Matchday 3 vs Eclipse Select (IL)

Our first home game.

Against the team that is undoubtedly the early-season pick to win the conference.

Siena’s first game back after injury.

Izzy out with her broken arm.

Coco out sick.

Val out sick.

When all was said and done, Eclipse was just better than us. More athletic, more technical, more soccer-smart overall.

Though the final was only 1-0 and Eclipse managed only a single shot on target (the goal), our opponents dominated play and was the more dangerous team on attack for sure.

Ironically, the goal we did give up was not what I would have called one of their quality chances. Poor work rate from our forwards, completely disorganized midfield defending, completely disorganized defending in our final third, and capping it all off with a shot that Gwynny should have at least gotten a hand on with her athletic talent - and likely would have 9 times out of 10.

I had mentioned in the pregame video that I was concerned about our midfield defending shape, and it turned out to be a huge factor in the Eclipse goal.

I really need to think about a formation shift to 4-4-2. The diamond shape will be way easier for the girls to manage, and their defending roles will be more clear with a holding min, attacking min, and 2 wide mids.

This will. blunt our attack a bit, and the movements/ideas for twin strikers take some work, but we might need to make it happen.