SimpleCoach Game Notes 2021

[SimpleCoach]

Hi all.  I've been watching a lot of men's games this season.  With everything being done for the season, figured I would watch the women's finals.  Disclaimer, I haven't watched nor know much of the Division III women's game landscape.  So I did watch the national championship somewhat like a rookie.  Regardless, below are my notes.  Am also including a link to my YouTube page.  Will probably do a game review in the next few days.

Steve Collins DIII Soccer Channel   No I am not a professional, but aspire to be a YouTube megastar when I grow up.  Hope you enjoy.

TCNJ v Christopher Newport
NCAA D3 Women's Soccer Championship
December 4, 2021

-   Haven't watched any D3 women's games this year but figured I would take a look at the Championship.
-   Both teams do a good job in possession.  Ball on the deck looking to connect.
-   CNU looking for opportunities to put the ball through on the ground and take advantage of the gaps between defenders. 
-   CNU#17 looks like she is the target and comfortable with her back to the goal.  Does a god job holding up the ball and connecting with midfielders in order to maintain possession.
-   Both teams are disciplined defensively, keeping everything in front.
-   TCNJ is vulnerable on the counter.  CNU is quick in transition.
-   30 minutes left in the first half.
-   CNU seems to have overall more team speed and quicker at making decisions with the ball than TCNJ.
-   CNU plays a dangerous corner that is cleared out for another corner.  Ball drops into the six uncontested and gets challenged.
-   Subsequent corner leads to a goal.  Ball goes far post and CNU#17 hits the ball into the back of the net.  On the replay, TCNJ Keeper came out for the corner and misjudged it. Goal at 26.53.  TCNJ 0, Christopher Newport 1.
-   TCNJ looking for a way to break through the CNU defense.  CNU is not making it easy.
-   No clear chances for TCNJ except for a header on a corner.  Everything else is long range.  Can see them getting a goal on a corner.  CNU doesn't mark well.
-   CNU is compact and very disciplined on defense.  Really cover well and compete for each ball.
-   TCNJ midfield and forward line look out of synch to me.  Lack some cohesion.  Only way I can describe it.
-   CNU continues to be happy to keep TCNJ in front of them and be patient on defense.
-   CNU looks to be playing as a team.  TCNJ seems to a team of individuals or lines, but nothing binding them together.
-   Halftime.  TCNJ 0, Christopher Newport 1.  Think CNU was the better on the half. 
-   Not even a minute in and CNU has an opportunity to goal that is hit wide.  Could have been a dagger in the heart of TCNJ.
-   TCNJ just can't seem to break down CNU.  Having difficulty connecting through CNU defensive posture.  Struggling to connect, especially when they are trying to build momentum in the attack.
-   CNU just being very patient.  When they win the ball in the midfield, they are finding their way to goal and getting some good looks.  TCNJ is looking vulnerable.
-   CNU is a lot closer to scoring a second, than TCNJ is of scoring their first.  CNU just being really disciplined defensively.
-   TCNJ just being wasteful with the ball, especially when they counter.  24 minutes left and you can see the pressure building as they start to rush things.  Should figure out a way to be more patient and be more methodical on their attack.
-   And like that, on a CNU counter, they get a PK. 
-   TCNJ is on the attack and loses the ball almost at the 18 because of a forced pass.  CNU recover in their half and CNU#5 makes a run behind the TCNJ line.  Ball is sent and it's a foot race.  She wins the ball and takes it into the box and is brought down for the PK.
-   I think it was a legit PK.  Don't think TCNJ#13 got the ball.  At least from what I see in the replay.
-   CNU#19 goes to the TCNJ Keepers left for the goal.  TCNJ Keeper goes the right way but can't get to it.  TCNJ 0, Christopher Newport 2.
-   TCNJ is in a deep hole with 23 minutes left.  They need to find a way to goal and find their first goal.
-   Think the referee is doing an outstanding job.
-   TCNJ just can't find a way to goal.  Don't see them getting two goals, let alone one.  More confident that CNU could get a third before TCNJ gets its first.
-   Any opportunities TCNJ has are coming for 25+ yards out.  Shots that so far either go out or are easily recovered by the CNU Keeper.
-   5 minutes left and TCNJ had its closest chance to score but goes wide of the goal.  That was the one.  If they make that one, then the last 5 are pandemonium.
-   CNU has everyone behind the ball.  TCNJ just can't find a gap.
-   And this game is over.  CNU was better, more disciplined on both sides of the ball than TCNJ.  TCJ 0, Christopher Newport 2. 
-   Christopher Newport is the 2021 Division III Women's Soccer Nati

[SimpleCoach]

Will be doing a review of the National Championship game at 3:00 PM EST.

You can watch it here.

https://youtu.be/R5-QO36jiz4

SC

[SimpleCoach]

Happy New Year to anyone lurking around!

To celebrate, I decided to do a video on goals ... not setting them .... but scoring them.  This is set to premier at 3 p.m. New Year's Day ...

Where did the goals come from in Women's D3 soccer?

[SimpleCoach]

Had a great conversation with Jamie Gunderson, Head Coach of the 2021 Women's National Champions, Christopher Newport University.

Can speak highly enough of this young coach.

SimpleCoach to Coach with Jamie Gunderson, Head Coach of Christopher Newport University

[SimpleCoach]

Another Gunderson Interview.  Except this time its with Dani Gunderson of Muskingum University.

Dani Gunderson, Head Women's Coach, Muskingum University

[VAFury]

Hey SC. Figured it might help you to know that, yes, people are reading this... or at least I am.  My daughter will be beginning her D3 soccer career in the fall.  She had the opportunity to work with J Gunderson at an ID Camp last year and really liked him. (Was one of those camps with a bunch of coaches... Salisbury, Mary Washington, CNU and a few others).  She may have had an outside shot at CNU or Salisbury, but didn't really want to battle with 30-35 other players to see a sliver of playing time....  Anyway, when the season cranks up, I'll be around and posting in girls soccer forum plenty, so don't go anywhere!

[SimpleCoach]

Hey SC. Figured it might help you to know that, yes, people are reading this... or at least I am.  My daughter will be beginning her D3 soccer career in the fall.  She had the opportunity to work with J Gunderson at an ID Camp last year and really liked him. (Was one of those camps with a bunch of coaches... Salisbury, Mary Washington, CNU and a few others).  She may have had an outside shot at CNU or Salisbury, but didn't really want to battle with 30-35 other players to see a sliver of playing time....  Anyway, when the season cranks up, I'll be around and posting in girls soccer forum plenty, so don't go anywhere!

Thanks for this @VAFury.  Do appreciate the kind words ... but ... you let the cat out of the bag.... DM with details about where your daughter will be playing.  Will keep an eye on the team.

Thanks again.

[VAFury]

Hey SC. Figured it might help you to know that, yes, people are reading this... or at least I am.  My daughter will be beginning her D3 soccer career in the fall.  She had the opportunity to work with J Gunderson at an ID Camp last year and really liked him. (Was one of those camps with a bunch of coaches... Salisbury, Mary Washington, CNU and a few others).  She may have had an outside shot at CNU or Salisbury, but didn't really want to battle with 30-35 other players to see a sliver of playing time....  Anyway, when the season cranks up, I'll be around and posting in girls soccer forum plenty, so don't go anywhere!

Thanks for this @VAFury.  Do appreciate the kind words ... but ... you let the cat out of the bag.... DM with details about where your daughter will be playing.  Will keep an eye on the team.

Thanks again.

DM sent...  Not a big time program or anything, but looking forward to it!

[SimpleCoach]

Just had my first interview with a player ... the extraordinary Christopher Newport goalkeeper, Haley Eiser.  Hoping to do more player interviews.

Haley Eiser, CNU, D3 Soccer Goalkeeper of the Year

[SimpleCoach]

So had a wonderful conversation with Dan Weiler at Johns Hopkins University.  It premieres today, 8 March at 10 AM.  Hope you enjoy as much as I had speaking with him.

Dan Weiler, Head Women's Coach, Johns Hopkins University

[SimpleCoach]

Just spoke with Nick Hoover of Susquehanna University.  Great conversation.  Had some video issues, but the audio is great while you go on a run.

Nick Hoover, Head Coach at Susquehanna University

[VAFury]

Just spoke with Nick Hoover of Susquehanna University.  Great conversation.  Had some video issues, but the audio is great while you go on a run.

Nick Hoover, Head Coach at Susquehanna University

Video isn't allowing me to view.   Says it is "Private"...

[VAFury]

NM...   Must be something with the link.   Was able to pull it up on Youtube with a simple search.

[VAFury]

Just spoke with Nick Hoover of Susquehanna University.  Great conversation.  Had some video issues, but the audio is great while you go on a run.

Nick Hoover, Head Coach at Susquehanna University

Enjoyed this. Coach Hoover is one that my daughter had some correspondence with, but she was not the greatest at following up, so definitely felt what he was saying about being able to kind of tell how truly interested a player is in playing for Susquehanna specifically.   Its neat to get their perspective on what is going on on the other end of these emails...  Thanks.

[SimpleCoach]

Sorry - Here is the corrected link.

Nick Hoover, Head Coach at Susquehanna University