2021 Game Notes

[SimpleCoach]

Sorry, can't figure out the table thing.

Don't worry, I'll set it up for you when I have some spare moments this morning.

Thanks @Gregory Sager.  And it wasn't for lack of trying.  I'll figure it out at some point.

[jknezek]

You have to use table tags. It's a pain. It's why for the polls I do I created a macro to write all the table code so I just cut and paste from excel into a message. Otherwise it would either be a mess, or take me way too long.

[Gregory Sager]

So, I took a look at all the teams that had the highest pass ratio in a game, and I had watched them more than once.  Once you take into account all the games, the average becomes somewhat predictable.

Just for reference, anything under 5:1 pass ratio is the lowest, 5:1 to 7:1 is the middle group, and 7:1 and higher is the top group.

	Passes	Bad Passes	% of Bad Passes	Passes in Attack	Pass Ratio	Attack Ratio	Passes per Minute	Passes Per Game
					(Passes:Bad Passes)
Messiah	360	50	14%	121	7.20	34%	6	540
Johns Hopkins	246	35	14%	58	7.03	24%	4	369
Washington University	109	16	15%	4	6.81	4%	2	164
Chicago	91	14	15%	43	6.50	47%	5	410
Muhlenberg	75	14	19%	19	5.36	25%	1	113
Eastern University	62	12	19%	18	5.17	29%	3	279
Ohio Northern	77	16	21%	0	4.81		1	116
Kenyon	119	27	23%	32	4.41	27%	2	179
Catholic	226	52	23%	61	4.35	27%	4	339
Mount Union	143	34	24%	16	4.21	11%	2	215
Gettysburg	107	27	25%	8	3.96	7%	4	321

[Gregory Sager]

SC, you didn't list a number for Ohio Northern's attack ratio. If you want to post it or PM me the number, I'll add it in.

[Christan Shirk]

So, I took a look at all the teams that had the highest pass ratio in a game, and I had watched them more than once.  Once you take into account all the games, the average becomes somewhat predictable.

Just for reference, anything under 5:1 pass ratio is the lowest, 5:1 to 7:1 is the middle group, and 7:1 and higher is the top group.

		Bad	% of	Passes in	Pass Ratio	Attack	Passes	Passes
	Passes	Passes	Bad Passes	Attack	(Passes:Bad Passes)	Ratio	per Minute	Per Game
Messiah	360	50	14%	121	7.20	34%	6	540
Johns Hopkins	246	35	14%	58	7.03	24%	4	369
Washington University	109	16	15%	4	6.81	4%	2	164
Chicago	91	14	15%	43	6.50	47%	5	410
Muhlenberg	75	14	19%	19	5.36	25%	1	113
Eastern University	62	12	19%	18	5.17	29%	3	279
Ohio Northern	77	16	21%	0	4.81		1	116
Kenyon	119	27	23%	32	4.41	27%	2	179
Catholic	226	52	23%	61	4.35	27%	4	339
Mount Union	143	34	24%	16	4.21	11%	2	215
Gettysburg	107	27	25%	8	3.96	7%	4	321

Made it pretty, but I see that Sager beat me to it.

Anyway, maybe one of us can help get you set-up to always post with the table tags.  I assume you are using an Excel spreadsheet, in which case it wouldn't be too hard to provide cells to add the table code.

[Gregory Sager]

I win the timing, Christan, but you win the aesthetics.

[SimpleCoach]

Ohio Wesleyan v Kenyon
Kenyon
Bias? – Watched both a number of times.

   Simply a beautiful field and a beautiful place for soccer.  Loved the opportunity I had to play there.
   Kenyon#15 will do damage on the right.
   OWU#5 Left back is slow with the ball, under pressure he could cough it up.  But he is big.  And a liability. If I were the Kenyon coach I would put my fastest winger on him and give him the ball
   Just when you think OWU is just going through the motions of a game, not having much of the ball, adjust trying the figure out the game, they win a ball at midfield and go two on one.  OWU#7 draws the defender and slots OWU#2 at the PK spot.  Kenyon Keeper does a great job stepping off his line and coming up with a big save.
   Kenyon clearly the aggressor here trying to get forward as quickly as they can.
   OWU doing what OWU does, absorbing the pressure and waiting to pounce up top when there is a turnover.
    OWU slowly starting to get some control of the game.
   28 minutes left in the half.
   Great to watch two very talented teams sort out each other and figure out how to play them.  That and the skill level is incredibly high.
   OWU#27 hs to be one of the best center backs I have seen so far.  Great intuitive defender, with skill.
   Kenyon#8 is not big, but he is a talent.  Carries the ball well and looks to get it forward.  Against the physicality of OWU may be a bit of an issue.
   OWU not as compact as in other games, seem to be giving space to Kenyon through the midfield.
   Kenyon has to be careful defensively.  OWU has gotten dangerous from errors in the back.  Two clear opportunities OWU missed in this half.
   OWU has a clear size advantage on Kenyon.
   OWU#10 not having the impact I've seen him have in other games.  Not getting touches on the ball in places he can make something happen.
   Kenyon has had the better of the play with OWU just managing their ball movement by closing it down in OWU's half.
   And that's the half.  Can't see either team justifying by their play, to be ahead on the score board.  Really, aside from the two clear OWU chances, not sure there was much more.
   And not that it is having an impact, but don't think this Ref is good.
   Much more impressed with Kenyon's midfield than OWUs.  Move the ball well and transition to attack very well.
   Picking the game up with 10 minutes left in regulation.  Kenyon definitely looking for the goal.  OWU keeper has had to come up big a couple of times.
   OWUs lack of precision with the ball, is a gift to Kenyon.
   OWU resorting to fouls to slow Kenyon down.  Kenyon#15 flies down the line and has to be stopped some how ....
   In five minutes, I've seen 3 or 4 yellow cards.
   Think OWU will welcome this half coming to an end.  They look disjointed and tired.
   Going into the 2nd OT.  Momentum for everything I have watched has been with Kenyon, but OWU may be bending, but they are not breaking.
   OWU#10 is very good.  But at times tries to do too much.  Takes that extra touch, or tries to get through one more guy ... not as effective that way... But then he does something that you realize how good he really is.
   Maybe its because you had to get on a bus midweek to Gambier, Ohio, but OWU just looks spent.  What do they say about Tuesdays, rain and Stoke?
   And with 2:25 left in OT, Kenyon get's its just rewards.  OWU#28 gets the ball tied up in his feet and take by Kenyon#8.  He goes around one defender and passes midfield.  Passes to Kenyon#21 and trips up the one defender fronting him by going to his right.  Takes another touch and hits a worm burner from the 22 and beats the OWU Keeper to his lower right.  Ohio Wesleyan 0, Kenyon 1.
   And on that note ... more games.

[SimpleCoach]

Swarthmore v Lycoming
Lycoming
Bias? – None before, none after.  I have no feelings after watching 30 minutes.

   Swarth#14 is a liability.  Decision making is slow and gets himself into trouble or makes a bad pass.
   Swarthmore is much more comfortable with the ball, but still leaves much to be desired.  Lycoming just can't connect unless Its to the winger on the right.  Think he is Lycoming#29?
   Swarthmore waits to force an error.
   I don't know who it is, but every time a Lycoming player has the ball, all I here is "DO IT! DO IT!"  I mean, is this what we have become?
   Most of the play is in Lycoming's half.
   After watching OWU and Kenyon, this falls far short of what I was hoping for.
   May just call this one way too early.
   After hearing "DO IT!", I wish I was a calmer more reserved coach in my youth.
   There is like ¾ of the field where there is no one because they insist on playing on ¼ of the field.  If I were the Swarthmore coach, I will tell all my outside players to get as wide as possible, then I would move the ball and watch how Lycoming can't compete.  I am not the Swarthmore coach.
   Another bad ref.
   Lycoming#26 doesn't run.  He walks everywhere.  If you can get on the break on the right quickly, you can catch him late to cover.
   Too many touches ... too many touches.
   Am done with this one.  My eyes are bleeding onto my keyboard.  And I have a nice keyboard that would be a shame to mess up.

[SimpleCoach]

Washington v Catholic
Catholic
Bias? – Watched both.

   Catholic#24 can't connect a pass, neither can Catholic#5.  For all the work Catholic#16 does, he comes up empty.
   Washington slowing the play down by knocking it around in the box.
   And like that.  A common Catholic goal from what I have seen.  Push the ball forward at all speed and create as much chaos around the area then take advantage of a poor clearance to hit the ball.  Catholic#16 pounces on a loose ball at the 18 and drive home a low driven shot to Washington Keepers right.  Washington 0, Catholic 1.
   Washington is too sedated right now.  Catholic is all amped up while Washington is still in on 95 stuck in traffic.
   Catholic#29 will send the ball blindly when under pressure.  When not under pressure, he looks to send the ball to Catholci#7.
   Washington does not really press high, lets Catholic play in the back waiting for the long ball.
   Poor, lazy pass from Catholic#3, leads to an innocuous throw in Washington's own half. A long throw down the line to Washington#11 who turns Catholic#29 who tried to play the man and not the ball.  With Catholic#29 on the ground and out of the play, Catholic #4 jumps in to win the ball but Washington#11 goes around him and drives a ball on the ground to a Washington player sitting far post who taps it into the open net.  Catholic#29 is out of the play, Catholic#5 is out of the play, I don't even know where the Catholic#18 is.  Can count the number of silly mistakes, starting with Catholic #5 arguing over a throw in.  Washington 1, Catholic 1.
   In all the games I have watched, Washington remains calm and poised regardless of the score.  I think that's their strength.  In all the games I have watched, Catholic is chaotic on attack, and chaotic in the back.  It is their strength ... and their weakness. 
   That was just great work by Washington#11 to create something out of what should have been nothing.  I mean it was a throw in.
   Maybe it's the goal, maybe its that it's not possible to keep the tempo they want, but you can see Catholic dropping deeper to defend.
   And Washington is feeling it, just had a goal disallowed for offside that was an excellent build up.
   Catholic#7 has shifted over to the right for some reason.  Seems to be allowed to float wherever he likes.
   Goal by my favorite player, Catholic #7.  Recovers a ball cleared out on a corner and sends it back outside.  He then runs unmarked from the 18 to be on the end of a driven ball by Catholic#31.  Washington 1, Catholic 2.
   It looks like it is pouring in DC.
   I don't see Washington NOT being able to get a second goal.  Catholic lacks such discipline in transition that I can see more mistakes in the back being capitalized on.
   And wait.  Did I just see that correctly?  Washington recovers a ball on a terrible touch by Catholic#21 .  Washington#10(?) recovers the ball and launches the ball from beyond midfield over the Catholic Keeper who is on the 22ish and it goes in for the tying goal.  I mean when Carli Lloyd scored a goal like this in the Woman's World Cup it made Sportscenter.  Catholic#4 gives a crappy ball to start, and why that pass?  Washington 2, Catholic 2.
   3 minutes left in the half.
   When you make subs, you should make them to change something about the game.  If you are subbing for more energy or to give someone a blow, I think you are doing it wrong.
   Ok.  Halftime.  Catholic is slowly falling apart because they don't have much soccer to keep it together, and Washington is starting to string it together because they can play.

[SimpleCoach]

Seem to be having video issues with the Muhlenberg game.  Will see if I can take a look tomorrow and will post if I can get it to work for me.

[Centennial1]

Ohio Wesleyan v Kenyon
Kenyon
Bias? – Watched both a number of times.

   Simply a beautiful field and a beautiful place for soccer.  Loved the opportunity I had to play there.
   Kenyon#15 will do damage on the right.
   OWU#5 Left back is slow with the ball, under pressure he could cough it up.  But he is big.  And a liability. If I were the Kenyon coach I would put my fastest winger on him and give him the ball
   Just when you think OWU is just going through the motions of a game, not having much of the ball, adjust trying the figure out the game, they win a ball at midfield and go two on one.  OWU#7 draws the defender and slots OWU#2 at the PK spot.  Kenyon Keeper does a great job stepping off his line and coming up with a big save.
   Kenyon clearly the aggressor here trying to get forward as quickly as they can.
   OWU doing what OWU does, absorbing the pressure and waiting to pounce up top when there is a turnover.
    OWU slowly starting to get some control of the game.
   28 minutes left in the half.
   Great to watch two very talented teams sort out each other and figure out how to play them.  That and the skill level is incredibly high.
   OWU#27 hs to be one of the best center backs I have seen so far.  Great intuitive defender, with skill.
   Kenyon#8 is not big, but he is a talent.  Carries the ball well and looks to get it forward.  Against the physicality of OWU may be a bit of an issue.
   OWU not as compact as in other games, seem to be giving space to Kenyon through the midfield.
   Kenyon has to be careful defensively.  OWU has gotten dangerous from errors in the back.  Two clear opportunities OWU missed in this half.
   OWU has a clear size advantage on Kenyon.
   OWU#10 not having the impact I've seen him have in other games.  Not getting touches on the ball in places he can make something happen.
   Kenyon has had the better of the play with OWU just managing their ball movement by closing it down in OWU's half.
   And that's the half.  Can't see either team justifying by their play, to be ahead on the score board.  Really, aside from the two clear OWU chances, not sure there was much more.
   And not that it is having an impact, but don't think this Ref is good.
   Much more impressed with Kenyon's midfield than OWUs.  Move the ball well and transition to attack very well.
   Picking the game up with 10 minutes left in regulation.  Kenyon definitely looking for the goal.  OWU keeper has had to come up big a couple of times.
   OWUs lack of precision with the ball, is a gift to Kenyon.
   OWU resorting to fouls to slow Kenyon down.  Kenyon#15 flies down the line and has to be stopped some how ....
   In five minutes, I've seen 3 or 4 yellow cards.
   Think OWU will welcome this half coming to an end.  They look disjointed and tired.
   Going into the 2nd OT.  Momentum for everything I have watched has been with Kenyon, but OWU may be bending, but they are not breaking.
   OWU#10 is very good.  But at times tries to do too much.  Takes that extra touch, or tries to get through one more guy ... not as effective that way... But then he does something that you realize how good he really is.
   Maybe its because you had to get on a bus midweek to Gambier, Ohio, but OWU just looks spent.  What do they say about Tuesdays, rain and Stoke?
   And with 2:25 left in OT, Kenyon get's its just rewards.  OWU#28 gets the ball tied up in his feet and take by Kenyon#8.  He goes around one defender and passes midfield.  Passes to Kenyon#21 and trips up the one defender fronting him by going to his right.  Takes another touch and hits a worm burner from the 22 and beats the OWU Keeper to his lower right.  Ohio Wesleyan 0, Kenyon 1.
   And on that note ... more games.

I watched a big chunk of this too. Both sides have skilled players, and the game speed was high. Both teams could go deep in November. The only thing I would add to your observations were how vicious the game was. Brutal tackles, studs-up slides, largely ignored by the ref. Looks to me like OWU has fully subscribed to the Serpone school of winning (Or did they come first? Dunno). I hereby propose a parallel championship: NCAA ThunDIIIerdome™: Two teams enter. One leaves.

[SimpleCoach]

I watched a big chunk of this too. Both sides have skilled players, and the game speed was high. Both teams could go deep in November. The only thing I would add to your observations were how vicious the game was. Brutal tackles, studs-up slides, largely ignored by the ref. Looks to me like OWU has fully subscribed to the Serpone school of winning (Or did they come first? Dunno). I hereby propose a parallel championship: NCAA ThunDIIIerdome™: Two teams enter. One leaves.

@Centennial1 ... I am so into NCAA ThunDIIIerdome™.  Tina can make a comeback too - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gcm-tOGiva0

[Gregory Sager]

Some coaches never do nothing nice ... and easy. They always do it nice ... and rough.

[SimpleCoach]

Elizabethtown v Muhlenberg
Muhlenberg
Bias? – Multiple times watching both.

   Muhlenberg is dominating.  Etown really can't get out of it's own half in an organized way.
   I think Muhlenberg#4 is a good defender. 
   Muhlenberg will score.  Etown is defending deep in their half and are vulnerable to counters.
   Etown looks for quick counters by Muhlenberg#4 and Muhlenber#33 do well in preventing any danger from happening.
   I've said this before watching Muhlenberg, think they have a real issue on the attack.  Think they lack ideas and are generally just moving north and south.  Don't have ideas on the attack.  If I were the Etown coach I would just make sure my back line has everything in front of them.
   Etown is bending as I do think they are outmatched.  Defensive posture is too loose and allows for Muhlenberg to take advantage of balls in the air and quick runs between the backs.  They just don't read it well.
   Muhlenberg midfield I think is very good defensively but are hammers on offense.
   Etown's best player just so happens to be the goalkeeper.
   Muhlenberg#8 is very good.  Perhaps the best player on the team.
   Etown literally defends inside their 18.  Can't keep Muhlenberg from getting so high up.  It is untenable.  And they literally have no attack.  It get's cut off before it even starts.
   Etown#8 is a liability in possession.  Holds the ball too long and can be stripped.  I would bait him in getting the ball then press.  He will likely cough it up.
   Figured it would take a free kick from outside the box to get their first goal.  Muhlenberg has a free kick from 30 out.  3-man wall, Muhlenberg#9 steps up and goes over the wall to the upper corner to the Etown keepers left.  Very nice.  Elizabethtown 0, Muhlenberg 1.
   In spite of the goal, Muhlenberg#9 is pretty inconsequential as a forward.  Whether as a false 9 or a real 9, or any variation of any position on the field.
   I think Muhlenberg has a keeper problem.  Doesn't seem too secure with his hands.  That's and he is terrible off his line on high balls.  A liability.
   Muhlenberg is up, and they are letting Etown back into this game because they are losing balls in the midfield and turning it over far too easily.  Do they even try to posses the ball? 
   Halftime.  Elizabethtown 0, Muhlenberg 1.  I am either getting more critical since watching so many games, or I am just my understanding of what is a better way to play is warped.  I expected more out of Muhlenberg although I shouldn't since this has been a common theme in all the games I've watched.  Etown strikes as a good conference team, but beyond that, just isn't at a level that makes it compete outside of it.

[Ejay]

Elizabethtown v Muhlenberg
Muhlenberg
Bias? – Multiple times watching both.

   Muhlenberg is dominating.  Etown really can't get out of it's own half in an organized way.
   I think Muhlenberg#4 is a good defender. 
   Muhlenberg will score.  Etown is defending deep in their half and are vulnerable to counters.
   Etown looks for quick counters by Muhlenberg#4 and Muhlenber#33 do well in preventing any danger from happening.
   I've said this before watching Muhlenberg, think they have a real issue on the attack.  Think they lack ideas and are generally just moving north and south.  Don't have ideas on the attack.  If I were the Etown coach I would just make sure my back line has everything in front of them.
   Etown is bending as I do think they are outmatched.  Defensive posture is too loose and allows for Muhlenberg to take advantage of balls in the air and quick runs between the backs.  They just don't read it well.
   Muhlenberg midfield I think is very good defensively but are hammers on offense.
   Etown's best player just so happens to be the goalkeeper.
   Muhlenberg#8 is very good.  Perhaps the best player on the team.
   Etown literally defends inside their 18.  Can't keep Muhlenberg from getting so high up.  It is untenable.  And they literally have no attack.  It get's cut off before it even starts.
   Etown#8 is a liability in possession.  Holds the ball too long and can be stripped.  I would bait him in getting the ball then press.  He will likely cough it up.
   Figured it would take a free kick from outside the box to get their first goal.  Muhlenberg has a free kick from 30 out.  3-man wall, Muhlenberg#9 steps up and goes over the wall to the upper corner to the Etown keepers left.  Very nice.  Elizabethtown 0, Muhlenberg 1.
   In spite of the goal, Muhlenberg#9 is pretty inconsequential as a forward.  Whether as a false 9 or a real 9, or any variation of any position on the field.
   I think Muhlenberg has a keeper problem.  Doesn't seem too secure with his hands.  That's and he is terrible off his line on high balls.  A liability.
   Muhlenberg is up, and they are letting Etown back into this game because they are losing balls in the midfield and turning it over far too easily.  Do they even try to posses the ball? 
   Halftime.  Elizabethtown 0, Muhlenberg 1.  I am either getting more critical since watching so many games, or I am just my understanding of what is a better way to play is warped.  I expected more out of Muhlenberg although I shouldn't since this has been a common theme in all the games I've watched.  Etown strikes as a good conference team, but beyond that, just isn't at a level that makes it compete outside of it.

Watch the second half.  Completely different game.