I’m back. Sorry for the delay in posts, but sometimes life gets in the way of blogging. Graduations, Work, Busy Weekends all conspired to steal my time the past few weeks…but I am back and excited for the big game tonight. Full time blogger some day….just not today…bummer.
Eau Claire Memorial vs. Stevens Point in the Sectional Semi-Finals
Lets take a quick look at how we got here. Memorial cruised by #8 Superior 16-0 in Round 1 of the playoffs. A week of practice had the Abes sharp and ready and Superior really had no chance in this one. The Abes scored early and often and had piled up 11 goals by halftime. Not really sure why they toss out the 10 goal rule in the playoffs, but it certainly makes for some awkward games. Not fun really for either team, but that’s the rule, so you play it out. Here are a few highlights from Superior.
Barstad has a dangerous left foot. Getting her back out on the wing and getting her into some space could be really important for the Abes to advance deeper into the playoffs. Here is a rocket into the corner of the net. Well placed and well struck. A nice goal!
Memorials most dangerous player is Stow. She certainly has a lot of help this year, but sometimes big games just need a big player. She will be a big part of Memorial’s plans the rest of the way. A little sample of what she can do in the open field. Impressive run and calm finish.
Next up was Hudson in the Regional Finals. Earlier this year, Memorial played one of the best games in defeating Hudson 4-1 on the road and then followed that up with a solid 3-1 win at home. Hudson has some skilled players but lacks some big game experience. Always tough to beat a team three times in a season, but the Abes came into the game fresh and really controlled things from the very beginning.It was pretty clear from the beginning of the game that Hudson had made the decision to play their GK on a high line to shut down thru balls to their strikers. Memorial has scored a ton of goals finding Stow or Carmody in space. It was a gamble. It paid off early as the GK was able to clean things up on a few dangerous balls. I was next to Coach Yengo the first half and we both commented that it was just a matter of time. Memorial would figure out the GK’s position and take advantage. If a team plays a high GK, you just have to make them pay. GK’s have to be very confident they can get to the ball if they come out high. Shots from distance and chips over the top can be devastating if you play your GK high and you just need players who can execute and take advantage ….Memorial has those players.
After missing on some early opportunities, Stow found herself in the middle of the field near the 18 after a nice pass from the wing. The GK comes out again, but Stow is ready.
Easy chip over the top for the 1-0 lead….well, maybe not so easy, but Stow certainly makes it look easy! Memorial continues to press and get shots and a few minutes later they strike again. Another ball near the 18 and the GK comes out again on Carmody. She is able to get a deflection on the shot, but it dribbles past her and right into the path of a surging Stow…easy tap in goal for a 2-0 lead. Hudson never really threatens and Memorial GK Hujik shuts down any shots and things stay pretty comfortable the rest of the way. Very similar to the first half, Memorial strikes again in the second on another strike from near the 18. Stow presses Hudson and Carmody cleans things up for the 3-0 lead and the final tally. Nice left by the way!!
Sectional Semi-Finals
A few notes.
-It is hard to compare teams who have not played, but let’s give it a shot. Steven Point played DC Everest three times. Two of those games were ties, 3-3 and 0-0 in the Regional finals decided 5-4 in a PK shoot Out. Not sure the third, but thinking Stevens Point won that game. Memorial tied DC Everest 1-1 early in the season. Based on all that, this should be a very competitive game.
-Ali Bowe is back and playing well. She takes this team up a notch in quality of play and is a key cog in the attack. She missed some games against non-conference opponents, so it will be great to see her out there tonight against SPASH. she is a difference maker.
-Expect Stevens Point to put a lot of focus onto Stow…double teams, triple teams, physical play, bumping, pulling, tugging, etc. I think Stow still gets her chances, she is just that good, but we may need some of the other weapons to step up tonight…and there are plenty. Barstad, Beaudrie, Bowe, Sorenson, L. Carmody and others will get shots tonight.
-A competitive Sectional; Bay Port, the #1 team in the state faces off against Appleton West in a 1-2 seed game in the other half of the bracket. Bay Port with only 1 loss this year, 1-0 to Sheboygan North. As a reminder, Memorial only has 2 losses, both by 1 goal on what I would call some unfortunate goals and playing without some injured players. As Coach Calipari (University of Kentucky reference) says often….I like my team!!
Go Abes!