[BostonCard]

https://x.com/stanfordwsoccer/status/182...27834?s=46

Off a turnover.
Shot differential was 30-3. Shots on goal was 14-0.  But only 1 of those went through.

BC

[BostonCard]

https://x.com/stanfordwsoccer/status/182...27834?s=46

Off a turnover.
Shot differential was 30-3. Shots on goal was 14-0.  But only 1 of those went through.

BC

[Lorcan]

It was definitely a nervy win - just minutes before our goal, San Francisco had a shot that rattled off the bar and very nearly snuck in. We were lucky to escape there. 

In other news, it looks like the rankings are already going to be a mess as Auburn upset #5 Clemson, 4-0, Oklahoma State beat old Big 12 foe and #6 Nebraska, 2-0. 

UC San Diego led Cal early - and Cal only escaped with the win late with a brace from Karlie Lema. That would've been a slightly embarrassing start to life in the ACC for Cal.

[Lorcan]

It was definitely a nervy win - just minutes before our goal, San Francisco had a shot that rattled off the bar and very nearly snuck in. We were lucky to escape there. 

In other news, it looks like the rankings are already going to be a mess as Auburn upset #5 Clemson, 4-0, Oklahoma State beat old Big 12 foe and #6 Nebraska, 2-0. 

UC San Diego led Cal early - and Cal only escaped with the win late with a brace from Karlie Lema. That would've been a slightly embarrassing start to life in the ACC for Cal.

[oldalum]

I don’t know how I feel about Aikey playing CB.

I don't like it at all. She has been a key part of our scoring--which is probably why she got shifted to forward toward the end of a scoreless game. Either we don't have an acceptable alternative for CB (hopefully until one gets quickly trained up to do it), or Aikey & coaches think her path to the pros will be as a CB and we have enough forward/midfield scoring power to get by without her up there (less likely). What am I missing?

[oldalum]

I don’t know how I feel about Aikey playing CB.

I don't like it at all. She has been a key part of our scoring--which is probably why she got shifted to forward toward the end of a scoreless game. Either we don't have an acceptable alternative for CB (hopefully until one gets quickly trained up to do it), or Aikey & coaches think her path to the pros will be as a CB and we have enough forward/midfield scoring power to get by without her up there (less likely). What am I missing?

[OCcardinal]

Watched the game on ESPN+.  Some thoughts:

- I assume Aikey was at center back because she's going to need to be there for key games this season (e.g., against USC) while Elise Evans is playing in the U20 World Cup.  
- The offense took a lot of shots, but few were of high quality (lots from outside the box)
- The offense looked 100% better once Aikey moved up. I don't know how much we can afford having her play at center back.
- Only goal was off of a deep turnover. Great play by freshman Charlotte Kohler, but disappointing that we couldn't get a goal in the normal flow of our offense against USF.  
- Montoya and Kitihata had no problem getting by USF's defense on the wings, but couldn't connect on their crosses.  Hopefully that will improve.
- Good to see our 5-star recruit Eleanor Klinger get the start (and be productive). She's not just a frosh, she's an early enrollee (still only 17 years old).  She had a few flubs but earned her minutes (58 of them, more than either Buda or Kitahata had).
- Glad to see Buda back at midfield. That's where she belongs.  The freshman wing defenders looked good so shouldn't be a need to move Buda back there again.
- Kohler had 7 shots, 3 on goal in her 53 minutes.  Surprisingly productive for a frosh in her first game.  I really liked the way she found her space to take the game-winner. Looks like the real deal. (She was the Gatorade California HS player of the year for 2 years. Our frosh class also includes the Gatorade TX HS Player of the year, Jaden Thomas. So we just picked up the two best players from the two most populous states.) 
- No sign of Lumi Kostmayer. She was our leading scorer for a time her freshman year. She had 12 starts and played 1028 minutes.  But then last season she had only 1 start and played 391 minutes. I don't know if she's been dealing with an injury or what. But I miss seeing her out there.  With her physicality and height there are things she can do that no on else on the team can do.
- Last but not least, there is the GK position, the biggest question coming into this season with Campbell's departure. Haley Craig is finally getting her shot. She wasn't tested in this game and didn't have to make any saves.  There was one dangerous shot from distance that ended up hitting the top goalpost, but it looked like Craig was in position to make the save had it been any lower.  We've got a very strong defense (with or without Aikey on the back line) so hopefully they'll keep things boring for Craig.

[OCcardinal]

Watched the game on ESPN+.  Some thoughts:

- I assume Aikey was at center back because she's going to need to be there for key games this season (e.g., against USC) while Elise Evans is playing in the U20 World Cup.  
- The offense took a lot of shots, but few were of high quality (lots from outside the box)
- The offense looked 100% better once Aikey moved up. I don't know how much we can afford having her play at center back.
- Only goal was off of a deep turnover. Great play by freshman Charlotte Kohler, but disappointing that we couldn't get a goal in the normal flow of our offense against USF.  
- Montoya and Kitihata had no problem getting by USF's defense on the wings, but couldn't connect on their crosses.  Hopefully that will improve.
- Good to see our 5-star recruit Eleanor Klinger get the start (and be productive). She's not just a frosh, she's an early enrollee (still only 17 years old).  She had a few flubs but earned her minutes (58 of them, more than either Buda or Kitahata had).
- Glad to see Buda back at midfield. That's where she belongs.  The freshman wing defenders looked good so shouldn't be a need to move Buda back there again.
- Kohler had 7 shots, 3 on goal in her 53 minutes.  Surprisingly productive for a frosh in her first game.  I really liked the way she found her space to take the game-winner. Looks like the real deal. (She was the Gatorade California HS player of the year for 2 years. Our frosh class also includes the Gatorade TX HS Player of the year, Jaden Thomas. So we just picked up the two best players from the two most populous states.) 
- No sign of Lumi Kostmayer. She was our leading scorer for a time her freshman year. She had 12 starts and played 1028 minutes.  But then last season she had only 1 start and played 391 minutes. I don't know if she's been dealing with an injury or what. But I miss seeing her out there.  With her physicality and height there are things she can do that no on else on the team can do.
- Last but not least, there is the GK position, the biggest question coming into this season with Campbell's departure. Haley Craig is finally getting her shot. She wasn't tested in this game and didn't have to make any saves.  There was one dangerous shot from distance that ended up hitting the top goalpost, but it looked like Craig was in position to make the save had it been any lower.  We've got a very strong defense (with or without Aikey on the back line) so hopefully they'll keep things boring for Craig.

[cardfan77]

Is Avani Brandt injured? I kinda expected her and Evans at CB this year. Freshman Lizzie Boamah looked impressive to my untrained eyes.

[cardfan77]

Is Avani Brandt injured? I kinda expected her and Evans at CB this year. Freshman Lizzie Boamah looked impressive to my untrained eyes.

[BACardinal]

Looking at the schedule it seems all of the women's games are televised on the ACC Network and ESPN+ but none of the men's games are televised. 

Is Stanford not live streaming any of the home games any more? I loved the Stanford produced live streams

[BACardinal]

Looking at the schedule it seems all of the women's games are televised on the ACC Network and ESPN+ but none of the men's games are televised. 

Is Stanford not live streaming any of the home games any more? I loved the Stanford produced live streams

[chrisk]

Looking at the schedule it seems all of the women's games are televised on the ACC Network and ESPN+ but none of the men's games are televised. 

Is Stanford not live streaming any of the home games any more? I loved the Stanford produced live streams

The ACC website shows at least a couple men’s games televised - Duke (ACCNX) and SMU (ACCN).

[chrisk]

Looking at the schedule it seems all of the women's games are televised on the ACC Network and ESPN+ but none of the men's games are televised. 

Is Stanford not live streaming any of the home games any more? I loved the Stanford produced live streams

The ACC website shows at least a couple men’s games televised - Duke (ACCNX) and SMU (ACCN).

[ca245]

Looking at the schedule it seems all of the women's games are televised on the ACC Network and ESPN+ but none of the men's games are televised. 

Is Stanford not live streaming any of the home games any more? I loved the Stanford produced live streams

The ACC website shows at least a couple men’s games televised - Duke (ACCNX) and SMU (ACCN).

The GoStanford site lists the MSoc game against Cal Poly as "live" with an icon, but clicking the icon doesn't do anything -- not even a live stats.

[ca245]

Looking at the schedule it seems all of the women's games are televised on the ACC Network and ESPN+ but none of the men's games are televised. 

Is Stanford not live streaming any of the home games any more? I loved the Stanford produced live streams

The ACC website shows at least a couple men’s games televised - Duke (ACCNX) and SMU (ACCN).

The GoStanford site lists the MSoc game against Cal Poly as "live" with an icon, but clicking the icon doesn't do anything -- not even a live stats.

[cardfan77]

Aikey playing CB again.

[cardfan77]

Aikey playing CB again.

[OCcardinal]

Is Avani Brandt injured? I kinda expected her and Evans at CB this year. Freshman Lizzie Boamah looked impressive to my untrained eyes.

Brandt was subbed in at right back for the Irvine game. Frosh Ella Emri at center back with Evans right now.

Great to see Haley Craig can make saves like this! https://x.com/StanfordWSoccer/status/182...4384379384

[OCcardinal]

Is Avani Brandt injured? I kinda expected her and Evans at CB this year. Freshman Lizzie Boamah looked impressive to my untrained eyes.

Brandt was subbed in at right back for the Irvine game. Frosh Ella Emri at center back with Evans right now.

Great to see Haley Craig can make saves like this! https://x.com/StanfordWSoccer/status/182...4384379384

[OCcardinal]

Went to the Cal State Fullerton match yesterday. First one without Elise Evans due to the U20 World Cup.  Ton of shots for Stanford but only one went in (an incredible shot from Kitahata just a few minutes into the game).  Fullerton has an incredible goalkeeper, but it was still frustrating that we could only score one goal in that game.  It was a weird substitution pattern as Jasmine Aikey played the first 58 minutes at Center Back and then sat out the rest of the game (even though it was still close at 1-0).  It was pretty hot and she was running up to take all of the corner kicks so she might have just been gassed.  I didn't notice any injury, but hopefully she is okay.

The defense was good even without Evans (and late in the game, without Aikey).  Fullerton had averaged 4 goals a game so far, but Stanford didn't allow them any shots on goal (though Fullerton had some opportunities). Ella Emri (the #20-ranked recruit in the class of 2024) looked especially good at Center Back in her 48 minutes.  I was really impressed with how calm she was after Aikey left the game.  She had no problem chasing down players, making tackles, and finding space.  Had an efficiency that was similar to Girma and Evans.  It bodes very well for the program going forward.  Frankly I'd rather see her get Aikey's minutes at Center Back and move Aikey up.  Aikey's the best finisher we have and can create plays that no one else can.  We saw it on only one play in the game where she didn't actually take the corner, but received a short pass.  She immediately drove around the defender and made a great cross that should have been a goal.  I'm sure Ratcliff sees all this.  It might be he just wants to get Aikey touches at CB so he can use her there for the USC game.  He may also want to develop his other players up top.  Two 1-0 games so far is a little nerve-wracking though for the #2 team in the country. (As a comparison, Stanford beat University of San Francisco 1-0, but Cal beat them 6-1.)

[OCcardinal]

Went to the Cal State Fullerton match yesterday. First one without Elise Evans due to the U20 World Cup.  Ton of shots for Stanford but only one went in (an incredible shot from Kitahata just a few minutes into the game).  Fullerton has an incredible goalkeeper, but it was still frustrating that we could only score one goal in that game.  It was a weird substitution pattern as Jasmine Aikey played the first 58 minutes at Center Back and then sat out the rest of the game (even though it was still close at 1-0).  It was pretty hot and she was running up to take all of the corner kicks so she might have just been gassed.  I didn't notice any injury, but hopefully she is okay.

The defense was good even without Evans (and late in the game, without Aikey).  Fullerton had averaged 4 goals a game so far, but Stanford didn't allow them any shots on goal (though Fullerton had some opportunities). Ella Emri (the #20-ranked recruit in the class of 2024) looked especially good at Center Back in her 48 minutes.  I was really impressed with how calm she was after Aikey left the game.  She had no problem chasing down players, making tackles, and finding space.  Had an efficiency that was similar to Girma and Evans.  It bodes very well for the program going forward.  Frankly I'd rather see her get Aikey's minutes at Center Back and move Aikey up.  Aikey's the best finisher we have and can create plays that no one else can.  We saw it on only one play in the game where she didn't actually take the corner, but received a short pass.  She immediately drove around the defender and made a great cross that should have been a goal.  I'm sure Ratcliff sees all this.  It might be he just wants to get Aikey touches at CB so he can use her there for the USC game.  He may also want to develop his other players up top.  Two 1-0 games so far is a little nerve-wracking though for the #2 team in the country. (As a comparison, Stanford beat University of San Francisco 1-0, but Cal beat them 6-1.)

[Hieronymus]

I don’t know how I feel about Aikey playing CB.

I don't like it at all. She has been a key part of our scoring--which is probably why she got shifted to forward toward the end of a scoreless game. Either we don't have an acceptable alternative for CB (hopefully until one gets quickly trained up to do it), or Aikey & coaches think her path to the pros will be as a CB and we have enough forward/midfield scoring power to get by without her up there (less likely). What am I missing?

I hated Aikey at CB vs. UCLA last year and I hate it now.

1. Soccer is a game where the premium is on scoring. It’s really hard. Nobody takes their leading goal scorer and says “Hey Let’s make them a CB today.” Ever. Forwards who can’t score fall back to MF or defender. Forwards who score stay at forward.
2. It neutralizes one of Aikey’s best attributes. She runs and runs and runs nonstop. All game. She is basically what you get if you taught the Tasmanian Devil soccer - a mini-tornado of doom bouncing all around the field. So now she is playing the one field position where running is mostly irrelevant. It makes no sense.
3. Kitahata and Montoya are quick, shifty types but not burners. Aikey gives a behind the defense threat the wingers don’t offer and Wolf doesn’t get behind the defense either.
4. Last year PR went heavily to a best 11 lineup, but while I am not anti-Wolf, there is no way I am moving my best player to get her on the field. More generally, Wolf is also not best 11. The jam right now looks like MF where you have Harvey, Bhuta, Kohler, Klinger and Jung who all look good. If I do something weird with the lineup, it’s doing something to get those 5 more time on the field.

If you are the #2 team in the country, you dictate the play. Not the other way around.

[Hieronymus]

I don’t know how I feel about Aikey playing CB.

I don't like it at all. She has been a key part of our scoring--which is probably why she got shifted to forward toward the end of a scoreless game. Either we don't have an acceptable alternative for CB (hopefully until one gets quickly trained up to do it), or Aikey & coaches think her path to the pros will be as a CB and we have enough forward/midfield scoring power to get by without her up there (less likely). What am I missing?

I hated Aikey at CB vs. UCLA last year and I hate it now.

1. Soccer is a game where the premium is on scoring. It’s really hard. Nobody takes their leading goal scorer and says “Hey Let’s make them a CB today.” Ever. Forwards who can’t score fall back to MF or defender. Forwards who score stay at forward.
2. It neutralizes one of Aikey’s best attributes. She runs and runs and runs nonstop. All game. She is basically what you get if you taught the Tasmanian Devil soccer - a mini-tornado of doom bouncing all around the field. So now she is playing the one field position where running is mostly irrelevant. It makes no sense.
3. Kitahata and Montoya are quick, shifty types but not burners. Aikey gives a behind the defense threat the wingers don’t offer and Wolf doesn’t get behind the defense either.
4. Last year PR went heavily to a best 11 lineup, but while I am not anti-Wolf, there is no way I am moving my best player to get her on the field. More generally, Wolf is also not best 11. The jam right now looks like MF where you have Harvey, Bhuta, Kohler, Klinger and Jung who all look good. If I do something weird with the lineup, it’s doing something to get those 5 more time on the field.

If you are the #2 team in the country, you dictate the play. Not the other way around.

[Hieronymus]

Stanford wins 2-0 vs. WSU Sunday. Overall, the performance was probably OK?  First half was solid though WSU got 2 good looks. First half goals from Bhuta and Kitahata. Second half was probably a draw in terms of the play. Both teams had some good looks but nobody could finish.

Quick thoughts:
- Kitahata MVP through the first 5 games.
- 6 Frosh continue to get a lot of time.
- And as a result, we are seeing much more subbing vs. last year. That probably is part of why things are disjointed right now.
- the starting lineup is probably going to be in flux for awhile.
- Craig made a really nice save but high balls are an adventure.
- Emri got beat twice - but she really got overpowered not beat for speed. She will get stronger and had a few other nice defensive plays.
- Thomas seemed much more composed on the field already. She could easily be starting mid season.
- Harvey had a rough second half.

[Hieronymus]

Stanford wins 2-0 vs. WSU Sunday. Overall, the performance was probably OK?  First half was solid though WSU got 2 good looks. First half goals from Bhuta and Kitahata. Second half was probably a draw in terms of the play. Both teams had some good looks but nobody could finish.

Quick thoughts:
- Kitahata MVP through the first 5 games.
- 6 Frosh continue to get a lot of time.
- And as a result, we are seeing much more subbing vs. last year. That probably is part of why things are disjointed right now.
- the starting lineup is probably going to be in flux for awhile.
- Craig made a really nice save but high balls are an adventure.
- Emri got beat twice - but she really got overpowered not beat for speed. She will get stronger and had a few other nice defensive plays.
- Thomas seemed much more composed on the field already. She could easily be starting mid season.
- Harvey had a rough second half.

[oldalum]

IMHO the second half was pretty lopsided, as evidenced by corner kicks: WSU had 10 versus our 1! In all my time of watching Stanford W soccer, I can't remember an opponent getting 10 corner kicks in a half. WSU put on a very strong, active high press, and we had a world of trouble getting the ball out of our half of the field. Lots of turnovers that produced attacking chances for them. Ratcliffe kept yelling for our players to kick long ball over them to a "target" holding player on our team, and the times we did generated some chances, but I think the team should learn a lot from film review of that second half: the very top ACC teams are probably going to play us the same way.

Bhuta had a penalty kick blocked, on the ground and to the corner at the GK's right. The WSU GK is very good (2021 Pac-12 GK of the Year). She lined up cheating noticeably toward that side and easily got in front of it despite a decent pace on the kick. That will be another learning moment. Bhuta redeemed herself with the goal on a good cross from Montoya. The WSU players were very fast and Harvey had a tough time due to her lack of speed.

Kitahata was in control of the ball whenever she was in, scoring a couple minutes after she was subbed in late in the first half. She and Aikey and Evans are our studs. I was impressed with frosh Jaden Thomas and others. Inexperienced but promising.

[oldalum]

IMHO the second half was pretty lopsided, as evidenced by corner kicks: WSU had 10 versus our 1! In all my time of watching Stanford W soccer, I can't remember an opponent getting 10 corner kicks in a half. WSU put on a very strong, active high press, and we had a world of trouble getting the ball out of our half of the field. Lots of turnovers that produced attacking chances for them. Ratcliffe kept yelling for our players to kick long ball over them to a "target" holding player on our team, and the times we did generated some chances, but I think the team should learn a lot from film review of that second half: the very top ACC teams are probably going to play us the same way.

Bhuta had a penalty kick blocked, on the ground and to the corner at the GK's right. The WSU GK is very good (2021 Pac-12 GK of the Year). She lined up cheating noticeably toward that side and easily got in front of it despite a decent pace on the kick. That will be another learning moment. Bhuta redeemed herself with the goal on a good cross from Montoya. The WSU players were very fast and Harvey had a tough time due to her lack of speed.

Kitahata was in control of the ball whenever she was in, scoring a couple minutes after she was subbed in late in the first half. She and Aikey and Evans are our studs. I was impressed with frosh Jaden Thomas and others. Inexperienced but promising.

[Sakibomb25]

The thing about having Aikey at center back suggests to me that there is no better option (with Evans gone). Yes, you lose offensive prowess with Aikey patrolling on defense, but worst case scenario, the match ends in a draw. However, you take someone less talented than Aikey at centerback, there is a lot of risk there then b/c the chances of someone scoring is higher than Aikey having apart in a goal or two. 

I don’t like her there either, but given how tough the ACC is, I think Ratcliffe is being conservative and would rather have at the very least a few ties than a couple of losses, at least until Evans comes back. 

If a freshman (or someone new) can step up at center back, we’ve had plenty of freshmen step up and take on that role… so from my view, there really isn’t anyone who can beat Aikey out, unfortunately.

How did Klinger look through these first few games for Stanford?

[Sakibomb25]

The thing about having Aikey at center back suggests to me that there is no better option (with Evans gone). Yes, you lose offensive prowess with Aikey patrolling on defense, but worst case scenario, the match ends in a draw. However, you take someone less talented than Aikey at centerback, there is a lot of risk there then b/c the chances of someone scoring is higher than Aikey having apart in a goal or two. 

I don’t like her there either, but given how tough the ACC is, I think Ratcliffe is being conservative and would rather have at the very least a few ties than a couple of losses, at least until Evans comes back. 

If a freshman (or someone new) can step up at center back, we’ve had plenty of freshmen step up and take on that role… so from my view, there really isn’t anyone who can beat Aikey out, unfortunately.

How did Klinger look through these first few games for Stanford?

[Hieronymus]

The thing about having Aikey at center back suggests to me that there is no better option (with Evans gone). Yes, you lose offensive prowess with Aikey patrolling on defense, but worst case scenario, the match ends in a draw. However, you take someone less talented than Aikey at centerback, there is a lot of risk there then b/c the chances of someone scoring is higher than Aikey having apart in a goal or two. 

I don’t like her there either, but given how tough the ACC is, I think Ratcliffe is being conservative and would rather have at the very least a few ties than a couple of losses, at least until Evans comes back. 

If a freshman (or someone new) can step up at center back, we’ve had plenty of freshmen step up and take on that role… so from my view, there really isn’t anyone who can beat Aikey out, unfortunately.

How did Klinger look through these first few games for Stanford?

Overall view of the 6 Frosh who are playing a lot.

Group 1: Kohler and Klinger: both look really polished for Frosh. Klinger started the first game and Kohler has started the rest, but Klinger is still getting 30 minutes a game. They are both good enough that Yung has gotten pushed aside a bit though she did start the WSU game.

Group 2: Thomas and Boamah both show all kinds of potential but are both really raw. That said Thomas looked markedly more comfortable already this last game. I have no idea how fast it all comes together for them. Based on position - I can take more errors at CF vs. LB - and the last game; I expect Thomas to be out there more/earlier. 

Group 3: Emri and S Smith. A lot of potential here too, but it’s harder to tell if they can defend at a high enough level with Stanford playing mediocre teams so far. Smith has good speed and surprising strength for a Frosh and Emri has been good on ball and has defended OK, but yeah she got overpowered a couple of times vs. WSU. She will adapt I expect and will be stronger next year. I am not sure how either will progress this year though.

[Hieronymus]

The thing about having Aikey at center back suggests to me that there is no better option (with Evans gone). Yes, you lose offensive prowess with Aikey patrolling on defense, but worst case scenario, the match ends in a draw. However, you take someone less talented than Aikey at centerback, there is a lot of risk there then b/c the chances of someone scoring is higher than Aikey having apart in a goal or two. 

I don’t like her there either, but given how tough the ACC is, I think Ratcliffe is being conservative and would rather have at the very least a few ties than a couple of losses, at least until Evans comes back. 

If a freshman (or someone new) can step up at center back, we’ve had plenty of freshmen step up and take on that role… so from my view, there really isn’t anyone who can beat Aikey out, unfortunately.

How did Klinger look through these first few games for Stanford?

Overall view of the 6 Frosh who are playing a lot.

Group 1: Kohler and Klinger: both look really polished for Frosh. Klinger started the first game and Kohler has started the rest, but Klinger is still getting 30 minutes a game. They are both good enough that Yung has gotten pushed aside a bit though she did start the WSU game.

Group 2: Thomas and Boamah both show all kinds of potential but are both really raw. That said Thomas looked markedly more comfortable already this last game. I have no idea how fast it all comes together for them. Based on position - I can take more errors at CF vs. LB - and the last game; I expect Thomas to be out there more/earlier. 

Group 3: Emri and S Smith. A lot of potential here too, but it’s harder to tell if they can defend at a high enough level with Stanford playing mediocre teams so far. Smith has good speed and surprising strength for a Frosh and Emri has been good on ball and has defended OK, but yeah she got overpowered a couple of times vs. WSU. She will adapt I expect and will be stronger next year. I am not sure how either will progress this year though.

[Hieronymus]

IMHO the second half was pretty lopsided, as evidenced by corner kicks: WSU had 10 versus our 1! In all my time of watching Stanford W soccer, I can't remember an opponent getting 10 corner kicks in a half. WSU put on a very strong, active high press, and we had a world of trouble getting the ball out of our half of the field. Lots of turnovers that produced attacking chances for them. Ratcliffe kept yelling for our players to kick long ball over them to a "target" holding player on our team, and the times we did generated some chances, but I think the team should learn a lot from film review of that second half: the very top ACC teams are probably going to play us the same way.

Bhuta had a penalty kick blocked, on the ground and to the corner at the GK's right. The WSU GK is very good (2021 Pac-12 GK of the Year). She lined up cheating noticeably toward that side and easily got in front of it despite a decent pace on the kick. That will be another learning moment. Bhuta redeemed herself with the goal on a good cross from Montoya. The WSU players were very fast and Harvey had a tough time due to her lack of speed.

Kitahata was in control of the ball whenever she was in, scoring a couple minutes after she was subbed in late in the first half. She and Aikey and Evans are our studs. I was impressed with frosh Jaden Thomas and others. Inexperienced but promising.

The corner kick count was weird. One kick often ended up being 2 after the ball would deflect out off the original corner, and there were just a lot of deflections period. Part of that was Craig struggled with balls in the air. 

Long and short though, I think the corners count overstates a WSU edge. The shots were 6-8 in the second half for WSU and only 2 were on goal for them. I also only remember one really good chance that Craig saved. The other big chance Emri blocked and the shot never got on goal. Possession second half was 46-54 for WSU as well. So a little edge for WSU, but not a big one for my eyes.

[Hieronymus]

IMHO the second half was pretty lopsided, as evidenced by corner kicks: WSU had 10 versus our 1! In all my time of watching Stanford W soccer, I can't remember an opponent getting 10 corner kicks in a half. WSU put on a very strong, active high press, and we had a world of trouble getting the ball out of our half of the field. Lots of turnovers that produced attacking chances for them. Ratcliffe kept yelling for our players to kick long ball over them to a "target" holding player on our team, and the times we did generated some chances, but I think the team should learn a lot from film review of that second half: the very top ACC teams are probably going to play us the same way.

Bhuta had a penalty kick blocked, on the ground and to the corner at the GK's right. The WSU GK is very good (2021 Pac-12 GK of the Year). She lined up cheating noticeably toward that side and easily got in front of it despite a decent pace on the kick. That will be another learning moment. Bhuta redeemed herself with the goal on a good cross from Montoya. The WSU players were very fast and Harvey had a tough time due to her lack of speed.

Kitahata was in control of the ball whenever she was in, scoring a couple minutes after she was subbed in late in the first half. She and Aikey and Evans are our studs. I was impressed with frosh Jaden Thomas and others. Inexperienced but promising.

The corner kick count was weird. One kick often ended up being 2 after the ball would deflect out off the original corner, and there were just a lot of deflections period. Part of that was Craig struggled with balls in the air. 

Long and short though, I think the corners count overstates a WSU edge. The shots were 6-8 in the second half for WSU and only 2 were on goal for them. I also only remember one really good chance that Craig saved. The other big chance Emri blocked and the shot never got on goal. Possession second half was 46-54 for WSU as well. So a little edge for WSU, but not a big one for my eyes.

[Lorcan]

It's just wild to me how tough the ACC will be for this team - and given that we've just ascended to #1 in the country thanks to Florida State drawing with #24 Georgia, there should be no easy outs. The ACC currently dominates the rankings with the following:

#1 Stanford
#2 North Carolina
#3 Virginia
#4 Florida State
#11 Clemson
#13 Notre Dame
#16 Pittsburgh
#20 Wake Forest


It's wild that the schedule doesn't include Virginia, Florida State, or Clemson for us in the regular season. It'll be interesting to see how this all shakes out.

[Lorcan]

It's just wild to me how tough the ACC will be for this team - and given that we've just ascended to #1 in the country thanks to Florida State drawing with #24 Georgia, there should be no easy outs. The ACC currently dominates the rankings with the following:

#1 Stanford
#2 North Carolina
#3 Virginia
#4 Florida State
#11 Clemson
#13 Notre Dame
#16 Pittsburgh
#20 Wake Forest


It's wild that the schedule doesn't include Virginia, Florida State, or Clemson for us in the regular season. It'll be interesting to see how this all shakes out.

[Hieronymus]

2 games this week.

1. A 1:0 win vs. St Mary’s that was not a good performance. The first 25 min were Ok - too many turnovers but Montoya especially was destroying her side, resulting in Kitahata scoring on a Montoya cross early. Then the Subs came on at the 25th minute-ish and Stanford lost its momentum and never got it back. For example, Montoya’s second half was invisible. Fortunately, St. Mary’s isn’t good and had only a single decent opportunity late in the second half but couldn’t execute. Finally, Emri and Thomas got their first starts of the year.

2. A 2-1 win vs. USC. Emri and Thomas started again; so three Freshman starting two games in a row. The first half was the best play of the year. Bhuta and Klinger both scored, and USC had little going forward though USC did slowly work itself into the game as the half progressed. The second half though didn’t go so well. Aikey had a very early own goal after Pagador got torched. We then almost gave up a second own goal - good save by Craig. The Subs got the game under better control around minute 65, though we got saved by an offside call near the end of the game on a counter.

- I guess the own goal got changed to a USC goal. It sure looked like an own goal live.
- this game shows the limitations of Aikey at CB. When the game goes bad like it did in the second half, 1 CB doesn’t move the needle that much no matter who it is. Aikey had a modest impact in this game.
- And CF was a problem today - nobody really got the job done. That resulted in rare significant minutes for Lumi. Seems like it would be really nice to have Aikey there at least some of the time. Just sayin’.
- Pagador remains very vulnerable 1v1 on defense. Strangely USC went away from it later in the second half to attack Boamah I guess because she is a Frosh. Pagador also needed to foul on the counter that was almost a second USC goal.
- Klinger looked really good today.
- Emri was very solid minus one bad turnover in her first game where the defense was actually challenged. I would like to see her continue to start when Evans gets back, moving Aikey back to CF. I am not expecting that to happen though - Aikey appears to be entrenched at CB.
- the defensive shell in the second half was pretty porous. It was far too easy to penetrate into the interior 25-35 yards out from goal, and it was also too easy to get around the outside.

[Hieronymus]

2 games this week.

1. A 1:0 win vs. St Mary’s that was not a good performance. The first 25 min were Ok - too many turnovers but Montoya especially was destroying her side, resulting in Kitahata scoring on a Montoya cross early. Then the Subs came on at the 25th minute-ish and Stanford lost its momentum and never got it back. For example, Montoya’s second half was invisible. Fortunately, St. Mary’s isn’t good and had only a single decent opportunity late in the second half but couldn’t execute. Finally, Emri and Thomas got their first starts of the year.

2. A 2-1 win vs. USC. Emri and Thomas started again; so three Freshman starting two games in a row. The first half was the best play of the year. Bhuta and Klinger both scored, and USC had little going forward though USC did slowly work itself into the game as the half progressed. The second half though didn’t go so well. Aikey had a very early own goal after Pagador got torched. We then almost gave up a second own goal - good save by Craig. The Subs got the game under better control around minute 65, though we got saved by an offside call near the end of the game on a counter.

- I guess the own goal got changed to a USC goal. It sure looked like an own goal live.
- this game shows the limitations of Aikey at CB. When the game goes bad like it did in the second half, 1 CB doesn’t move the needle that much no matter who it is. Aikey had a modest impact in this game.
- And CF was a problem today - nobody really got the job done. That resulted in rare significant minutes for Lumi. Seems like it would be really nice to have Aikey there at least some of the time. Just sayin’.
- Pagador remains very vulnerable 1v1 on defense. Strangely USC went away from it later in the second half to attack Boamah I guess because she is a Frosh. Pagador also needed to foul on the counter that was almost a second USC goal.
- Klinger looked really good today.
- Emri was very solid minus one bad turnover in her first game where the defense was actually challenged. I would like to see her continue to start when Evans gets back, moving Aikey back to CF. I am not expecting that to happen though - Aikey appears to be entrenched at CB.
- the defensive shell in the second half was pretty porous. It was far too easy to penetrate into the interior 25-35 yards out from goal, and it was also too easy to get around the outside.

[Spiny_Norman]

Stanford scored early in the 2nd half and held on for a 1-0 win at #12 Santa Clara today.

When I click on the Box Score on GoStanford, I get a page that lists the score, date, start time and location. But there are no stats. This seems to be true for all games. Are others seeing the same thing? No game stats?

[Spiny_Norman]

Stanford scored early in the 2nd half and held on for a 1-0 win at #12 Santa Clara today.

When I click on the Box Score on GoStanford, I get a page that lists the score, date, start time and location. But there are no stats. This seems to be true for all games. Are others seeing the same thing? No game stats?