Mullen vs GW (Womens soccer)

 Mullen vs George Washington

V@430

Jv@630

Varsity - arrive at GW by 3:15

Surface: turf

Uniforms: White

GW strengths:

1. GW is a good sized team. They have size at the 9, the 6, and out on one of the wings. They move well, get into tackles, and have some speed on the flanks. We will need to find the contact and retain possession of the ball, especially in the attack. 

2. GW has a well organized attack. They keep things simple by moving the ball out to the flanks and then trying to bring it across the middle to create opportunities in front of goal. They are methodical in this approach so our outside backs need to be pressed and marked tight. Additionally, they have a 9 that can hold up the ball well. CBs need to make sure that they are in pressure-cover. Where one steps to contain (not dive in) and the other covers the turn and shot.

3. They have shown well defensively - very few goals against. I think their back line is fast, but they are also prone to some technical mistakes so we have to be opportunistic.

GW weaknesses:

From what I saw, GW is somewhat predictable and they don't have the technical talent of the teams we have faced recently. The number one thing we can do to gain an edge is to stay organized and execute our press. 

By keeping our shape, we can absorb the GW attack, and by pressing we can capitalize on mistakes. We need to seek to take away their strengths.

When we are on the attack, outside backs need to get involved, and the defense needs to step up with the attack. 

On this first goal, you can see that we clear the ball and our nine is nicely positioned in the gap where we wanted her to be. As she carries the ball forward, our 7 and 11 move into attacking positions as well, but our defense stays dropped. The problem is that this creates a big gap at the top of our final third. When we turn over the ball, creek is able to exploit that gap. Center backs end up flat and creek makes the diagonal run into the box just like we knew they would. 

If our outside backs move up with the attack, and our CBs step into shape, when the ball came into the wing, we would have been pressed tight and we could have prevented the ball into the diagonal run. 

When the game moves forward, we need to be sharp and step with the game. 

On creek's third goal, we get caught with a player open at the back post. 7s and 11s, we need to remember that the winger on the weakside is a shared player, and if the outside back shifts into cover, that 7/11 has to be in a wing to wing mark. 

On this play, our 7 stays on the outside back, but leaves the shared player and she puts it in at the back post. Additionally, there is a throw in, which is a time we need to use to recover beneath the ball. 

Keys to success:

Stay organized, keep shape, find marks.

Play to feet and be quick in transition.

Capitalize on mistakes.

Outside backs , get elevated. 

Close down, block shots, nothing on goal. 

Good luck!