UNC is consensus #4 in this week’s poll rankings. If UNC had beaten Texas A&M and using preseason rankings, IMO that it would be ranked #1 in three of the polls. UNC is 3-1 vs. teams now ranked, scoring a total of 5 goals (including 3 vs. Uconn) in those 4 games, vs. giving up 3. UNC’s getting shots (almost 20/game overall) but they are not going in (see HAO). That has to change.
yeah, i like that we've posted shutouts in 7 of 9 games and that we are spending most of the game entrenched in the other team's half, but it is getting frustrating only averaging about 2 goals a game. it's worrisome, and it's also just a lot more fun when the goals are coming in buckets
i agree we always outshoot the opponents usually but as we know from last years game with FSU number of shots don't count as a win..wish it did so hopefully come thursday we can put them away.
Odd reading this from ESPN about the US National Team... Seems like you could substitute UNC in the context of college rather than world and apply the analysis. Almost makes me wonder if they shouldn't be playing Yael further back to create those chaos moments when a 55-yard pass to Heather would open the area in front of the goal.
Looking at the game notes for this weekend: http://graphics.fansonly.com/photos/schools/unc/sports/w-soccer/auto_pdf/weekly-release.pdf Good news! it mentions that Ashlyn Harris is expected to return to practice in November. Until Ashlyn can play, there is no regular backup goalie. Lancaster and McTurk are not listed on the roster (I don’t know if this is new).
I've only seen a little over one game by this year's team, and while the new batch of freshmen impress me over the teams I saw the last two seasons, I still think they could do with a little less ball watching and a little more off the ball movement. The last couple of years the team seemed to fall into the trap of pushing up then standing around waiting for someone else to do something spectacular. This team appears to be less "reactionary" and more "proactive" than the last couple of years, but there's still room for improvement. Consindering how young the squad is - at least in the games last weekend, it's definitely a very good sign for the future.
NOT fair. the channel even my dad doesn't get- and WON'T, even tho i've BEGGED... beh. go figure. GO HEELS!
Heels lead at half on an unassisted goal from Heather from 23 yards or so out on what appeared to be a keeper error. Heels dominate possession but have given ample chances to FSU to score. Rodenbough dropped the ball at the feet of an FSU player who choked on the shot. Lots of controlled short passes but definitely nothing brilliant anywhere yet.
FSU ties it up midway through the second half as Rodenbough clumsily gives it to India Trotter. Looked like a missed offsides led to it, but sloppy play again....
O'Reilly scores again with 6 minutes left to play. The goalie didn't move and maybe was shaded out but it was well placed. Sloppy play pervades otherwise.
Tarheels can pass! [R] I guess once a Tarheel Dad, always a Tarheel. The Heels really dominated this game. I watched the TAMU game and was a little concerned, but they were missing a bunch of players. I feel good after this one. The passing, heading and ball control was very good. Their passing in traffic was excellent. For those who have accused the Heels of long ball soccer--watch this replay. Finishing was not as good, but I think that will come.The FSU goal was sloppy; looked like Rodenbaugh expected the offsides flag. Maybe the winning goal was a deflection, buy as they say--if you don't put it on goal you can't win. I was impressed. Go heels!
good job heather...i am sure she had extra mor=tivation after last years playoff game! the goalie situation though is really scarey and is a real key agian this year...
once again carolina's high pressure throttles a team trying to play possessional soccer. heather's goals were straight up filthy; the bend on the second was perfect. trotter was off by three or four yards, hence the goal
but hey... Ash is *hopefully* going to be back in November... NCAAs?? I think maybe-!! Anna's awesome, but i think she may be like my school's backup keep- incredible, great under pressure-- until some1 says something out of place or she beats herself down about one small play. Confidence has to be built... and Anna's building, for sure!!!
anna'll be fine. she dropped that ball early, but other than that her only mistake was to assume the ref would make a rational and obvious offsides call. she does a great job in net for the heels; i have total confidence in her, and i'm pretty sure she has confidence in herself. she's pretty badass
Yes indeed. The young Heels are growing up fast. They had a good win against Portland earlier, but his was different. They just flat out beat FSU. All over the field. All game long. FSU couldn't organize, couldn't really even breathe, because the Heels wouldn't let them - and this was (cough cough) the #1 team. It's a long season, and I still expect to see some growing pains, but look at the upside! The O-mid spots are as well filled as they have been in years with Nikki and Tobin and they can only get better. Ditto the D-mid spot with Robyn and Ali. The goal given up just made the win more impressive (we'll spot you a goal and win anyway.) The 3-4-3 is not a "shutout" formation - the idea is to outscore the opponent. Outside of the empty netter, Trotter got nothing. She's not really a threat to take it through traffic - had her pocket picked clean several times in the mid-field - dangerous only when someone can play her through (especially with a head start).
The game announcer on TV last night said that Sterling is suffering from Compartment Syndrome in her leg(s) and would require surgery after the season.
I’ve watched the game twice now. I still say our biggest problem is lack of service to Heather up front. Tobin is the only other take-on artist available and she made herself a few chances. Heather's finishing a few now. In all other skills she has improved since her first year. I hate to rely on one person for most of the scoring but it seems to be the trend. Both goals were keeper mistakes, but well placed. I thought Yael had worked on getting her rocket trajectory at a lower angle, but alas.... she’s exactly what we needed when we needed it. Nice feed from Engen to HeaO for the 2nd goal. Whitney has a very fine work rate and pretty good skills in close but not the speed and finishing of Sterling who again seems to be hobbling alot and slightly slower than the first of the season. Guess it’s the compartmentalizing problem. Ariel moving more up front was a nice plan. Too bad it was so late in the game. Nogueira looked confident but not really a take-on artist yet. Maxwell was rough around the edges still but improved after removing the limiting knee brace. When I am critical of a player it is compared with what they are capable of. We miss the old Max but saw glimpses of it this last game. She picked up a yellow at one point. Robin Gayle was pretty impressive. I’ll get used to seeing her play again but glad she’s back. Nikki is getting better and better and soon will be scoring some more, I predict. She’s fast and pretty wily. Guess has picked up the pace but hasn’t near reached her average performance from last year. Eveland. Can’t say enough about her performance in the back. Haven’t looked at the stats but she must have played almost every minute of every game so far. Another Reddick? Hawkins continues to drive some great balls into the thick of it and play excellent D. Anson. He’s a master at developing from semi-sloppy early in the season to slick and sure late in the season. Despite my earlier skepticism, I think we have a fair chance this year of a final 4 bid.
Heels win over Miami 6-1. The schedule had the game time listed as 1 pm so I missed the first half. Goals from Gilbert, O'Reilly, Engen, Washington, Heath, and Brooks, I think. Everyone said we looked ragged in the first half. Our keeper had another give away goal. In the second half we started off pretty crisp and HeaO cracked one into the corner on another unassisted play. The double team never showed up. Everyone still alive got to play. Ashley Moore was excellent and reminded us of Anne Morrell "the human bowling ball." Eveland is so solid in the back. Harris and Gayle were constantly fighting for and winning 50-50 balls. Smith didn't play in the second half. Melissa Hayes was pretty impressive and Boneparth streaked down the line past everyone more than once. Yael was her usual dominating self. We finished most of our real chances and outshot Miami 27-4 or so. Not a bad effort. The team ran wind sprints after the game so Anson wasn't pleased about some facet of the game.
(not sure why you assume anson wasn't pleased) first half was a little sloppy, but that's to be expected against a team wearing orange. the goal against seemed more like a miscommunication, as the line watched it sail right over their heads. second half was pretty awesome. heather's goal was sweet, what a strike. whit's goal was awesome: got the ball near midfield and just dribbled right past the two backs near her and beat the keeper. nikki's goal resulted from her normal extraordinary dynamism. the rest were great too. quite fun to watch. it's about time we blasted a team like that
Generally when you win 6-1 you don't expect wind-sprints afterwards. A little bird told me about the give away goal.
Thanks for the game reviews. UNC should now be #2 in the polls, and I would think get some votes for #1 Heather’s on a tear; she is not on the roster for the camp for the Oct. 1 WNT game, so she will play next week’s games. “Everyone still alive got to play” - Gametracker did not show Perkins and Hawkins got into the game- is there news there? Smith started the 2nd half and played 10 minutes, for total of about 22 minutes, this is after 27 on Thursday. Compartment Syndrome is painful with only rest or surgery as a cure. So much that she collapsed after coming off the field for the 3rd time at the Uconn game (total of 46 minutes.) Has Gilbert recovered from the bone bruise she had early this season?