Rachel is the one in white, saving the day from the Bronco hordes
(A quick note: yes, the coverage against the University of Boise is biased just a little. Why? Blatant nationalism and hatred for anything having to do with the Broncos except their volleyball and rugby teams)
Rachel Strawn, the 5'2 crazy merlin-bird, killed University of Boise soccer today when she drove home a goal off a pass from Kiley Godfrey. The gamewinner came with 6:08 remaining in the first overtime period, and left Bronco soccer fans (all 14 or 15 of them) wondering how the hell it happened and ISU fans in delirous celebration at the Brandenberger Tor with another victory in our never-ending sacred war against the University of Boise. The win gives ISU a 3-2-1 record as of myaw and it leaves UB with a 2-4-0 record on the season.
The Breakdown, as "Other Stuff You May Have Missed" is Going to be Called Just Because it Sounds All News-Like:
The Trifecta of the Young
There were 2 freshman and 1 sophomore who all hooked up on that gamewinning play that sent the Donkeys home today: 1) Allyson Stainbrook, who crossed the ball to 2) Kiley Godfrey, who set it and made a quick pass to 3) Rachel Strawn, who personally smacked Bronco keeper Liz Ruiz with a gauntlet and challenged her, and won said challenge by directing her shot past Ruiz' left side and into the net! Very exciting, no?
..."and Ad-JUSTING them!"
To quote the ISU website release because there is no better way to put it: "Idaho State's second period and overtime efforts showed a much improved Bengal squad than the first half. Idaho State implemented a 2x4x4 formation that left the Bengals scattered on the field. Boise State outshot ISU 6-3 in the first period, but after a solid halftime talk by Idaho State Head Coach Allison Gibson who helped the team understand where to plug the holes, Idaho State was off and running."
Said the Feldmarschall on the adjusting work: "We obviously switched our whole formation and our training session with it lasted all of about 10 minutes of pregame so we knew it was going to be a little hectic in the first half, we thought if we could get through it without being punished for it and get our feet under us in the first half then we could sort things out (at the half). Fortunately, we were able to come out in the second half and do a better job."
Victory March!
Stats and All That Jazz
ISU, even though we had a poor first period, ended up outshooting UB 13-8 overall. Bailey Williams continued her housekeeping duties with her 7th career shutout, saving 4 times after facing 8 shots. UB led the way in fouling 11-9 (though that's a generous number given how physical the game was) and edged us in the corner kick battle, 5-4.
100th win? Heh heh, Like Hell!
With today's epic win over UB, ISU denied the Broncos their program's 100th win. Yes, it really does sting when you can't get that commemorative beer mug with the 100th victory over your rival on it. Oh well, better luck in 100 years, Boise!
2 Bengals Named to All-Tournament Team
Your Govnah's Cup All-Tournament Team is as follows:
Rachel Strawn - Idaho State
Kelsea Godfrey - Idaho State
Chelsea Smalls - Idaho
Cassanda San - Idaho
Liz Ruiz - Boise State (Rachel Strawn is not impressed and would like the tournament officials to kindly reconsider this in light of recent and totally epic events)
Lauren Hickock - Boise State
Camille Broderick - Utah Valley
Danielle Anderson - Utah Valley
Note that Rachel is a sophomore and Kelsea is a freshman, which bodes well for ISU in the next 2-3 years.
While ISU lost to Idaho (sorry for the lack of coverage there...I'll let Bob Devine and the ISU staff cover the losses because he's better at it than I am...also, I only have so much time with my classes, rugby, and whatnot), I think we redeemed ourselves against a team (and school/fanbase, for that matter) that nobody really likes. While I have no authority or right to say so, I think I'll voice my personal feelings anyway: I think ISU needs to gel a little more and work on chemistry. I think we were too wound up for most of that game and we started to roll when we settled down. There were too many players forcing stuff that shouldn't have been forced. Soccer may be a fluid game but the truly wise will tell you that possessions matter as much in soccer as they do in rugby and football. Even if the sport is really flowing and possessions change every 5 seconds, it is crucial to never throw a ball away or kick it into some random point in midair. There is still plenty of season ahead so there is time for development for everyone.
No comments:
Post a Comment