Tonight at 8. Who wins and why?

I think that GPR is the person to chime in here...

Per YC's request, wait for it…

I predict a scoreless tie.

 

 

 

looks like neither likes to give up many goals.

This is a tough game to predict. St. Henry has really underperformed expectations in my opinion with all the returning seniors but I'd say that their staff is smart enough to double-mark Snow all night and hold Cooper to one goal in a 2-1 St. Henry victory.

Some current facts about both that will go into my thought process when making my prediction.

Current Maher rankings/Strength of Schedule (SoS)

Cooper #19/SoS 85

St Henry #29/SoS 586 (can't make that up, 586)

 

W-L-T and goals for/against

Cooper 2-2-2, goals for 7 /6 against

St Henry 4-3-1, goals for 20/9 against. I believe these 20 goals for are highly inflated due to 17 of them against very weak opponents, i.e SoS 586.

 

Mutual opponents

Vs HHS Vs NCC

Cooper T 0-0 W 3-0

St Henry L 0-1 L 2-3

 

Obviously St Henry will be looking to redeem themselves from the huge upset loss in last season's 9th Regionals. But the stats confirm Cooper has played a much, much tougher schedule and may have just a bit more quality in key areas.

 

Prediction

Cooper 3- St Henry 2

Crowd, 700 plus!!!

 

The unknown element, weather, will it play a factor?

St Henry scores well enough. They've only been shut out once and they scored against both KY-#6 Cov Cath (a 2-1 loss) and KY-#20 Ryle (a 1-1 tie). DJ Sanders has 12 goals so far including the those 2 "quality" goals. Key to success for St Henry is more attack on the flank and not playing directly into the heart of Cooper's D...

 

The heart of Cooper's D, IMO is Cornforth. Cooper has been sharp, only allowing 2 goals in games when Cornforth plays. He's back for the St Henry match-up, which ought to make a big difference. Adam Snow is a great scoring threat, but can also turn provider when he draws extra numbers.

 

My prediction... 2-2 tie with advantage in the run of play to St Henry.