2021 Game Notes

[SimpleCoach]

9.3.2021 Games

Emory v Washington and Lee (#7 D3 Soccer National Rankings)
Emory University
Bias? – I passed out while driving a car on 85 in downtown Atlanta causing a major back up during rush hour and am a big Revolution and Civil War buff.

   Start of the second half.  1-0 in favor of Washington & Lee
   W&L moves it well.  Not terribly well organized in the back.
   Kind of haphazard defensive stretch for W&L that Emory is trying to exploit but can't connect on the last pass...
   Emory tries but can't break through.  Not because of a great defense, but they just give up too many errant passes, like no one is on the same page.
   Good shot from 30 out for Emory forcing a keeper save.  Maybe try a few more of those to keep the W&L defense honest.
   Great Emory play to equalize.  Ball out wide from center mid to running outside back, takes a touch and whips it near post, and forward running through heads the ball from 8 out and buries it far post side netting.  Game on with 25 left.  1-1.
   Defensive shape let W&L down. Midfielder didn't track the outside back.
   Big Emory forward holds up a defender and turns him for a one on one with the Keeper, who makes a great save for a corner.
   Emory has certainly grown in the game, as W&L has seemingly wilted.
   Emory can score in the last 10 minutes in the half.  W&L is fighting for dear life.
   Corner.  For a second corner. For a third corner.
   If they get out of Atlanta with a tie, W&L should consider themselves lucky.
   Keep pressing and all W&L players are behind the ball.
   This goes to overtime.  So, am done.

Ohio Wesleyan (#14 D3 Soccer National Rankings) v Hope
Hope College
Bias? - I was knocked unconscious by an OWU forward after I dove at his feet on a 1 on 1.  And I had a history professor who retired to Hope to study Dutch immigration history in the US.

   Cool Hope sports hype video ... and I like their field.  Legit.
   OWU should stop expecting the call they are expecting. 
   OWU plays very compact defensively, almost challenging Hope to beat them, but too tight for them.
   Can see OWU trying to move the ball, but Hope is not giving them much room, making it a little uncomfortable for them.
   Will say, the way I watch these games, I lose the understanding any adjustments that a team makes at half time
   OWU always has something to say to the ref.... nothing has changed in over 20 years.
   OWU is comfortable moving the ball in tight spaces.  Number of great one touch passing like a rondo.
   Hope keeper makes a bad pass to a defender who has to awkwardly control with his chest.  Takes some touches an passes to outside mid, who makes a poor pass and is picked off just beyond midfield.  Smart OWU player hits the ball over the Hope keeper for their second goal from 40 out.  Even for keepers, give the ball you would want to receive. 34 minutes left.
   Not a bad play by Hope that lands a ball to Hope center forward 8 yards out, who shoots it wide.
   OWU does a great job of transitioning from offense to defense and back.  On offense looks like the do 3-2-2-3, then on defense they go to a 4-4-2. Am assuming its intentional because they definitely end up in that shape every time.  Not getting a full view of the field so may be off.
   Hope is good, but OWU is just better.  Defensively they are tough to get behind, keep everything in front.  Offensively they don't give the ball up easily.
   Hope just isn't quick enough in transition to break through OWU.
   On a corner, first header goes far post where a Hope player got behind the defense and buried the ball in the back of the net.  OWU 2 Hope 1. 20 minutes left.
   OWU doesn't man mark on corners, so not that surprising.
   OWU almost scores on a set play, but keeper comes up big with a save on a point-blank diving header.
   OWU loves the corner flag in the last 10 minutes of the game.  Happy to kill time and try to get a corner.
   1:30 left on the clock and don't see OWU screwing it up and allowing Hope to tie.  Done.

Ohio Northern v Calvin (#3 D3 Soccer National Rankings)
Calvin College – Zuidema Field
Bias? – I played against Ohio Northern and think John Calvin had a neat beard.

   Field looks very narrow.  It is.  Track around the field.
   Calvin does not shy away from hard tackles.  Two in two minutes that made me cringe....
   "The Knights (Calvin) like to keep the ball on the ground, like to keep it moving...."  Announcer.  Just when the center back launches to the ONU keeper from 70 yards.
   I think Calvin doesn't think it's a good play unless they turn into pressure.
   Think it is a grass field and making things difficult for ONU who is actually trying to work the ball through the middle.
   Calvin works set pieces very well at the back post.  On a narrower field the ball gets to the far post quicker, freezing the goalkeeper and not giving as much time to the defenders to react.
   ONU should understand not to foul within 40 yards of their goal.
   Calvin really working for the foul outside the 18.  And ONU all too willing to accommodate.  I think Calvin may just score on one of these.
   It's getting chippy.
   Sense ONU getting frustrated because they can't get into a rhythm.  To Calvin's credit, they are not making it easy on them.
   Calvin works quick on the counter.
   Not impressed with relationship between Calvin keeper and defense.  Not trusting with back passes or high balls.
   Left wing (#7?) for Calvin does very well taking his defender down the line, then turning him at the endline.  Does it every time he gets the ball in space.  Has delivered a few dangerous "pases de la muerte" that have caused problems for ONU.
   Calvin closes ONU down fast.  Don't think ONU likes the narrow field.  They are used to the wide-open corn fields of Ada, Ohio.
   7 minutes left in half and first card to a Calvin player.
   Having said all that, ONU can get a little dangerous when they get down to Calvin box.
   Calvin keeper never, ever plays short.  And then he did.....
   All Calvin defenders push to midfield.  Kind of refreshing.
   Not a bad game of soccer.  I get I can be overly critical, but would say Calvin has a much clearer  game plan and style of play.   Think they fail to recognize the better option on some passes in attack, but overall think they are a quality team.  Something I haven't seen from any of the other teams I have watched in the last few days. 
   Calvin with a good understanding of position and space.  Good movement off the ball.  Might be because of the field size, but at home they must be pretty tough to beat.
   Less than a minute to halftime, and an ONU defender just levels a Calvin forward for a foul ... that leads ultimately to a goal.... With 17 seconds left to half.  Terrible.
   Forward was running away from goal and was about to be pinned by the sideline.
   Am done having watched the first half.

Willamette University v Southwestern University (Tex.)
Trinity University
Bias? – Never been to the Pacific Northwest and I like southwestern/Tex Mex cuisine

   Ok, after having watched several games with football lines, I will say it.  Not many reasons why schools don't invest in a field/stadium for Soccer/Lacrosse .... Really.
   Again, big thrower who can reach the six on Southwestern.
   Both teams crossing the midfield with a long ball from a center back to a center forward running to the wing.  Into an area that had two defenders, and the forwards was running toward the sideline.
   Aside from the persistent long ball up to the forwards, it's a decent game.
   Decisions on what to do when, like cross the ball, are poor.  Almost like there sole job is to cross the ball without considering the fact that there are 7 defenders to the one forwards.
   Willamette too slow to move the ball out of the back.
   Midfielders receive the ball and can turn, have 20 yards of space..... still hit it to the wing.
   PK for Willamette.  Keeper save on he ground to his left.  Poorly hit.
   Willamette taking more control.  Moves the ball well.
   Key is that midfielders are coming back to the ball in the middle.  Willamette backs deliver good balls to feet.  CDM's for Southwestern don't follow the midfielders so when they receive the ball, they have plenty of space to turn and make the next pass with little or no pressure.
   Water break at 20.... Forgot its early September in Texas.
   Great goal with 21 left.  Midfielder settles a ball headed back to him, touch to his left around one defender touch around a second one and left footed shot far post upper corner.  Willamette 1-0 with 20 left.
   Southwestern defenders aren't challenging for high balls into the box.  I think Willamette could get a goal on a set piece because of this.
   Southwestern doesn't have a plan on the attack.  Even on set pieces.
   Interesting defenders over commit. This is because all of out players are taught to be aggressive and think they have to "win" every ball.  Containing the ball is a bit of a rarity.
   Halftime.  Willamette up by oneAir.  Definitely one of the better games I watched.

Clarks Summit College V. Penn State – Harrisburg
Penn State Harrisburg – Multi-Purpose Turf Field
Bias? I watched "The China Syndrome" which has nothing to do with Three Mile Island.

   High tempo to start, looking to create opportunities with a big play
   Great goal on a cross, and one time volley to beat keeper to the right.  PSH 1-0... 5 minutes in.
   Clarks Summit lacks defensive discipline.  And can't deal with the pressure.
   Clarks Summit struggles to connect.  And when they do, let down by their touch.
   #33 from PSH has a bomb of throw that can reach the six-yard box.  Worth putting it into the mix, especially since they have a ginormous back, #3, who can win anything in the air.
   PSH pressing everywhere and Clarks Summit can't even get to the center circle.
   PSH has so many options on the attack, but struggle with that final pass to create clear chances.
   20 minutes in Clarks Summit is being dominated.
   PSH is knocking but starting to wonder if there is cellophane on the Clarks Summit goal.
   Clarks Summit goalkeeper is right now the best player they have.
   Clarks Summit just too slow with the ball.  No sense of urgency.  Center mids like to hold on to the ball.  #23 tries to do everything but fails.
   Corner kick goal on a header.  Think he was wide open.  #19 Center Back.  10 minutes left in the first half.
   Not a surprise.  They have had their chance on set pieces.  More effective than run of play.
   And that's it for me. 9 minutes left in the first half.


If I had to rank the teams based on my definitions of good soccer-

1.   Ohio Wesleyan
1.5 Calvin
2. Hope
3. Ohio Northern
4. Willamette
6. Emory
7. Washington & Lee
9.  Penn State – Harrisburg
11.  Southwestern
13.  Clarks Summit

What drove me nuts in these games?

1.    Turning into pressure.
2.   Insistence on taking touches when it's not necessary.
3.   The announcers.

[NEPAFAN]

The variety in live stream quality and announcers (or lack of announcers) is interesting. Some schools have hired people to run their play by play broadcast and then clearly some are kids doing it (which is fine).

Don't let the announcers drive you nuts, they are what they are. Even though on one stream i watched every single pass was "beautiful". I give them all credit for getting out and doing it for their school.

[SimpleCoach]

@NepaFan

Actually regret posting that.  Some of these guys put as much effort into the game as ball player.  And I can always mute the game if I don't like it.  If I could figure out how to edit a post I would remove.

Apologies for that, and to any announcers who may have read it.

[GoThunder1]

The variety in live stream quality and announcers (or lack of announcers) is interesting. Some schools have hired people to run their play by play broadcast and then clearly some are kids doing it (which is fine).

Don't let the announcers drive you nuts, they are what they are. Even though on one stream i watched every single pass was "beautiful". I give them all credit for getting out and doing it for their school.

Two of the best complete broadcasts in the country can be found in the CCIW. North Park has upgraded their video over the years and has one of the best play by play announcers in Gregory Sager. Wheaton as well. The Thunder were one of the first to have video broadcasts and have always included instant replay, interviews, etc.

[SimpleCoach]

Catholic University v Maryville University
Catholic University - Carlini Field
Bias? - I went to Mass at the National Basilica and one of my favorite songs is Tennessee Jed by the Grateful Dead.

So watched a number of games today and will be posting these games individually over the next few days.  This is the first.

   Catholic presses and runs after everything.  Maryville is trying to connect but can't handle the press.
   Catholic already had two good opportunities.
   Passing is poor.
   You would think a central defender would play it to his keeper on a dead ball 10 yards from the end line, but no.
   Catholic looks to build but they shoot themselves in the foot with poor passes.
   Struggle with control of the ball.  As in bring the ball under control when they receive it.
   Lots of space in the midfield that Catholic doesn't exploit.
   Maryville still trying to settle into the game
   Corner for a header just wide for Maryville.  15 in and game seems to be leveling out
   Maryville has a better idea of how to work the ball up the field, but is still caught up in Catholics pressure.
   When Maryville has the ball in the back, Catholic has one forward defending.  As soon as the ball moves, the attacking mid just charges out to press.  Maryville intelligently moves the ball into the space he has vacated and goes on the attack.  As I said, defending sometimes is not about winning the ball.
   Catholic coaches must like dribblers.  They end up in dead ends because of it.
   Let's all agree that no player should let the ball run when receiving a pass.  Take a touch.
   Subs for Catholic 22 left in half.
   Catholic will score first.  Maryville is struggling to deal.  Tthey are getting too close, too easily, to not score.
   Maryville insists on making 40 yard passes on the ground fully expecting them not to get picked off by Catholic.
   Catholic attacks come from distance or difficult angles to get on goal.  Really concentrate down the middle and don't take advantage of the space in the field.
   Catholic midfield only participates deep in their half or as false 9s.
   Maryville can't handle the swarm cause they are not moving fast enough.
   Ball is faster than the man.  Ball is faster than the man.
   PK for Catholic.  Goal.  5 minutes left in half.  To keepers left.
   Honestly I was expecting more from both teams, just by looking at there 2019 schedule.
   There is an element of mindlessness to how Catholic plays.  Except maybe out of the back and the center triangle.  But once they cross midfield it is haphazard.  If they actually had a couple of players that could make the ball do the work, Maryville would have been out of the game 20 minutes in.
   Center backs can't pass the ball.  Really,  Catholic seems vulnerable when they try to move the ball.  Maryville just not sharp enough to do anything with the ball.
   Halftime 2-0 on a terrible defensive stand on a corner.  Ugly.  But in the stat book there is no place for beauty points.
   I said I expected better from both teams based on schedule. For Catholic I expected better just by the fact that I thought the University and its location would be a key attraction for top talent.  Not quite sure I see that.
   2nd half.  More of the same, although Catholic seems to be getting more width.
   Passing is very inconsistent for Catholic midfield.  Will deliver a good ball, then make a terrible 10 yard pass.
   Maryville has a greater sense of urgency this half.... For obvious reasons.
   Because they are so tight, 3 touches in a triangle, Maryville got through 4 Catholic players.  All they did was chase the ball.
   If I could get defenders to stop diving in, it would be the bees knees.
   Sloppy play by Maryville.  Pressure of being down is making them rush.
   Poor distribution by Catholic keeper.
   Both teams struggle dealing with difficult balls.  Touch is terrible if it is perfectly not on the deck.
   Catholic plays with a CDM and two attacking mids.  The attacking mids pretend to be withdrawn forwards, and the CDM just runs around.  Literally.  Sometimes he is on the wing.  Other times he is up high.  Sometimes he looks like he is trying to figure out how the play is developing.
   Hate games like these because they either mask your deficiencies or over inflate your ego.
   I think I am waiting for Godot.  Waiting for something to happen.
   Catholic on corners has most of their guys at the six and doesn't even pretend to run on to the ball. 
   Really unimaginative from both teams.  Lot of guys through stretches aren't even part of the game.
   Catholic could really benefit from someone who is intelligent with the ball, who can distribute and switch the ball, good range of distribution and who has a sense of providing balance in the midfield.
   And just like that, Maryville strings together four passes.  Flicked throw in to the CF with back to goal, drops it back to midfielder running through who passes it to another forward who passes out wide to another midfielder running through and one times it far post for a beauty of a goal.  Catholic 2, Maryville 1. 13 minutes left in game.
   That goal is what I was expecting.  At least how it was executed in the run of play.  Catholic scored on two dead ball plays ... a PK and a corner.
   Their goalkeeper coach must be designing Catholics set plays.  Lump it in the 6 and hope the keeper is not good enough to deal with all the traffic.
   Corner kick for Catholic.  This is where they can be dangerous.  Literally to the keeper who is 3 yards off his line.  See previous bullet.
   Again Maryville with 3 passes gets by 4 Catholic players in large part cause they just try to run after the ball rather than marking or positioning themselves to keep the ball in front of them.
   Playing a high tempo game is tricky because if you tire and don't have the soccer, you lose your best asset.  That's where Catholic is.  They really don't have the soccer.  Marysville, has the soccer but can't deal with the tempo and pressure, can easily be in a hole by half.  And this is where they are now.  Soccer is better than Catholic, but can't do enough to get the tying goal.
   Over.  The Papists win.

Covers this one.  Out.

[NEPAFAN]

@NepaFan

Actually regret posting that.  Some of these guys put as much effort into the game as ball player.  And I can always mute the game if I don't like it.  If I could figure out how to edit a post I would remove.

Apologies for that, and to any announcers who may have read it.

Should be able to modify your post. Your Catholic summary made up for it.

[Mr.Right]

I love the commentary as well..Great points by everyone...we  can not forget how far soccer has come in this country. The skill level is the most important change from 20-30 years ago. Players have much better technique. Still the art of tackling is what concerns me most.

[Another Mom]

I agree with Simple Coach's assessment of the Emory game, which was also W &L's first game of the season.  The next night, v. Oglethorpe,  W&L were a different team, thankfully.  The 1-0 score didn't reflect the game, W&L dominated throughout.

[SimpleCoach]

Franklin and Marshall c Eastern Connecticut State
Franklin and Marshall
Bias? – My son was recruited at F&M (Didn't go.) and I have driven through the eastern part of Connecticut on my way to somewhere else.

   2nd half.
   After my expectations were dashed while watching Catholic v Maryville, this is another game I have high expectations for F&M.  Again, their history of success is making me think they should be at a higher level.  I have no expectations, good or bad, for Eastern Connecticut.  I didn't know there was such a school called Eastern Connecticut State until today.
   Usually, reserve commentary until 10 minutes in, but think the Eastern Conn forwards could prove to be a handful.  Size and speed.
   F&M has another legit stadium.
   Eastern Conn does try to work the ball and target their big forward.
   F&M is a better version of kick and hope.  Difference is they have some talented forwards who when they get the ball, can actually do something with it.  But again, midfielders are useless working the ball up field.
   F&M insists on quick breaks on the attack.  When they do win the ball after two or three pass the ball get hoofed up to the top.
   Eastern Connecticut makes the F&M defense look vulnerable.  They knock the ball one touch across the top of the box and all the defenders can do is watch.  Angle is difficult but final ball is a shot that the keeper saves.
   Eastern Conn is slowly gaining control of the ball, in large measure because F&M loses it when they cross midfield or try to force it up top.
   Not sure I have much more patience for this.
   Eastern Conn is getting in the right spots in front of F&M goal but can't seem to finish the job.
   F&M plays good club ball.  Not much soccer, but lots of energy.
   Again, don't let the ball roll past you and think you can run for it.  Take a touch and go.
   Let me see how many defenders I can barrel through and still keep the ball.
   Not sure I can watch more of this.
   Ok.  I am out.

[SimpleCoach]

I agree with Simple Coach's assessment of the Emory game, which was also W &L's first game of the season.  The next night, v. Oglethorpe,  W&L were a different team, thankfully.  The 1-0 score didn't reflect the game, W&L dominated throughout.

@AnotherMom.  Will watch Emory again.  Early season games are notoriously up and down.  Probably most teams won't be in a rhythm until end of the month ... and if they are not, they are in trouble.

[SimpleCoach]

I love the commentary as well..Great points by everyone...we  can not forget how far soccer has come in this country. The skill level is the most important change from 20-30 years ago. Players have much better technique. Still the art of tackling is what concerns me most.

@Mr. Right.  Yes, it's come a long, long way.  I always say my criticism is around the edges where it is rough.  But fundamentally, historically speaking, we have come light years.

[SimpleCoach]

Trine v Webster
Webster University
Bias? – I make a killer trine to soak my Thanksgiving Turkey, and I use the dictionary.

   Webster has a killer soccer stadium.
   Trine starts with really good ball movement.  Lots of balls into space on the ground.  Not overly complicating it.
   Really do get the ball into the box with some simple passing that Webster can only watch.
   I know, nit picking, but there is no "resetting" in soccer.  It is a game of constant flow and change.
   There is a kid named Yaya.
   In first five minutes, Webster has watched how Trine has gotten dangerous in the box.
   The home team needs to shake the cobwebs out of their brains.
   And Yaya is not bad.  And come to find out there may be two Yaya's.
   Webster can't deal with pressure and long stretches without the ball.
   I like the purpose of what Trine is trying to accomplish with the ball.  But will say that once they get 20 yards out, it just breaks down.  Need to have more patience and try to move the ball to move the compact Webster defense.
   15 in and Webster is still trying to get possession of the ball.  Glimpses of more success for them, but still spotty.
   Webster with a 6-man backline and 3 in front when Trine has the ball on 35 and in.
   Webster scored two goals called offside.
   Ok. 25 left in first half am done.

[SimpleCoach]

Desales University v Rutgers-Newark
Washington College – Athey Cup, Roy Kirby, Jr. Stadium
Bias? – A long time ago, I played with the coach, I know a freshman on the team and my son visited Desales.

   Have high expectations for Newark.
   Ball launched forward from the back that managed to catch the defense sleeping and the Desales forward heads the ball around an onrushing keeper.  Not sure he should  have gone fishing since two defenders would have caught the forward or gotten to the ball since it was bouncing hot.  #6 goal.  Desales 1, Newark 0
   Desales is moving the ball and uses midfields to drive the tempo of attack. 
   Newark has a CCM that looks like a Navy SEAL.
   Newark plays it quick and short when they can.
   Desales is less individualistic than Newark.  They share the ball more than Newark does.
   Newark struggling on defense to clear the ball out on corners.  Like 3 in a row that they cleared out for another corner.
   Newark has some skillful players but lack clarity and vision in the final third.
   Desales is surprisingly good moving the ball out of pressure with several one touch simple passes until they find one of the Mids 20 yards away who can turn the ball and go to the opposite side.
   Newark rush's the decision and poorly executes as a result.  They will find the goal at some point they way it looks though.
   Newark most effective when the ball carrier passes outside about 35 yards out and passes wide.  Receiver takes it end line and drives a ball or drops it back.   Left wing is fast enough to eat the backs lunch.
   Newark getting frustrated with the referee.  Everyone jumping up with each whistle.
   Don't dive in.  Don't dive in.  Don't dive in.
   Nice goal be Newark.  See 3 bullets before.... Outside wing went end line, drilled it across and #18 flicks the ball for a goal.  Desales 1, Newark 1.
   Now Newark is feeling it ...  They will score again.
   Newark getting real close.  Two plays that a defender cleared off the line, and another the keeper saved.  Strikes me though that the team doesn't have the discipline and would break down quickly when things went against them.
   Desales is going through a tough spell since the goal.  Under a lot of pressure and can't seem to get the ball past midfield let alone create anything that may be dangerous.
   14 minutes left in the half.  Think I am done with this one.

[SimpleCoach]

Marymount v Catholic University
Catholic – Carlini Field
Bias? – Feel bad for my first game review of Catholic and I didn't know Marymount was a thing.

   15 minutes left in the first half, just in time to catch a tying goal for Marymount.  Good give and go and shot from the 18 beating the keeper high. #19 Marymount 1, Catholic 1.
   Catholic two passes in a row, after winning the ball back, are passed to a Marymount player.  Dare I say neither of them were close to a Catholic player.
   Catholic on the attack, and the midfielder passes it out of bounds.  Not even close to getting it to the winger who was running down the line.
   Meanwhile they make subs seemingly almost every opportunity they can, and no change.  Its as if every player on the bench is the same as the next guy.  This is another issue for me all together.
   Stop passing behind the man.  Stop passing behind the man.
   Stop diving in.  Stop diving in.
   Maryville use of limited space in the final third is pretty good and looks to get to goal in a more threatening manner than Catholic .... At least when Marymount doesn't do something ill-advised on defense.
   8 Catholic players.  1 Marymount player.  Catholic defender punts the ball to midfield.
   Good sequence by Catholic that ends in a pass to a Marymount player.
   Catholic tries to be dangerous on set pieces.  I think this is where they will get the most production as I am not seeing how they will get many goals in the run of play.
   Minute left and a Marymount and Catholic player get into it.  Catholic player on the ground.  Stupid.  Marymount player red carded.... With a minute left.  1.  To half.   During a stoppage in the game ...
   And half.  Marymount 1, Catholic 1.  Marymount playing with 10.  Did I tell you player was thrown out with a minute left before half?  During a stoppage of play?
   2nd Half
   Ok.  Halftime adjustments.  If I were the Marymount coach I would tell my team to hold on to the ball and be deliberate when going forward.  If I were the Catholic coach I would tell my team to move the ball quickly side to side as quickly as possible.  Make Marymount run and tire them out.  I am neither coach apparently.
   Still waiting for Godot.
   Don't know if it is a fitness thing, two games in two days, but 7 minutes in Catholic lacks the energy.  This is where the soccer would be helpful.  Too bad when they go to the bench, every single one of their players is a version of themselves.
   Ok.  I am done.  This isn't going the way I hoped.  Think I need to go to mass and ask for forgiveness.

[SimpleCoach]

Illinois Tech v Alma College
Alma College
Bias? – I've been to Chicago many times on business, and I am a big fan of the song "Don't Cry for Me Argentina." The Spanish version.

   All tied up at 1 when I joined, with 30 minutes left in the first half.
   Not sure who is who.... Red v Black for now.
   Black seems to be on the front foot.  Really exploiting space. 
   Red tries to press high but is unable to close the space quick enough.  Black moves the ball so the red mids need to chase back.
   Black comes down their left side.  Gap between Red back and winger leaves a lot of space for Black to receive and turn the ball.
   I think Black is Alma.  If for any other reason than there is an "A" on the back of  the shirt.
   Illinois Tech's right back steps high enough that they are exposed on quick turn overs.
   Seen this a lot that teams waste a lot of dead ball opportunities by hitting the ball too close and the Keeper can make a relatively comfortable play on the ball.
   Illinois Tech has had a couple of dangerous opportunities, including a ball off the cross bar to unsettle Alma.
   Game seems to have shifted in favor of Illinois Tech. 
   Lots of mindless defending for Alma.
   Gap between Alma defenders and middle line would make me drool over the amount of space to be had.
   Alma midfielders keep turning over the ball when they finally get control of the ball.
   Alma central defender just misjudged a ball in the air, that let an Illinois Tech forward go one on one with the keeper, but his shot was wide.
   Alma just had wonderful ball movement that led to a lofted ball far post where inside the six, the winger skied the ball over the bar.  15 left.
   Here is what Illinois Tech does defensively.  The outside back steps forward like every other outside back on every other team.  The center back however does not provide any cover leaving a gaping space to exploit.  I think a goal can come from this space on the field if Alma plays the ball quick enough.
   If I were Illinois Tech, I would go straight at the Alma center backs.  In the air, on the ground.... Press.  They are vulnerable. 
   5 left in the half.  Am done.