Waynesville 4 / Mariemont 1 - Traveled down the hill to watch the warriors take on Waynesville. Don't get a chance to see the good small rural schools like Waynesville much. Their starting 11 is exceptional. I'd say they are as good or better than anyone I've watched the last couple years. But I don't believe I have ever seen a team drop as much from subs as they do. My opinion they can't win D2 state and won't even make it out of the district if they sub, and they sub a lot. The only player that didn't come out was the keeper. I have not seen a school swap all their starting defense out before especially one as good as theirs. It was very strange. They didn't have a single bench player that can actually compete, even against the Warriors bench and it is very suspect on it's own. It was like watching two different games. Haney is a talented coach and did a great job attacking their subs after the break and keeping the warriors in it. He clearly recognized he would have chances, and they created many of them just only able to finish one.
Ouch, lol, that was harsh.
Well we do sub a lot. But not in every game. Against Monroe who is a very good team, the starters played way more. Our coach doesn't like to run up scores, she likes all girls to be involved when they can be. Well yesterday just got more interesting than necessary.
I mentioned in a previous post we had to cut girls for the first time ever at Waynesville and both rosters, the JV and varsity are maxed at 22. Most of our games this year we have had subs and/or JV play the bulk of the 2nd half varsity games, and any starter had restrictions placed on them. No breakaways, left foot only shooting, must be a cross etc... I'm not a fan of that either because I think it kills the drive to dominate and anytime you play different, you risk injury, but that's just my opinion.
I think we'll be fine. The Monroe game was more how we will likely play the better teams and in the playoffs. Our starters when all in on defense have not given up a goal all year and very few shots. Most are returners (3 of the 5 including the holding mid) that gave up no goals during the playoffs from last year's championship run who are back and I believe our starting defense is better than last year. D2 brings new challenges and some really talented local teams plus a few great ones up North. Time will tell on what this year's playoff run will look like. Mariemont was playing very hard and never gave up. Going down 1-0 in the first 30 seconds is tough and 3-0 25 minutes into the game most would have. They did not, speaks to the girls and coaches on Mariemont. Hats off to them. That's the third time we've played them in less than 12 months. Great program, I wish them luck this year.
My pics for tonight.
Oak Hills 2-0
West Clermont 3-0 (Lebanon has an injury I think will hurt them)
Anderson and Turpin will be a UFC fight, No clue on score just hope nobody gets hurt, and they have a good team of refs.
