Franklin vs Baylor

[blu]

Dudes, based on what we saw Saturday, who do you think has the better team and why?

[AusDan]

I think that Baylor would win. Jimmy is a great coach.

[puzzle]

Of course it would always depend on the day. However, Baylor did play Franklin last year and beat them by two on Franklin's field. Franklin lost several key players since they were seniors and Baylor didn't lose any.

 

Baylor would have really liked to have played them again this year, but for some reason Franklin backed out. Baylor could have really used another high quality game.

 

Both teams were very good and it would have been a great game.

[wjr]

Baylor had an amazing 11 shutouts in a row to close their season and 15 total which was second only to the 1991 Franklin team. Having watched Baylor over the years, the key to their success seems to be a physically tough, well-organized back 4 with solid goalkeeping. They complement that with some very good skill players in the attack to round things out.

[blu]

Now my take (and I pulled for Baylor all the way):

 

Baylor in spite of all the shutouts is solid in the back but slow on the corners at fullback and, until the finals, were always weak in the middle. Their true strenght was 5 very fast skilled girls who could attack: Lauren, Paige, Beth, Ashley and a blond freshman. Their two man front had very little difficulty with a 3 back defense and even 4 back defenses.

 

Franklin looked to me to be better skilled across the board (10v10). I really saw no weaknesses. Their 3 man front was fast and skilled...... which may have magnified Baylors slow corner defenders. It certainly would have increased the pressure because all three of those girsl were aggressive and could fly. Baylors back four obviously beat all two man fronts this year.

 

Franklin and Baylor seemed about equal in the middle but Balyor has not played that way in their earlier tournament games.

 

Really didn't get to see much of the Franklin keeper so will give the edge to Baylor's Fehr.

 

Also never say either team in a shootout so PKs are a mystery.

 

I'm sure both coaches are very good.

 

Baylor plays a little more kickball esp under pressure and out of the back row.

FBs rarely trapped the ball and I never once saw Baylor change the point of attack. The ball was always kicked back to the area of origin, usually on the roll.

To give credit, they did on occasion hit a target player a mid field - usually Murphy.

 

With Baylor's front runners it may be smart to boom it up front and them let them do the work rather than controlling the ball and building from the defensive 1/3. But, this could also be a sign of weakness in Baylors defenders.

 

Not trying to make any Baylor friends mad, just a gut feeling.

 

My take is Franklin by 1 in OT.

 

 

 

Can they play the game this weekend???? Ill be there!

Edited November 3, 2003 by blu

[puzzle]

It would be a great game, but in all fairness to the Baylor's defenders, this same team did manage to shut down those same fast forwards last year.

[blu]

a point well taken

[stayNskool]

It would just be such a tough game to call... I mean Franklin obviously has some real talent but Baylor does too... and as we all know, the team with Ashley Murphy, nearly always has a distinct advantage...

[blu]

SNS - I couldn't have said that better my self! Maybe I forgot to factor in the Murphy factor.

 

That GQ dude is bugging the heck out of me. If he is that jealous then Ms. Ashley outa cut him loose!

Edited November 3, 2003 by blu

[nader64]

Blu...I just wanna know your age. I think your an older guy. But I want to know how much older you are.

[cm15]

Baylor's outside backs are no that slow...

[chip]

I watched the game and Ashley and was not impressed.The reason was she had a tough time when covered tight getting the ball to where she wanted it to go. She did play a good game but I thought Annie and Brittany had a better game. Maggie did a good job.Why did n't PJP II not put the ball into the corner and beat the wall with their speed. I know you want to control the ball ( to feet)but you must put pressure on the slower back wall of Baylor. Franklin speed would be fun to watch play against Baylor strong defense.