Chris R
08-12-2011, 06:46 PM
This was a good litmus test to kind of see where each team was. Both were just a cpl spots apart in the Top Drawer Soccer rankings so it looked like an even battle on paper.
Michigan had the better run of play in the fist 15-20 minutes, but never put a shot on goal. They tried the long ball and were caught offside many times. They had a big physical striker up front, but she was not quite as skilled as she looked. Big and tough, but not as polished as I would have imagined. Michigan had a cpl golden chances in front of the box, but one was put over the crossbar and another barfed entirely. One of them should have probably resulted in a goal.
The last 10-15 minutes of the first half were better for Dayton and they began to knock the ball around. But UD couldnt get any shots on goal either. Both offenses really bogged down in the final 25 yards -- part of which perhaps to the extremely poor condition of Baujan Field.
Dayton's first half goal just before intermission was perfectly done. Beljan came up from the back attacked the space, knocked a ball to a teammate, who then touched it to freshman Smigel who made a nice juke inside the box, made space, and tucked a perfect low ball just inside the near post that beat the keeper. Every part of the sequence was done to a high standard.
I thought the second half was pretty good for Dayton. They controlled a lot of possession and showed some pretty good IQ, especially in the midfield. Good switching of the direction and opening up space by shaking a defender. Michigan had a cpl more chances to equalize, but UDs defense held tough. Dayton added a second goal when Williams was doubled (or maybe tripled) on the right side. She booted a cross 30 yards to left side of the box and a teammate standing all alone. Another freshman finished off the chance very well for the 2-0 result.
Neither team had a lot of great chances but UD made the most of their best chances. And I liked the possession UD created in the second half. I thought the Flyers looked a tad more physical than past years too. Williams wasnt the only one throwing some shoulders around.
All in all I liked what I saw. While nobody peppered the goal with chances, I thought everything leading up to that showed a lot of promise. Two frosh finishing their lone scoring chances was also a good sign. With Giner and a cpl others graduated up top, UD will need some more faces to step in and become players capable of putting away the textbook opportunities.
Few notes:
Williams: typical. Was getting doubled a lot and didnt have much in the way of scoring chances, but held possession and found her teammate for a quality assist. Always willing to make a teammate look better.
Beljan: She will be an NSCAA All American at year end, putting two on the same team for the first time in UD History. Every day she goes up against strikers with 3-5 inches and 25lb on her and she remains a giant PITA for them. She outjumped a striker 6 inches taller for a header, cleaned up others mistakes, and made chopper liver in the back of a couple run-downs that left the opposing player looking totally inadequate. She does so many little things that non-soccer aficionados will never recognize on the field that make all the difference.
Jordin Melchert played in goal in the first half and looked pretty good. Goalkicks were of quality length, something UD has struggled with in the past. Boone played the second half.
Libertin should step it up a notch this year. Has some good speed and foot skills and can change direction when needed.
Senoyuit might be the key to this year in the central defense/midfield. Big solid player that can win balls. Just needs to hold possession a bit more.
Emory did some good things and battled. Kenyon battles.
Michigan web site said UD got outshot 13-2, but the run of play was not indicative of that. Based on shots on goal, both teams were probably even at 2. UD scored on both.
Overall, I thought the better team won. A good omen. Certainly not a finished product and lets hope Michigan lives up to their preseason billing. If so, I think we can be encouraged by today.
A tough schedule and MTSU will be a tough road match to open the season. Cal Poly no easier on Sunday.
Michigan had the better run of play in the fist 15-20 minutes, but never put a shot on goal. They tried the long ball and were caught offside many times. They had a big physical striker up front, but she was not quite as skilled as she looked. Big and tough, but not as polished as I would have imagined. Michigan had a cpl golden chances in front of the box, but one was put over the crossbar and another barfed entirely. One of them should have probably resulted in a goal.
The last 10-15 minutes of the first half were better for Dayton and they began to knock the ball around. But UD couldnt get any shots on goal either. Both offenses really bogged down in the final 25 yards -- part of which perhaps to the extremely poor condition of Baujan Field.
Dayton's first half goal just before intermission was perfectly done. Beljan came up from the back attacked the space, knocked a ball to a teammate, who then touched it to freshman Smigel who made a nice juke inside the box, made space, and tucked a perfect low ball just inside the near post that beat the keeper. Every part of the sequence was done to a high standard.
I thought the second half was pretty good for Dayton. They controlled a lot of possession and showed some pretty good IQ, especially in the midfield. Good switching of the direction and opening up space by shaking a defender. Michigan had a cpl more chances to equalize, but UDs defense held tough. Dayton added a second goal when Williams was doubled (or maybe tripled) on the right side. She booted a cross 30 yards to left side of the box and a teammate standing all alone. Another freshman finished off the chance very well for the 2-0 result.
Neither team had a lot of great chances but UD made the most of their best chances. And I liked the possession UD created in the second half. I thought the Flyers looked a tad more physical than past years too. Williams wasnt the only one throwing some shoulders around.
All in all I liked what I saw. While nobody peppered the goal with chances, I thought everything leading up to that showed a lot of promise. Two frosh finishing their lone scoring chances was also a good sign. With Giner and a cpl others graduated up top, UD will need some more faces to step in and become players capable of putting away the textbook opportunities.
Few notes:
Williams: typical. Was getting doubled a lot and didnt have much in the way of scoring chances, but held possession and found her teammate for a quality assist. Always willing to make a teammate look better.
Beljan: She will be an NSCAA All American at year end, putting two on the same team for the first time in UD History. Every day she goes up against strikers with 3-5 inches and 25lb on her and she remains a giant PITA for them. She outjumped a striker 6 inches taller for a header, cleaned up others mistakes, and made chopper liver in the back of a couple run-downs that left the opposing player looking totally inadequate. She does so many little things that non-soccer aficionados will never recognize on the field that make all the difference.
Jordin Melchert played in goal in the first half and looked pretty good. Goalkicks were of quality length, something UD has struggled with in the past. Boone played the second half.
Libertin should step it up a notch this year. Has some good speed and foot skills and can change direction when needed.
Senoyuit might be the key to this year in the central defense/midfield. Big solid player that can win balls. Just needs to hold possession a bit more.
Emory did some good things and battled. Kenyon battles.
Michigan web site said UD got outshot 13-2, but the run of play was not indicative of that. Based on shots on goal, both teams were probably even at 2. UD scored on both.
Overall, I thought the better team won. A good omen. Certainly not a finished product and lets hope Michigan lives up to their preseason billing. If so, I think we can be encouraged by today.
A tough schedule and MTSU will be a tough road match to open the season. Cal Poly no easier on Sunday.