2023 Women’s Final Four Game Notes

Cal Lutheran v Tufts

Why I like Tufts –

• There is a grit to this team, especially in the tournament.
• Have one of the toughest schedules in Division III
• Is this one of those charmed NCAA runs?
  • 3-2-2 in the month of October.  0-3-1 in last four games of season and NESCAC tournament where they got bounced in first round.
  • Great victories against TCNJ, Bowdoin, and University of Paywall in the tournament.
• Just relentless in attack and never shy of going forward.

Where I think they are vulnerable –

• Think they have shown to be defensively vulnerable.  Allow on average a goal a game.
• Just under 50% of shots are on target.

Key Players

• Elsie Aires – Sophomore Forward, leading scores.  14 goals, 4 assists.  Including game winner against U of Paywall. 
• Olivia Patz.  Senior Center Back and anchors the defense and a leader of the team.

Why I like Cal Lutheran –

• 15-0-2 during the regular season.  Only loss was to Pomona Pitzer in the SCIAC Championship.  Turned around and beat them in the second round of the NCAA.
• Allow only 1 goal every two games.  Score almost 2 a game. 
• Very organized defensively.
• Lots of goalscorers.  Not reliant on one players to score.

Where I think they are vulnerable –

• Don’t have an explosive goal scorer.
• Like possession of the ball, can they maintain it under constant pressure in the midfield.

Key Players

• Leading scorer, 3x All SCIAC Grad Student and Forward Isabella Veijacic, 9 goals and 4 assists.
• Junior Avery West, SCIAC Defender of the Year.  An All Region Player that anchors the back line.

Game will be a Defensive Battle.  Expect a lo/no scoring game.

• Am going with…. Cal Lutheran because of their defensive posture, their team discipline, and ability to find a goal from any number of player on and off the bench.

Prediction 1-0

Messiah v Wash U

Why I like Messiah

• Have both sides of the ball.  Can score goals (average 3 per game; can defend well…. Allow less than half a goal a game.)
• Multiple goal score threats – Hannah Adair (Leading Scorer), Brittany Laird, Julia Martin, and Kristina Akselsen
• Very good in possession of the ball and are relentless on attack.  Take 22 shots a game.

Where they are vulnerable

• Not sure they are, but if they are scored on early, the longer they can’t score, the greater the frustration.
• Susceptible to being countered. 
• Can they break a low block?

Key Players

• Sophomore Hannah Adair 12 goals 4 assists, including game winner against John Carroll
• Kristine Akselsen, Junior Midfielder, from Wall, NJ…. Which I won’t hold against her… 7 goals, 4 assists, and is the engine.

Why I like Washington University

• Defensive beast.  Went 15-0 until they conceded two against the University of Paywall in 2-1 loss.  Only conceded 7 all season.  4 of which were against WI- La Crosse. 
• Scoring just under 3 goals a game.
• Their midfield.  Very dynamic and transition into the attack.  Not afraid to go for goal.  Two leading scores, Gaelen Clayton and Grace Ehlert play in the middle.

Where they are vulnerable

• Are they ready for this?  Went to PKs after tying WI-La Crosse 4-4 before winning in PKs.  And they were at home.

Key Players

• Senior Goalkeeper, Sydney Connor, All UAA, UAA Sophomore Rookie of the Year.
• Gaelan Clayton, Junior Midfielder.  Key make up of the Wash U’s ability to lock it down defensively.

WashU will have to frustrate Messiah in the final third.  They have enough firepower going forward that if they can catch Messiah, they have more than enough ability to score.

I think this is …. Wash U’s year.  I think they have what it takes to frustrate Messiah in front of goal and be very opportunistic on the attack.

Prediction 3-1