Hi all. I've been watching a lot of men's games this season. With everything being done for the season, figured I would watch the women's finals. Disclaimer, I haven't watched nor know much of the Division III women's game landscape. So I did watch the national championship somewhat like a rookie. Regardless, below are my notes. Am also including a link to my YouTube page. Will probably do a game review in the next few days.
Steve Collins DIII Soccer Channel No I am not a professional, but aspire to be a YouTube megastar when I grow up. Hope you enjoy.
TCNJ v Christopher Newport
NCAA D3 Women’s Soccer Championship
December 4, 2021
- Haven’t watched any D3 women's games this year but figured I would take a look at the Championship.
- Both teams do a good job in possession. Ball on the deck looking to connect.
- CNU looking for opportunities to put the ball through on the ground and take advantage of the gaps between defenders.
- CNU#17 looks like she is the target and comfortable with her back to the goal. Does a god job holding up the ball and connecting with midfielders in order to maintain possession.
- Both teams are disciplined defensively, keeping everything in front.
- TCNJ is vulnerable on the counter. CNU is quick in transition.
- 30 minutes left in the first half.
- CNU seems to have overall more team speed and quicker at making decisions with the ball than TCNJ.
- CNU plays a dangerous corner that is cleared out for another corner. Ball drops into the six uncontested and gets challenged.
- Subsequent corner leads to a goal. Ball goes far post and CNU#17 hits the ball into the back of the net. On the replay, TCNJ Keeper came out for the corner and misjudged it. Goal at 26.53. TCNJ 0, Christopher Newport 1.
- TCNJ looking for a way to break through the CNU defense. CNU is not making it easy.
- No clear chances for TCNJ except for a header on a corner. Everything else is long range. Can see them getting a goal on a corner. CNU doesn’t mark well.
- CNU is compact and very disciplined on defense. Really cover well and compete for each ball.
- TCNJ midfield and forward line look out of synch to me. Lack some cohesion. Only way I can describe it.
- CNU continues to be happy to keep TCNJ in front of them and be patient on defense.
- CNU looks to be playing as a team. TCNJ seems to a team of individuals or lines, but nothing binding them together.
- Halftime. TCNJ 0, Christopher Newport 1. Think CNU was the better on the half.
- Not even a minute in and CNU has an opportunity to goal that is hit wide. Could have been a dagger in the heart of TCNJ.
- TCNJ just can’t seem to break down CNU. Having difficulty connecting through CNU defensive posture. Struggling to connect, especially when they are trying to build momentum in the attack.
- CNU just being very patient. When they win the ball in the midfield, they are finding their way to goal and getting some good looks. TCNJ is looking vulnerable.
- CNU is a lot closer to scoring a second, than TCNJ is of scoring their first. CNU just being really disciplined defensively.
- TCNJ just being wasteful with the ball, especially when they counter. 24 minutes left and you can see the pressure building as they start to rush things. Should figure out a way to be more patient and be more methodical on their attack.
- And like that, on a CNU counter, they get a PK.
- TCNJ is on the attack and loses the ball almost at the 18 because of a forced pass. CNU recover in their half and CNU#5 makes a run behind the TCNJ line. Ball is sent and it’s a foot race. She wins the ball and takes it into the box and is brought down for the PK.
- I think it was a legit PK. Don’t think TCNJ#13 got the ball. At least from what I see in the replay.
- CNU#19 goes to the TCNJ Keepers left for the goal. TCNJ Keeper goes the right way but can’t get to it. TCNJ 0, Christopher Newport 2.
- TCNJ is in a deep hole with 23 minutes left. They need to find a way to goal and find their first goal.
- Think the referee is doing an outstanding job.
- TCNJ just can’t find a way to goal. Don’t see them getting two goals, let alone one. More confident that CNU could get a third before TCNJ gets its first.
- Any opportunities TCNJ has are coming for 25+ yards out. Shots that so far either go out or are easily recovered by the CNU Keeper.
- 5 minutes left and TCNJ had its closest chance to score but goes wide of the goal. That was the one. If they make that one, then the last 5 are pandemonium.
- CNU has everyone behind the ball. TCNJ just can’t find a gap.
- And this game is over. CNU was better, more disciplined on both sides of the ball than TCNJ. TCJ 0, Christopher Newport 2.
- Christopher Newport is the 2021 Division III Women’s Soccer Nati
