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Posts: 62
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Post by wave on Feb 21, 2011 7:02:44 GMT -6
This is a rematch of last year's final. Does anyone have any thoughts on this year's game?
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Post by freekick on Feb 21, 2011 8:48:10 GMT -6
Sacred Heart will play very well. However, CHSNI will once again make it very difficult to play by packing 9 or 10 in the box and making Sacred Heart try to shoot from distance, then hitting the long ball and hoping for one mistake by ASH or trying to take it all the way to PKs. It will not be a pretty game of soccer to watch for an unbiased fan, but the DI final should be, and possibly the DII final, also (have not seen Teurlings this year).
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Post by personalservant on Feb 21, 2011 9:30:29 GMT -6
I went to see CHNI 's game against EBR Friday night. Well into the game (won by CHNI in the third OT) I still thought EBR would prevail. Possession was back and forth throughout the game but it appeared that EBR was the more technically skilled team. CHNI is a very athletic, aggressive squad who never give up and at the end of the day, it carried them to the win. ASH has been ranked #1 the entire year with good reason. Despite an early season butt kicking by SSA (4-1), ASH has beaten MCA (twice) and Dominican. Last year's final was a thriller. ASH really dominated possession and number of shots by a ridiculous margin but CHNI's keeper (now graduated) was SPECTACULAR, stopping everything ASH threw at her. With just a few minutes left in regulation, CHNI had a rare breakaway but the shot clanged off the crossbar. ASH was relentless in the overtime periods but CHNI just packed in and repelled every shot, with their super keeper making several acrobatic saves. Finally, just moments before the end of the last overtime and moving on to PKs (which every ASH fan was dreading) Katherine Moody headed a long cross into the side of the net just past the outstretched hands of CHNI's great goalie. I'm expecting a similarly exciting game this year. I'm giving the slight edge to ASH because I think that they are better offensively and can create more goal scoring opportunities than CHNI. We'll see Friday!
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Post by threadprotector on Feb 21, 2011 11:24:56 GMT -6
If the turnout is anything like the volleyball finals, it will come down to the very end. CHNI was down 2 games in that one and came back to win 3 out of 5 over ASH. That one wasn't pretty either. It all came down to desire. I'm looking forward to seeing two different approaches to this match, one being technical and the other aggressive. Which will prevail?
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Post by licensedsoccerdad on Feb 21, 2011 17:28:05 GMT -6
I agree with the previous comments in comparing the teams. It is correct that ASH is probably the more technically correct team that plays "pretty" soccer. CHSNI is probably more athletic and plays a more aggressive brand. With that being said, it looks like CHSNI was much more offensive minded this year as compared to last. It looks like they scored about twice as many goals as last season. It should be a good matchup of different styles. If I were a betting man, I'd put my money on CHSNI if for no other reason than my superstitions and belief in destiny. As I understand it, ASH won State in both Volleyball and Soccer in the 2009-2010 school year with each finals victory coming against CHSNI. In this school year, CHSNI has won State in volleyball with the victory coming against ASH. Now they are set to meet in the State Finals in Soccer this Friday. I'm thinking that CHSNI wins to keep the Division III universe in balance. We'll know Friday night. It should be a good one!
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Post by inthebox on Feb 21, 2011 19:55:17 GMT -6
I would have to disagree with one point- ASH is every bit as athletic as CHSNI and vastly superior technically and tactically. However, it is very difficult to play against teams that pack the box; just look at some of the premier teams that struggled in the FA Cup this weekend against lesser opponents. One would expect CHSNI to use the same tactics as last year so it is up to ASH to solve the puzzle of the packed box. I think we will see how good this year's CHSNI goalie is compared to the one that graduated last year, who was man of the match outside of the goal scorer. Without her, ASH walks away with that game last year.
I watched CHSNI and EBR as well. EBR not nearly as deep as ASH, but their midfield mostly controlled possession. One of the problems offensively for EBR was the lack of a forward that could hold the ball, combine, and be creative, so their only real attack came from three of their midfielders with most of their shots from outside the box, several that would have beaten the keeper but were just over the bar. With such a narrow field, it was difficult to get wide and get in crosses, but the ones that were sent in were not finished. A narrow field will not be a problem at Tad Gormley. There was space for a forward to operate against CHSNI, especially in transition. Diagonal runs would likely confuse CHSNI, and ASH will likely exploit that.
Not sure about scoring in the regular season, but both CHSNI's goals against EBR were off set pieces, and, otherwise, they really did not have much attack that really threatened. Their first goal came on an error by the opposing goalie in regular time, without which the game would not have gotten to overtime. CHSNI is a long ball team, at least against quality opponents. If CHSNI can score against ASH, it will be on a set piece, or maybe a hand ball in box, or possibly one break away if an ASH back slips on one of those long balls. ASH will attack constantly. CHSNI will likely try to play for 120 and get to PKs.
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Post by backline on Feb 21, 2011 21:19:08 GMT -6
How are you gonna compare two different sports. From what I hear ASH graduate a few of their key starts from last year, and while CHS may not have the same keeper, Taylor Lahasky is still great. I see a 1-0 or 2-1 win for Catholic.
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Post by oldhattrick3 on Feb 21, 2011 21:21:19 GMT -6
Another great final right here, however the key as mentioned is ASH's ability to solve the packing the box to find an opportunity. I say they do:
Sacred Heart over CHSNI +1
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Post by personalservant on Feb 21, 2011 22:32:54 GMT -6
Inthebox, very good additional insights on CHNI from the game against EBR. I thought the same but was hesitant to post based on only one time seeing CHNI. I do think it will be an "ugly" game for as long as CHNI's pack the box strategy works. If ASH gets up early and forces CHNI to come out to equalize, it may not be as close as some are predicting. (and no knock on Taylor Lahasky. She did a very fine job against EBR but she's just not the keeper that her predecessor was.)
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Post by backline on Feb 21, 2011 23:14:56 GMT -6
In the fine words of Ms. Lahasky herself, "I taught Jolly (last years keep) everything she knows!"
You may be right though. Not many people could replace last years, but if anyone can come close it is Taylor. She is better than creditted, and although does not usually play goaly, in high stress situations and in situations like Friday night she will.
I do not believe ASH will get up quick. I don't believe either team will score in the first half. Within the 50th or so minute of the second half, one of them will have to score, and I believe that goal falls to CHNI. Anyone that thinks that ASH will take it by more than 2 is crazy, anyone that think thinks this will be a blowout either way needs to think again, yet I still see CHS coming out on top 1-0 or 2-1 depending on how their defense reacts to after the first goal.
I will be there with Red body paint, probably with number 12 or 10. If I'm wrong feel free to come up to me after the game and tell me "I told you so"
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Post by personalservant on Feb 21, 2011 23:51:55 GMT -6
Should be an epic contest backline and thank you for not taking offense to my comparison of Ms Lahasky to Jolly. There was certainly no disrespect intended. Here's to a well played, injury free game!
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Post by backline on Feb 22, 2011 0:36:28 GMT -6
And I will raise my glass to that. No offense taken. I believe you may be right in saying Jolly is a better goaly, but I believe that Taylor will pull through and is the best replacement. Hope everything that can can make it out, not just to support either team but soccer in the state as a whole.
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Post by licensedsoccerdad on Feb 22, 2011 6:59:36 GMT -6
OK, so I did a little research on the common opponent front. It seems like the results from the common opponent games were hard to compare because of the different times during the season that games were played. However, the common opponents results were very close with one exception, University. At the end of January CHSNI beat University 5-1. Recently in the Quarterfinals ASH beat University 1-0. Not sure if anything can be ascertained from having that information, I just thought I'd throw that out there. BTW, the comments by "inthebox" about ASH being "vastly superior" technically and tactically are simply opinion. There is no right or wrong when it comes to these issues. Some folks will have you believe that playing a certain way is what's important. In my mind, that's only if that certain style leads to Victory. Anyway, both teams play a style that allows them to be successful with the personnel they have. The way some folks post it, if you don't play soccer a certain way, your team is less tactically correct. Tactics are what you employ to give your team it's best chance to win. No one style of play is better or worse than another. The implication is that any old team can play "ugly" and win, but to play "pretty" and win requires superior soccer players. I say, if that was true, every team that had inferior soccer players would play ugly and win. We all know that's not true. Anyway, I just think there are different styles that are employed by coaches depending on what gives their team the best chance to win against the opponent being played on any given day. This game looks to be a matchup of different styles. Come Friday, we'll see which team plays their brand of soccer best.
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Post by freekick on Feb 22, 2011 7:54:18 GMT -6
I don't think there much question that individually, ASH is a technically superior team to CHSHNI as well as every other DIII team and most DI and DII teams. Tactically, CHSNI uses their players in the style of play for which they are best suited, and it works well for them given their athleticism and agressiveness. The point is that everyone can pack the box, but only a few HS teams in the state have the technical ability to play an attacking passing/possession style like ASH. In other words, ASH could play like CHSNI and be successful, but CHSNI cannot play like ASH and be successful with this level of competition.
It is hard to see CHSNI getting serious scoring opportunities in the run of play unless they can squeak a long ball through to get a breakaway since they will probably have 9 or 10 men behind the ball defending at most times. If ASH can apply enough high pressure to prevent CHSNI from releasing the long ball, that nullifies that option, too. Set pieces, therefore, likely represent the best chance otherwise for CHSNI to score. I would expect ASH to defend set pieces better than EBR did and would not expect the ASH goalie to gift them a goal. Therefore, I think CHSNI ultimately plays for PKs.
I do agree that if ASH scores in regulation, CHSNI will have to come out and attack in numbers, which will change the game completely.
I do expect a close game again this year, and would not at all be surprised by OT or even PKs.
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Post by tchefuncta on Feb 22, 2011 16:40:23 GMT -6
I don't have the benefit of having seen CHNI play, but I have seen Sacred Heart play on multiple occasions. They are extrememly well coached, technical and they have athleticism at striker and midfield. At the beginning of the season, they were the best team in New Orleans at any level, including Dominican and Mt. Carmel. They will be playing in their home town and I think the Ben Franklin crowd will cheer for them as well. I think they take it in regulation.
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Post by licensedsoccerdad on Feb 23, 2011 21:53:26 GMT -6
Glad to see oldhattrick3 picking ASH. I seem to recall a certain prognosticator picking Episcopal BR over CHSNI in the Semi-Final ;D. I picked CHSNI by 2. In actuality, I was closer. Unless you were there or heard about it, CHSNI had a goal in regulation disallowed on a throw-in that was ruled to have been direct. The ball was obviously touched by a CHS player and then an EBR player before it found the goal. There is video evidence of this. I'm not complaining because officials are only human and make mistakes. I point it out to say that my prediction was closer. I see this one going to CHS by 2. It's their destiny!
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Post by inthebox on Feb 24, 2011 9:14:07 GMT -6
That was a very odd play you reference. Could not tell from my position if it was touched or not. Since you have video, curious what it shows regarding the non-calls on the 2 apparent hand balls in the box by CHSNI.
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Post by backline on Feb 24, 2011 16:36:02 GMT -6
Unless you were there or heard about it, CHSNI had a goal in regulation disallowed on a throw-in that was ruled to have been direct. The ball was obviously touched by a CHS player and then an EBR player before it found the goal. There is video evidence of this. I'm an avid CHS fan. Avid, and I was there. All through in are indirect, and being almost parallel with the goal, the ball was never touched. Of course I yelled it was because I wanted the goal for CHS but no, it wasn't touched. Cameras are deceiving, different angles show different things. I still have CHS winning. I don't want to fall back in "it'd their year," but it is. This group of seniors have been pushing, finally made it to the finals last year, and are now returning to take care of business. And handballs are an iffy call, especially in the box. If the player doesn't intentionally touch it, its a no call. So sorry. At the end of the day, CHS won. Argue all you want, nothing will change that one.
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Post by lcpsoccermom on Feb 24, 2011 17:09:23 GMT -6
congratulations to both teams on making it to the final. And congratulations to my step-niece Martha Jane Adams who is an 8th grader on Sacred Heart. Enjoy the ride!
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Post by licensedsoccerdad on Feb 24, 2011 23:38:47 GMT -6
Backline, the ball changed angles twice from the original line of the throw-in. However, if you saw it clearly, I won't argue. Maybe there was some weird spin on the ball that caused that. We'll look at the pictures together to see if we can ascertain anything definitive. As for the "two" handballs in the box mentioned by "inthebox", I recall one. It's possible there was another. However, like I said regarding the throw-in goal, I wasn't disparaging the officials. They're human. Even if they saw it, they may have viewed it as unintentional and decided upon a no-call. The bottom line is that it was a good game by two good teams. My point in my previous point was that I called it and was correct. Oldhattrick called it for EBR and was wrong. I'm hoping the same is true for tomorrow's game! Best of luck to all the girls for an injury free, best effort performance.
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