So far, it looks like this year's team is above average in the SEC but not elite. The team seems to win the games it should, but doesn't threaten elite competition (at least not since the California openers). The loss to BYU could have been much worse, and it didn't look like this team was threatening Florida much with quality chances. There were several long shots, but few from close in.
For some reason, it looks like we've several players who deliberately avoid going into the opponent's penalty area. On several occasions, I've seen midfielders, especially, make a forward pass into the box or to the wing in the last 20 yards of the field and then run backward, away from the opponent's box. For the life of me, I can't understand why, other than fear of teams like Florida or BYU. If that's it--fear--then the game was over before it began.
Overall, there seems to be little sense of drive, determination, or electricity. In the past, we've been able to count on big personalities like Groom or Mathias or Harvey to show fire and take the game right at the opponent. That seems to be missing from this team--other than by Jimena Lopez. Her absence was quite noticeable yesterday. We've got players with good technical skills in the middle and up top, but they don't seem to ignite the team.
Taylor Ziemer seems the logical candidate to be more assertive. I hope we see some of that. It also seems like Ali Russell could provide that type of energy. But that's asking a lot from newcomers.
Net-net, this is much more a rebuilding year than I had anticipated.
It sure would be nice to see an energized team light up the rest of the SEC schedule, so the team has a chance of avoiding a bad opening round draw in the NCAA tourney.
I sure hope Karlina didn't tear an ACL. She has been the absolute glue on the back line.
And I share CDub's concern--Hidden, please come out of hiding.
