PUTTING MY CLEATS IN MY MOUTH: Cougars 0, Knights 4 (blog date Oct 25, 2013)

Houston Cougars 0, Central Florida Knights 4 
W-D-L: 1-3-10            14-2-2
October 24, 2013
7:00 pm @ University of Houston

The University of Central Florida Lady Knights were going to have none of that baloney. They hit the grass at the Carl Lewis International Complex with every intent to disprove all the RPI-sceptics behind this blog (see blog entry dated October 18, 2013). They were not about to allow a sub-200 team to threaten the top-12 ranking that they have worked so hard to earn, and they were certainly not going to let some crackpot blogger out there discredit everything they have accomplished to get this far up in the national table. Certainly not after winning the Conference USA tournament in 2012 and then retaining eight starters from that squad, five of them seniors, bolstered by the transfer of junior striker Tatiana Coleman from Auburn, where she earned a spot on the All-Southeast Conference First Team last year. Certainly not after going unbeaten over the previous 13 outings leading to this Houston trip, outscoring their new American Athletic Conference opponents 18 to 6 to sit squarely atop the league standings. The Lady Knights brought a relentless game, possessing the ball overwhelmingly, distributing it all over the field, and limiting the Cougars to six total shots, only two of which were on target, while blasting at keeper Sydney George with ten on goal.

Tatiana Coleman (3) wreaks havoc in Houston's defensive third. Tatiana transferred from Auburn where she made the All-Southeast Conference First Team last year.

Combining bursts of speed with quick smart moves, Tatiana gets by even the most solid defenders like Lexa Green (30), Sydnie Green (12) and Danielle Muñoz (red 3)...

...to either set up goals...

...or score them herself. Tatiana logs two assists and a goal on the final stats sheet.

Cougar keeper Sydney George (00) has a very busy day against the likes of Megan Fish (20)...

...and a high-powered UCF offense attacking from all directions.

Facing ten total shots on target by Central Florida, Sydney George (00) spends a lot of time on the grass.

Jennifer Martin (5) takes on Courtney Dudley (26) and Shayne Clewett (4) on UCF's left flank.

Jennifer, who finished last season second on the team in goals scored, is a critical component in the Lady Knights' offensive drives.

Jennifer Martin (5) gets deep into opposing territory...

...to deliver deadly crosses, even under intense pressure. She sets up Tatiana Coleman's icer in the 64th minute.

Defender Shayne Clewett (4) has her hands full with freshwoman Kayla Adamek (6), who nets her eighth goal on the season.

Lexa Green (30), Sydnie Green (12), Natalie Juncos (26) and the rest of the Cougar defense are under heavy pressure all night from one of the most potent offenses in the country.

Amanda Wilkin (15) escapes to gain space in Cougar territory.

The Coogs manage to threaten. Alexis Weaver (5) drives against Alex Piercy (21), Ashley Nicol (2) and Conference USA's 2012 Defensive Player of the Year Marissa Diggs (32).

Ashley and Marissa anchor a Lady Knight defense that posted a school and Conference USA record 15 shutouts last year, and have allowed only nine goals over the first 18 matches prior to this road trip.

So much for my optimism since the last match on this blog - thanks to UCF, I now put my cleats in my mouth.

(All photos by Kokoy Severino.)

UPCOMING MATCHES OF THE WEEK: 

Friday Oct 25 Grambling State University (#325) @ TSU (#327) 7:00 pm (SWAC)

Sunday Oct 27 University of South Florida (#174) @ U of H (#232) 1:00 pm (C-USA)

Monday Nov 4 Conference USA Tournament 1st Round: 
              University of Tulsa (#93) vs University of Alabama-Birmingham (#114) @ Rice 4:30 
Monday Nov 4 Conference USA Tournament 1st Round: 
              Rice (#154) vs Marshall University (#131) @ Rice 7:00 pm
Wednesday Nov 6 Conference USA Tournament Quarter-Finals: 
              Florida International University (#158) vs UNT (#92) @ Rice 4:30 
              University of North Carolina-Charlotte (#112) vs Marshall (#131) @ Rice 7:00 pm
Friday Nov 8 Conference USA Tournament Semi-Finals:
              Colorado College vs East Carolina University @ Rice 4:30 
              UNT vs Charlotte @ Rice 7:00 pm
Saturday Nov 9 Red River Athletic Conference Tournament Final:
              Our Lady of the Lake University vs University of Texas-Brownsville 
              @ Houston Amateur Sports Park 5:00 pm
Sunday Nov 10 Southwest Athletic Conference Tournament Final:
              Jackson State University vs Alabama State University @ Houston Amateur Sports Park 11:00 am
Sunday Nov 10 Conference USA Tournament Final:
             CC vs UNT @ Rice 1:00 pm
Friday-Sunday Nov 15-17 NCAA Division I Tournament 1st Round @ Campus TBA
Sunday Nov 24 NCAA Division I Tournament 3rd Round @ Campus TBA
Friday-Saturday Nov 29-30 NCAA Division I Tournament Quarter-Finals @ Campus TBA
Saturday Dec 7 NCAA Division III Tournament Final @ Blossom Stadium, San Antonio 1:30 pm 

(Kokoy's Matches of the Week are those which I attended.) 

Kokoy Severino has been coaching junior high school soccer in the public school system of the Greater Houston area for 20 years. He holds a National Youth Diploma from the National Soccer Coaches Association of America, two coaching certifications from the United States Soccer Federation, and a Master in Educational Leadership degree from the University of St. Thomas in Houston, Texas. His research focuses on the relationship between interscholastic competitive soccer and the academic success of at-risk students. He returns regularly to his native country of the Philippines and conducts soccer training sessions for economically disadvantaged youths.

"This blog is to document the intensity, the depth, the passion, the strategic and tactical nuances, the stars, the spectacular play that I witness in the women's teams at the college level. And in doing so, it is my hope that others might be inspired to discover for themselves the beautiful game brought by the women." (Kokoy, from blog entry dated Nov 4, 2012)

CINCI CLIMBING BACK: Cougars 1, Bearkats 2 (Blog date October 4, 2013)

Houston Cougars 1, Cincinnati Bearkats 2
W-D-L: 1-3-5            6-0-7
October 3, 2013
7:00 pm @ University of Houston

I never imagined that a soccer game could cause such a writer's block. I should just follow my own advice in overcoming a slump and do what comes naturally (see blog entry dated September 27, 2013). Usually, when it comes to this beautiful game, I can talk about it all day and all night. I guess I've been overthinking this. This is what I will do - what comes naturally - even if I have to be brutally honest with myself and face my mixed emotions. I was excited, relieved, overjoyed to see the return to the pitch of Houston senior Kylie Cook, one of this blog's favorite midfielders. If readers recall, Kylie's last appearance on this blog was against Stephen F. Austin when she went down hustling typically hard to maintain possession of a ball on its way out, and then subsequently left the field in an ambulance (see blog entry dated September 3, 2013). Her playmaking presence in the midfield has been sorely missed. But admittedly, it was not a warm welcome she received on the pitch. This game was a showdown between one program that is working hard to avoid finishing with its worst record in school history and another that is bouncing back from its worst record in school history, so the Cincinnati Bearkats were not about to lay out a welcome carpet for Kylie. 

Cincinnati has a long hard climb to where they were in their glory days of last century. Between the program's inaugural season in 1980 to 2002, the Bearkats posted losing percentages only four times. Under Coach Meridy Glenn's tenure, six of those seasons ended with a berth in the NCAA tournament, capturing four Conference USA cups and three league titles, twice winning the double. Cinci has not fared as well over the past decade since, making the Big East post-season only once. The 2012 campaign saw Cincinnati's worst record in school history, winning just one out of 11 conference matches and finishing with a -26 goal differential. Joining the new American Athletic Conference, Cincinnati most probably would like to forget the past ten years and start fresh. At Houston's expense, these current Bearkats have already escaped a repeat, thanks to five freshwomen in their starting lineup who have no memory of the atrocious last season, including the two goal-scorers Katy Couperus and Bailey Wilson. If the performance of this freshwoman generation is any indication, Cincinnati's climb back has begun.

Katy Couperus (20) heads a rocket into the back of the net. Katy is one of five freshwomen in Cincinnati's starting lineup clawing their way back from the worst season in school history.

Defender Jae Atkinson (9) is an instrumental presence for the Bearkats, all the way into the offensive third.

Cincinnati effectively applies an aerial advantage. Bailey Wilson (21) swats in the winner. Both Bearkat goals come from the air. 

Kelsey Zamora (7) is very busy in Houston's attacking third, where she fights to get past Kayla Utley (5).

The return of Kylie Cook (2) to the Houston midfield is most welcome. Now sporting a cast along with her signature tongue in cheek, Kylie brings an irreplaceable playmaking creativity that has been missed.

Freshwoman defender Taylor Nelson (16) confronts Kylie Cook (2)...

...who changes direction inwards to split the defense and take space...

...leaving Taylor and Jae Atkinson (9) in the dust. Welcome back Kylie.

 

(All photos by Kokoy Severino.)

UPCOMING MATCHES OF THE WEEK: 

Friday Oct 18 Colorado College (#24) @ Rice (#134) 7:00 pm (C-USA)

Thursday Oct 24 University of Central Florida (#12) @ U of H (#232) 7:00 pm (AAC)

Friday Oct 25 Grambling State University (#325) @ TSU (#327) 7:00 pm (SWAC)

Sunday Oct 27 University of South Florida (#174) @ U of H (#232) 1:00 pm (C-USA)

Friday Nov 1 Sam Houston State University (#206) @ HBU (#252) 5:00 pm (SLC)

Monday Nov 4 Conference USA Tournament 1st Round @ Rice 4:30 and 7:00 pm
Wednesday Nov 6 Conference USA Tournament Quarter-Finals @ Rice 4:30 and 7:00 pm
Friday Nov 8 Conference USA Tournament Semi-Finals @ Rice 4:30 and 7:00 pm
Saturday Nov 9 Red River Athletic Conference Tournament Final @ Houston Amateur Sports Park 5:00 pm
Sunday Nov 10 Conference USA Tournament Final @ Rice 1:00 pm
Friday-Sunday Nov 15-17 NCAA Division I Tournament 1st Round @ Campus TBA
Sunday Nov 24 NCAA Division I Tournament 3rd Round @ Campus TBA
Friday-Saturday Nov 29-30 NCAA Division I Tournament Quarter-Finals @ Campus TBA
Saturday Dec 7 NCAA Division III Tournament Final @ Blossom Stadium, San Antonio 1:30 pm 

(Kokoy's Matches of the Week are those which I plan to attend. Schedule subject to change.) 

Kokoy Severino has been coaching junior high school soccer in the public school system of the Greater Houston area for 19 years. He holds a National Youth Diploma from the National Soccer Coaches Association of America, two coaching certifications from the United States Soccer Federation, and a Master in Educational Leadership degree from the University of St. Thomas in Houston, Texas. His research focuses on the relationship between interscholastic competitive soccer and the academic success of at-risk students. He returns regularly to his native country of the Philippines and conducts soccer training sessions for economically disadvantaged youths.

"This blog is to document the intensity, the depth, the passion, the strategic and tactical nuances, the stars, the spectacular play that I witness in the women's teams at the college level. And in doing so, it is my hope that others might be inspired to discover for themselves the beautiful game brought by the women." (Kokoy, from blog entry dated Nov 4, 2012)

DUEL OF THE GOALKEEPERS: Huskies 0, Cougars 0 (Blog date September 17, 2013)

Houston Baptist Huskies 0, Houston Cougars 0
W-D-L: 1-1-5                         1-3-2            
September 15, 2013
7:00 pm @ Houston Baptist University, Houston

Seven Division I teams in the greater Houston area, spread out over four different conferences. Since the realization of my dream that a tournament pitting these universities against each other will in all likelihood never materialize, I am willing to settle for a pseudo-league system to arrive at a champion of the city. They play each other, do they not? So I will just compile a table of their records against each other.

The next match in the "Bayou City League," if you will, features U of H at Houston Baptist University, two of the four Division I schools located inside Beltway 8, by and large an unheralded crosstown derby. If you did your pre-game homework, you would have anticipated one of the most exciting matchups this city has to offer. As new members of their respective leagues, both are determined to galvanize their form and gain momentum as the conference segment of the season looms just around the corner. It is doubtful that either team has been very satisfied with their form thus far. Houston Baptist, looking to replicate their success in 2010 when they won the Great West Conference Tournament championship in their debut year, must certainly be dissatisfied with their offensive output. Going into this match, the Huskies have been able to post only one win, scoring just three goals in six outings, half of their production by the same time last year. It has been a disappointing start for returning seniors Amina Radoncic and Molly Missimer and junior Natalie Hager who spearheaded the HBU attack in 2012, the latter two combining for 14 goals. Likewise, the Cougars have tallied three in five matches prior to this showdown. Defensively, both teams have been struggling to find stability after key components in their backlines graduated last May. Houston Baptist has allowed seven goals against and U of H is looking for a solid combination to take into their new conference. 

Given their respective defensive woes, and both offensive units hungry for goals and determined to reach their potential before conference play commences, we were bound to see an attack-filled game, with constant exchanges of deep penetrations and lots of shots on goal. The goalkeepers thus were deciding factors, holding their respective opponents off with save after save after save through double overtime - 19,  to be exact, logged in the official stats sheet. 

Eleven of those saves were made by Sydney George, a performance that earned her the American Athletic Conference Goalkeeper of the Week Award, a career first. Sydney arrived in Houston two years ago as a redshirt sophomore transfer from the University of New Mexico where she saw little playing time. With Cami Koski playing at all-conference level, Sydney got limited time in goal for her first two years as a Cougar. Now a senior, Sydney is breaking into the regular rotation, proving to Coach Pfau that she can be counted on as more than just Cami's backup. This stellar performance against a very attack-oriented HBU squad comes just in time for the conference series about to begin. The other eight saves in the match were credited to junior Stephanie Castellon, busting onto the scene after sitting out for a redshirt season, prior to which she saw action with the Guatemalan national U-20 team in the 2012 CONCACAF tournament. This hard-earned shutout draw against the Cougars primes Stephanie for a good Southland Conference run. 

Junior striker Natalie Hager (13), HBU's leading scorer last season, takes aim but is denied three times by UH keeper Sydney George. 

Natalie has plenty of touches against a Houston defense that has been working on stabilizing their back four that includes Courtney Dudley (26), Sydnie Green (12) and Shayne Clewett (4).

Sophomore transfer Lexa Green (30) is an aggressive addition to the Cougars' defense. Lexa brings speed, quickness, physical strength, intelligence and power to the backline. The Coogs have found a left back.

Rebekah Tovar (21) and Kelsey Missimer (2) meet Lexa Green (30).

Lexa (30) races back to catch attacker Kristi O'Brien (4)...

...cutting Kristi off as she turns into the box...

...sacrificing her left knee in the process. This tackle takes Lexa out of the game for some crucial minutes.

Alexis Weaver (5) and Jasmine Martinez (21) are very busy on the Cougars' offensive end.

Senior captain Amina Radoncic (26) and freshwomen Alessia Dal Monte (9) and Allison Abendschein (10) provide some key possessions for the Huskies.

Allison Abendschein (10) is confronted by Natalie Juncos (25) on the right flank. Natalie is pulled back into the defensive line to fill in for Lexa Green who goes off for some minutes to tend her left knee after a serious tackle.

Rebekah Tovar (21) sends the ball through against coverage by Danielle Muñoz (3). The only returning starter from last season's defense, Danielle's aggressiveness and intelligence has been essential in keeping the rebuilt Cougar backline solid and cohesive.

Kelsey Missimer (2) slows Kelsey Zamora (7) just enough to allow Guatemala U-20 international Stephanie Castellon (22) to make one of her eight saves on the night.

Senior Houston goalkeeper Sydney George (in white) has come into her own. She tallies a career-high 11 saves in the face of intense pressure from, among others, Allison Abendschein (10) and prolific striker Natalie Hager (13). After this performance, Sydney is named Goalkeeper of the Week by the American Athletic Conference.

(All photos by Kokoy Severino.)

KOKOY'S BAYOU CITY CUP         W     D     L     Pts     GF     GA
Sam Houston State Bearkats             2      0      0       6        9        0
Lamar Cardinals                              1      0      1       3        8       -5
Rice Owls                                       1      0      0       3        5       -3 
Houston Cougars                              0      1      0       1        0        0
Houston Baptist Huskies                    0     1      0       1        0        0
Prairie View A&M                            0      0      2       0        2       -6
Texas Southern Tigers                      0      0      1       0        0       -6  
(As of results through September 22)

UPCOMING MATCHES OF THE WEEK: 

Sunday Sep 22 South Carolina State University (#292) @ TSU 1:00 pm

Friday Sep 27 Northwestern State University (#260) @ HBU* 7:00 pm (Southland Conference)

Saturday Sep 28 Mississippi College (DIII) @ CTX (DIII)* at St. Stephen's, Austin 2:00 pm (American Southwest Conference)

Sunday Sep 29 Rice @ UTSA* 1:00 pm (Conference USA)

Thursday Oct 3 University of Cincinnati (#227) @ U of H* 7:00 pm (American Athletic Conference)

Friday Oct 11 TSU @ Prairie View A&M University (#303)* 7:00 pm (Southwestern Athletic Conference)

Friday Oct 18 Colorado College (#50) @ Rice* 7:00 pm (C-USA)

Sunday Oct 20 Mississippi Valley State University (#275) @ TSU* 1:00 pm (SWAC)

Thursday Oct 24 University of Central Florida (#20) @ U of H* 7:00 pm (AAC)

Friday Oct 25 Grambling State University (#322) @ TSU* 7:00 pm (SWAC)

Sunday Oct 27 East Carolina University (#97) @ Rice* 1:00 pm (C-USA)

Thursday Oct 31 LSU @ Tx A&M* 7:00 pm in College Station (Southeastern Conference)

Friday Nov 1 Sam Houston State University (#233) @ HBU* 5:00 pm (SLC)

Monday Nov 4 Conference USA Tournament Quarter-Finals* @ Rice
Wednesday Nov 6 Conference USA Tournament Quarter-Finals* @ Rice
Thursday Nov 7 Southwestern Athletic Conference Tournament* @ Houston Amateur Sports Park
Friday Nov 8 Conference USA Tournament Semi-Finals* @ Rice 
Friday Nov 8 Red River Athletic Conference Tournament* @ Houston Amateur Sports Park 
Saturday Nov 9 Southwestern Athletic Conference Tournament* @ Houston Amateur Sports Park 
Saturday Nov 9 Red River Athletic Conference Tournament* @ Houston Amateur Sports Park 
Sunday Nov 10 Conference USA Tournament Final* @ Rice
Friday-Wednesday Nov 15-20 NCAA Tournament 1st Round @ Campus TBA

(Kokoy's Matches of the Week are those which I plan to attend. Schedule subject to change.) 

Kokoy Severino has been coaching junior high school soccer in the public school system of the Greater Houston area for 19 years. He holds a National Youth Diploma from the National Soccer Coaches Association of America, two coaching certifications from the United States Soccer Federation, and a Master in Educational Leadership degree from the University of St. Thomas in Houston, Texas. His research focuses on the relationship between interscholastic competitive soccer and the academic success of at-risk students. He returns regularly to his native country of the Philippines and conducts soccer training sessions for economically disadvantaged youths.

"This blog is to document the intensity, the depth, the passion, the strategic and tactical nuances, the stars, the spectacular play that I witness in the women's teams at the college level. And in doing so, it is my hope that others might be inspired to discover for themselves the beautiful game brought by the women." (Kokoy, from blog entry dated Nov 4, 2012)