For what it is worth, here are some of the InStat numbers from last night: Shots FSU 10 BYU 11 Shots on Target FSU 4 BYU 4 xG FSU 2.2 BYU 0.8 Passes FSU 532 BYU 291 Pass % FSU 82% BYU 70% Ball Possession FSU 63% BYU 37%
Spot on. BYU couldn’t get anything going in the box. Here's BYU's results sorted by xG per shot.If they hit 0.10 xG per shot, you lose.If they don't, they won just one of five matches. pic.twitter.com/AmduQLSbif— Chris Henderson (@chris_awk) December 1, 2021
A very similar stat line to FSU’s game against Rutgers. Nearly verbatim. And I would say the games played out similarly as well. BYU and Rutgers had similar strategies to beating FSU, hoping that they could get a goal on the counter while playing compact defense. But FSU’s defense is top shelf and they got the shutouts they needed, even with moments in both games where it looked like BYU or Rutgers could score on them.
It is why shot count is one of the most useless stat in sports. Without discussing where the shots came from, shot count tells you absolutely nothing about a game. It is why xG has been developed.
Defense seemed to dominate offense across the board. 1 goal scored in regulation at the College Cup? BYU failed to score in either game but we are calling them a high powered offense.
So true. Howell lives a charmed life. I love her as a player, but gets only 1/3 the cards she deserves.
Oh absolutely. In fact, xG is a slippery slope to use in one game because it lacks the context you mentioned. Was it great goalkeeping, horrible finishing, bad luck, bad run of form. xG is actually a stat more useful over a large amount of time. That said, it still better in a one game situation than a garbage shot count alone.
My definition of elite attacks or attackers is the ability to consistently generate and or convert xG vs any team. Depends a bit on what your role is. I did not see a lot of that this year. College offenses seem to rely a lot on moments of individual brilliance, set pieces and generating chances off pressing/turnovers as opposed to coming up with coherent attacking plans that involve fast incisive ball movement to force openings.
That FSU defensive sweep away directly in front of Roque was outstanding. Definitely looked like a build up to a goal. If player had clipped BYU even a little, ref would have had to call for pk. And the possible 1v taken away by Roque as she came off of her line quickly and smothered the ball, was another lost opportunity. FSU defense did not seem to push up too high and were hanging around ready for that BYU high octane offense. Tactic worked. They played each other straight up. I do agree that MC did not return at full strength in 2nd half. Shame. You could see her struggle to get to next gear and/or turn with ease. Congratulations to the champion Noles and unseeded BYU. Good game. I sure hope next season, the cup champ is not decided by pk's. 3 seasons in a row; enough already.
I agree, but I just don't think the current set-up is conducive to good finals. Even with that extra day, the final while not terrible, wasn't the greatest occasion. Other than BYU returning to the final, we will again have a final played within 36 hours of the semi's. Not exactly making me think we will get a decent final.
I disagree. FSU out passed Rutgers by 310 accurate passes (according to stats) without 2 ot's. You have to consider 20 extra minutes when comparing. And most importantly, FSU actually scored in regulation vs Rutgers. BYU was dangerous. BYU actually put ball into back of FSU net too (as someone noted no down the line replay available to actually see as it was so very close; which normally goes to the attacker). Rutgers bunkered. BYU did not. That is why BYU gets the draw and the shut-out, officially.
I agree, but how did it work previously? Should FIFA rules apply re ot; not next goal wins, but set time? Maybe playing not to loose would then be set aside. Should there be no pk's? Just a clear winner? Likely no changes, but points for discussion.
I have went back and watched it multiple times and the first card should not have been given! In fact it should not have been a foul on Howell! If you have the ESPN app, go to the game and it's at the 37:59 mark. A pass from Flynn has both Howell and Colohan going aggressively at it. Howell gets there just before Colohan and slides and kicks the ball away. As has been speculated, I think the ref knew that was a weak card and didn't give JH a card later that was deserved! Beatta Olson deserved a card and there was no call later. The BYU player who brings her knee all the way up into Heather Payne's chest deserved a card, but no call. I was not impressed with the ref! Inconsistent!
http://rivercitysoccerleague.org/Assets/83/Referee Materials/ballfirst.pdf Comes down to whether you think going in studs up is reckless or not, but to state categorically that is should not be given is a stretch. Ref chose to give it an having done so, his decision not to card a deliberate shoulder charge to stop BYU in transition became a pivotal point. Just shows how the differences between the teams ON THE DAY is tiny and the result can be impacted by decisions one way or the other.
Gabby Carle getting fouled in the box w/o a foul was key. There are many key calls every game. We had a non-call in the box last year against Santa Clara! Oh well, we have to play the hand we were dealt and we lost in PKs last year.
Everybody does. I helps when TWO big calls like that go your way. I have seen player get straight red cards for what you think is not even a foul. Howell committed two offences that were yellow card worthy and got away with it. One of them led to the oppositions most irreplaceable player leaving the field and coming back at less than her best. Calls like that are part of why defenses dominate these games. It is easier to destroy than create to begin with, but when you have effectively infinite stamina (thru subs), lenient refereeing (in general. effects everyone, but not equally in every game) and coaches trying to win games it is reasonable to think that some of this is behind the trends we have seen over the last 3 years.
but don't most of the subs get used on the offensive end? or is that just in the teams I follow more? FSU e.g. doesn't sub any of their back 5... seems like that should favor the offense then.
Last night's game was pretty good and competitive--but it would be good to get a few goals into the Cup games instead of these defensive stalemates followed by penalties.
I know the Coaches poll has been wonky this year... but I don't know that I've ever seen a college sport where 9 number 1 votes (over a quarter) go to three teams other than the team who won the tournament, who were also competing from (one of) the best conferences, with the best overall record. FSU won the national title and lost votes and points. I've never seen that in another sport. Which two coaches voted for Rutgers #1???
Agreed. Wonky is a nice word for it. As to your last question, the 2 votes were likely the same coaches who ranked them without ever playing (let alone beating) any ranked teams during out of conference play. Fruit baskets coming their way.
I can only imagine it was because Florida St and BYU tied. I'm sure someone could make an argument for BYU at #1 but it wouldn't be a particularly good one. Rutgers and Santa Clara getting first place votes is absolutely baffling to me. I would guess the two for Rutgers were the same coaches who gave them first place votes before the conference tournament final. Which was pretty odd then too but I could at least see an argument for it. No idea where Santa Clara got three first place votes. Ultimately, I thought the order was the right order, or at the very least the right tiers, but giving all four College Cup teams first place votes felt like overkill from whichever coaches decided to do it.