I thought we played pretty well with the exception of our d-mids and our
clearing. I am comfortable that we will be better on clears but I expect
Maryland to invert with Ritz and Groot in particular. Will struggled with
his footing and then became tentative. We must remember that UMBC
was a very fundamentally sound team with a good goalie and some very
good individual players (Davis was very impressive - has alot of ability
but his effort ahs been questioned). The conditions helped them as we
could easily have had four goals in the first quarter - the mud stopped at
least two shots from going in when the keeper had been beaten. We
also made him look good on a number of occassions. The recipe for an
upset was there - a good team with a good keeper on a bad track; the
fact that we gutted it out was noteworthy.
Two other points - big props to Danny who took some big hits but
played aggressively and well. We need him to play that way for us to
be successful. Bud was a little off but in the right place at the right
time when we needed it. Its not an excuse but that kind of cloudy sky
with changing light can be very tough on a goalie.
For the Terps:
As suggested, we will need (and we will get) a better game from Bud.
The key matchups will be Reed and Catalino. I like either Kelly or
Nizolek on Catalino and Clausen on Reed -Clausen has thje best
quickness of the group and Reed is very smooth. I think you put a pole
on Groot and our best shortie on Ritz (I don't remember what we did
last game but it was pretty effective).
As stated elsewhere, not getting down early will be important.
MAryland will pack it in or play zone and we will struggle if they do.
Face-offs are always a concern but our continued strong wing play
gives me some comfort and Ince was key to a big improvement in the
second game.
Defensively, I expect Maryland to rethink putting a shortie on Billings. I
would think they put a pole on Lamade or Bratton given Carrol's broken
hand. I like how our attack matches up anyway. We need Danny to
continue to be aggressive. It would be abig help if Giannone would re-
emerge with Carroll hurting.
If we play smart and up to our ability, we shoudl be OK.
Current Thread:
Some Thoughts Before Tomorrow -- gborocavFri May 16 2008 1:07:13 PM
