That's all I have.

I think last nights match confirmed that the 32nd District Tournament could prove very interesting once again this season. From my perspective, I am not sure we have a clear cut favorite at this point in the season but it does appear that a very deserving team will not make the Regional tournament again this season.

 

In last nights match Cooper came out ready to play (unlike some other matches) and was able to do a good job of getting possession early in the match by winning the majority of the 50/50 balls in the air, they were able to create a few chances, but nothing that Bedel could not handle fairly easily. Cooper was able to get on the board first, I think it was about 10 minutes into the match. Over the next several minutes, Cooper was able to get a couple decent shots off that they could not put on frame and also had a free kick from about 30 yds go just wide.

 

About 10 minutes after Cooper had taken the lead they committed a very simpleminded foul in their own box, giving Ryle the chance to tie the match with a PK. Pastrana was able to bury the kick and tie the match up. This also seemed to inject some life into the Raiders and I feel it was a big turning point in the match. Up until this point, I believe that Ryle only had one good scoring chance and Cooper was doing a good job of getting their offense forward and keeping some pressure on the Raiders defense.

 

The remainder of the first half was pretty evenly played, both teams had a couple decent chances to take the lead but both goalies were up to task and the schools went to the break tied at one.

 

The second half saw more of the same early on but I feel that Ryle did a little better job of controlling the run of play and they slowly started to take some control in the match. About 15 minutes into the second half, Cooper allowed Hoffman to get through the back line and the goalie was not able to keep him from putting it into the net to give the Raiders a 2-1 lead. From this point on Ryle did a much better job of keeping the ball and limiting Cooper chances, they were also creating more scoring chances for themselves. It seemed that Cooper got a bit tired and their offense also seemed to become very one-dimensional for the remainder of the match.

 

With only about 10 minutes left, Ryle was able to tack on their third goal, I am not certain who got credit for it but I think it was Pastrana. Cooper was not able to get the ball out of the box and after it bounced around a few times he was able to poke it into the corner of the net. The Jags did continue to push for another goal but were not really able to mount much of a scoring chance over the last few minutes, Ryle has a very stingy defense and the 2 goal lead really allowed them to sit back and keep Cooper in front of them.

 

Scoring...

Ryle: Goals - Pastrana(2), Hoffman. Assists - Brownell, Pastrana

Cooper: Snow

 

Although I would have been happier with the win, this was a nice match to watch. There were several friends playing on opposite sides tonight, it made for some very spirited, but clean play.... it was great to see play out. I think the teams were more evenly matched than some people thought going into last night. If not for some mental mistakes on Cooper's part this might not have been decided in regulation, Ryle played smarter, and came away with the win.

 

I have not seen, or heard, much mention on BGP of how Nathan Roe has been performing this season. I think that he continues to play at a very high level and I also feel that he is one of the smartest, and cleanest, defenders I have seen play. I witnessed a constant battle between him and Snow last night, both on the ground and in the air, especially in the second half when he did a great job of limiting the touches and meaningfull chances he had. I believe that the most impressive thing I saw from Roe last night was the genuine handshake, and pat on the back, he turned and offered up as soon as the whistle had sounded.

Where was the game played?

If the game was at Ryle (turf), what if anything, did either team learn, considering the District will be played on a natural surface (assuming the District is at Cooper/Boone/Conner)?

What is the status of Cooper's regular #1 keeper? I know he missed some early season contests due to concussion. Is he back? If not, what is the status?

THANKS! Great game report.

Played at Cooper.

 

I believe District is at Conner this year.

 

Cooper keeper was only out a week, been back for a couple weeks.

How was the field at Cooper?

As I alluded to on the prediction thread on this game, the Cooper defense would need to play better to win. Sounds like this did not happen.

 

This District is wide open, 4 teams as competitive with each other as any in the area, maybe the state. First round games will be pressure packed. In this sort of pressure packed atmosphere mistakes usually determine the outcome.

Has Cooper made any changes, personnel and/or tactical changes to shore up the defense? Unless they can fix the mistakes on defense, which based on the game summaries posted on here, are happening almost every loss, Cooper will not advance to the Regional.

As I alluded to on the prediction thread on this game, the Cooper defense would need to play better to win. Sounds like this did not happen.

 

This District is wide open, 4 teams as competitive with each other as any in the area, maybe the state. First round games will be pressure packed. In this sort of pressure packed atmosphere mistakes usually determine the outcome.

Has Cooper made any changes, personnel and/or tactical changes to shore up the defense? Unless they can fix the mistakes on defense, which based on the game summaries posted on here, are happening almost every loss, Cooper will not advance to the Regional.

 

I understand what you are saying but I think this statement holds true for most losses when the teams are fairly evenly matched. A breakdown, miscue, bad decision, etc... is usually all it takes unless one team is far and away more superior than the other.

Alas, this is too true, YC. Just look at the NCC v Boone thread for a recent example. :sour:

I understand what you are saying but I think this statement holds true for most losses when the teams are fairly evenly matched. A breakdown, miscue, bad decision, etc... is usually all it takes unless one team is far and away more superior than the other.

 

I respectfully (somewhat) disagree. Seen many close games between two fairly competitive teams decided by a good offensive build up and finish and/or game decided by a great offensive play/finish by one good attacking player.

Sure defensive mistakes share their part in determining outcomes, but would not go so far and say "most".

And the reason I wrote this specifically about Cooper is due to the Cooper game summaries on here. Most of the Cooper losses, based on summaries on BGP, are attributable to the Cooper defense making a mistake, letting the attacker get behind them, etc.

As I alluded to on the prediction thread on this game, the Cooper defense would need to play better to win. Sounds like this did not happen.

 

This District is wide open, 4 teams as competitive with each other as any in the area, maybe the state. First round games will be pressure packed. In this sort of pressure packed atmosphere mistakes usually determine the outcome.

Has Cooper made any changes, personnel and/or tactical changes to shore up the defense? Unless they can fix the mistakes on defense, which based on the game summaries posted on here, are happening almost every loss, Cooper will not advance to the Regional.

I would disagree with this comment. I believe Ryle has proven themselves with regional play to be the best team in the district and the second best team in NKY

You may be correct. Time will tell, Connor away, Boone home, we'll know more after September 29th. Either way hands down the most competitive district in NKY this year. First round games will be pressured packed, even for Ryle.

Boone home already happened and it wasn't close... but I do agree Connor will be tough and that it's hands down the most competitive district.

Wasn't aware the Ryle/Boone game in the books. To your point, Ryle has leg up on top seed. I won't put you on the spot...

You may be correct. Time will tell, Connor away, Boone home, we'll know more after September 29th. Either way hands down the most competitive district in NKY this year. First round games will be pressured packed, even for Ryle.

 

Boone home already happened and it wasn't close... but I do agree Connor will be tough and that it's hands down the most competitive district.

 

Soccer4Lyfe, I believe the comments were Ryle has yet to play at Conner, and has Boone at home, these are scheduled over the next 2 weeks. I think you are speaking of Conner playing at Boone last week?

 

As for the most competitive district, this might be the only one where the regular season matches actually matter. Half of the other teams going to Regionals have already been determined.

Boone home already happened and it wasn't close... but I do agree Connor will be tough and that it's hands down the most competitive district.

 

Dang, I missed this! How'd my kid do?