Thursday, August 20, 2009
Lady Gophers Soccer
The lady gophers start the preseason with a #18 national ranking. With last year's outstanding season behind them, and loosing many oustanding seniors, they may not be able to match last year's success. They should be a very entertaining team, loaded with local talent. Get out to a match and support MN's only D1 program! Click here for schedule
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1,273 comments:
«Oldest ‹Older 201 – 400 of 1273 Newer› Newest»are you serious with the AL CENTRAL arguments. The Yankees have the best players EVERY SINGLE YEAR!!! This is the first time since 2004 they have made it past the 1st round and with a $200 million payroll.
Twins had a chance to win the WS had Morneau not gotten hurt.
10:41 - is this Sid Hartman blogging?
Where is it written that we can't have different opinions? I guess I just have and aspire to greater expectations.
Twins were going nowhere even with Morneau. They have absolutely NO pitching. Add to that typical B10 players like Punto and the blockhead Gomez and the Central is much like the B10.
If the GGs can't sweep two mediocre teams at home this weekend they aren't goin anywhere either.
Close Personal Friend Of Sid.
I think the stars are starting to align just right for the ladies (especially after last year's success). They lost some exceptional players, have some new pieces that are finding their places and settling in, and they catch both OSU & PSU at home when both times are also a bit down. 4+ points this weekend and some weaker teams down the schedule should set them up for another NCAA bid.
hey sid's buddy - no pitching, hilarious.
I'm not sure I'd call Penn State a "mediocre" team...
I guess you're satisifed with being top 20 ONCE in a while and I want them to be at least top 15 ALL the time. Nothing wrong with that.
15/10/09 10:33 AM
I couldnt agree more!! Well Said
And being top 15 ALL the time comes with better recruiting and better pre-conference games.
GGS good athletes and played hard. Don't have an impact playmaker. There are shots on goal and quality shots on goal. Should never have come down to a last second goal. Obvious weakness. Tough loss. Should bounce back vs mediocre OS.
OS not so mediocre....ranked above Gophers in latest GreatLakes NCAA rankings.
Ugh...
That loss hurt.
But, there's a reason PSUs Schoepfer just broke the 100 point career mark.
Here's to a rebound on Sunday.
It's now a must win for Gophers.
Players like that will always be the difference between the GG's being a good-very good team and reaching an elite level. MN just doesn't get them. It's not from a lack of effort, its just kind of the way it is.
Prediction - I'll give it to the end of day before there are 2-3 comments about "we don't need them"..."our local girls are doing just fine", etc......
Just to make it clear, I think the GG's are super, but I also think this program is close to that elite level and just needs a few special recruits to get it over the top.
Why the insistence on calling OSU mediocre? To give the Big Ten bashing credence? They have wins over USC (currently #9 nationally, and San Diego (currently #20, #6 when OSU beat them). Only loss is at Penn State.
Sounds like a pretty good team.
How many different ranking services are there for college soccer?
Other than the top 7-8 teams, the rest of the rankings is anyone's guess and bounce around week to week (especially early in the year). The best way to know who's who is see who ends up in the sweet 16. Like most years I would estimate over half the teams will come from the ACC/Pac10.
11:32 - there are at least 5 and the schools usually reference whichever one has them ranked them highest (as well as playing up their opponent the same way). I've seen teams ranked in the Top 10 in one poll and barely in the Top 25 in the others. As the year goes on things usually start to be more consistent.
There are a lot of Gophers bashers who want to see them fail because so many of the players are from Bangu-Tsunami/MTA.
They just don't want to see a team predominantly from this club succeed on a national stage.
Nothing new for this blog.
Not true because Bangy/MTA players were not on the team 2-3 years ago and the Gophers were getting bashed then.
Put Toney on MN and it's a W for the U.
I'll say this much...since MDW started getting the Bangu Tsunami kids the teams won-loss record certainly improved.
causation or correlation?
Game Day.
Here are the top 5 B10 standings points as of this morning.
Purdue is out of action.
So Monday mornings standings will be decided by games in MN and WI this afternoon.
The Gophers are in a must win spot to resurface on top.
Best case scenario would be a MN win and PSU / WI tie.
Time will tell.
Go Gophers.
Score early!!!
Penn State (12 Pts)
Purdue (11 Pts)
Wisconsin (11 Pts)
Minnesota (10 Pts)
Ohio State (10 Pts)
Anonymous said...
I'll say this much...since MDW started getting the Bangu Tsunami kids the teams won-loss record certainly improved.
17/10/09 5:48 PM
A misguilded post...I guess she should just recruit Bangu/MTA players then. Im thinking thou, Hood is from where?? Clark is from where? Swartz is from where? Thats right, we dont need players from out of state. Look at the programs that are year in and year out, in the top of the rankings and top of their own conferences, UNC isnt just recruiting NC players, and last time I checked, they have some great youth clubs, FSU does the same thing, UCLA, Stanford, etc..Im a GG fan as well, but they DO need to bring in talent from out of state. Penn State does, and so does Ohio State. GG should be no different. Why dont you go down to Texas and pull out a few speedsters?? Cuz you cant, thats why. So, lets stay close, recruit players from MTA, players that do not compete for Natl Club championships, and lets hope they do well.
I think when most folks talk about "out of state" it might encompass more than WI & IA. When I think "out of state" I think on a national level. But let's be honest, why would a kid from TX, SCal, FL, NC, etc... want to play soccer in MN. MDW is playing the cards that are dealt her and is winning as many hands as she can.
907 nice to see the Iowa/SSM people still checking the blog! Not sure if really GG fans though (thou). I agree, if Gophers want to be popular in the state, or at least on this blog, they need to look outside MTA for instate recruiting. I will admit that Bangu elevated the level of girls soccer in this state tremendously. And yes they have made it possible for MDW to be successful at the regional level with primarily instate talent. However, the way Bangu/MTA went about building their club has made them unpopular in this state and by association the Gophers feel that also.
based on what 10:49 had to say, then I guess 1:23 from yesterday was spot on.
Congrats 907 you have gotten your wish.
2nd loss of the weekend for the Gophers.
Top five standings should look like this in the morning.
Penn State (13 Pts)
Ohio State (13 Pts)
Wisconsin (12 Pts)
Purdue (11 Pts)
Minnesota (10 Pts)
The game today was hard to watch.
why was it hard to watch?
1. Bangu has not elevated the level of soccer in Minnesota any more than Hopkins has elevated basketball. MTA, like Hopkins, is the the current place where a lot of the elite players play. Constant repetition of the "Big Lie" about MTA doesn't make it true.
2. According to the player bios, the Gopher roster has 6 of 18 players from the current Bangu/MTA club (not counting Tripp from Tsunami Sota, which was really formed before the current version of the club, and Bethke, who left Bangu after U15 to join Stillwater.
These 6 Bangu/MTA players are all freshmen (Bagnall, Phillips, Price), and sophomores (Strahota, Eckstrom, Solie), and make up almost the entire last two recruiting classes (Parkill, Brandt, and Roberts are the others). They are mostly solid contributors at this point, not difference makers. The results from this year and last have little to do with Bangu/MTA.
We won't really see whether recruiting mainly the Bangu/MTA players keeps MN in the upper division of the Big Ten until this group are juniors and seniors.
Rouse also played most of her club career with Bangu. Rezac also spent time there at the older ages.
Whatever the exact number is unimportant, the issue is that over half of the players that see the field come from the same club. Too many.
Sheesh. Once players get to college it should not matter if many of them played for a club your DD's couldn't beat or you didn't like. Get over it and support the only D1 team in the state. I am not an MTA supporter or detractor, just incredulous that people would not support the Gophers because they have many players that FORMERLY played there.
I am not one of those who gets upset whenever the GG's are criticized for their play or coaching if warranted, discussion is good and interesting. Just forget all this youth soccer BS.
Ouch !
A real heartbreaker.
Women will bounce back.
This weekend likely cost them the Big Ten title and a possible NCAA bid.
5 shots only 1 on goal.
You are not going to win Big Ten games that way.
Nor by giving up 23 shots and relying on your keeper to keep you in the game.
Are the 2 last minute fouls in the last 2 games caused by defense?
Rouse was PSA, Rezac was St. Croix
MDW will need to recruit regionally to win in the Big 10 and have a shot to get to the NCAA Tourney.
No reason she can't get top players from Iowa, Wisconsin, Nebraska, maybe a few from Illinois.
Big city, nice facility, tons a academic options.
And maybe move the Robbie to the main campus?
Anon 9:35
Exactly!
Where was the midfield at??
tough weekend, but if the GG's just take care of business in their final four games (against teams most folks think they are better than), they will still be in very good shape for a NCAA bid. Last year also gives them a bit more "cred" as a program. Their four toughest games are behind them (OSU, PSU, PUR, WI).
Also need to take care of the fouls that are causing the opposing team to score.
Very rough weekend for the Gophers.
Here's the RPI Guy's unoffical report.
I believe the next offical NCAA RPI is due tomorrow.
Again, without a conference title the NCAA at large bids are largely decided by the RPI.
The good news is that we still play Indiana and with that win might bump ourselves up.
17/18 Penn State
18/19 Ohio State
27/27 Purdue
28/28 Indiana
34/36 Wisconsin
36/37 Illinois
40/38 Minnesota
57/55 Michigan State
79/73 Michigan
78/75 Northwestern
112/110 Iowa
(two sets of numbers represent the difference between adjusted/unadjusted RPI)
1049 and 702 are spot on. Now bury that topic.
It appears the Gophs had their run last year. Everything fell in place and it was great. Several of the B10 teams got stronger while the Gophs stayed pretty much the same. They are a better than average B10 team. They have good players but no impact player. It's not reasonable to expect this team to match last years record. Any post season success would be a bonus.
I'm not ready to give up just yet....
Here are the Big Ten point standings and games left for top 6 teams.
If the Gophers don't drop the ball,and we see an upset among the top 4, MN could move into the top of the B10 standings.
And, based on current RPI numbers, they are still alive for an NCAA bid.
Ohio State (13) (ILL,PUR,IND,MSU)
Penn State (13) (ILL,IND,PUR,MICH)
Wisconsin (12) (MSU,MICH,NU)
Purdue (11) (OSU,PSU,IND,IOWA)
Minnesota (10) (MICH,MSU,NU,IND)
Northwestern (7)(IOWA,MN,WIS,ILL)
Michigan State (5)
Illinois (5)
Indiana (5)
Michigan (3)
Iowa (0)
Thanks for the details 1:07. Purdue has a tough road ahead of them and WI has played one more game than MN. If Gophers take care of business, they could easily end up either 3rd of 4th which should get them into the tournament.
Just released.
NCAA offical RPI.
17 Penn St.
18 Ohio St.
28 Purdue
30 Indiana
32 Wisconsin
37 Minnesota
39 Illinois
53 Michigan St.
71 Northwestern
76 Michigan
108 Iowa
IF Gophers take care of business...
Yep.
But I'd sure like to see us sitting above Wisconsin right now!
Gophers will be a clear favorite against Michigan and a slight favorite against Northwestern. Indiana and MSU will give them all they can handle. They need a minimum of 8 points to get in NCAA's and it won't be easy.
Michigan State's Heyboerer sprained an ankle, while warming up, on the NU turf this weekend.
Looks like she may not be healthy.
If that's the case, the Gophers might catch a break vs MSU.
We play them Sunday, after WI tries to beat them up on Fri!
And Indiana is our last game of the season and at home.
We should have an advantage....
19/12/09... 12:08 agree the gophers very competive Big Ten team this year but lack of big time forward and ability to recruit from outside state if none available here puts ceiling on post season acheivement. The players here play good competitive soccer with some flair at times but lack of creative play maker and risk taker holds them back from taking next step.
nice post 6:58. look at the teams that are a "cut above". they all have that player(s) who just has that something extra.
GG's will end up with two wins and two ties for 3rd in the B10 (Purdue will struggle with OSU/PSU and MN will pass WI as they have a game in hand). Should be good enough for NCAA bid.
9:16-Were is Wisconsin going?
socmom - 9:16 here, not sure what you mean, but I see WI & Purdue ending up 4th & 5th (not sure which one tops the other).
Some changes are already planned for the 2010 season. So just hold your horsies.
So are you a player or coach that you're so "in the Know" on these changes? Would hope so! Why noy go for it this year?
Unless she's leaving on her own free will, I doubt MDW's going anywhere. The only other way to make significant "changes" is with the roster and that is what it is. Also doubt any incoming 2010's would be able to have a huge impact as freshman.
Freshman not having impacts?? Thats the problem. Alev for WI is a freshman and is having a heck of a season, Narin of PSU is also a Freshman and is having a great yr, I can go on and on about freshman from around the country, Stanford starting 3 Freshman, UCLA starting 3 Freshman, UNC with Rich as a freshman making goals, these are not just freshman, but they are players that are making a impact on outcomes. These are the type of players the U needs to go out and get. They need the go to player.
11:40 - agreed, but you rattled off 3 of the perennial top 4 teams in the country and they can be magnets for the top players. Narin is having a solid season, but not sure I'd put the WI girl in the same mix (2 goals?). Don't see anyone of that caliber yet in the 2010 class and not sure about 2011.
Agree they need these kinds of players, just not sure they have the draw to get them.
Seems like there are a few roster changes every year. Guess wouldn't rule out transfers both in and out. MDW did make some player changes end 2008 and probably will again this year. Scholarship adjustments can also trigger change. Playing time is usually a good indicator of things to come.Will just have to wait and see.
Alev at WI doesnt have to score goals to help her team, KH didnt score alot, but she was a dimond on the field. Look at the freshman for BC. They are on a tear. The freshman at Florida is helping as well. And then there is the freshman at Nebraska that was leading the nation in goals scored with 16. This player isnt playing on a top 4 team.
so is it the freshman that MN is getting?
how they are being utilized?
the style that the team is playing (not the best comparison, but many of the top high school scoring leaders aren't D1 caliber - more the style, competition, and team dynamics)?
There are quite a few GG freshman getting quality time and contributing.
Not sure what you want.
Question - if the players you have named played at MN, would they have the same statistics/contributions?
Let's just take soccer out of the mix and look at the academics at the schools schools you mentioned (Minnesota, Wisconsin, Penn State, Stanford, North Carolina and UCLA) and at the climate in several instances which is a factor for many players.
If you were going to enter the business world all of these schools have superior academic reputations to the "U".
The "U" is a very difficult place to recruit to other than a few sports like hockey and wrestling. Ask the football and basketball coaches how easy it is to recruit blue chip athletes from states south of us.
WI and Mich State isnt much different than the U. I my self would rather attend Minn instead of Mich State!!
Agreed - and look at their soccer programs compared to MN. I think it was discussed once that there are many comparisons between B10 soccer and RII states. Since most schools heavily recruit locally, you can tie somewhat of a correlation between the success of the top MN age group club team with the success of the GG's.
Alev, the freshman at WI, she is from Alaska, and she will be playing hockey for WI after the soccer season. Last time I checked, the U has womens hockey as well dont they?? (plus her sister came with her, both soccer and hockey players)
yea, but this big 6 footer at Nebraska that is leading the nation in scoring as a freshman. From KS or MO I think?? Holy smokes. What a great find by Coach Walker!
Nebraska has also played an absolutely pancake schedule.
Bethke or Strahota would probably have about 35 goals a piece with their schedule
against A&M?? Thought so
Bethke and Strahota couldn't play at Nebraska.
9:14 -
Now THAT'S a joke. Nebraska isn't that good and they aren't going to make NCAA's.
i always love it when an exception gets turned into the norm (kind of reminds me of far left or far right talk radio).
sounds like she is having a great season, however, i do agree somewhat with 8:24. if she was a gopher she might have 10-12, put Bethke or Strahota on NE and they might have 15. when one player has as many goals as the next six players combined then that tells me she is their #1, #2, and #3 scoring option.
This is a stupid conversation. Nebraska's RPI is like 80, they have zero chance of making NCAA's unless they win the big 12 tourney.
2:53 -
The only school on your list that that Gophers recruit against is Wisconsin so the academic question is worthless. They don't recruit against UCLA, Stanford, and North Carolina.
As for the business school, the Carlson School (business) at the U is one of the top in the country. Thru Carlson, the students are given access to the large network of companies in the Twin Cities. The business market is obviously much better and larger than Madison and Milwaukee.
21/10/09 9:14pm - couldn't play at Nebraska or wouldn't want to play at Nebraska? Please explain.
I looked at the recruiting spreadsheet link that's been posted here a few times and see where 2010 is pretty much done. When do the 2011's really start committing (verbally?)?
According to their bios...
The goal scoring forwards at Nebraska and Wisconsin-Milwaukee seem to share a similar story.
Both made their marks in high school.
Neither claims ODP as an accomplishment.
The player from Appleton, WI. doesn’t even list club accomplishments.
The player from Lee’s Summit, MO did win state titles with her club teams; but I'm not familiar enough with KC to know if she played for the "it" club.
Neither player lists Midwest Regional League, “Academy” etc, etc ,experience.
what's your point?
MM was part of the top club in KC area. Most of the top 2011's have already committed, many of them are on the spreadsheet, and the next wave will start to hit after Thanksgiving.
Let's hope the GG's can not only land the top local (MN, IA, WI) kids but also some out-of-state kids as well. Didn't see any confirmations on any of the MN girls.
Can someone please put the link out here. Had it in by bookmarks and it won't come up. Thanks.
Looking at the Gopher rosters from the past five years, you only find two Wisconsinites.
One left the program after 2 years.
The other was a very last minute get after she decommitted to another Big Ten school.
If Minnesota wasn't mining those fields when the door was wider open, now that Paula Wilkins is in town, it may be rougher going to recruit from WI.
Paula Wilkins is also the Head '95 ODP Region II coach. So she will be working with the top recruits out of the region. Wonder how that might play out.
Saw the Top Drawer 2011 rankings, where is the MN girl going?
Mdw can't compete with PW at Wisc.recruiting or game preparation. C'mon ,who'd you want as your coach.
Gophers get local players who want to stay close to home and that's perfectly ok. I'd guess most players from Minny would prefer a warmer climate for a change if can get a good academic fit in a warmer climate. Also the B10 lost its luster a decade ago in all sports.
The bottom line is get a good education cuz soccer will soon be history.
Maybe the U coach could get the German Burkhardt cousins to transfer. They are all world players with relatives in town and they certainly are used to the snow.They would make the Gophers a top ten national power and possibly open the door for more International players at the U.
Here's the link asked for earlier
http://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=0AriynKqmGsRwdGUyR1ZrSFFUbHFZblNCMnBNZnNqc1E&output=html
Or try this and go from there
https://sites.google.com/site/soccerrecruits/
With the Burkhardt's they would only need the two scholarships as MDW could just surround them with walk-ons and they would most likely win the B10.
Kudos to both MDW & PW as they both have dramatically improved both programs since they took over.
GG's could use at least 4 points this weekend! Good luck ladies.
9:07: Respectfully disagree.
The games Fri / Sun are must wins.
Big Ten Standings Today
Ohio State (5-1-1)(16)
Penn State (4-1-1)(13)
Wisconsin (3-1-3)(12)
Purdue (3-1-2)(11)
Minnesota (3-2-1)(10)
Northwest (3-3-1)(10)
Big Ten Games This Weekend
Wisconsin at Michigan State
Minnesota at Michigan
Iowa at Indiana
Illinois at Penn State
Purdue at Ohio State
Wisconsin at Michigan
Minnesota at Michigan State
WI beats MSU
MN ties MICH (KK out with red)
Not a good result for GG's against winless Wolverines. Game must have been out of hand as Michigan also had a player red carded.
Don't think they're going to get the 4 pts. this weekend.
Three tough breaks within a minute.
An unintentional handball in the box.
Goal on a Mich PK.
Red card on KK to follow.
YIKES !!!
Here's hoping they pull out a win Sunday.
Michigan State seems to be lost without Heyborer.
(The Badgers beat the Spartans on the road today).
As in recent past games, the fouls are stifling the GG's & resulting in losses.
The preseason pollsters were perhaps a bit too optimistic.
Unless the Gophers can recruit a couple of difference makers 2010 doesn't look too promising.
The GGs futbol team continues to outscore the Mens football team.
MDW is a great coach compared to Brewster.
Count your blessings.
Hardly comparing apples to apples.
is sb redshirting due to the injury she sustained prior to the start of the season?
MDW did more than any present day gopher football coach winning co- big ten title. Her program is now positioned it appears long term where Mason football teams were . Win weak non coference schedule be competitve in middle of pack conference and every 4-5 years finish in top three in conference with some post season success.
Agree, but dont think that soccer program though will experience any long term coaches changes , with nonrevenue womens soccer program being of lesser importance at this school. This am sure is adequate level of success thats been acheived and forseen. Should keep most soccer games at the very least interesting and some of in state recruits playing at the U of M. Dont forsee any quanity or higher level blue chip depth coming from outside state to help take future teams to next level unless some of higher level SSM recruits end up at Uof M
Agree with SSM and CC from last year, but that is about it. They have no one down in Faribault that was better than the in-state 2010' s and definitely the 2011's. Check the ranking services (like Top Drawer Soccer).
The 2009 class was easily SSM's best and they still were not the states best team at that age group. They are not the answer. Even if they do bring in an occasional great player they are not likely from MN and won't stay here to go to college.
and being that over 1/3rd of their U18's are not from the US, do you think they would go to MN?
Nope.
Any predictions on GG's game tomorrow?
Gophers 2-0. MSU is in a tailspin. A tie is the minimum needed to keep NCAA hopes alive.
I say the Gophers win.
MSU could slip in a goal with KK on the bench and the MN backline having to adjust.
I wouldn't put hope in a tie keeping them alive.
Both Mich and MSU sit beneath us in Big Ten and RPI.
I see a win as pretty necessary at this point.
The backline will hardly have to adjust. They'll be just fine.
halftime....non-descript game. Both teams out of sync so far.
GG's 1 MS 0 24 min left
Strahota best player on team. Ex hockey player. Get some more hockey players.
MSU scores 2 goals in less than two mintues.
Final MSU 2 MINN 1.
That's a wrap...
Ms 2 GG's 1
GG's get a MS own goal first half.
GG's disorganized 2nd half and give up two goals. Hoph is a difference maker. Made our D look foolish. You don't have to be a genius to double team her.
GG's have a lot of role players but until they get a playmaker and a legit finisher they are just another average team.
This was a killer weekend.
I'm afraid this weekend may have cost us an NCAA bid.
Time will tell how unkind a tie and a loss , to these two teams, is to our RPI.
At 37 we were close to the bubble.
Bad weekend for Gophers as NCAA hopes are gone. Worse weekend for Illinois, a respected program goes 0-2 and is outscored 9-0. Hard game to figure sometimes.
Why NCAA hopes gone? NO hope?
I saw the game on BTN, and I wonder why the MSU forward was allowed to run over Parkhill from behind when she was grabbing the loose ball. I understand a 50/50 ball, but she made no play on the ball - just blasted through the GK from behind.
NOT making excuses - the MN defense allowed MSU's most dangerous attacker to get free twice in 90 seconds - but it looked like a clear foul on that play. Legal play?
I agree Strahota is the best player. She's the most complete player on the team. Best mind for the game,best athlete,nobody tougher. Best chance to play some pro. Check with her pro coach.He tells it like it is. No disrespect. That's just the facts.
Westsider
Agree. Strahota the most complete player. No drama. What level coaching license does the new assistant coach hold?
KB, KK, JC, MR, CP top players on team. That much seems obvious. Oh wait, they didn't play for MTA. My bad.
Wow. I guess our 0-1 loss to PSU, in the last few seconds, doesn't look so bad tonight. Nittany Lions just beat Illini 0-6. That's a lot of Big Ten goals against.
MR did play for Bangu/MTA for her U15-U17 years I believe....sorry.
OMG youth soccer was ages ago....
Big Ten Point Standings (Oct 25)
Ohio State-19
Wisconsin-16
Penn State-16
Purdue-11
Minnesota-11
Northwestern-10
Indiana-8
Michigan State-8
Illinois-5
Michigan-5
Iowa-0
Tomorrow morning the RPI guy will have his unoffical numbers.
Not sure when next NCAA RPI is out.
With only 2 regular season games left can the GG even catch up?
Heyboer's leg broken when taken out by a MN player on the winning goal.
Wow. Red card last game, break a leg this game? TOTALLY unecessary style of play! Seems like GG playing with a LOT of frustration.
Gophers undisciplined team.Players running around and frequently get caught out of position. In second half when MDW tried to sit on the one goal lead it completely changed the momentum of the game.
Gophers need to be taught how to tackle or don't try it. Going to get a rep as a dirty team.
Agree GG's need to clean up their act. Disagree that NCAA hopes are gone as 4'th place is still a possibility. Gophers will be favored in last two games as both are at home.
Will KK be back for those last 2 games?
Place in the conference doesn't seem to guarantee an NCAA bid.
Last year four Big Ten teams went to NCAAs.
PSU got the auto bid for winning the B10 tourney.
MN , MSU (#4), ILL (#5) got at large bids.
PURDUE (#3) did not get a bid though they finished above MSU (#4) and ILL (#5) in conference.
RPI seems to be the difference.
MR's bio lists her club as PSA.
The play on Heyboer did not appear in any way dirty.
GG's are done as far as NCAA hopes go.
MR played at Bangu/MTA as U16 and I think as U17. She played on my daughters team.
I know she played at PSA at U18 and maybe U19 as well.
Play wasn't dirty, as in there was no intent. However, the tackle was very late and cleats up. That may not qualify as dirty, but it definitely qualifies as bad soccer.
Here's the after story on MSU Heyboer.
http://www.statenews.com/index.php/article/2009/10/allamerican_heyboer_fractures_leg_to_undergo_surgery
Rather than debate if she broke her leg from a late or dirty tackle...
The question should be why did the coach put her in given her compromised condition.
She was unable to play Friday due to a severly sprained ankle.
According to the above article, this is the coach's comment regarding Heyboer:
“nowhere near ready and I’m very doubtful (she’ll play) Sunday (against Minnesota).”
What a shame.
you kind of make it sound like its hers and the coaches fault....
1209 is a homer to the worst degree if she is blaming anyone from MSU for what happened to Heyboer. A slide tackle that got no ball and occurred after the shot was already gone. And 1209 is blaming the MSU coach?? Unbelievable.
The leg would have broken regardless of how well her ankle was healed.
Soc Mom is SPOT ON. The MSU player is classy and probably the best player in the big 10. The coach is a class act and has been around MSU a long time. No one is questioning their integrity and no one is trying to play a blame game. The facts are that she was on crutches on Friday. She was probably shot up to be able to play on Sunday because she wanted to be there for her team to try and win a big game. The fact is, she is a big game player. Probably the best we have seen. But she was definitely putting herself at risk playing on a severely injured ankle.
To try to say that the Gopher tackle was dirty is a pretty easy stone to cast from a couch. However, there is no way it was dirty or wrong. In fact, she never touched the MSU player although it looks like she did on TV. Both her and the goalie said that she was never touched. They made it very clear.
Additionally, if it was such a bad and gruesome tackle, how come a card was never pulled. It seemed so obvious to the couch viewers.
Finally, Gophers' post season lives were at stake and JR was making every effort within the rules to try to keep the Gopher hopes alive.
As for the Michigan game - The Red Card was a bad mistake by the Gopher player for retaliating to a cheap shot. We were very fortunate to get out of there without an injury and if I were a Michigan player, I would be embarrassed to play such a style. There were no less than 6-8 dirty tackles from behind. There is a difference between playing hard and dirty and the Michigan player to eventually get kicked out even had choice words up and down the sideline for the Gopher fans. It is sad that their coach allows this to continue.
It was wrong of our player to retaliate and we paid the price, but we were never dirty.
Gopher Parent
the GG parents are circling the wagons.
sounds more like the post-match parental POV's after a U13 premier game.
question....how did her leg break?
not sure how she broke her leg other than it was very weak to begin with and the field was still pretty wet on that side of the field.
And no, not circling the wagons. I just feel bad that such an incredible player within such a classy organization went down like she did. When not playing against the Gophers, I root for MSU because they play clean, have a classy group of fans, and a good team/coaching staff.
You can question us on about anything, that part is fine....but being accused of being dirty is a different story.
Gopher Parent
i thought she had a badly sprained ankle? according to the article, she broke her fibia & tibia.
Players don't control their playtime.
Opponents aren't going about trying to purposely break legs.
The coach made a call to play an already injured, clearly competitive, player he said was nowhere near ready to play on Friday.
You don't think he'd love to reverse the clock?
In no way would I blame Heyboer.
This was a high stakes game, and more than likely, MSU would not have won without her on the pitch.
I was simply trying to shift the discussion away from players to coaches.
It is a sad commentary on the disposability of players, that’s all.
Did people just say that sprained ankles can suddenly morph into broken tibias and fibulas without contact? Because of a wet field? Amazing. You cannot make this stuff up. I am not suggesting that it was a dirty play. Reckless and ill advised yes. But to somehow suggest that the injury was not caused by the play is baffling. And people are blaming the coach. Even more amazing.
Question: Why was a Gopher player given credit for their goal in the MSU game. She crossed it from the endline and an MSU player knocked it into the net. Isn't that an own goal? Just curious how that is determined, can someone explain?
You read how LH is an impact player and the GG's have nobody like her. Yet for the season she has 8G and 5A. KB has 11G and 5A. So why isn't she considered a playmaker or go to player?
KB is easily one of the best in the big 10, hands down.
I think she is an outstanding player, but since 4:20 asked......
8 of the 11 goals came against South Dakota State, Kennesaw, Montana, North Dakota State and the University of South Dakota juggernaut (4).
433 And 6 of LH's 8 came against Oakland, EMU, Bowling Green, CMU, and Kent State. Your point?
socmom was one of the folks talking up the player (and 1:27).
they have to win both this weekend to have any shot at advancing.
sounds like it was a long weekend for some of the GG parental bloggers. getting a bit too defensive, but that's understandable after last weekend.
KB is a solid player, but I doubt one conference coach would select her over a healthy LH if given the opportunity.
Will KK be back for both games this weekend?
Heyboer has missed a few B10 games as well due to injury, ref ONLY 8 goals.
Injuries, its part of the game at this level. The great ones will play. And at this point of the schedule, there are alot of teams with players less than 100%. Duh!
The great ones will play....let's hope that by playing rather than healing the injury they don't cut their careers in college and beyond short, or worse, do irrepairable damage to themselves that will last a lifetime.
LH has played in 15 games, missed maybe 1.
I imagine if she had broken a clavicle there would still be idiots claiming that it was because her coach put her at jeopardy playing on a bad ankle.
Don't fight it, that's the way idiots think. That's why they are called idiots.
8:49 - Hey tough guy - pretty tough from a keyboard aren't you.
Threatening to break my tibia?
Always interesting how competition tends to bring out the WORST in some people.
Unoffical RPI from the RPI Guy.
Gophers took a hit after the Michigan games.
On the upside, we still have a game vs Indiana.
A win there would have to help a bit.
13-Ohio State
18-Penn State
26-Indiana U
27-Wisconsin U
30-Purdue
45-Minnesota U
49-Michigan State
52-Illinois U
62-Michigan U
67-Northwestern U
117-Iowa U
Weak non conference schedule helps MDW overall record but this time of year haunts quest for players to play in NCCA tournament.
Will a win vs. Indiana push the GG's through to a top spot? To the next round?
Here's a summary of our RPI.
Looks like we got a 7 point bump after Purdue win.
Maybe a win over Indiana will give us enough of a push to get off the "bubble"?
Offical NCAA RPI-Oct 4
# 43 Minnesota (reflects W vs IOWA, T vs ILL, W vs WISC)
Offical NCAA RPI-Oct 18
# 37 Minnesota (reflects W vs PUR, L vs PSU, L vs OSU )
RPI Guys RPI Report-Oct 25
# 45 Minnesota (reflects T vs MICH, L v MSU)
So they lose two games at home to OSU and PSU and their RPI climbs? With that methodology there is still hope. The big concern I see is that their RPI is currently sixth in the B10 (with a gap of 15 between them and the current 5th place B10 team) so they need to close that gap quite a bit as well as sweep this weekend to solidify no worse than 4th in conference play. Even with all that it still might not be enough.
The RPI climb was most likely a result of the WIN vs Purdue rather than the LOSS to PSU and OSU.
If it comes down to a political decision the B10 will come in on the short end of the stick.
If you think trainers some time don't dispense pain killers you must be on your first hunt.
Anonymous said...
Weak non conference schedule helps MDW overall record but this time of year haunts quest for players to play in NCCA tournament.
27/10/09 12:04 AM
This is what we have been saying for over 3 weeks now. Coach NEEDS to do a better job of scheduling her long range seasons. Try to schedule some home/away games with either ACC/Pac-10 schools.
there non conference RPI is 45 which is exactly the same as their regular RPI -
Their schedule wasn't that bad. take into consideration that UW Milwaukee and SDSU are way down from last year and their NCRPI would have been that much higher.
Look at what Illinois just tried to do...play a crazy schedule and now they are beat up and barely making it thru games. They aren't as good as the Gophers but still.
folks, folks, let's be honest....RPI this, RPI that, non-coference this, non-conferenc that.
Win enough conference games (better than their current 3-3-2 record) and this is all a mute point.
End up 5th in the Big 10 and it doesn't matter who they played in non-conference.
Their fate was and is always in their own hands (or feet for this sport).
9:53 - you are exactly correct. We need to take care of business in conference.
Gopher Parent
well, until you stop running away from talented teams in non-conference, how will beating these easy non-conference teams get you ready for the Big-10? How many battles did the team play this yr in preseason?? v Tennessee when Tennessee was playing a man down?? No, you get better by playing better teams. What a cop out!! Lets take the easy way. JOKE..Maybe if you start to go to places like ACC country, West Coast etc, maybe you can start to recruit better, anyone ever think of this?? Lets show a recruit that we are going up to South Dakota to play, or, maybe, show the recruit that we are going to Boulder to play CU, or to the Bay Area to play Santa Clara and Stanford in the same w/end. mmmmm?
11:43 -
Feel sorry for you. Have a nice life.
1:04, Are you a tree hugger? Gotten everything handed to you?? What ever happened to blue collar and working for it for once? You go feel sorry all you want.
Blue Collar - hahahahaha
And you are telling me the Gopher Soccer team isn't blue collar?
I think you are in the wrong part of the country, there are some mountains in the eastern section of Tennessee that have a few homes for sale that could have your name right on the mailbox. They come with the banjo and all.
11:43--as in Bucky?
I don't see the Gophers pre-season schedule as the issue.
It was NOT BEATING Georgia (RPI 9), Marquette (RPI 36), Tennesse (RPI 44) that was the problem.
(RPI numbers from last offical NCAA report)
12;15 those team they lost to check their rosters if preseason not a issue. See if any those teams have players from at least ten different states and wider recruiting radius. That is the issue and all the other weaker teams gophers won against,are they helping women get ready to compete in big team race and ncca berth and not just there to help coach win loss record. Seems the other coach from wisconsin headed in opposite direction in a lot of ways. Where the program has been and where it is now is good but is it just going to stay at this level or keep improving or be another Mason like sports program here. Y....awn. The AD at UofW isnt satisfied with just maintaining status guo in any sport neither should GOPHERS.
Here are the current 2009 Big Ten Women's Soccer Standings / Points / Games Remaining.
I know it's a few "ifs" but here I go.
If the Gophers win their last two at home and Wisconsin looses to Northwestern on the road...
We stand a good chance at ending third in Big Ten.
(I'm assuming Purdue doesn't beat Penn State on the road).
That position ,with an RPI bump, would probably get us an at large bid.
The season isn't over just yet and fortunes have been known to change in the athletic arena!
Ohio State - 19 Pts (vs IND @ MSU)
Penn State - 16 Pts (@ IND vs PUR @ MICH)
Wisconsin - 16 Pts (@ NU)
Purdue - 11 Pts (@ PSU vs IOWA)
Minnesota - 11 Pts (vs NU vs IND)
Northwestern - 10 Pts (@ MINN vs WI vs ILL)
Indiana - 8 Pts ( vs PSU @ OSU @ MINN)
Michigan State - 8 Pts (@ ILL @ IOWA vs OSU)
Michigan - 5 Pts (@ IOWA @ ILL vs PSU)
Illinois - 5 Pts (vs MSU vs MICH @ NU)
Iowa - 0 Pts (vs MICH vs MSU @ PUR)
Wis went to westcoast and played #1 Stanford and got pounded 6-0, but, I think it helped the team get ready for the B10. Next Fall I think UCLA is coming to Madison. Who is coming to here? South Dakota?? Heck, why dont we schedule Mankato State.
The main problem at the U is Maturi. How this guy ever landed the job here is a mystery.
Wisconsin Badger Soccer - Yaaawwwnn
Wisconsin Badger schedule - Yaawwnn
Paula Wilkens - Yaaawwnnnn
Gophers have beat the Badgers 5 of the last 6 years.
Here are the Badger wins this year:
Green Bay
Northern Illinois
North Dakota state (1-0)
Depaul
Indiana
Illinois
Iowa
Michigan State
If you are trying to tell me this is better than the Gophers, you are smoking something funny.
Wisconsin has the worst facilities in the Big Ten.
Paula Wilkens - great resume - do you know why she left Penn State. Do a little research.
Badgers - Yawwwwwwwnnnnnnnnnnnn
Makes no difference why she left Penn State...she's getting the job done at Madison and pulling in recruits from out of state. Takes years to rebuild a program, just as MDW has been doing and is still doing. BOTH coaches are making a difference.
Hey 2:33-
We can debate,who is "better",all day long.
But,come NCAA bid time,what will matter is the RPI.
And as of today, I hate to see it, but Wisconsin has us beat.
3:26 I agree completely.
And PW got the top 2010 out of MN. Rumor has it she leads for one of our top 2011's also.
The top 2010 out of MN is headed WAY south of Madison.
438 I will grant you that she was able to lure away the best of the 2010's but now that GG's have put together 2 solid seasons I think MDW will be able to tighten the borders.
As far as the top 2010's...they are two totally different players..both tops at their rspective positions. Let's not get into bashing two top players that MN has turned out. To each their own where they go to school and WHY they chose that school. For some kids, it goes beyond the game of soccer and is the whole package.
WI's RPI is better not because of their non-conference schedule but because they have performed better during the B10 season.
Agree that MDW could beef up the non-conference a bit, not sure if there is a direct correlation between where you play and where your players come from. PW is much more recognized because of her PSU successes so does have an advantage (kind of like Tubby with MB BBall). Based on where the program was and where she has taken it, you really can't complain too much about MDW. What's nice is that folks are now getting unhappy that the team isn't top 3 in the B10. Now that's a huge change and a good one IMO.
Agree that Wisconsins current RPI is better than Minnesota's because of Big Ten performances.
But the first offical RPI was released Oct 4 and included all non conference games plus any conference games to that point.
(On that report WISC was sitting at #49 and the Gophers at # 43)
So, it's important where you start because you rise or fall from that spot.
And the earliest ranking reflects more non conference than conference games.
now i'm confused. i thought WI had the tougher non-conference schedule?
Wisconsin wouldn't have managed to be Iowa in Madison if the Iowa keeper had controlled a simple shot late in OT.
They may get better after a few more years, but they haven't done anything yet.
CS and KK picked what they felt was the best situation for them.
No reflection on MDW or MN. It is apparent that the Kallman family thinks MN is a good choice, but the youngest chose another school
Sometimes it is good to get away from home. Madison is a great school and a nice distance from home. It doesn't mean their women's soccer program is wonderful, it means it met the priorities of CS.
People on this blog should stop ripping on KK and CS. Both are talented players and very good at what they do....different positions. Both are a class act. Wish them the best at their respective choices.
No one has said one negative thing about KK or CS.
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