[Viking_Guy]

Just saw that it's only being streamed on Facebook again.  While the streaming service doesn't matter, I think that will mean the rather amateurish production level we saw on Friday - a single camera, student commentators, while other venues have standard ESPN3 setups - multiple cameras, a couple of pro commentators.  I hate it when Stanford looks stingy/amateurish in these things.  The second announcer had NO idea what he was talking about on Friday, consistently mis-identifying players as Kyra Carusa and pronouncing Jahanzous' name as Yahanaswaz.

Oh well.

In other action, Santa Clara trails at South Carolina 1-0 in the 76th minute, Washington State and Florida are tied 0-0 at a similar point, and Duke beat Texas 3-0 to advance to host a final eight game next weekend.

EDIT: Holy crap, I didn't even see the biggest upset - North Carolina loses at home to #4 seed Princeton 2-1.  That's brobdingnagian.  If UCLA beats Virginia, they'll host the Tigers next weekend.

VG

[Viking_Guy]

Just saw that it's only being streamed on Facebook again.  While the streaming service doesn't matter, I think that will mean the rather amateurish production level we saw on Friday - a single camera, student commentators, while other venues have standard ESPN3 setups - multiple cameras, a couple of pro commentators.  I hate it when Stanford looks stingy/amateurish in these things.  The second announcer had NO idea what he was talking about on Friday, consistently mis-identifying players as Kyra Carusa and pronouncing Jahanzous' name as Yahanaswaz.

Oh well.

In other action, Santa Clara trails at South Carolina 1-0 in the 76th minute, Washington State and Florida are tied 0-0 at a similar point, and Duke beat Texas 3-0 to advance to host a final eight game next weekend.

EDIT: Holy crap, I didn't even see the biggest upset - North Carolina loses at home to #4 seed Princeton 2-1.  That's brobdingnagian.  If UCLA beats Virginia, they'll host the Tigers next weekend.

VG

[Viking_Guy]

Okay, better commentators; A couple of pros, at least one a former student announcer, I think.  Audio was a bit tough - PBP mike was hot and clipping, and the color guy's levels were a lot lower.  Betting they didn't have an audio guy.  Be interested to see if they actually had a dedicated cameraperson.  Game underway.

https://www.facebook.com/Stanfordwsoccer...047936704/

Crap, Xiao takes a very hard challenge and is banged up. 

VG

[Viking_Guy]

Okay, better commentators; A couple of pros, at least one a former student announcer, I think.  Audio was a bit tough - PBP mike was hot and clipping, and the color guy's levels were a lot lower.  Betting they didn't have an audio guy.  Be interested to see if they actually had a dedicated cameraperson.  Game underway.

https://www.facebook.com/Stanfordwsoccer...047936704/

Crap, Xiao takes a very hard challenge and is banged up. 

VG

[Viking_Guy]

Another nail-biting match when Stanford is dominating.  Outshooting them something like 10-2.  Sullivan had a golden chance off a pass from Macario that left her with a wide-open shot at the penalty spot, but she pushed it wide left.  Several other quality chances, but the service has generally been a bit too close to FSU's really good keeper.

Meanwhile, the Seminoles haven't been able to muster much.  What they have been able to get has generally been off of either Stanford fouls giving up freekicks in the offensive half (Castellanos has a great service into the box) or corner kicks, both of which expose Stanford's weakest link, their aerial play.

I think FSU would be happier playing more offensively, but Stanford's moving the ball well.  In spite of the injury to Xiao about 55 seconds in that has seen her replaced by Carla Malatsky.  Malatsky is doing a serviceable job, but she doesn't provide the same fluidity as Xiao.

VG

[Viking_Guy]

Another nail-biting match when Stanford is dominating.  Outshooting them something like 10-2.  Sullivan had a golden chance off a pass from Macario that left her with a wide-open shot at the penalty spot, but she pushed it wide left.  Several other quality chances, but the service has generally been a bit too close to FSU's really good keeper.

Meanwhile, the Seminoles haven't been able to muster much.  What they have been able to get has generally been off of either Stanford fouls giving up freekicks in the offensive half (Castellanos has a great service into the box) or corner kicks, both of which expose Stanford's weakest link, their aerial play.

I think FSU would be happier playing more offensively, but Stanford's moving the ball well.  In spite of the injury to Xiao about 55 seconds in that has seen her replaced by Carla Malatsky.  Malatsky is doing a serviceable job, but she doesn't provide the same fluidity as Xiao.

VG

[Viking_Guy]

Stanford kept us on tenterhooks throughout, but finally broke through thanks to some dogged work by Catarina in tiring out the FSU defense, but more directly due to a marvelous run by Tierna Davidson.

Davidson, who anchored the backline for Stanford, had several nice forays forward over the course of the match.  She's help by Andi Sullivan being willing to drop back and cover for her, and with about 12 minutes left, against a tired Seminole side, she ran from the top of her own box and just kept going.  Straight up the left side of the center of the pitch, with no defender willing to give up the professional foul and even at points unable to get across to her, taking bad angles.  I'd say she ran by 4 players, got into the area, then squared the ball to Jordan DiBiasi, who, like Kyra Carusa, has a tendency to be in the right place at the right time. After Stanford struggled to score all game, she hammered the ball into the lower right corner.

And it was the Davidson and Cook-led backline, even minus Xiao, who kept it there.  A high-powered offense like Florida State's, with a player who was up for a worldwide award while still playing for her country's junior side in Castellanos, against the defense of Stanford's mids and backfield, got ONE shot on goal in the game.  They had a few more chances, mostly on scramble plays as a set piece was lofted into the scrum in the box, but nothing that really tested Jahanzous - the one shot was with about 45 seconds left and was a outside of the foot prayer of a volley that basically made it an easy catch for the keeper.

Players of the game?  Davidson, but also Macario, who had some great shots, hitting a post and forcing some great saves from FSU's keeper Miller, who also had a wonderful game.

And thank god for a fair result - Stanford outshot them 22-4, on goal 8-1, 10 corners to 2, hit the post and the crossbar.  That would have been a gutpunch of a game to lose.

WSU eventually fell to Florida in 2OT, but at least not PKs, 1-0.  Penn State leading West Virginia, with the winner to play at Cagan next week, 2-1 10 minutes into the second half.  UCLA-Virginia (winner hosts Princeton) and Baylor/Texas (winner goes to Duke) later this evening.

Well done, Card.  Survive and advance.  And look for some payback against the Nittanys, if they make it through.

EDIT: 3-1 Penn State final.

VG

[Viking_Guy]

Stanford kept us on tenterhooks throughout, but finally broke through thanks to some dogged work by Catarina in tiring out the FSU defense, but more directly due to a marvelous run by Tierna Davidson.

Davidson, who anchored the backline for Stanford, had several nice forays forward over the course of the match.  She's help by Andi Sullivan being willing to drop back and cover for her, and with about 12 minutes left, against a tired Seminole side, she ran from the top of her own box and just kept going.  Straight up the left side of the center of the pitch, with no defender willing to give up the professional foul and even at points unable to get across to her, taking bad angles.  I'd say she ran by 4 players, got into the area, then squared the ball to Jordan DiBiasi, who, like Kyra Carusa, has a tendency to be in the right place at the right time. After Stanford struggled to score all game, she hammered the ball into the lower right corner.

And it was the Davidson and Cook-led backline, even minus Xiao, who kept it there.  A high-powered offense like Florida State's, with a player who was up for a worldwide award while still playing for her country's junior side in Castellanos, against the defense of Stanford's mids and backfield, got ONE shot on goal in the game.  They had a few more chances, mostly on scramble plays as a set piece was lofted into the scrum in the box, but nothing that really tested Jahanzous - the one shot was with about 45 seconds left and was a outside of the foot prayer of a volley that basically made it an easy catch for the keeper.

Players of the game?  Davidson, but also Macario, who had some great shots, hitting a post and forcing some great saves from FSU's keeper Miller, who also had a wonderful game.

And thank god for a fair result - Stanford outshot them 22-4, on goal 8-1, 10 corners to 2, hit the post and the crossbar.  That would have been a gutpunch of a game to lose.

WSU eventually fell to Florida in 2OT, but at least not PKs, 1-0.  Penn State leading West Virginia, with the winner to play at Cagan next week, 2-1 10 minutes into the second half.  UCLA-Virginia (winner hosts Princeton) and Baylor/Texas (winner goes to Duke) later this evening.

Well done, Card.  Survive and advance.  And look for some payback against the Nittanys, if they make it through.

EDIT: 3-1 Penn State final.

VG

[oldalum]

A number of players had excellent games: I'd put Boissiere up there, too: always around the ball, winning the ball, making challenges when everyone else was looking a little tired. Had one good chance but, like one of Andi's, tried to first-touch the shot instead of taking a touch and then firing.

Looked like Michelle Xiao broke her wrist. Figures, our weakest position with McGrady out. Hope Michelle recovers and that McGrady can play next week!

[oldalum]

A number of players had excellent games: I'd put Boissiere up there, too: always around the ball, winning the ball, making challenges when everyone else was looking a little tired. Had one good chance but, like one of Andi's, tried to first-touch the shot instead of taking a touch and then firing.

Looked like Michelle Xiao broke her wrist. Figures, our weakest position with McGrady out. Hope Michelle recovers and that McGrady can play next week!

[Viking_Guy]

OA-

You're right, both Boissiere and DiBiasi had great ball-winning games - FSU could never get their offense going, because their main threats never had time on the ball because of Jaye and Jordan.  Their ability to read the ball coming off the offensive player's trap was just phenomenal; I couldn't count the number of times Boissiere took the ball right off an opponent's foot on her first move.

Everyone was solid, but that's horrid about Xiao. Do you know if there's any hope for McGrady - was she in injury sweats or a boot or anything?

VG

[Viking_Guy]

OA-

You're right, both Boissiere and DiBiasi had great ball-winning games - FSU could never get their offense going, because their main threats never had time on the ball because of Jaye and Jordan.  Their ability to read the ball coming off the offensive player's trap was just phenomenal; I couldn't count the number of times Boissiere took the ball right off an opponent's foot on her first move.

Everyone was solid, but that's horrid about Xiao. Do you know if there's any hope for McGrady - was she in injury sweats or a boot or anything?

VG