TDS preview of RU/Arkansas

[Beancounter88]

Usually, this pub does not give any props to B1G and northeast teams in general. Last week, picked TCU to win group and said St. Louis had talent to beat RU. Ladies are eating at the grown-up's table this Thanksgiving.

Arkansas (19-4) at Rutgers (19-3-1), 7 p.m.

On paper, a fascinating matchup is easily possible when the Razorbacks travel to New Jersey. While the Rutgers’ defense is the typically stronger phase to its game, the Scarlet Knights have scored 62 times this season, as the trio of Frankie Tagliaferri, Amirah Ali and Riley Tiernan can create chances from just about anywhere. Goalkeeper Meagan McClelland anchors a defense that has conceded just 14 times, making this one of the top Rutgers teams of all time.

Shutting down Arkansas’ offense will be no easy feat. Anna Podojil, Taylor Malham and Parker Goins offer a dangerous triumvirate for the SEC side. The Razorbacks try to get the ball forward quickly and get goals from set piece chances, putting opposing defenses under pressure. Getting an early goal away from home and being efficient with their chances will be hugely important against a defense and goalkeeper of McClelland’s quality. How this game plays out is going to be fascinating as well, as each team could look to be more cautious. It seems unlikely, and there should be plenty of goals for both sides.

Prediction: Rutgers 3-2 Arkansas

 

[ecojew]

We need Southern Gentleman to visit this board to provide some Arkansas commentary about this infrequent matchup in any sport between the two universities.

 

[RUtrumpet92]

I like the prediction of a win, of course, but doubt the score gets to five total goals. Rutgers wins 2-1.

 

[AreYouNUTS]

I'd be stunned if we score 3 but I'll take it!!

 

[Degaz-RU]

Why do they list us as having a tie? Yes, the TCU game was tied at the conclusion of OT, but we won the game on PKs. It's a WIN, and we should be listed at 20-3-0.

 

[theacks1]

For better or worse, PKs go in the books as a tie with the PKs only determining tournament advancement. I guess the argument is that in all other non tournament settings the game would end in a tie, so it keeps the record books consistent.

Edit: looking at the NCAA rulebook, the only exception is the championship game, which does get recorded as a win/loss. I think they should keep it consistent one way or another.

 

[rudad02]

For better or worse, PKs go in the books as a tie with the PKs only determining tournament advancement. I guess the argument is that in all other non tournament settings the game would end in a tie, so it keeps the record books consistent.

Edit: looking at the NCAA rulebook, the only exception is the championship game, which does get recorded as a win/loss. I think they should keep it consistent one way or another.

Yes but this wasn't a non tournament setting, and I agree with Degaz that it should be counted as a win, because it was a win. Further counting the championship game as a win but not the other tournament winning results as wins undermines the whole NCAA rational.

 

[Jules99b]

All PK "wins" are considered draws in records. 19-3-1 is how we're listed on the Rutgers website and I think it's fair.

As for Arkansas, they're a really fascinating team. They play a sort of "helter-skelter" style of soccer, for lack of a better phrase. They make the game ugly. Their win over Notre Dame featured a whopping 56% passing accuracy. They have athleticism and height which they use to their advantage, especially on corners. They more or less send the ball forward in the hopes that a forward will get in good position and use their athleticism to beat opposing defenses. And it's worked for the most part because of their competition.

However, they're weak on defense. They have a GAA of .95, giving up 22 goals this year, and their goalkeeper has a save percentage of 74%, both of which are the second weakest of the remaining elite eight teams. There's definitely places to exploit Arkansas, especially since they seem to struggle against more disciplined teams (they were beaten by Duke and UNC by a combined 4-1 at the beginning of this year and lost to Tennessee 3-0 in the SEC final). Arkansas hasn't really seen any particularly great defenses in the SEC, with the best defense they've won against all year being Notre Dame's, who ranked 57th in GAA before the tournament started. Rutgers ranked 22nd before the tournament (currently ranks 16th) and has the third best defense of the tournament so far.

All of this to say, it's a winnable game. However Arkansas has athleticism that can cause our defense to tire if the team isn't careful. In order to win, everyone will have to be in good position all game to neutralize any attacking runs. Rutgers should also try to get at least one early goal and ideally two in order to give some breathing room down the stretch.

 

[rudad02]

All PK "wins" are considered draws in records. 19-3-1 is how we're listed on the Rutgers website and I think it's fair.

As for Arkansas, they're a really fascinating team. They play a sort of "helter-skelter" style of soccer, for lack of a better phrase. They make the game ugly. Their win over Notre Dame featured a whopping 56% passing accuracy. They have athleticism and height which they use to their advantage, especially on corners. They more or less send the ball forward in the hopes that a forward will get in good position and use their athleticism to beat opposing defenses. And it's worked for the most part because of their competition.

However, they're weak on defense. They have a GAA of .95, giving up 22 goals this year, and their goalkeeper has a save percentage of 74%, both of which are the second weakest of the remaining elite eight teams. There's definitely places to exploit Arkansas, especially since they seem to struggle against more disciplined teams (they were beaten by Duke and UNC by a combined 4-1 at the beginning of this year and lost to Tennessee 3-0 in the SEC final). Arkansas hasn't really seen any particularly great defenses in the SEC, with the best defense they've won against all year being Notre Dame's, who ranked 57th in GAA before the tournament started. Rutgers ranked 22nd before the tournament (currently ranks 16th) and has the third best defense of the tournament so far.

All of this to say, it's a winnable game. However Arkansas has athleticism that can cause our defense to tire if the team isn't careful. In order to win, everyone will have to be in good position all game to neutralize any attacking runs. Rutgers should also try to get at least one early goal and ideally two in order to give some breathing room down the stretch.

How the hell can they be considered draws if you WIN the game. Oops, of course they make an exception for the championship game which I understand is considered a win. Talk about convoluted reasoning!

 

[RUJMM78]

All PK "wins" are considered draws in records. 19-3-1 is how we're listed on the Rutgers website and I think it's fair.

As for Arkansas, they're a really fascinating team. They play a sort of "helter-skelter" style of soccer, for lack of a better phrase. They make the game ugly. Their win over Notre Dame featured a whopping 56% passing accuracy. They have athleticism and height which they use to their advantage, especially on corners. They more or less send the ball forward in the hopes that a forward will get in good position and use their athleticism to beat opposing defenses. And it's worked for the most part because of their competition.

However, they're weak on defense. They have a GAA of .95, giving up 22 goals this year, and their goalkeeper has a save percentage of 74%, both of which are the second weakest of the remaining elite eight teams. There's definitely places to exploit Arkansas, especially since they seem to struggle against more disciplined teams (they were beaten by Duke and UNC by a combined 4-1 at the beginning of this year and lost to Tennessee 3-0 in the SEC final). Arkansas hasn't really seen any particularly great defenses in the SEC, with the best defense they've won against all year being Notre Dame's, who ranked 57th in GAA before the tournament started. Rutgers ranked 22nd before the tournament (currently ranks 16th) and has the third best defense of the tournament so far.

All of this to say, it's a winnable game. However Arkansas has athleticism that can cause our defense to tire if the team isn't careful. In order to win, everyone will have to be in good position all game to neutralize any attacking runs. Rutgers should also try to get at least one early goal and ideally two in order to give some breathing room down the stretch.

Rutgers needs to keep attacking after getting a early goal.Allowing the opponent to dominate field position and corner kicks will sooner or later lead to bad results.

 

[richthedentist]

Rutgers needs to keep attacking after getting a early goal.Allowing the opponent to dominate field position and corner kicks will sooner or later lead to bad results.

Agreed

 

[Freddy Stubbs]

All PK "wins" are considered draws in records. 19-3-1 is how we're listed on the Rutgers website and I think it's fair.

As for Arkansas, they're a really fascinating team. They play a sort of "helter-skelter" style of soccer, for lack of a better phrase. They make the game ugly. Their win over Notre Dame featured a whopping 56% passing accuracy. They have athleticism and height which they use to their advantage, especially on corners. They more or less send the ball forward in the hopes that a forward will get in good position and use their athleticism to beat opposing defenses. And it's worked for the most part because of their competition.

However, they're weak on defense. They have a GAA of .95, giving up 22 goals this year, and their goalkeeper has a save percentage of 74%, both of which are the second weakest of the remaining elite eight teams. There's definitely places to exploit Arkansas, especially since they seem to struggle against more disciplined teams (they were beaten by Duke and UNC by a combined 4-1 at the beginning of this year and lost to Tennessee 3-0 in the SEC final). Arkansas hasn't really seen any particularly great defenses in the SEC, with the best defense they've won against all year being Notre Dame's, who ranked 57th in GAA before the tournament started. Rutgers ranked 22nd before the tournament (currently ranks 16th) and has the third best defense of the tournament so far.

All of this to say, it's a winnable game. However Arkansas has athleticism that can cause our defense to tire if the team isn't careful. In order to win, everyone will have to be in good position all game to neutralize any attacking runs. Rutgers should also try to get at least one early goal and ideally two in order to give some breathing room down the stretch.

Tremendous preview Jules!