(09-12-2021 04:01 PM)Lester Wrote: Toledo lost 1-0 to Illinois today. I have seen the Rockets play several times. They have a young and talented team, but they have some trouble scoring goals. Their best player, in my opinion, is the goalkeeper. She kept them in the game today.
This is the same Illinois team that trounced BG 5-1 on Thursday - a BG team that was expected to be one of the top 2-3, if not the best team in the MAC this year.
Rockets played a great game today. Illinois pressed them at times, but the Rockets had several really good opportunities to score, including 1 that the UI keeper made a tremendous save on. Shots were close - 15-10 in Illinois' favor. In the end, the game turned on a questionable call that gave Illinois an indirect free kick in the box, late in the 2nd. Rockets stopped the initial shot, and a second, but a third seeing eye grounder trickled into the corner. Disappointing way to end the game.
At first, I was not impressed with the team when I saw the opening match of the year against Fort Wayne, but they have gotten better and better as the season has progressed. They play with a lot of poise, are not as panicky with the ball in their own end, and aren't getting beaten 1v1 much at all anymore, even though lately they have played much more skilled teams. Yes, they have had some trouble finishing but in general I think they have a good shot at a very good MAC season.
One more OOC tune up against Illinois State. Like BG, Illinois State lost to Illinois 5-1, but they beat both EMU and NIU (neither of which were expected to be top tier MAC teams.) UT was picked to finish 11th in the MAC, and I think they should be able to do a lot better than that.