sportdude

In 2002 USJ came though E. Tennessee and played some games. It was probably their Spring break. They were a strong well-organized team and won 2-0. The coach got upset with the team's efforts during the game so he put in the JV and they soon scored. It was early in the year and CSAS will probably present a stiffer challenge, but I was impressed with USJ.

In this biased observer's opinion, the CCS player lost the ball as he was falling and grabbed the defender and took him down with him. Otherwise, I was very impressed with CCS. Their defenders consistently stepped through their man and took passes away from their man. On offense they played the ball on the ground, passed to a space, ran to spaces, and possesed the ball most of the night. They used their wide halfs very effectively and their midfielders controlled the middle of the field. Almost every set peice was designed to go to the head of Doudney and I thought they were predictable with it, however. All in all, a well coached team who delivered a little soccer lesson to an inexperienced team. Finally, CSAS's Robert Hudson was the most impressive player on the field in the midst of constant attacking from CCS. I hope to be able to watch him at least two more times before he goes to play at Maryville College. CELEBRATING MY FOURTH ANNIVERSAY OF T'S LEGIONS OF SPORTSFANS. I'm a little more sportsmanlike for it thanks to reading posts by Hoya, Mtnman, G and others.

CSAS-1 NDame-0

Baylor was much busier and possesed the ball alot. Overall they were much better prepared {coached?} and had far more success with short passes working the ball up the field. Finishing is not their forte but Mcallie really did not press the action until the last seven or eight minutes. All in all, an easy win from this nuetral observer's standpoint.

In '03 CSAS traveled to Page and in '04 entertained Columbia before advancing to the State in consecutive years. Tonight I thought both ND and CSAS played hard. In fact, CSAS had some younger players grow up a little while ND had some experienced players affected by injuries. Earlier this year ND outhustled the Patriots and were dominant in a 4-0 win. On the other hand CSAS had injuries and had been physically beaten up by Mcallie in a 3-1 loss after defeating Soddy Daisey 3-0 two nights before that. ND had no reason to fear the Patriots although they have suffered ties and loses to them in recent years.

I'd love to come north and watch this game. Is Catholic off of Cedar Bluff Rd.?

Is Andrew Gamble back or is he still on the mend?

Baylor scores on two set peices and ND scores off a corner as well. You can't nap against the Red Raiders on set peices because they smell the oppertunity to score and attack hard. The first half, ND's defense played well but on the offensive end they kept feeding slashing forwards in the middle of the field. The play was directed into the teeth of the Baylor defense and generated few opportunities. Even though Baylor controlled more of the pace of the play in the first half, ND's defense stayed composed and yeilded only one real chance and gave up a goal on an indirect kick. In the second half ND's coach did a good job af prompting his team to be more aggressive and they played wih more confidence as well. The Irish also realized they were not playing on that bowling alley of a field of theirs and involved their wide halves in the game plan. For whatever reason, Baylor was more tentative in the second half and was lucky to have come away with a tie. Make no mistake- the two teams are equals. AS most know, Bach is a fine player when he has the ball. If he has any weakness at all its his first touch. He was marked very tight in the second half but when he roamed to the opposite side of the field he had more room to work and became more dangerous. I thought ND's keeper had a fine game. I saw the Irish earlier this year and thought maybe they were missing someone in the middle tonight. Does any one know?

Should be a tight, physical game. I predict a scoreless tie. Notre Dame may be a little rusty at first, but unless they give up one early they'll have a good chance to win at the end. There. I've covered all my bases with that prediction.

Of course, ND has lost to A/AA teams while competing as a Div. II school {eg CCS and CSAS }. They are loaded this year, but who will carry the offensive load?

Freshman Stacy Tatum had two assists. Anyone seen her play?

Does anyone have a link to the Div. I scores from this weekend?

My apologies for a poorly worded post. There seems to an inordinate amount of complaining about officiating here at tournament time. Since no one had not made any noise on Sheffield's part you can conclude they have little support. And yes, that forward {Hernandez?} is a handfull.

Congratulations to both programs for making the finals yet again. Since no one else has done so, let me use this thread to congratulate Sheffield for playing in the semi-finals two years in a row. It sounds like they played with alot of heart. The finalist should recognize how blessed they are to have excellent coaches, strong parental support, and sufficient school resources. Sheffield has no resources,support, or soccer tradition. The coach and kids apparently just really appreciate the oppertunity to play the most loved game in they world. By the way, did Sheffield have two late goals taken off for offsides and/or interference? The fact no one is on this board complaing about the officiating again reveals how little support they have.

Their record is 7-10-3. "They have named a new coach. This is it for me for now. It's safe to say this caught me off guard. I wasn't aware of any of this until December, but I still want to be involved in soccer at CCS in whatever way possible." Chattanooga Times Free Press 5/10/05, quoting coach David Stanton.

Hoya, having graduated in '75 you must surely be retirement age and free to travel to Memphis! Next year I'm taking leave time, going to Memphis and watching every game I can. I'd be much happier if Spring Fling comes back east, however.

This will be one of LA's most unusual opponents this year. I believe Sheffield is a school for students who use English as a second language. The players will be from S. America, Central America, Africa and Mexico. They know how to stay in position and have decent skills. They have only played one game in the last two weeks and probably will not be in shape and probably will not have a bunch of subs. The school does not have alot of resources. Nonetheless, they are a fun group to watch.

8.5pts for me

Oops.

PICKS: LC, FRA,CAK, CCS, Grace, Westview, Sheffield, CPA, TIEBREAKER: CAK+Grace=10 goals

Please verify. Is it Station Camp at FRA and CPA at Livingston?

Someone predicted Grace 1-0 off a set play at post #23. I wasn't there. Was the goal off a free kick?

PICK THE 8 SECTIONAL WINNERS SCORING: correct home winner=1 point correct away winner=1.5 point EXAMPLE: CCS at Columbia predicted winner-CCS The win would be=1.5pts TIEBREAKER: predict total goals by any two of the 16 teams EXAMPLE: Westview+CAK=6goals Add the goals scored by each team and compare to your prediction. We need to post the matchups as soon as they are known.

You are right. This game could be a defensive struggle. If CCS plays as hard as they have the last two games the game will be very close. Grace does have a good defense. It saved their hide against CSAS. That game was very similar to last years' regional semifinal but CSAS converted their chances in overtime. They like to sneak Hauser [#2?] into the offensive end on direct kicks. He will also make a run from in back and his teamates know to look for him running unmarked. That is how he was able to get an open look and put in the game winner at the 78th minute. Grace's offense tries to find Moss most times down the field. He was no factor in the first half when CSAS really possessed the ball and Grace couldn't get anything done and seemed to be hanging on for dear life. Moss was man marked by Chris Banks and got more touches in the second half by diagonal runs away from the center of the field to shield his defender. He is very physical and would try to beat Banks with his strength and size after getting to the ball. The two went to war with Banks not letting him get his usual shots. Offensively they have about 3-4 guys [including Hauser]who can drive the ball if allowed to take a shot from 25-30 yards in. They must be quickly marked. In years past CCS seemed to have one or two scorers who knew how to finish i.e.Duble, Trimiew, Courtney, etc. This year is an exception. They don't have as many skilled players overall either. But here at years' end they are playing very hard and playing as a team. With the return of Neilson they are more versatle and can rotate more players in and out. They will sub alot more players than Grace and this will pay dividends if it is hot or the field is soggy. Their defense is not as good as Grace's overall but if they again play hard and CCS controls play there will be few scoring oppertunities. Prediction? Grace 1-0 off a set play. Congratulations to CSAS on a good year. Coach Rivers started three freshmen and two sophomores. They beat CCS, Boyd and Red Bank in away games by a combined score of 6-0. They lost to Baylor 1-0 and tied Notre Dame in away games as well. Coach took them to their first undefeated regular season district title.

Grace takes this game 3-0 at Boyd. Sweetwater's leading scorer's behavior is embarrassing. From the beginning of the game until his eruption in the first half the keeper is having to keep shouting "keep cool-we need you". He's skilled, but is no factor sitting on the bench.