Women's Soccer - Spring Game vs. TCU

by **DanFreibergerForHeisman** » Thu Apr 05, 2012 7:09 pm

Spring season continues Friday afternoon against TCU at 3pm. The game will be played in Farmers Branch in conjunction with the Dallas International Girls Cup.

Based on the schedules on the Dallas International Girls Cup website, it looks like the game will be on Field 1 at the Ross Stewart Soccer Complex.

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&hl=en&q=1777%20Keenan%20Bridge%20Road+Farmers%20Branch,+TX+75234

Take the afternoon off or leave work early and come support the Mustangs!

by **DanFreibergerForHeisman** » Fri Apr 06, 2012 6:29 pm

SMU dispatched TCU in stunning fashion 4-0 this afternoon behind goals from Kenzie Scovill, Rikki Clarke, Jessica Bartol, and Ryanne Lewis.

Once again, there were plenty of SMU fans in attendance - including an impressive array of former players.

The team appeared to get through the game without any major injuries. Also of note was the return of Taylor Robinson to action for the first time since her knee injury in last season's fall exhibition match. Robinson played a decent amount of minutes in midfield and looked very comfortable.

A few of the players appear to be rotating between forward and midfield - likely laying the groundwork for some more flexibility in our formations next season.

The same back four played the entire game today (Smith-Bass-Larson-Hartweck left to right) and looked very solid. Meg Stewart got the start in goal, with Lauryn Bodden replacing her during the first half and playing the remainder of the match. Honestly, neither keeper was tested too much once again.

Overall, another great showing for the team. SMU has now outscored our opposition 9-0 in spring action this year.

Up next is Oklahoma State in Stillwater next Saturday.

Go Ponies!

by **DanFreibergerForHeisman** » Sat Apr 07, 2012 7:45 am

SMU release:

http://www.smumustangs.com/sports/w-soccer/spec-rel/040612aac.html

by **PonyPower** » Sat Apr 07, 2012 2:22 pm

I didn't see the TCU game, but it's always good when we beat down TCU in any sport.

I did see the Midwestern game, and it sounds like our defense and goalies haven't been tested at all this spring.

Okie State should be interesting.

by **SMU89** » Sat Apr 07, 2012 5:50 pm

Nice win Mustangs

by **DanFreibergerForHeisman** » Sun Apr 08, 2012 12:23 am

PonyPower wrote:I didn't see the TCU game, but it's always good when we beat down TCU in any sport.

I did see the Midwestern game, and it sounds like our defense and goalies haven't been tested at all this spring.

Okie State should be interesting.

Yes - it is always great to beat TCU in anything. In retrospect, I regret not saying "SMU stoned TCU".

In all honesty, it's hard to say if TCU was that much better than Division II Midwestern State - but SMU looked markedly better in the second game. The passing was much crisper, and the communication at the back was solid throughout. SMU also kept up the pace and pressure for the full 90 minutes.

There are obviously some things to complain about here and there with the team but you can't question the conditioning and work they are putting in - especially when you consider we are doing this with just 12-13 outfield players available.

OK State will definitely be a much more challenging test. It should be a much better gauge of our team.

Considering the major issue from last season was scoring goals and the top question going into 2012 is sorting out the center backs and keeper, an aggregate score of 9-0 through 180 minutes of action leaves little to be too critical of so far.

by **PonyFan** » Sun Apr 08, 2012 7:02 pm

So if Midwestern State is awful, and TCU is the same kind of team, we really don't know if we're going to be any good or not, right? Inflated margins of victory are great, but if they come against no competition, do they really tell anything?

by **DanFreibergerForHeisman** » Mon Apr 09, 2012 7:28 pm

PonyFan wrote:So if Midwestern State is awful, and TCU is the same kind of team, we really don't know if we're going to be any good or not, right? Inflated margins of victory are great, but if they come against no competition, do they really tell anything?

Of course.

But, so far, it is nice to see the area where we have struggled (scoring goals) and the area where we lost three seniors (center back and keeper) not be glaring weaknesses.

Based on the past couple of seasons, it certainly wouldn't have been a bit surprising to see us go out, give up a couple of bad goals, have trouble scoring a goal, and drop one of these games 2-1. Thankfully for those of us who support the team it hasn't been anything close to that.

OSU will present a huge challenge Saturday - more on that later this week.