection of soccer athletes out there this year. Along with good coaching, this latter fact contributes to the former. To do what UCLA did from a tactical and technical point of view is in part dependent on having the studs to do it with. There is no shame in Virginia' excellent effort. The first 30 minutes of the game and the first overtime showed Virginia at their best. The last hour of regulation and the second overtime showed UCLA's strength and depth. It is what it is. Good job Wahoos!
She has as big of a heart as anyone for the game of soccer. She wants to win more than anyone it seems. Sometimes, the players with the most heart are the ones that are more prone to miss a PK in the shootout. Because they care "so much" & that ultimately enables them to put even more "internal pressure" on themselves. Which just adds more pressure than there already was. The players that have the "oh well" attitude, are the ones that are more prone to make the PK. Just another reason why I can't stand how many of the best ever soccer games usually end on a PK shootout. I bet her heart was bleeding and beating as hard as it ever was, when she stepped up for that kick. She wanted to win more than anyone, and felt the world on her shoulders, with most of it caused by her own "added internal pressure".
Yeah, PKs are the worst. I think she's kind of player that don't like to dwell on mistakes. She has one more year of college soccer to learn and improve. Already excited for next year. They'll gonna lose Fry, Stith, Norbo, Douglas, Steinlage, Fisher, Menchel and DeLisle. Big gaps to fill, especially in defense. But McNabb should be back from her injury.
Have you noticed how quickly she took that PK? Whole team was still celebrating the save when she grabbed the ball and almost jogged towards the spot. And she executed it fine if you ask me - good pace, ok placement, it's just UCLA golkeeper jumped off the line too early (not an excuse, but it's a fact), took a risk and went 100% to her right. I don't think Moe was very nervous, I think she was very, very physically and mentally tired, she had been playing for full 90 minutes in most of the matches and it was the most demanding match of all. They did not deserve to win it, still 5 minutes before the end they were close to steal it from UCLA. Yep, I love my Virginia, but if they got there with that 1:0 it would be crude steal. Anyway, I think these great girls, coach and revolutionary soccer they play deserve all the praise they get, I was addicted and I stay addicted to the beautiful "UVa style". This school's women's soccer will forever be associated with that and respected because of that. It is the legacy these seniors left behind. Congrats for the record-breaking, breathtaking season to all Virginia joga bonito ladies!
Virginia proud of season despite PK defeat: http://www.topdrawersoccer.com/coll...ia-proud-of-season-despite-pk-defeat_aid32208
Steve Swanson reflects on the painful ending to a remarkable season for his team: http://www.virginiasports.com/sports/w-soccer/spec-rel/121013aah.html
Uva is probably one of the best teams ever that did not win it all. 2009 Stanford is also way up there. Uva will contend next year also for the title. This college soccer season is too short! Geez, we have 9 months to wait now!
might be a tough one for next year. . They lose 8 seniors, and while the attack might be in good shape - they lose a lot of pieces in the puzzle. . the incoming class is strong but not sure its greater than the sum of the parts they are losing. . they get a couple back from injury but its definitely going to be a completely new team.
Undefeated in the regular season in the acc is a ridiculously impressive achievement...I think uva will figure out a way to be extremely competitive even with the losses.
offensively won't be a problem at all. Defense - some big losses. 3 out 4 along back 4, 2 out of 4 in the defensive midfield. . . If Brannon hadn't transferred to Michigan, it would've been in much better shape. Ironically the transfer in Steinlage, I think will be the most difficult to replace. . she was the first line there in the middle that broke things up that allowed the front to attack a lot more freely. . big loss and possibly the biggest reason why Brian could go anywhere on the pitch.
I worry about that defense too. Although McNabb will probably be back from her injury, still there are some pretty big gaps to fill. But I think Swanson will figure it out. It's amazing what he was able to do with this team. As long as they'll play their beautiful style of soccer, I will be back cheering them on. 9 months to wait is really too long