LH D3 PICKS 3/9

Andromeda v. Southlake SAINTS
Liverpool Hansen v. Texans RED
FCD East Red v. FCD West
Mustangs v. Polaris
Liverpool Daglish v. Celtic

Andromeda v. Southlake SAINTS --2-1 Andromeda
Liverpool Hansen v. Texans RED--Texans Red 2-1
FCD East Red v. FCD West--1-1
Mustangs v. Polaris--Mustangs 1-0
Liverpool Daglish v. Celtic--Celtic 1-0

Andromeda vs Saints 1-1 tie
LP Hansen vs Texans 0-0 tie
FCD East vs FCD West 0-1 FCD West
Mustangs vs Polaris 1-0 Mustangs
LP Dalglish vs Celtic 1-1 tie

Put me down for...

Andromeda vs Saints 1 - 2 (Saints would build a significant pts lead with a win here)
LP Hansen vs Texans 1 - 0 (Hansen is playing better and the Texans just aren't scoring)
FCD East vs FCD West 0 - 0 (Not much happens in this family fued)
Mustangs vs Polaris 1-0 (Mustangs ride the big tie from Wed night to a win)
LP Dalglish vs Celtic 1-1 (Celtic has problems finding the pts to catch Andro for 2nd place)


OK, D3 Fans... I've got a question for you. Where is all the scoring this year. Yes, the defenses are playing better. Yes, the goalies have made some good stops. But if you look at the last couple years of LHGCL history for 1st year D3 teams, even the middle of the pack teams were scoring 20 goals + over the year.

This year there are only 3 teams that are even threatening to clear that hurdle now, and the year is 3/4 over. I'm curious about what other people think. My '02 DD is the only soccer player I have, so I like to hear what other people with 97's, 99's, etc experienced if/when they were in D3.

Andromeda v. Southlake SAINTS. 0-0
Liverpool Hansen v. Texans RED. 0-1
FCD East Red v. FCD West. 1-0
Mustangs v. Polaris. 2-0
Liverpool Daglish v. Celtic. 1-1

Andromeda v. Southlake SAINTS- 0-1
Liverpool Hansen v. Texans RED 1-1
FCD East Red v. FCD West 1-0
Mustangs v. Polaris 1-0
Liverpool Daglish v. Celtic 1-0

BigGuy23 wrote:
OK, D3 Fans... I've got a question for you. Where is all the scoring this year. Yes, the defenses are playing better. Yes, the goalies have made some good stops. But if you look at the last couple years of LHGCL history for 1st year D3 teams, even the middle of the pack teams were scoring 20 goals + over the year.

This year there are only 3 teams that are even threatening to clear that hurdle now, and the year is 3/4 over. I'm curious about what other people think. My '02 DD is the only soccer player I have, so I like to hear what other people with 97's, 99's, etc experienced if/when they were in D3.

When my 97 was in D3 at U11, we had at least 6 games that were 0-0, many others that were 1-0 or 0-1. I think at this level and age defense tends to dominate, and/or coaches take a more conservative approach to the line up/style. Also, at every age there tends to be a hand full of elite teams (less than 10, IE not all D1 teams) and then the skill levels plateau pretty well down to to the top of Plano. Teams at the the top of Plano will rack up big scores in league play, because the skill level drops off sharply somewhere in the middle of PPL D1.

OK the first game is in the books now.

Saints 1 - Andro 0

BigGuy23 wrote:OK the first game is in the books now.

Saints 1 - Andro 0

And the second game...

Texans 1 - LP Hansen 0

I have watched this division more this year than any previous year.
Although there have not been many goals - it helps me focus on how critical small-mistakes become in the game of soccer. it only takes 1 goal to make the difference of 3 points.

Looking at D3: The Southlake SAINTS have just opened up an 8 point lead at the top of the table. Will they stretch it or sit on it? They are chased by a couple of very competitive teams that they have only managed to tie in previous games (0-0 each time) - this weekend the SAINTS defeated Andromeda by just 1 goal (1-0).

The key factor is that the SAINTS have always come away with at least 1 point from each game - leveraging a strong defense. Consistency of performance at this age is not an easy thing to achieve - ask any coach and close observing parent It only takes 1 slip-up during a game, or poor preparation for a single game (just 1 or 2 players arriving late) and the result can stick with the team for the whole season. Preparation may be the differentiator here.

Congrats to ALL those who make the sport the best possible experience for all these young girls.

Thinking a little deeper. I propose that there are LESS opportunities to score since the Fields are Relatively BIG for the player's skill, agility and stamina.
Skill: As you may notice, the ball changes possession too often at the younger ages - which directly effects the ability to buid an attack. ther are less opportunities created.
Agility: Tis has to do with possession and the ability to Retain the ball 9as above)
Stamina: Even though there are enormous spaces on the field (as seen from the side-lines) it is clear that the younger players cannot take advantage of what appears to be an obvious opportunity to find space. This may be explained by perspective of size. An adult sees the opportunity relative to their scale - it is(obviously) not so certain when you are of a smaller scale. INDEED the sprinting athlete can excel at this level of play - and does.

I personally believe we should be playing on smaller fields at this age to assist development of the player (mor touches/more control) and the game (more team play).
Comments??

BFI wrote:Thinking a little deeper. I propose that there are LESS opportunities to score since the Fields are Relatively BIG for the player's skill, agility and stamina.
Skill: As you may notice, the ball changes possession too often at the younger ages - which directly effects the ability to buid an attack. ther are less opportunities created.
Agility: Tis has to do with possession and the ability to Retain the ball 9as above)
Stamina: Even though there are enormous spaces on the field (as seen from the side-lines) it is clear that the younger players cannot take advantage of what appears to be an obvious opportunity to find space. This may be explained by perspective of size. An adult sees the opportunity relative to their scale - it is(obviously) not so certain when you are of a smaller scale. INDEED the sprinting athlete can excel at this level of play - and does.

I personally believe we should be playing on smaller fields at this age to assist development of the player (mor touches/more control) and the game (more team play).
Comments??

The English, who apparently have some experience with the sport, concluded the same thing.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/england/9295474/FA-vote-in-favour-of-reforming-youth-football.html