The getting outplayed part is not much of a surprise. We are not as good as VCU or the other top teams in the A10. Once we remind ourselves that, getting a result tonight is a good step forward. When you are clawing your way back to competitiveness, you first have to stop losing. Three shutouts in a row is a good thing and is VCU is BY FAR the best result of the season even though its a tie -- the other wins were against teams below #140 in the RPI.
There are no quick fixes out there. We just need to grind out enough results to make the A10 tournament -- which we host -- and then make this a 3-game season on our home field for some home cookin'.
Kiehl only getting 1 shot however is not good. It was very similar against
Xavier. She got one decent service to her feet she could run on to vs XU with a through-ball, and she took it to goal and hit the post. She is not helping us when her teammates are not helping her with quality service.
She is too good to not have more goals by now. How much longer can we leave her at striker -- I dont know. With 3 straight shutouts however, maybe now is not the time to tweak her position just yet. But, it may be coming. Shes a senior so this is her last year. To have most of it wasted at striker b/c nobody can get her the ball is a disservice to both Kiehl and the team. We are not going to outscore teams anyway. Might as well continue to keep the score down an see if Kiehl helps us in the central midfield where we are weakest?
Like I said 2-3 weeks ago -- best player must have the most touches. Also, left fullback Nadia Pestell leads team in assists. Nadia has probably been most consistent player this year and is a rock at her position. She can and will feed balls in box with overlaps. So 4 assists is good news for her. But its also bad news for the team because a left fullback should never be leading the team in assists -- once again an indication we are getting very very little from our midfield.
Glad Johns was in good form tonight. I'll take this result.