armstrong's nd road the bench for all but 2 mins of the 1st half (team rules violation according to sources). 0-0 at half. edina scored on a pk (tackle from behind in the box) and later on a solid cross for the put away in the 2nd. edina's d is solid.
armstrong will have to beat wayzata for the 3rd time in a season to get out of sections. that 3rd win is always a very difficult task.
the 5 on the roster ($$$ in the bank) are splitting the varsity duty (some pieces are bigger than others, which is to be expected). the spread from 1-5 isn't very big. each have their strengths and weakness (singular).
I've seen all 5 play. 2 are obviously the weaker ones, less experienced. These two have played in most the Jv games. The top 3 played varsity last year- now a sophomore, a junior and a senior. The junior has only played 2 halves because of a personal issue, the sophomore has really stepped up and the senior was all conference and all tournament last year. The senior (CF) is the most skilled and the most experienced right now although she's had to share her time. Edina will have good goalies for a while.
The senior goalkeeper i've had the privilege to watch is solid in all phases of goal keeping, whether balls high or low, , footwork , split decision making, range and kicking, and most importantly in leadership and composure. As good keeper as the another keeper that went to Ivy League school Brown that older daughter played with that reached national club finals and was given golden glove award. Soph kicker has a cannon kick and could kick for boys football team. All five could start for any high school team here in minnesota.
7:37: "All five could start for any high school team here in Minnesota." Get real, CF is very good, CS, the sophomore is solid, the other three wouldn't even start for MOST other GOOD AA schools. Whoever you are, you're dreaming. One of their keepers couldn't even make a Premier team. Armstrong has a keeper (1st time she has ever played keeper in her life) and she is better than all but CF and CF. Don't post such rubbish here until you get a clue, and get the Edina logo off your shirt.
Edina crap, you guys wonder why you're not liked. "We've got five keepers that could start for anyone". Does that include KL from Wayzata, AS from EDP?
7:37 is right We played Edina twice this year and CF was in goal both times. I rank her as one of the top goalies in the state. Better than anyone we have seen play. We know folks on Edina and CS has made great strides this year. The 4th and 5th ones have issues.
A player from a large AA school that is a perennial state tourney entrant recently was allowed to score 6 goals in a 9-0 victory against a class A opponent with a 1-11 record. Will the outrage be commensurate with that which we would have seen were she from EAG or CI?
if it continues to happen on a consistent basis - then i would probably guess yes. one of the stereotypes with EAG is unlike CI (and Brainerd) is that I believe these are league games and out of the coaches/AD's scheduling control. doesn't make it right, but at least they have a bit of an excuse to fall back on. i think most "in the know" followers of high school girls soccer have a good handle on who's good, who's really good, and who are the best out there.
Some coaches really like the swell meal served at Excel Center in Oct. and dont want to miss it and not go if their team doesnt get to go to state tournament. They might even get to go in front of group and give speech if their player wins special award or is named to all state team.
Statistics posted in the Red Star and other websites are incomplete. Many coaches don't even submit the stats. There are quite a few players who have top notch stats that are not included.So don't get too excited about the numbers.
College coaches who attend showcase tournaments are looking for complete players who have on the ball skills and who can make the players around them better.These type of players are hard to find. On the other hand bootballers are a dime a dozen.
2:26 is right. Whether it's showcases or regional ODP, complete players tend to rise to the top. You are also correct in that they are hard to find as there are not too many around here. Most folks who express opinions or make comments on the top level local players are doing so in the MN vacuum. Until you see how these top level players compete regionally or nationally you really do not know if they are really that good or not.
disagree with 252 and 226 to some extent as many of our more successful players in the ODP system are "bootballers" as some put it and incapable of making their teammates better. We see that when they play with their teams in club or HS or at ODP events. Some players earn ODP stripes thru exhibiting ball skills, some by exhibiting athleticism and some by showing both. Some just have a great day when it counts and are fortunate. Many college coaches also attend showcases looking for great athletes and will accept modest technical ability to get them. Both types of players are in demand. Of course all coaches want great athletes with great ball skills. Not many of those around and none currently in MN.
Bravo 317 from reading some of these posts you would think being athletic was not important. It doesn't matter how technical you are if you are slow and weak on the ball and not good in the air.
EP is very good and deep.They don't really have a weakness.They are a pretty physical team. LS gave up two self goals and the third was off a defensive breakdown.EP is dangerous on the throw ins.They certainly deserve #1 ranking.
The only other top team that can give them a run for their money is Edina.
All three EP goals were scored off a LVS player, the last two coming off crazy deflections, the first on a long throw where a LVS player headed it into her own net
EP looked good
LVS also had two girls carted off, one with a huge cut over her eye the other got kicked in the troat
Should be interesting to see the section seedings in this one? Who's number one, EP or Edina? What does the rest look like with Jefferson, Prior Lake, Minnetonka, Kennedy, Chaska and Shakopee?
1. EP (no more section games) 2. EdI (have to play tonka yet) 3. BJ (chaska yet to play) 4. PL (plays shakopee and chaska) 5. MTKA (Edina) 6. CH (BJ and PL) 7. BK (-) 8. SHAK (PL)
Should be interesting to see how #3-6 break down when all the dust settles. If Jefferson wins out, they secure #3. PL and Chaska play tuesday. The winner of that has a great argument for #4, with Tonka being a wild card.
Valley will not be a factor, that section will come down to a Park-Eastview final. Of more interest is whether the coaches get the state seedings right this year. If you win a major conference (Lake, CL, Sub East) you should be seeded ahead of any team that finishes as runnerup or worse in those conferences. That would avoid a repeat of the fiasco from last year when the Lake runnerup was seeded ahead of the team that won the Lake and also the Classic Lake! Predictably the two conference champions met in the final while the runnerup went down in the first round. The cream rises to the top at playoff time anyway but still the seedings should be accurate so the best teams do not meet for as long as possible. The best teams are the ones that win their conferences.
why ep over edina? ep tied armstrong and edina beat them twice. If edina wins their last three games- they probably will get first seed. also...take a look at schedules. ep had some nice down time when they played park center, rosemount, apple valley, bloomington kennedy burnsville and soon to come...lakeville north. edina has played classic lake teams along with mahtomedi, century and white bear. ep did get to play woodbury, and bj but overall it seemed like Edina had the tougher schedule.
1156 I will agree with you that a team that finishes ahead of another in conference play should never be seeded behind them at state or sections. Eastview ahead of LS and Edina last year was ridiculous as the state tourney results show. However there is a caveat that this is only if the conferences play a true round robin schedule. I don't believe the Sub East does that.
In early season play..before all the players positions were established and LS defense solidified. By the end of season LS and Edina truly belonged in championship game despite outside forces that placed them lower than either should have been.
Who was supposed to divine that the LS South defense had "solidified"? Subjective crap.
It would have been ridiculous to seed LS ahead of Eastview because Eastview beat them head to head and their record in the Lake was better. LS proved they were the best team at the end of the year by winning the state tourney. That doesn't mean they should have been seeded higher.
how do you put a conference champ below a 2nd place team? eastview did beat Ls but it was the first conference game. eastview wilted at the end, LS did not. it was absurd that Ls and Edina were seeded behind eastview last year
If a team in the same conference beats another they should be seeded higher. Just because a team is a conference champ it doesn't automatically mean they should be seeded above a conference runner-up ( or even 3rd placer). It depends on the conference.
That is ridiculous. If a team wins their conference title they should be seeded ahead of the second or third place team in that conference. Performance over the season is more important than one game where anything can happen. I believe Park beat Woodbury last year, so if Park had won their shootout with Eastview for section title should they have been the #1 seed at state ahead of WDB? Absolutely silly. Also the CLC was very strong last year, their conference champ should not have been seeded behind the Lake runnerup. Hope they get it fixed this year.
Eastview lost to Armstrong in first round after beating a very good Park team. It was a tough game for them because their coach was missing. It was a 1-0 game. Asst. Coach should have used fresh legs in OT but stayed with seniors. Tough decision but it is was it was. Head to head always tips the scale when ranking.
Dear Mr Crap, Looking at the goals scored and goals allowed LS improved dramatically after Eastville game. Injured defenders gradually improved defense and some players positions were switched. LS goal scoring average from previous year 06 and similar first 5 games 07 jumped .8 goals a game more and also goals allowed dropped from 1.2 goals allowed per game to .4 goals / game. They won conference and state by LS coach recognizing areas of improvement and MADE CHANGES. This was never recognized in seedings by same people that making their self-interest arguments again. Look at season total stats, they reveal more than bias from parents or coaches or single games won or loss.
I think it goes without saying that the order of finish within a conference should determine where teams within that conference are seeded at section or state. Head to head is only important if teams come from different conferences. The outcome of a single regular season game can be influenced by a variety of factors and doesn't give as good an indication of the quality of a team as a full season. I would differ in that whether you cannnot generalize that a conference champ from one conference should be seeded ahead of a non-champ from another. Depends on the conference strength, which of course gets very subjective. What happened last year should serve as a guide for getting it right this year.
Why does EP get to have so many more people in their school? We are a good team but if we had all the girls on the other side of town we would be amazing too!
WH should get control of his players and clean up their game.There is a difference between aggressive play and dirty play. Elbows,high kicks clutching and holding should not be a part of the game.
Leave it to the Wolf Pack fans to live in the past. They had one lucky night that happened to be an off night for Woodbury. Did they win the conference.... NO! Did they win the section..... NO! Big deal about the Woodbury game.
AHA beats Orono 2-1... in my mind that means AHA should without question be the #1 seed in section 3A - their only losses have been to AA schools, they and Blake tied, but in common opponents Blake tied SPA and Orono and AHA beat both.
Thing is, all AA schools aren't equal. Orono also beat Northfield, who AHA lost to this week. IMO, AHA still needs to finish strong to truly earn the #1 seed in section 3A.
11:12 (or Blake parent), true, but AHA also beat Northfield earlier. Come to think of it, could you rattle off one solid Blake victory this year???? Tied SPA (who AHA beat), tied Orono (who AHA beat). Please, please, could you just name one????
12:00 - First, I want to know what is the big deal about parents posting on this blog and making assumptions about them doing so? Secondly, I'm interested in your take of the game versus Orono. Who controlled possession? Scoring chances, quality of teams, etc? Anyone else want to provide an analysis. Third, is beating a team earlier in the season and losing to them later really a good thing? Lastly, although Blake doesn't play as many AA schools, give them some due credit for winning the Tri-Metro again this year without a loss. Sure, Blake isn't the same team as last year, but somehow their scores indicate they still know now to be competitive. Congrats to AHA on posting a nice W against Orono this evening.
12:00 - I made the 11:12 post, and I'm an Orono contingent, nice guess though. Now that I've seen both Blake and AHA, I'm just glad we are in another section.
AHA can post quality wins against Northfield, Minnehaha, SPA, Orono, they drew with Blake.
Blake posts quality wins again... ???? ... I'll give them Vis, Vis is really good this year.
Common opponents: Blake 0 AHA 0 Blake 1 SPA 1 Blake 1 Orono 1 Blake 2 Minnehaha 1
now for the AHA version AHA 0 Blake 0 AHA 1 SPA 0 AHA 2 Orono 1 AHA 4 Minnehaha 1
as for last nights game... AHA outshot Orono and except for a good push in the last 5 of the first half and first 5 of the second, Orono really didn't test AHA's goalkeeper (one nice save on a free kick). Orono's goal comes of a deserved but fluky PK with 2 minutes left in the first half.
AHA was better on the night, maybe on a different night its a different story, but Orono never looked capable of winning that game last night.
Possibly Blake didn't do themselves a favor by not beating SPA, and getting more separation from Minnehaha? However, in both matches Blake clearly dominated play. Congratulations to AHA for notching a victory against Orono last night. Regardless of who gets what seed in section 3A, all four major contenders (Vis, AHA, SPA, and Blake) should make it a fun to watch.
AGREE that AHA should get 1st seed in 3A but only if they beat Prior Lake 8-5-2 and BSM 9-2-1. A team that has unbeaten record should never ever be seeded below a team that has lost 4 games no matter how many AA school loses. Afraid someone been sniffing the gas from balloons one to many times and affected his scorekeeping and timing.
8:02 - IMO your comment is very flawed and you only have to look at how the better record out state schools get seeded at the state tournament versus the metro teams. Please name one example in any sport where an undefeated team with no quality wins has ever been seeded above a team that plays a tougher schedule and has a clear advantage in the head-to-head games.
As many posters have already asked....please name the one, big signature win this year by Blake?
Check the scoreboard again. Although AHA has more stars on team, no poorly timed pun intended, Blake defense is better and allowed less goals during season and not been smoked 2-0 ,3-0 ,2-0 . Defense wins games in post season, Blakes 1 seed and AHA truly deserves 1 seed if their defense holds up against Prior Lake and very good BSM team. Besides larger issue is who DESERVES AND has better chance of beating Mahtomedi and stopping their all state forward, Blake better chance of pulling off upset. AHA stars are floating up front not back on defense.
Check the scoreboard again. Although AHA has more stars on team, no poorly timed pun intended, Blake defense is better and allowed less goals during season and not been smoked 2-0 ,3-0 ,2-0 . Defense wins games in post season, Blakes 1 seed and AHA truly deserves 1 seed if their defense holds up against Prior Lake and very good BSM team. Besides larger issue is who DESERVES AND has better chance of beating Mahtomedi and stopping their all state forward, Blake better chance of pulling off upset. AHA stars are floating up front not back on defense.
9:13 - If Blake is so good then why couldn't they beat SPA and Orono (funny, AHA gave up fewer combined goals to those two teams - so much for your whole defense theory). Also, we are happy they could shut out Concordia, St. Bernards, MPA, St. Croix Lutheran, etc....
Lastly, help us all understand your whole "DESERVES" line of thinking.
Surprised and wonder why AHA in charge coach allowing this rambling to go on. Certainly doesnt help their team. Is it more important for one hotshot parent to be right or give the other team motivation to beat them. Same thing happened last year on and on about AHA and look no conference champs, no section champs, PARENT SHOULD SHUT UP AND THINK ABOUT THE TEAM AND LET THE PLAYERS AND COACHES DECIDE Who gets what. Afraid this meddling not just confined to high school soccer. Unless you decide what the players and coaches are allowed to do, scary thought.
Hope and pray that person running the clock at AHA vs Orono game, that had to be warned twice to put time back on clock giving AHA an unfair advantage is not same avid AHA backer. This might imply why so much discussion on why AHA should get number 1 seed and play all games there. DONT WANT any discussion on how this all not interrelated and could possibly explain further missing items at AHA in the past.
Blake would do fine in the Missota, a small conference which has three competitive teams (AHA,Prior Lake, and Northfield), one average team (Farmington), and two uncompetitive teams (Red Wing and Shakopee). AHA is the only competitive team that will have a chance in State, because Northfield and Prior Lake are not going to do anything in Class AA.
The Tri-Metro has four competitive teams (Blake, Vis, Breck, SPA), four average teams (Minnehaha, St. Croix Lutheran,DelaSalle,Concordia) and three uncompetitive teams (St. Agnes, St. Bernards, and MPA).
Blake, AHA, Northfield, and Prior Lake are at a similar level. I would put Vis there as well since their offense kicked in (pun intended).
The Missota plays a home/home schedule, so AHA gets 4 competitive games, similar to Blake.
Blake would struggle against Northfield (esp. at Northfield). Size, speed, and aggressiveness that the Northfield team plays with on their large, home pitch...is truly, truly tough....and AHA discovers that every year.
Intriguing post 11:53 as I have no role with any of the teams involved and no need to justify. Get down to Northfield (which I had to do because I am an Assistant with a MIAC women's program) and see how well that team plays at home. They are fast and physical and their huge home field is such an advantage for them. Blake is well coached, well organized but they play teams that do play the way they like to play (organized, passing etc.)---a very pretty game. Nobody on Blake's schedule plays the style that Northfield plays (fast--they have 5 AA Track and Field State Finalists, physical--they average 4 or 5 yellows a game) and while their style is not pretty, it is scary for the small private schools. So do not read too much into AHA splitting with Northfield. I imagine they learned more in that type of result against that type of team, than Blake does tying or beating a team that plays a comfortable, similar style. Last year, Blake was beat by a Sartell-St. Stephen squad that played blue collar, ugly, fast and physical soccer. This year, LaCrescent and Hermantown are two teams that could show up at the Class A state tourney and provide problems....they are fast, physical and they work hard...and they beat people 1v1. We tend to find nice collegiate players from these programs (Northfield currently has players playing DI and quite a few racking up honors at DIII because of their athleticsim). Obviously Blake has players that go on and play, but do not get caught up thinking you understand a team like Northfield until you get down to their place and see them play.
12:23 - Nice post that contains some good information. Have you seen Blake play this year? I think they are equally as physical as last year, but lack the same foot speed. How long has Northfield been a AA school? For some reason I remember them being an A school not too long ago, but I could be wrong.
BLAKE 1-0 over AHA. SAME as last year. Thats if they play at Blake and not on pool table top turf at Holy Smoked with scoreboard timer that wants to decide outcome of game.
Section 3A will be fun...Vis is quite good! If they are the #3 seed I could see them upsetting the #2 seed. Also, saw SPA the other day, wow, they looked much better than they did 2 weeks ago. They seem to have improved. Minnehaha seems to be tailing off. AHA and Blake still the class.
I agree. SPA, AHA, Blake, and Vis all have a shot in section 3A. AHA will be tough on their home turf. If Blake can get back to the section finals again, my prediction is that they find a way to get the job done.
Northfield used to be A and has now gone up to AA (2 years ago). There enrollment has increased but they are one of the smallest AA schools (their boys still play A actually). The MSHSL figures out enrollment a bit oddly. They count each kid that is on free and reduced lunch program as being 3/5 of a person thus some Minneapolis schools dropped from AA to A two years ago even though the raw number count shows they should be AA.
Blake is an excellent team but I would not put them anywhere near the type of physical that a Northfield or other AA teams can play.
I agree with the earlier post... for AHA to be the #1 seed they should have to beat Prior Lake (AA school) and Benilde (not in their section)... they should also have to jump through a flaming hoop, swallow a sword, I don't know... invent a car that runs on good feelings.
Get real - common opponents is what it is about - AHA beat SPA, Blake couldn't, AHA beat Orono, Blake couldn't.
Let me turn it around for you, for BLAKE to be the top seed they should have to beat... errrrrr.... maybe first they should schedule someone. And as for this Northfield talk... above posters point to schools like SPA as quality wins for Blake and reasons why the Tri Metro is as good as the Missota - didn't Northfield bust SPA up pretty good this year?
8:17 - It will be interesting to see how Blake does against Hopkins next Saturday. Hopkins has been competitive in almost every game this year, including games against very solid AA teams.
The chitter chatter about AHA and Blake this year is a mirror image of the talk this time last season. I'm not a Blake or AHA fan, so hear me out, and I'm not interested in talking about who gets what seed. Sure, Blake doesn't play AHA's schedule, not a big issue for me. Fact is, they got into state last year and pulled off what I would call a huge upset against Mahtomedi in the semis and lost a heartbreaker in the final. Blake might not be as naturally talented as some teams, including those they played in state last year, but they somehow make up for it. IMO, regardless of how their team this year compares to that of last year, a win against AHA in sections this year would not be as surprising as their victory against Mahtomedi in state last year. Somehow, the Blake girls find ways to win, hands down. A team doesn't have to dominate a game to win it. The best team doesn't always win, rather the team that plays the best, and Blake seems to have this figured out. They may have to find more creative and difficult ways to achieve similar success this year, but I wouldn't put it past them. Good luck to all the quality squads as they battle for the section 3A crown.
"Somehow Blake finds a way to win" - to paraphrase above... not this year, this year they find a way to tie. Also, I wouldn't classify Blakes win against Mahtomedi an upset, considering they held the #1 spot in the coaches poll pretty much all year last year, if take the coaches and count them as educated we could say the only upset was Totino beating them in the final.
look, I respect the above post, but I disagree, a programs history should have nothing to do with seeding or ranking, the only thing that should matter are results. This year Blake has been good, but just good enough to tie in just about every game thats really mattered.
9:49: I kindly disagree. Although Blake earned a stronger seed in state last year, Mahtomedi was still the team to beat. I don't think many informed coaches and fans would disagree. You're right, Blake has tied some decent teams this year. Possibly they are storing up their big W for sections? Lastly, the post from 9:18 said absolutely nothing about how the strong history at Blake should impact seeding this year. In fact, he/she clearly stated that seeding was not of interest. Lets get over the section 3A seeding debate and let the coaches decide at the meeting.
Breck played Blake very tough last week. However, they are not in section 3A. I believe Breck will have to deal with Orono in a section. Blake has earned another Tri-Metro championship, but there is a log jam (Breck, SPA, Vis, Concordia, Minnehaha, St. Croix) for the spots behind them.
TRADITION SHOULD NOT EFFECT SEEDING!!!!!!!! And if everyone new Mahtomedi was the team to beat, including coaches according to you, why weren't they #1 in the COACHES POLL??? Your logic is counter intuitive
I saw where someone asked how Blake would have done in the Missota. I guess a better question would have been how would AHA have done in the Tri-Metro?
tradition should have absolutely no impact on seeding whether in the state tourney or at the section level. we already see how "image" and "reputation" play a roll in the polls. a team should be valued on the present year only, never the past.
seeding is a cat & mouse game between the coaches in the room. no matter how much you politic here, they will try to grease their own way to the finals.
AND, those voting in the polls still have it wrong!
I'm fine with Blake being ahead of AHA, head to head they tied and Blake can still boast "undefeated," but for Orono to be ranked over AHA right now in class A, that IS really disrespectful. I don't care how you feel about them.
yes they are 10-3, but they haven't lost or tied another class A team all season.
The Orono-Holy Angels game was Saturday night and frankly I'm not sure how close of attention all the coaches pay when they fill out their voting ballets. Keep in mind that most Class A schools are out state and the way this poll works is the sum of all the voters.
Polls aren't perfect. Not sure how many coaches noted the AHA/Orono score...or more dreadfully how many noted the Breck 0-0 draw with Trinity. That should have knocked the Breck team out of the polls.
yeah, I gotta say, the AHA v Orono thing is really disrespectful, and the Armstrong v Wayzata thing is an even more extreme example.
I am not an AHA coach, player, or fan, but there is definitely an anti AHA sentiment out there. I am at a lot of the better class A games because at my school we need to recruit those good private school kids because they often fit our profile, high academics, usually a shade under the DI level in ability. AHA seems to be a school others like to hate, maybe this started with the MC era over there.
I've watched them all, and I was at the game Saturday night (recruiting a few Orono kids and one AHA kid) and honestly, they are in this one coaches view the second best class A in the state behind Mahtomedi.
All these coaches are doing is giving AHA some very good motivation, and thats not a team I would want to motivate any more.
Coach, They are a shade under D1? Are you kidding? Thy got trounced by PL (weak AA team) and Jefferson fair to good AA tem. They lost to NF. Those three teams have very few D1 players on them. If they were really a shade under D1 they wouldn't be getting beaten by these teams especially by the score. Academically, AHA is a very average school(relatives and friends I know that have gone or are going there).
I think 11:05 pretty much confirmed the coaches comments (10:51) regarding anti-AHA sentiments. I'm surprised that 11:05 didn't throw in that he/she thought that they also weren't very attractive physcially and that their clothes weren't very fashionable.....
11:05 - before you run your mouth maybe you out to consider some of those AHA kids are already committed to DI schools, on scholarship. Also, for the record, you're an a**. It takes a lot of courage to rip a school and a bunch of kids anonymously on a web site. well done sir.
Wow...quite the AHA discussion. They do have a national pool player, a committed D1 player, and a bunch of fine athletes who can play in college. They have an excellent program.
Section seedings are less than a week ago (I believe they are next Sunday). How are all the sections shaking up (and please no Class A, Section 3 comments - I believe just about everythings been said that can be said).
Class A Section 4 Mahtomedi the favorite and will most likely play a very good Simley squad
Section 5 St. Michael-Albertville, Rogers seem to be at the top, but watch out for TG as a spoiler
Section 6 Orono should be the favorite with BSM right behind and then Breck
Don't know much about the out state schools other than La Crescent (Section 1), Hermantown (Section 7), Cloquet (Section 7), and Rochester Lourdes (Section 1) seem to be strong.
101, Lets be serious, There are no programs in High school. Teams and school's success is based on the areas youth program and any affilaitions or clubs in the area. It's the training the kids get before high school that makes the team. High school coaches are only as good as the kids that go to there school. They don't spend enough time with them to make a real big difference. Woodbury has good teams because of their youth program and the clubs in the area. Mahtomedi has had success in the past due to the youth program.
Do you mean to tell me 3:45 that the reason that the same programs are always at the top of the rankings is not because of the coaches and the programs that they have put together?? (heavy sarcasm in that post if you could not tell.....). Edina is also usually strong, but their players are scattered all over the metro's tp youth premier+ teams.
3:45 is completely accurate. WDB, EP, WAYZ, CR, etc... are not only large schools but also have strong (and large) youth programs. At a few of the schools (EP & WAYZ) the high school coach is also the DOC for the local club which results in even greater continuity of training and style.
I definitely agree with the above posts that summer club soccer is critical to the development of high school players. However, I don't agree with the view that high school coaches essentially don't make a difference. My daughter played her best soccer by far for her high school coach. That coach brought so many valuable things to the table that her coach during the summer could not, although they both were very skilled and tactically sound coaches. And, I have seen highly talented high school teams destroyed by the inability of their coaches to bring them together as a cohesive unit. There is a lot more to being a great coach than skill development. Until you have been a coach yourself and experience it firsthand, you can't appreciate the intangible factors that great coaches bring to the table. Many of the best high school coaches I've known are also involved in their schools as teachers. Yes, great high school coaches also need to develop skills, but what makes them great is SO much more (mentorship, friendship, motivation, etc.) than that.
As a player, I have developed almost all my skills during summer club season. The practices are more technical and skill oriented rather than focusing on possession, set plays, and how to organize the offense and defense. There is also a lot more fitness work during club season. I feel like I've almost gotten out of shape playing high school soccer.
8:48- I cannot argue the point that hs coaches are not influential because right now, my coach does absolutely nothing to help the team or me. I am sure that there are several coaches that have really impacted players' lives and the way they see the game.
AHA gets bashed becasue a few of their crazy parents proabably make up three quarters of this blog and are entrencehd in the Bangu/Thunder Academy megalomania that runs rampant through this state. on the whole AHA parents are a classy bunch but a few bad apples does ruin this bunch. they feel like the soccer world revolves arround them and their precious Bangu/thunder teams. need proof, someone brings up MC who had one good year at AHA when they won the A championship and had to leave AHA in disgrace.
I have seen some high school coaches that simply do not know how to coach any level higher than C1 soccer. Their teams are made up of playres with all levels of experience and they do not have the coaching skills to get the players together as a team. It's hard to tell who suffers more in that situation, the more talanted kids or the less talanted kids.
Coaching all different levels of experience at many different ages must be extremely complicated and difficult (personally I think we should pat on the back every coach out there who even attempts it). I can see why the most common and frankly most effective styles rely less on technical skills, but more on a simpler, more direct approach which relies more on athleticism.
Coaching does make a difference at the HS level, good or bad. When you have a varsity coach in the sec playing c2 players instead of premier players it does make you wonder.
just because you're on a premier team, doesn't make you a good. or a team player. i've had 'premier' players who wouldn't pass the ball to non-premier players for an entire season. where's the problem? with the coach? or with the player? give me a TEAM of c2s and i'll kick butt on a group of premiers playing alone.
WDB does play premier players ahead of c2 and c1 players and thats WHY they are always one of the best teams in the State. Believe it or not the coaches there can get the premier players to play as a team.
If a HS soccer player decides to participate in spring sports, than they may elect not to play C1/premer due to the needed comitment of being on a high-level soccer club. Here's my question though; do you think the college scouts look at clubs more than they look at HS?
College coaches will only "drop" in at a high school game as a courtesy to a recruit. If your daughter wants to play in college, she had better be playing Premier, C-1 is probably not going to get her noticed, as a college coach cannot gauge a player playing at C-1. That said, C-1 may allow a player to play at a D-3 school, but not higher, unless it is a fluke.
11:21 - I agree with a lot of what you say, but I don't think you've completely nailed it. To my knowledge, AHA has one... ONE... Bangu/Thunder player on the team this year. Coach DM is part of the Thunder Academy but ONLY has the girls goalkeeper training and assistant with the Thunder themselves. I don't feel that there are as many AHA people on here as you think, but I do feel that anytime ANYONE says ANYTHING remotely positive about them its assumed they are parents. Has it ever occurred to anyone that there are currently 5 former AHA coaches who are now local college coaches? Yet when a poster on here identifies himself/herself as a college coach who supports AHA they are immediately charged with being a lying parent.
Regardless of how or why, it would seem OUR SCHOOL (AHA) does get disrespected a lot, the current state polls are all you need for evidence - I'm speaking specifically to the fact that #4 AHA beats #2 Orono and is still ranked behind them. There is no rationale for that other than people, coaches at other program included, don't like AHA.
I find it frustrating as our new coach (this is only his second year) has worked HARD to improve the reputation of the program. He doesn't run up stats against soft teams, he tries to schedule good competition - see Lakeville South last year, Jefferson this year, good AA schools - and he beats the girls over the head with sportsmanship and respect for other programs.
Last night when I spoke to him about this very topic and admitted to him I am a blogger (which he has encouraged us not to be) he was philosophical about the whole thing - "if people don't like you then you must be doing something right." Last year when he tried to keep us from posting on here he had a great line about blogs which I guess I should heed more instead of getting frustrated, "everybody is always right about everything and there is no accountability." I know he's right, but its still hurtful when people say "AHA is an average school academically and none of their kids could play DI." Some people care about those kids and that school, some people invest a lot of time, energy, and love into it.
AHA parent, disrespected is not a word, teach your child to be a proper user of the language. Nice school, average academics, good sports program for a small school. Great choice of school for an average ability student who could get lost in the shuffle of a large academically challenging program.
10:14 - please advise where we all might find these "large academically challenging programs" that you reference. I might suggest to you the old adage about "living in glass houses" as just about any school you reference will get critized.
It's obvious by your post that you are just looking for a reaction, therefore I attempted to keep mine fairly benign.
Agree 10;14 small school with good reputation but not generally considered top school in academics and sports program plays class A lower level. Excellent for freshman and sophomores wanting playing time and unable to find niche at larger more competitive AA schools. The additional cost certainly not worth the benefits if student/athlete can attend and compete at higher level AA school. Playing at this level and competing academically will require more adjusting when student goes to where most colleges are larger and athletics usually have background playing at larger completive schools in high school.
I am not 10:14, in answer, 800 kids in a class, 10% gifted and talentd = 80 students. Class of 400 10 % = 40 Bigger schools by their nature have the ability to offer more academically rigorous courses it is simply a numbers game. The choice to go to a private school is great, just don't confuse what you are getting. The poster who talks of the chance to play varsity earlier is correct too.
One of AHA more prominent student alum with soccer background flopped at big ten school and it didnt help she competed at this level for four years and played over 80 games instead of being challenged more at larger schools. Another Class A school has soccer alum at U of M whose career didnt measure up to recognition she received during high school , development is important at every level even high school seasons. Its who you play and practice with daily thats important.
10:58 - where you play HS soccer has little significance on one's college success/failure. Club is 80+% of the year and that is where colleges make their evaluations. Since it appears that you are in the know, ask MDW over at the U or any of the MIAC coaches what is important.
As a FYI, I read this blog fairly regularly and I've seen team and player critiques, but never recall seeing an entire school indictiment like I'm seeing now. Not sure what (or who) is driving this.
My daughter would be at AHA/Benilde if I, as a parent, could have justified the $40K and the driving distance. Would she be the student she is at either of these schools as she is at a very large suburban public school? Yes. Would she be the soccer player at AHA/Benilde that she is at the very large suburban public school? Yes. Her club coach/teammates are what matters for soccer, not her HS coach/teammates. Same for school, what matters is what she puts into it.
As for AHA, I believe the bashers are merely jealous their kids don't/can't go there. In addition, I know that the two best players at AHA would start on ANY AA school in the state, including Woodbury. My daughters HS team also has two players who could start on any other AA team in the state, no more, no less. I'll also say that NO AA school, other than WDB has more than 5-7 players who could start at their respective positions on any other team in the state in HS. Bottom line, WDB, Edina, EDP, the three best teams in the state are "carried" by a handful of very good players and the rest are merely "good" players well coached.
Doesnt matter A or AA depends on player. Club more important in development. As Junior and Senior at either size school very little development takes place in high school particularly if player elite premier player at smaller school. Also little improvement at U-18 club season more oriented to strength and conditioning at age group with less overall completion once student athlete decides which college they are going to. High school about fun and playing with friends. High school about 60 sessions of practice or games compared to 90 to 120 sessions during club season with generally better players to compete against.
What is the anti-AHA backlash? When we have played them, they have been courteous and respectful of the game. Their players and fans are far more respectful then a lot of the schoos out there.
For those who think high school soccer doesn't matter...Start reading collegiate soccer bios and media guides. They are FULL of high school accomplishments. While college coaches may not recruit on the basis of high school performance... They sure as heck don't mind promoting their players on the basis of high school honors etc. And it's interesting how many collegiate players hail from "small" parochial schools...
A form error would be to say "teach your child to be a proper user of the language" instead of 'teach your child the proper use of the language.'
But to post that would mean that I have disrespected the original writer for their English instead of engaging him/her in constructive conversation about a topic. Something we see much too much of on this blog.
having 2 kids out of high school, who had success in multiple sports, i only wish i'd put more emphasis on ACT preparation and saved some of the money for their tuitions...
AHA half way there to get 1# seed with 1-0 victory over Prior Lake. Victory over BSM should insure Angels rightfully get 1st seed in 3 section and tremendous home field advantage.
If the two teams haven't played each other then it should come down to common opponents. That would give the #1 seed to AHA without question if the decision makers are honest and fair. In seeding any sport or tournament head to head is first criterion and common opponents is second.
Wow, you AHA junkies are persistent. Is anyone even reading your posts but fellow AHA bloggers? No one really seems to disagree with you, so let it be. The coaches will figure out the seeds on Sunday, no worries. 4:12 - sounds like you got all the research down, maybe you should attend the seeding meeting instead of the AHA coach? I'm guessing Blake is happy to be doing as well as they are given the numbers they graduated last year. They just won a fairly competitive Tri-Metro conference and although they may not play as strong of a schedule as AHA, have not lost a single game. I'm sure they have their sights set high going into sections whether they get a #1 or #2 seed. I will be interested in seeing how they do against Hopkins on Saturday.
I must be missing something here when it comes to the Orono/AHA debate? Do seedings really matter?
If both are claiming to be so good, you will meet in the Section Championship-correct? Last time I checked, you do not win games because you are wearing your home whites. Would rather be the #2 seed with a Section Championship, than the top seed crying to their mothers.
For those with a short memory check last year's tournament seedings.Please stop with all of this nonsense, rankings/seedings mean nothing come tourney time!!
"AHA parent, disrespected is not a word, teach your child to be a proper user of the language. Nice school, average academics, good sports program for a small school. Great choice of school for an average ability student who could get lost in the shuffle of a large academically challenging program. 1/10/08 10:14 AM"
SORRY last year the only MN student to receive the highest ACT score possible was from AHA. Must have been the average academics. LOL. AHA is also the only school to win both Men's and Women's hockey state championships in the State of Hockey. Must be the average athletics. LOL. Of course then all we heard after that was that "you recruit". How is it that such an average school is able to recruit students if they are only average. LOLOLOLOLOL.
The large public schools are for the students (OK their parents) who can't make it at the small private schools.
No one ever said AHA wasn't a strong athletic school. Also, one fabulous ACT score doesn't make any school famous academically. Take a course in statistics. You AHA supporters better take it easy before you did yourself a bigger hole.
I love the "you AHA people are digging yourself a bigger hole".... apparently people on here are allowed to rip the school, the athletics, even the kids (see the post about how none of them could play DI), yet when someone defends them they are "digging a bigger hole."
Kinda funny nobody on the other side of that seeding argument has said a word since 4:12's post. And for those of you calling it an average academic school, you better post some comparative statistics on graduation rates, colleges, test scores, etc... otherwise shut up, because its clear you are spiteful morons.
If you don't like the AHA v Blake debate DON'T READ IT - nobody is holding a gun to your head forcing you to read it. Skip over it and read the little posts about your own world and get mad and fired up about those. I think its a great debate (except those who are trashing AHA academics and players) and it all makes for a great rivalry. I have no problems with either side.
Lets stop the "enough AHA v Blake" posts though, unless you are the moderator of this blog you have no right to tell people what they can or can't post on here about.
I have always found that the private schools tend to have a more passionate fan base. Not sure why but could be the notion that they get more involved both physically (volunteer work) and emotionally (avid fans) due to having to pay tuition. Nothing to base this on other than an opinion.
This whole AHA thing is one of the more amusing things that has hit this blog. The MTA against everyone else merry go round is the gold standard but this comes close.
Which AHA school are we talking about? The AHA in Kentucky or Minnesota. All these academic accolades certainly fit The Kentucky AHA, that one is top 50 Catholic H.S. in U.S. AHA Minnesota is not. Providence Academy in Plymouth only one to make list. An addition fact ...almost none but one of the public high schools in Minnesota is in top 100 in U.S. polled by Newsweek and that high school also has top ten athletic program polled by Sports Illust. AHA fine school and athletic program , fit just not right for everyone thru high school years.
Can't we just stick to soccer? Last time I checked this was the MN Futbol blog. For those interested I'm sure there is an academic blog out there where parents can expound upon the merits or demerits of a particular school.
The sectional seedings are this weekend. Any one have any predictions on who will get the top seeds in AA?
Back to section 3A quickly...Visitation lost to St. Croix Lutheran last night. Blake and AHA both look great and I lined the SPA game last night and they look so much better than a few weeks ago. I have worked 19 girls games this year, and last night's SPA performance was the best pure control soccer I have seen...best coached team maybe? I talked to one of their coaches and he commented that they were finally getting healthy as a squad. I am not sure if they have the big guns to beat AHA or Blake but Section 3A will be fun.
What are the rationales between either Edina or EP being the #1 seed in 2AA? A few common opponents and comparable strength of schedules. Is it flip a coin? Which conference has more teams in the section? Will that make a difference?
1,084 comments:
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Any news on Edina game?
edina 2 armstrong 0
anyone know moundsview/ white bear score?
OR Boomington Jeff/Eagan, and the mud demolition derby ratings for their beloved gooseback ditch field , along with any causality count.
armstrong's nd road the bench for all but 2 mins of the 1st half (team rules violation according to sources).
0-0 at half.
edina scored on a pk (tackle from behind in the box) and later on a solid cross for the put away in the 2nd.
edina's d is solid.
armstrong will have to beat wayzata for the 3rd time in a season to get out of sections. that 3rd win is always a very difficult task.
WBL - MV Cancelled
Rescheduled for Monday
Is Edina rotating keepers every 5 minutes to play all 12 of their varsity goalies, or is Cal Faulkner keeping everyone else on the bench
the 5 on the roster ($$$ in the bank) are splitting the varsity duty (some pieces are bigger than others, which is to be expected). the spread from 1-5 isn't very big. each have their strengths and weakness (singular).
are there any bidders out there?
I've seen all 5 play. 2 are obviously the weaker ones, less experienced. These two have played in most the Jv games. The top 3 played varsity last year- now a sophomore, a junior and a senior. The junior has only played 2 halves because of a personal issue, the sophomore has really stepped up and the senior was all conference and all tournament last year. The senior (CF) is the most skilled and the most experienced right now although she's had to share her time. Edina will have good goalies for a while.
The senior goalkeeper i've had the privilege to watch is solid in all phases of goal keeping, whether balls high or low, , footwork , split decision making, range and kicking, and most importantly in leadership and composure. As good keeper as the another keeper that went to Ivy League school Brown that older daughter played with that reached national club finals and was given golden glove award. Soph kicker has a cannon kick and could kick for boys football team. All five could start for any high school team here in minnesota.
7:37:
"All five could start for any high school team here in Minnesota." Get real, CF is very good, CS, the sophomore is solid, the other three wouldn't even start for MOST other GOOD AA schools. Whoever you are, you're dreaming. One of their keepers couldn't even make a Premier team. Armstrong has a keeper (1st time she has ever played keeper in her life) and she is better than all but CF and CF. Don't post such rubbish here until you get a clue, and get the Edina logo off your shirt.
Edina crap, you guys wonder why you're not liked. "We've got five keepers that could start for anyone". Does that include KL from Wayzata, AS from EDP?
EVHS 4 Lakeville North 0
7:37 is right
We played Edina twice this year and CF was in goal both times. I rank her as one of the top goalies in the state. Better than anyone we have seen play. We know folks on Edina and CS has made great strides this year. The 4th and 5th ones have issues.
Did Eagan/Jefferson game get rescheduled?
Jefferson 1-0
^^^ good game? Any recap?
good game, both teams controlled play at different times during the game and had their chances
A player from a large AA school that is a perennial state tourney entrant recently was allowed to score 6 goals in a 9-0 victory against a class A opponent with a 1-11 record. Will the outrage be commensurate with that which we would have seen were she from EAG or CI?
if it continues to happen on a consistent basis - then i would probably guess yes. one of the stereotypes with EAG is unlike CI (and Brainerd) is that I believe these are league games and out of the coaches/AD's scheduling control. doesn't make it right, but at least they have a bit of an excuse to fall back on. i think most "in the know" followers of high school girls soccer have a good handle on who's good, who's really good, and who are the best out there.
Which school allowed someone to score 6 goals in a 9 nil rout?
six goals should be the limit for any team, after that a game should be used for practice puroses
How 'bout the 9 run rule after 7 innings?
Some coaches really like the swell meal served at Excel Center in Oct. and dont want to miss it and not go if their team doesnt get to go to state tournament. They might even get to go in front of group and give speech if their player wins special award or is named to all state team.
Statistics posted in the Red Star and other websites are incomplete. Many coaches don't even submit the stats. There are quite a few players who have top notch stats that are not included.So don't get too excited about the numbers.
Northsider
College coaches who attend showcase tournaments are looking for complete players who have on the ball skills and who can make the players around them better.These type of players are hard to find. On the other hand bootballers are a dime a dozen.
2:26 is right. Whether it's showcases or regional ODP, complete players tend to rise to the top. You are also correct in that they are hard to find as there are not too many around here. Most folks who express opinions or make comments on the top level local players are doing so in the MN vacuum. Until you see how these top level players compete regionally or nationally you really do not know if they are really that good or not.
1:21
I have no idea what your post means?
disagree with 252 and 226 to some extent as many of our more successful players in the ODP system are "bootballers" as some put it and incapable of making their teammates better. We see that when they play with their teams in club or HS or at ODP events. Some players earn ODP stripes thru exhibiting ball skills, some by exhibiting athleticism and some by showing both. Some just have a great day when it counts and are fortunate. Many college coaches also attend showcases looking for great athletes and will accept modest technical ability to get them. Both types of players are in demand. Of course all coaches want great athletes with great ball skills. Not many of those around and none currently in MN.
Bravo 317 from reading some of these posts you would think being athletic was not important. It doesn't matter how technical you are if you are slow and weak on the ball and not good in the air.
i heard woodbury 6-0 over WBL
Any results on park Mounds view??
Eastview 2 Kennedy 0
Park 2 MV 1
Any early report on Lakeville South vs. EP?
EP 3 LVS 0
LVS scores three own goals, two off crazy deflections and one off a header
EP outplays LVS in first half
LVS out plays EP in second
EP 3 LS 0
EP is very good and deep.They don't really have a weakness.They are a pretty physical team. LS gave up two self goals and the third was off a defensive breakdown.EP is dangerous on the throw ins.They certainly deserve #1 ranking.
The only other top team that can give them a run for their money is Edina.
I would hate to be LVS girls on the bus ride home, the coach was really intense.
All three EP goals were scored off a LVS player, the last two coming off crazy deflections, the first on a long throw where a LVS player headed it into her own net
EP looked good
LVS also had two girls carted off, one with a huge cut over her eye the other got kicked in the troat
That is how Eagan plays against every team. RUFF!!!!
why would EP deserve the number one ranking and knock woodbury off if they lost to woodbury?
they did not lose to woodbury, they tied and lost in PK's, which in the regular season conts as a tie
Edina with a tie against wayazata.
Should be interesting to see the section seedings in this one? Who's number one, EP or Edina? What does the rest look like with Jefferson, Prior Lake, Minnetonka, Kennedy, Chaska and Shakopee?
1- EP
2-EDI
3-BJ
4-PL
5-MTKA
6-CH
7-BK
8-SHAK
1. EP (no more section games)
2. EdI (have to play tonka yet)
3. BJ (chaska yet to play)
4. PL (plays shakopee and chaska)
5. MTKA (Edina)
6. CH (BJ and PL)
7. BK (-)
8. SHAK (PL)
Should be interesting to see how #3-6 break down when all the dust settles. If Jefferson wins out, they secure #3. PL and Chaska play tuesday. The winner of that has a great argument for #4, with Tonka being a wild card.
What about the Park-Valley-Eagan section?
Tonka should not be higher than Chaska at this point in determining section seedings.
Valley will not be a factor, that section will come down to a Park-Eastview final. Of more interest is whether the coaches get the state seedings right this year. If you win a major conference (Lake, CL, Sub East) you should be seeded ahead of any team that finishes as runnerup or worse in those conferences. That would avoid a repeat of the fiasco from last year when the Lake runnerup was seeded ahead of the team that won the Lake and also the Classic Lake! Predictably the two conference champions met in the final while the runnerup went down in the first round. The cream rises to the top at playoff time anyway but still the seedings should be accurate so the best teams do not meet for as long as possible. The best teams are the ones that win their conferences.
11:56 - true as long as the conferences are equal (which I do not believe is an issue with Cl and Lake).
Not neccessarily. A runner up in the Lake Conference can easily be better than a champ in any other conference.
why ep over edina? ep tied armstrong and edina beat them twice. If edina wins their last three games- they probably will get first seed. also...take a look at schedules. ep had some nice down time when they played park center, rosemount, apple valley, bloomington kennedy burnsville and soon to come...lakeville north. edina has played classic lake teams along with mahtomedi, century and white bear. ep did get to play woodbury, and bj but overall it seemed like Edina had the tougher schedule.
I would put Edina 1, then EP.
1156 I will agree with you that a team that finishes ahead of another in conference play should never be seeded behind them at state or sections. Eastview ahead of LS and Edina last year was ridiculous as the state tourney results show. However there is a caveat that this is only if the conferences play a true round robin schedule. I don't believe the Sub East does that.
Northfield 2, Holy Angels 0
Is this accurate? If so, what happened?
How does this affect AHA's tough section 3A seeding?
Eastview was ranked over LS because they beat them in season play.
In early season play..before all the players positions were established and LS defense solidified. By the end of season LS and Edina truly belonged in championship game despite outside forces that placed them lower than either should have been.
Silliness.
Who was supposed to divine that the LS South defense had "solidified"? Subjective crap.
It would have been ridiculous to seed LS ahead of Eastview because Eastview beat them head to head and their record in the Lake was better. LS proved they were the best team at the end of the year by winning the state tourney. That doesn't mean they should have been seeded higher.
how do you put a conference champ below a 2nd place team? eastview did beat Ls but it was the first conference game. eastview wilted at the end, LS did not. it was absurd that Ls and Edina were seeded behind eastview last year
this year they seed the top 4 will be interesting
If a team in the same conference beats another they should be seeded higher. Just because a team is a conference champ it doesn't automatically mean they should be seeded above a conference runner-up ( or even 3rd placer). It depends on the conference.
That is ridiculous. If a team wins their conference title they should be seeded ahead of the second or third place team in that conference. Performance over the season is more important than one game where anything can happen. I believe Park beat Woodbury last year, so if Park had won their shootout with Eastview for section title should they have been the #1 seed at state ahead of WDB? Absolutely silly. Also the CLC was very strong last year, their conference champ should not have been seeded behind the Lake runnerup. Hope they get it fixed this year.
Eastview lost to Armstrong in first round after beating a very good Park team. It was a tough game for them because their coach was missing. It was a 1-0 game. Asst. Coach should have used fresh legs in OT but stayed with seniors. Tough decision but it is was it was. Head to head always tips the scale when ranking.
^^^ edit: it is what it was!!!
Dear Mr Crap, Looking at the goals scored and goals allowed LS improved dramatically after Eastville game. Injured defenders gradually improved defense and some players positions were switched. LS goal scoring average from previous year 06 and similar first 5 games 07 jumped .8 goals a game more and also goals allowed dropped from 1.2 goals allowed per game to .4 goals / game. They won conference and state by LS coach recognizing areas of improvement and MADE CHANGES. This was never recognized in seedings by same people that making their self-interest arguments again. Look at season total stats, they reveal more than bias from parents or coaches or single games won or loss.
I think it goes without saying that the order of finish within a conference should determine where teams within that conference are seeded at section or state. Head to head is only important if teams come from different conferences. The outcome of a single regular season game can be influenced by a variety of factors and doesn't give as good an indication of the quality of a team as a full season. I would differ in that whether you cannnot generalize that a conference champ from one conference should be seeded ahead of a non-champ from another. Depends on the conference strength, which of course gets very subjective. What happened last year should serve as a guide for getting it right this year.
Why does EP get to have so many more people in their school? We are a good team but if we had all the girls on the other side of town we would be amazing too!
11:36:
If you had as many students as EP, you would be cut. Be happy and now go get lost you immature inposter.
edina 3 wbl 2
LS 3 Eagan 0
FYI Park did NOT beat wdb last year in fact it has been quite a few years
With that being said,Park will be rated high in their section possible 1 or 2
With Eagan's loss to LS Lake Conference Champion will come down to EVHS and EP.
FYI 3:06
9/18/07 Park 3 Woodbury 0
Guess it hasn't been that long.
correction
LS 3 Eagan 1
WH should get control of his players and clean up their game.There is a difference between aggressive play and dirty play. Elbows,high kicks clutching and holding should not be a part of the game.
How did the Orono vs. AHA game end up? Thanks.
Leave it to the Wolf Pack fans to live in the past. They had one lucky night that happened to be an off night for Woodbury. Did they win the conference.... NO! Did they win the section..... NO! Big deal about the Woodbury game.
6:28 The referees should get control of players and clean up the game. If the ref doesn't call it it must be legal.
AHA beats Orono 2-1... in my mind that means AHA should without question be the #1 seed in section 3A - their only losses have been to AA schools, they and Blake tied, but in common opponents Blake tied SPA and Orono and AHA beat both.
Thing is, all AA schools aren't equal. Orono also beat Northfield, who AHA lost to this week. IMO, AHA still needs to finish strong to truly earn the #1 seed in section 3A.
11:12 (or Blake parent), true, but AHA also beat Northfield earlier. Come to think of it, could you rattle off one solid Blake victory this year???? Tied SPA (who AHA beat), tied Orono (who AHA beat). Please, please, could you just name one????
12:00 - First, I want to know what is the big deal about parents posting on this blog and making assumptions about them doing so? Secondly, I'm interested in your take of the game versus Orono. Who controlled possession? Scoring chances, quality of teams, etc? Anyone else want to provide an analysis. Third, is beating a team earlier in the season and losing to them later really a good thing? Lastly, although Blake doesn't play as many AA schools, give them some due credit for winning the Tri-Metro again this year without a loss. Sure, Blake isn't the same team as last year, but somehow their scores indicate they still know now to be competitive. Congrats to AHA on posting a nice W against Orono this evening.
12:00 - I made the 11:12 post, and I'm an Orono contingent, nice guess though. Now that I've seen both Blake and AHA, I'm just glad we are in another section.
Here is the thing...
AHA can post quality wins against Northfield, Minnehaha, SPA, Orono, they drew with Blake.
Blake posts quality wins again... ???? ... I'll give them Vis, Vis is really good this year.
Common opponents:
Blake 0 AHA 0
Blake 1 SPA 1
Blake 1 Orono 1
Blake 2 Minnehaha 1
now for the AHA version
AHA 0 Blake 0
AHA 1 SPA 0
AHA 2 Orono 1
AHA 4 Minnehaha 1
as for last nights game... AHA outshot Orono and except for a good push in the last 5 of the first half and first 5 of the second, Orono really didn't test AHA's goalkeeper (one nice save on a free kick). Orono's goal comes of a deserved but fluky PK with 2 minutes left in the first half.
AHA was better on the night, maybe on a different night its a different story, but Orono never looked capable of winning that game last night.
it'd be wrong to seed Blake above AHA, sorry.
Possibly Blake didn't do themselves a favor by not beating SPA, and getting more separation from Minnehaha? However, in both matches Blake clearly dominated play. Congratulations to AHA for notching a victory against Orono last night. Regardless of who gets what seed in section 3A, all four major contenders (Vis, AHA, SPA, and Blake) should make it a fun to watch.
AGREE that AHA should get 1st seed in 3A but only if they beat Prior Lake 8-5-2 and BSM 9-2-1. A team that has unbeaten record should never ever be seeded below a team that has lost 4 games no matter how many AA school loses. Afraid someone been sniffing the gas from balloons one to many times and affected his scorekeeping and timing.
8:02 - IMO your comment is very flawed and you only have to look at how the better record out state schools get seeded at the state tournament versus the metro teams. Please name one example in any sport where an undefeated team with no quality wins has ever been seeded above a team that plays a tougher schedule and has a clear advantage in the head-to-head games.
As many posters have already asked....please name the one, big signature win this year by Blake?
Check the scoreboard again. Although AHA has more stars on team, no poorly timed pun intended, Blake defense is better and allowed less goals during season and not been smoked 2-0 ,3-0 ,2-0 . Defense wins games in post season, Blakes 1 seed and AHA truly deserves 1 seed if their defense holds up against Prior Lake and very good BSM team. Besides larger issue is who DESERVES AND has better chance of beating Mahtomedi and stopping their all state forward, Blake better chance of pulling off upset. AHA stars are floating up front not back on defense.
Check the scoreboard again. Although AHA has more stars on team, no poorly timed pun intended, Blake defense is better and allowed less goals during season and not been smoked 2-0 ,3-0 ,2-0 . Defense wins games in post season, Blakes 1 seed and AHA truly deserves 1 seed if their defense holds up against Prior Lake and very good BSM team. Besides larger issue is who DESERVES AND has better chance of beating Mahtomedi and stopping their all state forward, Blake better chance of pulling off upset. AHA stars are floating up front not back on defense.
9:13 - If Blake is so good then why couldn't they beat SPA and Orono (funny, AHA gave up fewer combined goals to those two teams - so much for your whole defense theory). Also, we are happy they could shut out Concordia, St. Bernards, MPA, St. Croix Lutheran, etc....
Lastly, help us all understand your whole "DESERVES" line of thinking.
......still waiting for someone to alert the media about the one signature Blake victory this fall....
Any conjecture on how Blake would do in the Missota or how AHA would do in the Tri-Metro?
Surprised and wonder why AHA in charge coach allowing this rambling to go on. Certainly doesnt help their team. Is it more important for one hotshot parent to be right or give the other team motivation to beat them. Same thing happened last year on and on about AHA and look no conference champs, no section champs, PARENT SHOULD SHUT UP AND THINK ABOUT THE TEAM AND LET THE PLAYERS AND COACHES DECIDE Who gets what. Afraid this meddling not just confined to high school soccer. Unless you decide what the players and coaches are allowed to do, scary thought.
Hope and pray that person running the clock at AHA vs Orono game, that had to be warned twice to put time back on clock giving AHA an unfair advantage is not same avid AHA backer. This might imply why so much discussion on why AHA should get number 1 seed and play all games there. DONT WANT any discussion on how this all not interrelated and could possibly explain further missing items at AHA in the past.
Blake would do fine in the Missota, a small conference which has three competitive teams (AHA,Prior Lake, and Northfield), one average team (Farmington), and two uncompetitive teams (Red Wing and Shakopee). AHA is the only competitive team that will have a chance in State, because Northfield and Prior Lake are not going to do anything in Class AA.
The Tri-Metro has four competitive teams (Blake, Vis, Breck, SPA), four average teams (Minnehaha, St. Croix Lutheran,DelaSalle,Concordia)
and three uncompetitive teams (St. Agnes, St. Bernards, and MPA).
Blake, AHA, Northfield, and Prior Lake are at a similar level. I would put Vis there as well since their offense kicked in (pun intended).
The Missota plays a home/home schedule, so AHA gets 4 competitive games, similar to Blake.
The bottom line is the only way to make a comparision is with "like" opponents.
Blake would struggle against Northfield (esp. at Northfield). Size, speed, and aggressiveness that the Northfield team plays with on their large, home pitch...is truly, truly tough....and AHA discovers that every year.
11:51 - Nice job justifying the loss.
Intriguing post 11:53 as I have no role with any of the teams involved and no need to justify. Get down to Northfield (which I had to do because I am an Assistant with a MIAC women's program) and see how well that team plays at home. They are fast and physical and their huge home field is such an advantage for them. Blake is well coached, well organized but they play teams that do play the way they like to play (organized, passing etc.)---a very pretty game. Nobody on Blake's schedule plays the style that Northfield plays (fast--they have 5 AA Track and Field State Finalists, physical--they average 4 or 5 yellows a game) and while their style is not pretty, it is scary for the small private schools. So do not read too much into AHA splitting with Northfield. I imagine they learned more in that type of result against that type of team, than Blake does tying or beating a team that plays a comfortable, similar style. Last year, Blake was beat by a Sartell-St. Stephen squad that played blue collar, ugly, fast and physical soccer. This year, LaCrescent and Hermantown are two teams that could show up at the Class A state tourney and provide problems....they are fast, physical and they work hard...and they beat people 1v1. We tend to find nice collegiate players from these programs (Northfield currently has players playing DI and quite a few racking up honors at DIII because of their athleticsim). Obviously Blake has players that go on and play, but do not get caught up thinking you understand a team like Northfield until you get down to their place and see them play.
12:23 - Nice post that contains some good information. Have you seen Blake play this year? I think they are equally as physical as last year, but lack the same foot speed. How long has Northfield been a AA school? For some reason I remember them being an A school not too long ago, but I could be wrong.
BLAKE 1-0 over AHA. SAME as last year. Thats if they play at Blake and not on pool table top turf at Holy Smoked with scoreboard timer that wants to decide outcome of game.
Section 3A will be fun...Vis is quite good! If they are the #3 seed I could see them upsetting the #2 seed. Also, saw SPA the other day, wow, they looked much better than they did 2 weeks ago. They seem to have improved. Minnehaha seems to be tailing off. AHA and Blake still the class.
I agree. SPA, AHA, Blake, and Vis all have a shot in section 3A. AHA will be tough on their home turf. If Blake can get back to the section finals again, my prediction is that they find a way to get the job done.
Northfield used to be A and has now gone up to AA (2 years ago). There enrollment has increased but they are one of the smallest AA schools (their boys still play A actually). The MSHSL figures out enrollment a bit oddly. They count each kid that is on free and reduced lunch program as being 3/5 of a person thus some Minneapolis schools dropped from AA to A two years ago even though the raw number count shows they should be AA.
Blake is an excellent team but I would not put them anywhere near the type of physical that a Northfield or other AA teams can play.
I agree with the earlier post... for AHA to be the #1 seed they should have to beat Prior Lake (AA school) and Benilde (not in their section)... they should also have to jump through a flaming hoop, swallow a sword, I don't know... invent a car that runs on good feelings.
Get real - common opponents is what it is about - AHA beat SPA, Blake couldn't, AHA beat Orono, Blake couldn't.
Let me turn it around for you, for BLAKE to be the top seed they should have to beat... errrrrr.... maybe first they should schedule someone. And as for this Northfield talk... above posters point to schools like SPA as quality wins for Blake and reasons why the Tri Metro is as good as the Missota - didn't Northfield bust SPA up pretty good this year?
8:17 - It will be interesting to see how Blake does against Hopkins next Saturday. Hopkins has been competitive in almost every game this year, including games against very solid AA teams.
The chitter chatter about AHA and Blake this year is a mirror image of the talk this time last season. I'm not a Blake or AHA fan, so hear me out, and I'm not interested in talking about who gets what seed. Sure, Blake doesn't play AHA's schedule, not a big issue for me. Fact is, they got into state last year and pulled off what I would call a huge upset against Mahtomedi in the semis and lost a heartbreaker in the final. Blake might not be as naturally talented as some teams, including those they played in state last year, but they somehow make up for it. IMO, regardless of how their team this year compares to that of last year, a win against AHA in sections this year would not be as surprising as their victory against Mahtomedi in state last year. Somehow, the Blake girls find ways to win, hands down. A team doesn't have to dominate a game to win it. The best team doesn't always win, rather the team that plays the best, and Blake seems to have this figured out. They may have to find more creative and difficult ways to achieve similar success this year, but I wouldn't put it past them. Good luck to all the quality squads as they battle for the section 3A crown.
Can we talk about something other than single A soccer, please?
last year... doesn't have anything to do... with this year...
"Somehow Blake finds a way to win" - to paraphrase above... not this year, this year they find a way to tie. Also, I wouldn't classify Blakes win against Mahtomedi an upset, considering they held the #1 spot in the coaches poll pretty much all year last year, if take the coaches and count them as educated we could say the only upset was Totino beating them in the final.
look, I respect the above post, but I disagree, a programs history should have nothing to do with seeding or ranking, the only thing that should matter are results. This year Blake has been good, but just good enough to tie in just about every game thats really mattered.
9:42 - Obviously you have nothing to offer
9:46 - Think again............tradition
9:49: I kindly disagree. Although Blake earned a stronger seed in state last year, Mahtomedi was still the team to beat. I don't think many informed coaches and fans would disagree. You're right, Blake has tied some decent teams this year. Possibly they are storing up their big W for sections? Lastly, the post from 9:18 said absolutely nothing about how the strong history at Blake should impact seeding this year. In fact, he/she clearly stated that seeding was not of interest. Lets get over the section 3A seeding debate and let the coaches decide at the meeting.
I watched SPA play a couple of games, they are an average team but won't go any farther. Blake, Breck and Vis are the teams to beat in the this group.
Breck played Blake very tough last week. However, they are not in section 3A. I believe Breck will have to deal with Orono in a section. Blake has earned another Tri-Metro championship, but there is a log jam (Breck, SPA, Vis, Concordia, Minnehaha, St. Croix) for the spots behind them.
TRADITION SHOULD NOT EFFECT SEEDING!!!!!!!! And if everyone new Mahtomedi was the team to beat, including coaches according to you, why weren't they #1 in the COACHES POLL??? Your logic is counter intuitive
I saw where someone asked how Blake would have done in the Missota. I guess a better question would have been how would AHA have done in the Tri-Metro?
I don't believe anyone suggested that a program's tradition should affect seeding. Take time to read the posts.
NEW POLLS ARE OUT FOR YOUR BLOGGING ENTERTAINMENT:
CLASS AA
1 (1) Woodbury (12-0)
2 (3) Eden Prairie (10-0)
3 (2) Edina (12-0)
4 (4) Eastview (14-1)
5 (7) Bloomington Jefferson (13-3)
6 (8) Wayzata (9-3)
7 (9) Robbinsdale Armstrong (8-4)
8 (5) Rochester Century (10-2)
9 (NR) Park of Cottage Grove (10-2)
10 (NR) Coon Rapids (12-3)
CLASS A
1 (NR) Mahtomedi (12-2)
2 (NR) Blake (11-0)
3 (NR) Orono (12-2)
4 (NR) Holy Angels (10-3)
5 (NR) Benilde-St. Margaret's (9-2)
6 (NR) Simley (10-3)
7 (NR) La Crescent (14-2)
8 (NR) Visitation (9-2)
9 (NR) Breck (10-3)
10 (NR) Rochester Lourdes (8-4)
tradition should have absolutely no impact on seeding whether in the state tourney or at the section level. we already see how "image" and "reputation" play a roll in the polls. a team should be valued on the present year only, never the past.
sooooo.... AHA beats #2 Orono, on Saturday... and they are ranked behind them AND Blake.
wow, thats really... really disrespectful
seeding is a cat & mouse game between the coaches in the room. no matter how much you politic here, they will try to grease their own way to the finals.
AND, those voting in the polls still have it wrong!
I'm fine with Blake being ahead of AHA, head to head they tied and Blake can still boast "undefeated," but for Orono to be ranked over AHA right now in class A, that IS really disrespectful. I don't care how you feel about them.
yes they are 10-3, but they haven't lost or tied another class A team all season.
wow.
The Orono-Holy Angels game was Saturday night and frankly I'm not sure how close of attention all the coaches pay when they fill out their voting ballets. Keep in mind that most Class A schools are out state and the way this poll works is the sum of all the voters.
Polls aren't perfect. Not sure how many coaches noted the AHA/Orono score...or more dreadfully how many noted the Breck 0-0 draw with Trinity. That should have knocked the Breck team out of the polls.
How do you think Armstrong feels, they've beaten Wayzata twice and are still ranked below them....
yeah, I gotta say, the AHA v Orono thing is really disrespectful, and the Armstrong v Wayzata thing is an even more extreme example.
I am not an AHA coach, player, or fan, but there is definitely an anti AHA sentiment out there. I am at a lot of the better class A games because at my school we need to recruit those good private school kids because they often fit our profile, high academics, usually a shade under the DI level in ability. AHA seems to be a school others like to hate, maybe this started with the MC era over there.
I've watched them all, and I was at the game Saturday night (recruiting a few Orono kids and one AHA kid) and honestly, they are in this one coaches view the second best class A in the state behind Mahtomedi.
All these coaches are doing is giving AHA some very good motivation, and thats not a team I would want to motivate any more.
Coach, They are a shade under D1? Are you kidding? Thy got trounced by PL (weak AA team) and Jefferson fair to good AA tem. They lost to NF. Those three teams have very few D1 players on them. If they were really a shade under D1 they wouldn't be getting beaten by these teams especially by the score. Academically, AHA is a very average school(relatives and friends I know that have gone or are going there).
I think 11:05 pretty much confirmed the coaches comments (10:51) regarding anti-AHA sentiments. I'm surprised that 11:05 didn't throw in that he/she thought that they also weren't very attractive physcially and that their clothes weren't very fashionable.....
1051 is not a coach. Maybe a parent who stayed at Holiday Inn Express.
11:35 - he is a coach, a MIAC coach, and a good one to.
11:05 - before you run your mouth maybe you out to consider some of those AHA kids are already committed to DI schools, on scholarship. Also, for the record, you're an a**. It takes a lot of courage to rip a school and a bunch of kids anonymously on a web site. well done sir.
1143 then who is it?
Wow...quite the AHA discussion. They do have a national pool player, a committed D1 player, and a bunch of fine athletes who can play in college. They have an excellent program.
Section seedings are less than a week ago (I believe they are next Sunday). How are all the sections shaking up (and please no Class A, Section 3 comments - I believe just about everythings been said that can be said).
Class A
Section 4
Mahtomedi the favorite and will most likely play a very good Simley squad
Section 5
St. Michael-Albertville, Rogers seem to be at the top, but watch out for TG as a spoiler
Section 6
Orono should be the favorite with BSM right behind and then Breck
Don't know much about the out state schools other than La Crescent (Section 1), Hermantown (Section 7), Cloquet (Section 7), and Rochester Lourdes (Section 1) seem to be strong.
101, Lets be serious, There are no programs in High school. Teams and school's success is based on the areas youth program and any affilaitions or clubs in the area. It's the training the kids get before high school that makes the team. High school coaches are only as good as the kids that go to there school. They don't spend enough time with them to make a real big difference. Woodbury has good teams because of their youth program and the clubs in the area. Mahtomedi has had success in the past due to the youth program.
Do you mean to tell me 3:45 that the reason that the same programs are always at the top of the rankings is not because of the coaches and the programs that they have put together?? (heavy sarcasm in that post if you could not tell.....). Edina is also usually strong, but their players are scattered all over the metro's tp youth premier+ teams.
3:45 is completely accurate. WDB, EP, WAYZ, CR, etc... are not only large schools but also have strong (and large) youth programs. At a few of the schools (EP & WAYZ) the high school coach is also the DOC for the local club which results in even greater continuity of training and style.
I definitely agree with the above posts that summer club soccer is critical to the development of high school players. However, I don't agree with the view that high school coaches essentially don't make a difference. My daughter played her best soccer by far for her high school coach. That coach brought so many valuable things to the table that her coach during the summer could not, although they both were very skilled and tactically sound coaches. And, I have seen highly talented high school teams destroyed by the inability of their coaches to bring them together as a cohesive unit. There is a lot more to being a great coach than skill development. Until you have been a coach yourself and experience it firsthand, you can't appreciate the intangible factors that great coaches bring to the table. Many of the best high school coaches I've known are also involved in their schools as teachers. Yes, great high school coaches also need to develop skills, but what makes them great is SO much more (mentorship, friendship, motivation, etc.) than that.
As a player, I have developed almost all my skills during summer club season. The practices are more technical and skill oriented rather than focusing on possession, set plays, and how to organize the offense and defense. There is also a lot more fitness work during club season. I feel like I've almost gotten out of shape playing high school soccer.
8:48- I cannot argue the point that hs coaches are not influential because right now, my coach does absolutely nothing to help the team or me. I am sure that there are several coaches that have really impacted players' lives and the way they see the game.
AHA gets bashed becasue a few of their crazy parents proabably make up three quarters of this blog and are entrencehd in the Bangu/Thunder Academy megalomania that runs rampant through this state. on the whole AHA parents are a classy bunch but a few bad apples does ruin this bunch. they feel like the soccer world revolves arround them and their precious Bangu/thunder teams. need proof, someone brings up MC who had one good year at AHA when they won the A championship and had to leave AHA in disgrace.
11:21 - thanks for piling on...classy.
I have seen some high school coaches that simply do not know how to coach any level higher than C1 soccer. Their teams are made up of playres with all levels of experience and they do not have the coaching skills to get the players together as a team. It's hard to tell who suffers more in that situation, the more talanted kids or the less talanted kids.
Coaching all different levels of experience at many different ages must be extremely complicated and difficult (personally I think we should pat on the back every coach out there who even attempts it). I can see why the most common and frankly most effective styles rely less on technical skills, but more on a simpler, more direct approach which relies more on athleticism.
Coaching does make a difference at the HS level, good or bad. When you have a varsity coach in the sec playing c2 players instead of premier players it does make you wonder.
just because you're on a premier team, doesn't make you a good. or a team player.
i've had 'premier' players who wouldn't pass the ball to non-premier players for an entire season.
where's the problem? with the coach? or with the player?
give me a TEAM of c2s and i'll kick butt on a group of premiers playing alone.
In girls HS, oftentimes an athletic C2 player is more valuable than a very skilled, but maybe not as atheletic premier player.
WDB does play premier players ahead of c2 and c1 players and thats WHY they are always one of the best teams in the State. Believe it or not the coaches there can get the premier players to play as a team.
If a HS soccer player decides to participate in spring sports, than they may elect not to play C1/premer due to the needed comitment of being on a high-level soccer club. Here's my question though; do you think the college scouts look at clubs more than they look at HS?
College coaches will only "drop" in at a high school game as a courtesy to a recruit. If your daughter wants to play in college, she had better be playing Premier, C-1 is probably not going to get her noticed, as a college coach cannot gauge a player playing at C-1. That said, C-1 may allow a player to play at a D-3 school, but not higher, unless it is a fluke.
2:35:
Give me C-2 players, and I'll kick butt out of Premier players. What planet are you from?
830, Kids get noticed via there Clubs by far.
hastings 0 - Woodbury 5
846(a)... can i get fries with my order?
11:21 - I agree with a lot of what you say, but I don't think you've completely nailed it. To my knowledge, AHA has one... ONE... Bangu/Thunder player on the team this year. Coach DM is part of the Thunder Academy but ONLY has the girls goalkeeper training and assistant with the Thunder themselves. I don't feel that there are as many AHA people on here as you think, but I do feel that anytime ANYONE says ANYTHING remotely positive about them its assumed they are parents. Has it ever occurred to anyone that there are currently 5 former AHA coaches who are now local college coaches? Yet when a poster on here identifies himself/herself as a college coach who supports AHA they are immediately charged with being a lying parent.
Regardless of how or why, it would seem OUR SCHOOL (AHA) does get disrespected a lot, the current state polls are all you need for evidence - I'm speaking specifically to the fact that #4 AHA beats #2 Orono and is still ranked behind them. There is no rationale for that other than people, coaches at other program included, don't like AHA.
I find it frustrating as our new coach (this is only his second year) has worked HARD to improve the reputation of the program. He doesn't run up stats against soft teams, he tries to schedule good competition - see Lakeville South last year, Jefferson this year, good AA schools - and he beats the girls over the head with sportsmanship and respect for other programs.
Last night when I spoke to him about this very topic and admitted to him I am a blogger (which he has encouraged us not to be) he was philosophical about the whole thing - "if people don't like you then you must be doing something right." Last year when he tried to keep us from posting on here he had a great line about blogs which I guess I should heed more instead of getting frustrated, "everybody is always right about everything and there is no accountability." I know he's right, but its still hurtful when people say "AHA is an average school academically and none of their kids could play DI." Some people care about those kids and that school, some people invest a lot of time, energy, and love into it.
Last week of the regular season. Any big games out there with major consequences on league titles and/or sectional seedings?
AHA parent, disrespected is not a word, teach your child to be a proper user of the language. Nice school, average academics, good sports program for a small school. Great choice of school for an average ability student who could get lost in the shuffle of a large academically challenging program.
10:14 - please advise where we all might find these "large academically challenging programs" that you reference. I might suggest to you the old adage about "living in glass houses" as just about any school you reference will get critized.
It's obvious by your post that you are just looking for a reaction, therefore I attempted to keep mine fairly benign.
Agree 10;14 small school with good reputation but not generally considered top school in academics and sports program plays class A lower level. Excellent for freshman and sophomores wanting playing time and unable to find niche at larger more competitive AA schools. The additional cost certainly not worth the benefits if student/athlete can attend and compete at higher level AA school. Playing at this level and competing academically will require more adjusting when student goes to where most colleges are larger and athletics usually have background playing at larger completive schools in high school.
I am not 10:14, in answer, 800 kids in a class, 10% gifted and talentd = 80 students. Class of 400 10 % = 40 Bigger schools by their nature have the ability to offer more academically rigorous courses it is simply a numbers game. The choice to go to a private school is great, just don't confuse what you are getting. The poster who talks of the chance to play varsity earlier is correct too.
One of AHA more prominent student alum with soccer background flopped at big ten school and it didnt help she competed at this level for four years and played over 80 games instead of being challenged more at larger schools. Another Class A school has soccer alum at U of M whose career didnt measure up to recognition she received during high school , development is important at every level even high school seasons. Its who you play and practice with daily thats important.
10:58 - where you play HS soccer has little significance on one's college success/failure. Club is 80+% of the year and that is where colleges make their evaluations. Since it appears that you are in the know, ask MDW over at the U or any of the MIAC coaches what is important.
As a FYI, I read this blog fairly regularly and I've seen team and player critiques, but never recall seeing an entire school indictiment like I'm seeing now. Not sure what (or who) is driving this.
My daughter would be at AHA/Benilde if I, as a parent, could have justified the $40K and the driving distance. Would she be the student she is at either of these schools as she is at a very large suburban public school? Yes. Would she be the soccer player at AHA/Benilde that she is at the very large suburban public school? Yes. Her club coach/teammates are what matters for soccer, not her HS coach/teammates. Same for school, what matters is what she puts into it.
As for AHA, I believe the bashers are merely jealous their kids don't/can't go there. In addition, I know that the two best players at AHA would start on ANY AA school in the state, including Woodbury. My daughters HS team also has two players who could start on any other AA team in the state, no more, no less. I'll also say that NO AA school, other than WDB has more than 5-7 players who could start at their respective positions on any other team in the state in HS. Bottom line, WDB, Edina, EDP, the three best teams in the state are "carried" by a handful of very good players and the rest are merely "good" players well coached.
Back to good games this week...where at and who is playing???
Doesnt matter A or AA depends on player. Club more important in development. As Junior and Senior at either size school very little development takes place in high school particularly if player elite premier player at smaller school. Also little improvement at U-18 club season more oriented to strength and conditioning at age group with less overall completion once student athlete decides which college they are going to. High school about fun and playing with friends. High school about 60 sessions of practice or games compared to 90 to 120 sessions during club season with generally better players to compete against.
Thank you caveman. You possess the grammar skills of a chimpanzee.
What is the anti-AHA backlash? When we have played them, they have been courteous and respectful of the game. Their players and fans are far more respectful then a lot of the schoos out there.
is that you shekki?
11:57---Did you attend AHA?
I just got it...... good one.
For those who think high school soccer doesn't matter...Start reading collegiate soccer bios and media guides. They are FULL of high school accomplishments. While college coaches may not recruit on the basis of high school performance... They sure as heck don't mind promoting their players on the basis of high school honors etc. And it's interesting how many collegiate players hail from "small" parochial schools...
10:14
transitve verb: dis·re·spect·ed, dis·re·spect·ing, dis·re·spects
To show a lack of respect for: disrespected her elders; disrespected the law.
Sounds like some of the comments on this blog reagrding the actions, motives, and opinions of others.
form in which it was used was improper.
A form error would be to say "teach your child to be a proper user of the language" instead of 'teach your child the proper use of the language.'
But to post that would mean that I have disrespected the original writer for their English instead of engaging him/her in constructive conversation about a topic. Something we see much too much of on this blog.
high school merits are pretty easy to grab if you are a above average club player...
an*** above average.....I'm so sorry
having 2 kids out of high school, who had success in multiple sports, i only wish i'd put more emphasis on ACT preparation and saved some of the money for their tuitions...
soccer is fun...not life.
AHA half way there to get 1# seed with 1-0 victory over Prior Lake. Victory over BSM should insure Angels rightfully get 1st seed in 3 section and tremendous home field advantage.
Just to throw some gas on the fire in 3A:
Record:
Blake 12-0-3
AHA 12-3-1
Opponent Record:
Blake 109-108-14
AHA 136-95-22
# of AA Opponents:
Blake 3
AHA 9
AA Opponent Record:
Blake 17-22-2 (.439)
AHA 69-51-14 (.567)
Record vs AA Opponents:
Blake 3-0-0
AHA 6-3-0
# of A Opponents:
Blake 14
AHA 9
A Opponent Record:
Blake 112-89-13 (.554)
AHA 79-44-11 (.631)
Record vs A Opponents
Blake 9-0-3
AHA 7-0-1 (Benilde on Saturday)
Record vs Common Opponents:
Blake 1-0-2
AHA 3-0-0
You tell me who has earned the #1 seed in 3A? Those are facts, not opinions
wow, forget all the class A vs AA stuff... one thing jumps out at me;
AHA opponents 41 games above 500... Blake opponents, 1 game above 500.
STRENGTH........OF..............SCHEDULE
If the two teams haven't played each other then it should come down to common opponents. That would give the #1 seed to AHA without question if the decision makers are honest and fair. In seeding any sport or tournament head to head is first criterion and common opponents is second.
Lakeville No. loses to Eden Prairie, 6-0
LS 4 RSMNT 1
WBL 6
Stillwater 0
EVHS 4 Eagan 0
Wow, you AHA junkies are persistent. Is anyone even reading your posts but fellow AHA bloggers? No one really seems to disagree with you, so let it be. The coaches will figure out the seeds on Sunday, no worries. 4:12 - sounds like you got all the research down, maybe you should attend the seeding meeting instead of the AHA coach? I'm guessing Blake is happy to be doing as well as they are given the numbers they graduated last year. They just won a fairly competitive Tri-Metro conference and although they may not play as strong of a schedule as AHA, have not lost a single game. I'm sure they have their sights set high going into sections whether they get a #1 or #2 seed. I will be interested in seeing how they do against Hopkins on Saturday.
"That is why they play the game."
I must be missing something here when it comes to the Orono/AHA debate? Do seedings really matter?
If both are claiming to be so good, you will meet in the Section Championship-correct? Last time I checked, you do not win games because you are wearing your home whites. Would rather be the #2 seed with a Section Championship, than the top seed crying to their mothers.
For those with a short memory check last year's tournament seedings.Please stop with all of this nonsense, rankings/seedings mean nothing come tourney time!!
EP vs EVHS for Lake Conf title on Sat.
no more AHA talk.
edina 4 mtka 0
ep or edina as first seed in the section?
"AHA parent, disrespected is not a word, teach your child to be a proper user of the language. Nice school, average academics, good sports program for a small school. Great choice of school for an average ability student who could get lost in the shuffle of a large academically challenging program.
1/10/08 10:14 AM"
SORRY last year the only MN student to receive the highest ACT score possible was from AHA. Must have been the average academics. LOL. AHA is also the only school to win both Men's and Women's hockey state championships in the State of Hockey. Must be the average athletics. LOL. Of course then all we heard after that was that "you recruit". How is it that such an average school is able to recruit students if they are only average. LOLOLOLOLOL.
The large public schools are for the students (OK their parents) who can't make it at the small private schools.
No one ever said AHA wasn't a strong athletic school. Also, one fabulous ACT score doesn't make any school famous academically. Take a course in statistics. You AHA supporters better take it easy before you did yourself a bigger hole.
AHA is single A. Who cares?
7:24 - Very nice of you to publicly announce that single A schools shouldn't get any recognition. Jerk!
I love the "you AHA people are digging yourself a bigger hole".... apparently people on here are allowed to rip the school, the athletics, even the kids (see the post about how none of them could play DI), yet when someone defends them they are "digging a bigger hole."
Kinda funny nobody on the other side of that seeding argument has said a word since 4:12's post. And for those of you calling it an average academic school, you better post some comparative statistics on graduation rates, colleges, test scores, etc... otherwise shut up, because its clear you are spiteful morons.
If you don't like the AHA v Blake debate DON'T READ IT - nobody is holding a gun to your head forcing you to read it. Skip over it and read the little posts about your own world and get mad and fired up about those. I think its a great debate (except those who are trashing AHA academics and players) and it all makes for a great rivalry. I have no problems with either side.
Lets stop the "enough AHA v Blake" posts though, unless you are the moderator of this blog you have no right to tell people what they can or can't post on here about.
I have always found that the private schools tend to have a more passionate fan base. Not sure why but could be the notion that they get more involved both physically (volunteer work) and emotionally (avid fans) due to having to pay tuition. Nothing to base this on other than an opinion.
This whole AHA thing is one of the more amusing things that has hit this blog. The MTA against everyone else merry go round is the gold standard but this comes close.
Which AHA school are we talking about? The AHA in Kentucky or Minnesota. All these academic accolades certainly fit The Kentucky AHA, that one is top 50 Catholic H.S. in U.S. AHA Minnesota is not. Providence Academy in Plymouth only one to make list. An addition fact ...almost none but one of the public high schools in Minnesota is in top 100 in U.S. polled by Newsweek and that high school also has top ten athletic program polled by Sports Illust. AHA fine school and athletic program , fit just not right for everyone thru high school years.
Can't we just stick to soccer? Last time I checked this was the MN Futbol blog. For those interested I'm sure there is an academic blog out there where parents can expound upon the merits or demerits of a particular school.
The sectional seedings are this weekend. Any one have any predictions on who will get the top seeds in AA?
section 2AA...top four are pretty much set:
1. Edina
2. EP
3. Jefferson
4. Prior Lake
5,6,7...might as well draw names out of a hat. Chaska, Tonka and Kennedy
8. Shakopee
5-6-7...interesting to look at overall conference records
AA Section seeds:
1 - Rochester Century
2 - Eden Prairie
3 - Eastview
4 - Woodbury
5 - Mounds View
6 - Armstrong
7 - Coon Rapids
8 - Brainerd
Back to section 3A quickly...Visitation lost to St. Croix Lutheran last night. Blake and AHA both look great and I lined the SPA game last night and they look so much better than a few weeks ago. I have worked 19 girls games this year, and last night's SPA performance was the best pure control soccer I have seen...best coached team maybe? I talked to one of their coaches and he commented that they were finally getting healthy as a squad. I am not sure if they have the big guns to beat AHA or Blake but Section 3A will be fun.
What are the rationales between either Edina or EP being the #1 seed in 2AA? A few common opponents and comparable strength of schedules. Is it flip a coin? Which conference has more teams in the section? Will that make a difference?
10:56 - I wouldn't read too much into a 2-0 win over a 5-9-2 DeLaSalle team.
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