Mullen vs. Windsor - JV@4, V@6
Location: Windsor High School
1100 Main St, Windsor, CO 80550
Both teams: White all the way down (Away uniform) - make sure to snack and eat. And also hydrate; this is a dinner time game, so make sure to take care of your nutrition.
Match Report Preface:
Windsor has had a weird start to the season - cancelled games, reschedules, and then spring break. They played once, and got thrashed by a fast and talented Broomfield team. However, they are no strangers to winning, and they are going to be motivated to get their first one of the season. We should expect an aggressive Windsor team that is hunting goal. The hope is that we can take advantage of this mentality, be patient, and capitalize on their rocky start to the season.
With that said, the Broomfield game went like this...
Windsor played in some version of a midblock. They put very little pressure on Broomfield's backline, and tried to absorb their attack. This allowed Broomfield to wreak havoc through the middle of the park and in front of goal. Even when Windsor threatened to get out, they misplaced passes and had very little going forward. (I do not think Windsor will play this type of soccer against us, or throughout the season. They will be much more on the front foot- but there were still some chinks in the armor.)
However, with that said, for all of Broomfield's talent, some of the goals were a little fluky... Broomfield put the ball in the back of the net 3 times in the first half off of missed clearances. They were just active in front of goal and ready to pounce. They brought the ball down the flanks, drove it in or crossed it, waited for it to be mishandled, and then put it in the back of the net.
*They also hit a post on a beautiful play and put together a beautiful goal as well. This game could have blown open.
Windsor Strengths:
Windsor has a winning tradition, and built a fair amount of chemistry in last year's D season. They graduated very few impact players and are coming off a quarter final loss to Holy Family. They are very motivated. They feel like last year's state championship slipped through their fingers.
From preseason, it seems like Windsor is very strong in the middle of the park. They have some speed and size, and a girl that can just crank the ball. Additionally, the link up play between the midfield and the false nine is strong. She drops into the gap well, and turns to go on goal, or play the third run through. We are going to have to be quick to step and press. Horizon tried to play an open game with them and Windsor put in 3 goals in 50 minutes. One of which was a banger from 35 out.
Windsor has a history of exploiting poor organization. They are strong one v one and hard to dispossess.
Lastly, there are two or three players on Windsor's varsity team that were varsity basketball players as well. These girls have a score to settle, and I do not think there is a lot of love for Mullen up at Windsor. You can expect everything to go their way. Fans will be against you, refs will be against you, the town wants a win over Mullen.
Patient and conservative play is going to be key. We are going to have to expect to go up there and grind with no favors in return. You are entering the lion's den, or wizards lair... or whatever. Expect a fierce game tonight.
Windsor weakness:
1. We have the luxury of having a good/full week of soccer under our belts. We are three weeks into the season, and games and practices for Windsor have been sporadic. Windsor will need to shake off some rust, but without a practice right before this game, they will also have organizational issues to fix. Tonight we have to be willing to play a little territorial and play the big ball out. They have already shown that clearances out of the back field are not their strong suit, and if we can get in behind their defense, we can probably cause some problems. When given the opportunity, we also need to crash the goal and be a little more opportunistic than we have been.
2. Broomfield was able to exploit the wings and had a lot of freedom with their outside backs. It seems like Windsor has packed most of their talent in the middle of the park, and that has left the flanks somewhat exposed. We need to move the ball wide, quickly, and utilize overlaps to get down the flanks. Attacking runs need to be made on the inside of defenders to increase opportunity on goal.
This is a great example of good wing movement. Our 7 plays in the gap between defenders, and we utilize a quick throw to spring her behind the back line (remember - you can't be offsides on a throw, so when our attackers are in position, look for opportunities to send them in on goal. Wings - make the run, OB's throw the ball quickly) Our 7 then gets a nice ball to the back post with our 11 and 9 both crashing in. This is great football, we are just on the wrong side of the luck. This is the kind of counter we want to spring against Windsor tonight.
Mullen key's to success:
1. Set pieces and territorial play: Since we are on the road against a team that has a size advantage, we need to play this game the right way. If we rely on organized defense, and move the ball quickly to the wings and corners, we should be able to create set-piece opportunities and counter attacks.
Corners and set-pieces need to be played into the box to exploit Windsor's poor clearances. We need to crash, crash, crash, and not give up on any play.
2.No mistakes in the back: When Windsor is on the attack, we need to totally commit to our recovery, and be willing to block low when we need to. Clearances need to be strong and clinical, and never across the middle. Additionally, our nine needs to look for opportunities to double, and our ten needs to be committed to covering one of Windsor's 6's and tracking her on through runs.
When you watch this clip, you can see that we are rather well positioned for the throw. The biggest key here is that we can't dive in, we have to keep the shape. When the ball is dropped, one of our 6's dives, and is beat by a through ball. There, if we keep the shape, and contain instead of dive, we can prevent the through ball. However, we are then well positioned in cover and our outside back steps to the attacking player. The problem is that we clear the ball across the middle (low).
If we refrain from diving and commit to containing, and if we clear big, we prevent this goal scoring opportunity.
3. CLOSE DOWN SHOTS
5. Outside backs, get involved in the attack.
6. Conservative play in the back, strong clearances, close down shots. (TWICE)
No shots on goal = shutout
Good luck!
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