Big Red

mid year, one phrase summary on each team.  Do you agree?

1. NDA - Grinding, but need offensive chemistry

2. CONNER - Best Conner team in years, don't be shocked if...

3. HIGHLANDS - Talent not adding up to results

4. SIMON KENTON - New coach making surprising impact

5. DIXIE - Talent not same as recent years, yet still dangerous

6. COOPER - Same as Highlands

7. CAMPBELL COUNTY - Would the real Lady Camels please stand up

8. ST HENRY - Mandy Schlueter... Wow!

9. BISHOP BROSSART - Consistently relevant

10. BEECHWOOD - Expected more this year

Ryle - How is Ryle not a top ten team?

Holy Cross - What happened?

Conner

CC

Highlands

Conner

Dixie / SK tie

"Was Dixie just playing incredibly or is NDA really hurting without having Abby Unkraut anymore controlling the middle?"  Specific to the NDA side of this question, Yes NDA is hurting without Abby controlling the middle, but it is a bit more than that.  Other injuries and others still coming back from injury have created lineup and position changes across the field game to game.  My opinion (I am not psychiatrist) is that the adversity has created a lack of confidence (in particular on offensive third) that you typically see from a NDA team.  It would be good to see the girls stop thinking about who is not there, and just go play the game.  

I will take HC over beechwood

HHS - Anxious to get Frank's feedback on St. Henry new field!

NDA Assumption tie - NDA has some adversity to work through.  It will take some time, predict a hard fought tie

St. Henry

HC / Beechwood Tie

Portland  - Thorns is a horrible Team name, so bad have to take them.

NDA

Dixie / Campbell tie

HHS

Campbell

X

Too early to really disagree with anything.  A few thoughts:

* Great to see Campbell County off to such a good start vs. tough competition.  Interested to see how they progress this year.

* Highlands not wasting any time getting battle tested with their first two weeks of competition.  Will have their hands full this week, and curious to see how they get through the week.

* Is it too early to start the accolades (which I think are going to end up being aggressive) for new comers Mandy Schlueter and Abby Unkraut?  How far can up the top 10 can Mandy take St. Henry?

St. Henry

Ryle

NDA

Assumption

BB

South Oldham, as expected, is a very good team.  Also as expected, NDA will need to figure out their back line.  In the process will give up a few goals, but is still very talented.

As always, well done, Frank.  It would be a shame for the weather to impact the great schedule of matches that you reference. 

Obviously extreme domination like last year, in particular on defense, is tough to expect.  That said, you are correct, NDA is going to be very good.  This will be a reload with more talented players than just Unkraut added.  NDA's roster will include 2 offensive players (Sunny Richesson and Sadie Yapp) that transferred in from out of town.  From your "small" commentary regarding the Lady Birds, my guess is that they will not appreciate the physical match up with Sunny.  The Pandas also get GA and ECNL players Scarlet Cogwell and Kimmie Woeste back from ACL injuries.  It might sound overzealous, but don't expect a big drop off from last year in the midfield or offensive personnel.  In short, the Panda faithful do not expect to give up only 4 goals this season, but do feel good that the roster is still loaded with skill and talent.  

Initially surprised by this, as I thought you would have them 2nd.  However, when you consider losing those 3 listed, I understand the concern of having to replace, not just the talent, but the core strength and toughness of last year's team.  Will be interested to see that top 3 matchup Friday, and how they look in the middle and on defense.

Im in agreement that these 2 programs reload, and in a class by themselves.  Adding an elite defensive player to Beechwood's already dominant defense may make things a bit much for even LCA.  Great defense always travels. I'm sure Beechwood will mix in Antonio Robinson Jr on offense to go along with Burger.  QB Hayden won't have to be great for them to be dominant.

Looking forward to this.  It's not just NDA replacing some great Seniors. Many of these teams are replacing their schools "all-time" this or that stat, 4 year starting, D1 headed kids!  How does the area look post graduating that great group last year?  

I'm curious.  What does the talent pipeline look like for SK?  

@FrankNicodemus Just catching up here.  I do not have any background knowledge.  I can tell you that Eric was absolutely well liked by the team.  The staff, in general, was great and played different roles.  Suli was tough on the girls, and coached them hard.  Specific to Eric, my understanding was that he was well respected from a coaching standpoint, but girls appreciated his sense of humor and personality.  Not much else to comment on.  My personal opinion was that he was great, and they all seemed like a good group of people.  Let's be honest, there was't much to be negative about from that season.

My "adopted" Jags ended up being 100% legit.  As stated above, and mentioned a few times in these threads, SHA is on another level.  This ended being the The Sacred Heart Invitational.  

Congrats to Ellie and her family.  OU is getting a great kid, and a dynamite soccer players.

I have not heard of this being the case.  My guess as to why would be many of both the kids and in particular coaches already have a full slate of club games that include travel, showcases, etc.  My guess for what its worth.

I believe both posts above are correct.  I don't think Cooper will wilt, and they are a very talented team that is just coming together to play their best ball.  That said, Zikayah Johnson is no question a difference maker.  I think SHA is just a notch above.  SHA also has a defender that guards the point, and she makes it very tough on every opposing offense to get into rhythm.  This matchup vs. Friehoffer should be worth watching.

Lady Jags are money from charity stripe.  22-26 is impressive.  

Go Jags!  Hope they keep it rolling.

Sounds like we are saying "good game, but as the 9th Region stood this past year, NDA would be a solid favorite to win over an All-Star team."  

Looking at @nees1212 comment, is an interesting scenario.  I'm not sure we've seen a team like NDA, and it's incredibly impressive to look at the overall D1 committed kids (and kids that have offers still deciding), within the 9th region.  

Gutty performance  by the Lady Raiders.  NDA had them where they wanted them, and could not close them out.  Credit Ryle's defensive effort, a few key shots by Holtman, and they were able to some how wrestle away the momentum.  They kept their composure and The Panda's kind of lost theirs.  Not what you have expected in the fourth quarter.  Great win.

Well, we said the 9th regional was going to be an old school battle royal, so "get your popcorn ready."  Might as well get it kicked off with preseason #1 vs #2.

Good job in hyping this, but with The Birds hitting their stride, not sure how close this one ends up.