Ursuline @ Vandebilt (neutral opinion)

[misltek]

I'll be posting my thoughts on this game upon its completion.

Boy! With the clamor and uproar the past "neutral opinion" caused, I can't wait!

[stickone]

Yea...really! Why is it I feel I won't be impressed!

[misltek]

Vandebilt 0:1 Ursuline (2OT)

The game was pretty much even with neither team capitalizing on some missed opportunities. Vandebilt had an excellent cross headed just wide in the 36 minute and Ursuline missed an open net on a breakaway in the 56 minute. The game seemed to want to go to penalties, however, in the 94 minute Ursuline capitalized on a misplayed ball by the Vandy keeper.

There were several cards in the game. Early on, an Ursuline player fouled a Vandebilt player on a breakaway and the only thing that saved her from a red was a teammate within 3 yards. Vandebilt 20 was cautioned for dissent. In the second half, 51 minute, another Vandebilt player was cautioned for delaying the restart of play (kicking the ball away). 61 minute the Ursuline coach was warned for dissent. 69 minute Vandebilt 17 was cautioned for persistent infringement. In the first OT, 88th minute, Vandebilt 20 earned her second caution for unsporting behavior and was subsequently sent off.

The center referee controlled the game from start to finish, and much to the shagrin of both teams involved, I gave him high marks.

Vandebilt missed early opportunities and Ursuline committed several mistakes, but Ursuline capitalized on one of Vandebilt's few mistakes and it earned them a win and they will face Ben Franklin.

Overall, a very, very good game, evenly matched, and fought very hard by both teams. One of the best HS games I've seen.

[stickone]

Well, I have the score it is Ursuline 1-0 over Vandebilt in double overtime. Missed the game but it sounds like Vandy lacked any real offense tonight. Very disappointing for Vandy, I know they should have gone further with their talent. Come back and get them next year.

[observer7]

Misltek,
Is dissent shouting "Handball", "Handball"? And how good/professional is the Referee for calling the Coach a "Jacka**" within earshot of the players?

[observer7]

Good luck to the Vandy Seniors.....

[uncsoccer]

Observer7 I would have to agree with you. Since when is a coach not allowed to yell handball! Ya'll played a great game it was fun to watch good luck to ya'll. Maybe we can do it all over next year!!

[sooner]

I'm admittedly biased for UA. But, at the risk of offending some of my fellow UA parents, I thought the ref overall did a fine job in a tough game. Sure, there were a few missed calls and "bad" calls, but no ref has ever called a perfect game, especially in a roughly played contest. I thought he kept the game from becoming a VC mugging by not losing his whistle. The cards were all deserved and there could have been more. UA was fortunate not to start with a red on a near-breakaway. But UA probably should have been awarded a PK in the 2nd half as a VC defender covered a ball on the ground in the box like a rugby player. But again, on the whole, the ref did a good job in a tough game.

VC missed their great scorer from last year (Katherine Thompson, I believe) , but their 17 & 12 created many dangerous moments. VC played an aggressive game, going in hard and winning most balls. But their attack was generally unsophisticated: Their main aim seemed to be to get the ball over the top to let their forwards muscle it in. It almost worked. They played a physical but often reckless game and arguably deserved a few more fouls and cards for some late and sloppy challenges.

UA's keeper played a flawless game. She cooly made even the big saves on tough shots look routine She's my player of the game. Hands down.

Ursuline's fitness, discipline, and better skill paid off late. VC's attack tended to fizzle as their long balls became generally harmless. While UA's attack was more organized in the OTs, with solid midfield play by 8 and 12 and good effort on the wings. UA's defenders bent but did not break.

The play of the game was a steal by 17 (bias alert) from two VC defenders, followed by a low shot to the far post. VC's keeper did NOT misplay the shot: All she could do was stretch out to the max and touch the ball away. But UA's busy and dangerous 9 was on the spot to plant the winner in the back of the open net.

VC threatened to send the match to PKs with a desperate flurry of activity after UA took the lead. 2 or 3 corner kicks in the 2 minutes of injury time kept the crowd on their feet (and the UA fans waving their watches to the ref) until the very end.
UA's coach may or may not have deserved his caution, but no card was shown, rightly, and he deferred to the ref and stayed cool the rest of the way.
In sum, it was a hard fought, exciting game, played with energy and heart by both sides. The 1-0 score in OT was an accurate reflection of the game, and a "just" result. Just my humble opinion.

[misltek]

A "just" result was achieved because Ursuline capitalized on an error. Congratulations to Ursuline and good luck against Franklin.

BTW Ursuline, change your formation. The BFHS coach was there watching.

[misltek]

sooner said:

I'm admittedly biased for UA. But, at the risk of offending some of my fellow UA parents, I thought the ref overall did a fine job in a tough game. Sure, there were a few missed calls and "bad" calls, but no ref has ever called a perfect game, especially in a roughly played contest. I thought he kept the game from becoming a VC mugging by not losing his whistle. The cards were all deserved and there could have been more. UA was fortunate not to start with a red on a near-breakaway. But UA probably should have been awarded a PK in the 2nd half as a VC defender covered a ball on the ground in the box like a rugby player. But again, on the whole, the ref did a good job in a tough game.

VC missed their great scorer from last year (Katherine Thompson, I believe) , but their 17 & 12 created many dangerous moments. VC played an aggressive game, going in hard and winning most balls. But their attack was generally unsophisticated: Their main aim seemed to be to get the ball over the top to let their forwards muscle it in. It almost worked. They played a physical but often reckless game and arguably deserved a few more fouls and cards for some late and sloppy challenges.

UA's keeper played a flawless game. She cooly made even the big saves on tough shots look routine She's my player of the game. Hands down.

Ursuline's fitness, discipline, and better skill paid off late. VC's attack tended to fizzle as their long balls became generally harmless. While UA's attack was more organized in the OTs, with solid midfield play by 8 and 12 and good effort on the wings. UA's defenders bent but did not break.

The play of the game was a steal by 17 (bias alert) from two VC defenders, followed by a low shot to the far post. VC's keeper did NOT misplay the shot: All she could do was stretch out to the max and touch the ball away. But UA's busy and dangerous 9 was on the spot to plant the winner in the back of the open net.

VC threatened to send the match to PKs with a desperate flurry of activity after UA took the lead. 2 or 3 corner kicks in the 2 minutes of injury time kept the crowd on their feet (and the UA fans waving their watches to the ref) until the very end.
UA's coach may or may not have deserved his caution, but no card was shown, rightly, and he deferred to the ref and stayed cool the rest of the way.
In sum, it was a hard fought, exciting game, played with energy and heart by both sides. The 1-0 score in OT was an accurate reflection of the game, and a "just" result. Just my humble opinion.

sooner07 you have an accurate portrayal of the game. IMO this is one of the best HS games I've seen in my 11 yrs. The Ursuline coach did not get a yellow but he came close; if you've noticed, I was the gentleman that gave the referee feedback during his breaks.

[misltek]

observer7 said:

Misltek,
Is dissent shouting "Handball", "Handball"? And how good/professional is the Referee for calling the Coach a "Jacka**" within earshot of the players?

I didn't hear such comment, for the second half I was on the other side (opposite the field).

[uncsoccer]

Yea Vandebilts unsophisticated style played by a group of underclassmen with most not playing outside of high school sure was dominated by UA

[sooner]

uncsoccer said:

Yea Vandebilts unsophisticated style played by a group of underclassmen with most not playing outside of high school sure was dominated by UA

Relax - Don't be so defensive.
Nobody "dominated" the game and Vandy had more shots. But Vandy's style of play was what it was; there's no denying it. If it was because most their players don't play outside of school, then that's an explanation. It very nearly got them the win. No insult intended.

And for the record, UA started 1 senior and played 3 throughout the game. The goal scorer is an 8th grader. Most of UA's players are 8th, 9th, and 10th graders

[adelantero]

Sooner,

Why is Ursuline playing 8th graders when you are only allowed 4 years of varsity elegibility?

[uncsoccer]

Then I apologize, I thought you where putting the girls down.

[PutMeInCoach2]

adelantero said:

Sooner,

Why is Ursuline playing 8th graders when you are only allowed 4 years of varsity elegibility?

Your elegibility dont start until you are a freshman. I am pretty sure that this is right.

[adelantero]

PutMeInCoach2

My question centers upon the premise that if an 8th grader plays in a varsity game, then she has technically used up her first year of varsity elegibility. She would then only be elegible to play in 3 of her next 4 years in High School.

[sooner]

adelantero said:

Sooner,

Why is Ursuline playing 8th graders when you are only allowed 4 years of varsity elegibility?

Last time I checked the LHSAA bylaws... varsity eligibilty doesn't start counting against the player until 9th grade. Why some schools don't let their 8th graders play is evidently a school decision. I don't know for sure.
McGehee and Country Day have even played 7th graders in the recent past, as I recall.

[sooner]

uncsoccer said:

Then I apologize, I thought you where putting the girls down.

Sorry if I gave that impression.
They played hard, and it's tough to see any bunch of girls crying after a hard-fought loss.