|
Post by sweat83 on Aug 21, 2019 13:07:47 GMT -5
Any idea how the Men's and Women's Soccer Team are projected to fare this year? Particularly interested in the Women's team, since they've been the more successful La Salle sports team in recent years. They open up against #8 Team in the nation, DUKE on Thursday. Should be an good measuring stick on what to expect this season.
|
|
|
Post by GlitterBro #2 on Aug 21, 2019 14:11:18 GMT -5
|
|
|
Post by hykos1045 on Aug 22, 2019 10:14:05 GMT -5
I am in Chapel Hill today to see the opener and will post my thoughts after the two matches. Here are some highlights I read: Today is the first match to be held at UNC's newly renovated stadium. The 4pm opening match between La Salle and #8 Duke is available through the ACC's paid subscription service. This is going to be La Salle's first match-up against Duke, while Duke is technically undefeated all time against the A10 conference. (22-2 according to the books, but the only two losses to GW took place in 1988 & '89, before the A10 era had started.) The Duke Chronicle indicates that Duke is freshman-heavy but could make a national championship run. Duke was 1-0-1 in two preseason matches with two shutouts, 3 goals made, and no goals conceded. The article mentions their best case scenario is winning a College Cup and the worst case scenario is losing early to "unranked La Salle and Santa Clara." La Salle is coming off a secret scrimmage at Lafayette last week. The results were not published anywhere. La Salle is projected to finish 5th in A10 by a media source, and 8th by the A10 coaches poll. Duke, which boasts a top 10 recruiting class somewhat annually, has a particularly deep class this year. Duke scheduled a home and home with #2 UNC and could conceivably play the Tar Heels as many as four times if their conference playoff bracket aligns correctly. Duke's Sunday match at UNC is still considered out of conference since both teams are still tuning up for regular season ACC matches. Indiana and North Florida round out the rest of the UNC tournament field. La Salle will play UNF Sunday at noon. Both teams finished at or around .500 last season. My gripe as a fan is that the Sunday games are spaced 4 hours apart, which is too long for a meal break and interferes with dinner time and so it may discourage further attendance gains at the otherwise popular annual event. It sounds as though this schedule was done primarily for team travel considerations. La Salle has lost its top two scorers to graduation (Madison Bower) and a season ending injury (Molly O'Brien) during a spring scrimmage against Lehigh. La Salle's primary remaining available returning scorers are redshirt senior Maci Bower and sophomore Camaren Cox. goexplorers.com/news/2019/8/21/womens-soccer-looks-to-bounce-back-in-2019.aspxwww.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=4200&ATCLID=211809812
|
|
|
Post by jellybean on Aug 22, 2019 11:33:46 GMT -5
Thanks Hykos as always. Looking forward to your reports.
As for the WSOC season, I think they will be better than the A10 Coaches Poll which was 8th. I can see 6th as a real possibility. I expect the defense to be stellar as always. Can they score enough? Can they avoid injuries? It has cost us a key player or two each of the last couple of seasons.
The MSOC team finished last in 2018. I expect that to be the case this season too.Maybe a spot or two higher. The staff has brought in lots of new players so the future could be brighter. I expect play to be better but not the record so much.
WSOC prediction Duke 2 La Salle 0
|
|
|
Post by jellybean on Aug 22, 2019 17:53:56 GMT -5
Duke 2 La Salle 0
Scoreless first half.
Duke scored with 23 mins and 3:30 left in second half.
|
|
|
Post by hykos1045 on Aug 22, 2019 21:06:40 GMT -5
Wow, great spot on prediction JB, you really know your soccer.
Proud of the way La Salle played tonight and pressed for an equalizer even though it meant giving up that second goal late. The game was called fairly: 11 fouls each. A couple of yellows for the Durham side occurred for intentional fouls. The new class played meaningful minutes including two up top players, and did not disappoint. Claudia Jenkins had some clutch saves for La Salle.
Highlight of the match for me was when the center ref very sternly told our Soriano and a Duke right forward to "both just cool it" because they were playing very aggressive head to head soccer. But he did not issue the Explorers any cards all day because there was good discipline in defending, and no big mistakes or playing from out of position.
I do think the A10 will be a gauntlet, but La Salle should be good for four to six regular season wins which will put us back on the bubble for a bid in the A10 Tournament after a narrow miss last season.
I don't know where else to address this, and it is really not my place to say. But the team has been making their shirts, and arena banners, that say "5 time A10 champs." I'm baffled by this choice. I'm absolutely sure there were three A10 trophies (all hard fought overtime championship games), and another two at larges interspersed. But what do I know? I think that if the whole thing is merely a misinterpretation of the actual events, which occurred in La Salle history, by the dept then it could detract from their real achievements. But I suppose I'm the only one that feels that strongly, because it keeps happening. For what it's worth, Dayton is the only other team I know of that tracks its regular season champions, but they moreso follow those title seasons with an asterisk. If we are trying to beat Dayton at their game, why not try and bring back packthemac night this season which was so successful in 2011?
|
|
|
Post by hykos1045 on Aug 22, 2019 21:30:24 GMT -5
On the men's side, leading scorer Soji Olatoye transferred back home to study and play in Toronto. I don't know how we will make up for his speed and production. It will be interesting to see who is called upon to step into the role of goal scorer or whether we have a few options emerge there. It is just a young team with numerous transfers in. I will be paying close attention to them as well as the women's program.
|
|
|
Post by jellybean on Aug 23, 2019 8:26:28 GMT -5
I was able to catch the ACC Network feed about 20 minutes into the match. La Salle's best scoring chance occured real early into the match. They did have a sequence in the second half where they put a lot of pressure on Duke with three consecutive coerner kicks.
We played a lot of FR. I think two started and one I know played 90 minutes.
You could see that Duke players were a little frustrated. Evident on side throw ins where they were just not in sink.
La Salle got a nice compliment from the announcer (I guess). "La Salle is a gritty smaller school that should use this expereince for the rest of the season."
Duke is just bigger, quicker and faster. Our defense stymied them for most of the match. Kudos to GK Claudia Jenkins who played wonderful. She stopped a point blank shot from 6-7 feet in front of the goal.
|
|
|
Post by jellybean on Aug 25, 2019 13:43:53 GMT -5
Very very disappointing tie. 1-1 in 2OT.
La Salle allows a goal with 2:03 left in second half after totally out-playing UNF. The announcer said La Salle possessed the ball for 70-75% of the game. Had 7 corners to 0 at one point. Out-shot UNF 7-1 in first half but lead 12-7 at end of second half I believe.
Physical but clean game. 40 fouls were called at one point. One yellow on each team.
Bower is just a threat to score every time so touches it in the box.
|
|
|
Post by GlitterBro #2 on Aug 25, 2019 19:53:06 GMT -5
this is a more disappointing tie
|
|
|
Post by hykos1045 on Aug 26, 2019 10:10:49 GMT -5
Ouch, @glitterbro2! That felt personal. I surely have the one in red as well as this same tie.
Explorers had lost five straight dating back to last year and have now gone 6 matches without a win. Only one goal in 200 minutes this weekend. Hoping that Camaren Cox can get back in the lineup soon for a second scoring option.
|
|
|
Post by hykos1045 on Aug 26, 2019 20:02:24 GMT -5
Does anyone want to get together for an upcoming soccer match? I am considering my preferred options for a meet-up for Men's Soccer would be Saturday 9/14, 7pm at Rider and Tuesday, 10/15, 7pm vs Villanova (HOME).
Rider offered a food truck last time up which made for a great tailgating experience. There were about 800 fans there including a good number of La Salle faithful that made the trek to Trenton.
On the home front, skip all those amenities, but Explorers Den will be open and beating Villanova will be just desserts. That squad was just 1-6-1 away from the friendly confines of Radnor last season, and I'd look at this as an opportunity to catch the 'cats sleeping.
|
|
|
Post by GlitterBro #2 on Aug 26, 2019 23:36:10 GMT -5
I'm a potential for the 15th depending on the yet-to-be-released school soccer schedule for my son.
|
|
|
Post by GlitterBro #2 on Sept 3, 2019 19:00:36 GMT -5
|
|
|
Post by hykos1045 on Sept 5, 2019 19:12:21 GMT -5
La Salle trails Florida Gulf Coast at the half, 1-0. (There is no audio.) The shots on goal is currently 9-1 in favor of the Eagles.
|
|
|
Post by GlitterBro #2 on Sept 5, 2019 19:26:07 GMT -5
La Salle trails Florida Gulf Coast at the half, 1-0. (There is no audio.) The shots on goal is currently 9-1 in favor of the Eagles. Thanks for posting. Just saw the equalizer by La Salle with 28 mins left. Keeper should've had it
|
|
|
Post by GlitterBro #2 on Sept 5, 2019 19:32:17 GMT -5
Great second goal to take a 2-1 lead with 22 left
|
|
|
Post by hykos1045 on Sept 5, 2019 19:42:28 GMT -5
#20 for FGCU is a Syracuse transfer, Opal Curless, a senior. I thought she created some dangerous chances on set pieces the midfield but fortunately none of them were a match for our superior Goalkeeping.
|
|
|
Post by GlitterBro #2 on Sept 5, 2019 19:58:23 GMT -5
Nice road upset win for the Explorers!
|
|
|
Post by hykos1045 on Sept 5, 2019 20:15:53 GMT -5
This is a tremendous road victory for the La Salle women. 2-2-1 record against a brutal schedule, looks a lot better on us than 1-3-1 right now. In those five games, tonight is the first time La Salle has put up multiple goals. Claudia Jenkins made 10 saves which is a career high for her, having previously hit 9 SV twice last year. Ten was also the most saves by a La Salle goalie, in a non-overtime game that is, since November 5, 2015 victory against St Joe's.
For FGCU, they looked shellshocked a bit. They lost one game in 2017 at home and one game in 2018 at home, both were to the conference leader Lipscomb. The last time they lost out of conference at home was all the way back in Sept 2016 against UCF.
|
|
|
Post by hykos1045 on Sept 6, 2019 6:10:30 GMT -5
After the match I have reposted the YouTube links to show the start of the scoring plays, both of which originated in the backfield. Due to a technical glitch there is no audio on the YouTube links. I am not sure how long the links will be active: Seeing a great comeback opportunity. Maci Bower evens the score: Bowers' goal (YouTube)Louketis goal makes it 2-1 Explorers: Louketis goal (YouTube)
|
|
|
Post by hykos1045 on Oct 7, 2019 23:29:46 GMT -5
Here's a reminder that the men's soccer team will host Villanova on Tuesday evening, October 15th at 7pm. I have to take back my preseason comment about the Cats having any disadvantage in this one. Villanova and La Salle are both showing great improvements from last season and have already surpassed their last year's win totals. The Wildcats already have seven shutouts through ten matches, and have lost the other three of their matches by a mere 1-0 score... all of these losses were to teams that are nationally ranked or receiving votes (Maryland, Penn State, Creighton). To be allowing only 0.29 Goals Per 90 Min against such competition is pretty astounding. Actually, it puts them somewhere in the top 5 or 10 in the nation for best defense.
On the women's side, La Salle is 3-2 in the A10 as of the halfway mark. Coming off a disappointing loss at St Joe's but we are still very much in the running for one of the last two seeds to earn a home playoff game. The defense has been pretty good thus far, but will be greatly tested Sunday afternoon at conference defending champions St Louis in a crucial match-up.
|
|
|
Post by GlitterBro #2 on Oct 14, 2019 16:54:56 GMT -5
Anyone going to the game against Villanova tomorrow night? Win and the Explorers clinch at least a share of the City 6 title.
|
|
|
Post by hykos1045 on Oct 15, 2019 19:43:01 GMT -5
Villanova is playing down a man for the final 20 minutes due to an accumulation of yellow cards. Game is tied 1-1.
|
|
|
Post by hykos1045 on Oct 15, 2019 20:05:52 GMT -5
Villanova pulled out the 2-1 victory, unfazed by the penalty
|
|
|
Post by JoeFedorowicz on Oct 16, 2019 5:09:37 GMT -5
Oof
|
|
|
Post by hykos1045 on Oct 21, 2019 23:37:59 GMT -5
|
|
|
Post by hykos1045 on Oct 25, 2019 17:48:34 GMT -5
My favorite week on the w.soccer schedule is always the La Salle v. Dayton match but this year they were given more significance. It's Senior day... and final seedings will be determined Sunday as well.
If La Salle beats Dayton, Sunday...La Salle would get the #4 seed and Dayton finishes 5th. The reward is a home game on Nov 2nd at McCarthy Stadium, but the punishment is a rematch with Dayton with even higher stakes.
If La Salle ties or losses, they will finish 5 or 6, then go to either the #4 seed or #3 seed (either of which could still be UMass or Dayton, depending on outcome of UMass-VCU).
La Salle has had a hard season with multiple season-ending injuries affecting the offense.
For the men's side I am happy to report they have far exceeded the preseason expectations. they have climb to 115 in the RPI, fourth in the A10, with a strength of schedule #80 that is at the top of our conference. The men's team likely needs to pick up one or more wins, in two remaining, to secure a playoff berth. The final match at home is against UMass on Saturday evening 7pm. UMass has been the hard lock losers of late, and I think they could be much better than their 1-5 record.
In case you haven't seen yet, the top "inside the L" story on goexplorers right now is a retrospective of the McCarthy men's soccer family at La Salle (John, & sons John and Pat).
|
|
|
Post by hykos1045 on Oct 27, 2019 14:06:43 GMT -5
Maci Bower lead a supercharged La Salle second-half comeback today over Dayton with the equalizer and go ahead goals, 3-2. La Salle has now earned the four seed and will host # 5 Dayton on Saturday afternoon, November 2 (unofficially).
La Salle has now won six straight at this home field against the Flyers dating back to 2011. I am very much looking forward to a doubleheader with the men's basketball scrimmage and hope the start times align properly (expecting they should). It should be a great day on campus! I bet Dayton is dreading having to revisit these Explorers twice this week. Congrats to our women's team for gutting one out today.
|
|
|
Post by belfieldhappyhour on Nov 2, 2019 18:28:15 GMT -5
The women beat Dayton, again, and are heading to St. Louis for the semis
|
|