In the last two years I have had daughters play in all three age groups (GU-14 to GU-16), although this year none are through to the semi-finals. However, I have seen quite a bit of all the teams in these groups so I will venture into some analysis.
The U-16 group is by far the group with the deepest and most consistent talent. This is the third straight year for these four teams. Truly, any of these four teams could end up winning the whole thing. The Stars have been the class so far, and it will take a very strong effort to knock them out. Especially on a big, dry, turf field. They are strong everywhere, including their bench. I have seen some Aztecs teams concentrate on possession for the sake of possession. This Aztecs team is a little less likely to worry about ball control and more likely to play a counter-attacking style. They have a good mix of athleticism and skill and are strong in the defensive middle. If they get down early against the Stars they will struggle, but if they can keep the Stars off the board they have a great chance to win. The Pioneers/ SS Select game shapes up to be a real even match. The Pioneers have played very well all year and played one of the best teams in the Region (Albertson) essentially even earlier this spring. This is the fourth straight year the Selects have made the semis, but they have lost the last two. I think their hunger to get back into the finals will prevail this year.
The U-15 group also features four great teams. Stars have great individual talent and will really be helped by the big turf field. Their depth and ball control can really wear a team down on that surface. Crusaders are a solid, well coached team. For them to win I think they will need to get some results out of set plays and play a bend but don’t break defense. Much like the U-16Stars/Aztecs game if Stars get up early it will be a struggle for the Crusaders. Scorpions beat the Pioneers 4-2 on turf earlier in the year. However, a lot can change over two months. The team that best handles the heat will win this game.
The U-14 group is pretty well examined on this site. Mathman has his ratings and recurring posters weigh in pretty regularly. It would be a lot of fun to see the Scorpions and Stars face off in the final. They are both great teams. I got a chance to see a little of a Stars game in Amherst. What struck me was the wave of offense that they send from their strikers and outside middies. They also use the entire field better than any other team in all three of these age groups. The fly in the ointment is that the Bolts are also a very strong team. They are very well coached and have players that can unquestionably execute a game plan to try to slow down the Stars attack and counter with their big strong forwards. Obviously the Scorpions have a very special player but they are very deep everywhere else. They are especially solid in the defensive middle. They play with great pace. Although not as offensively dangerous as the Stars, they have won a lot of big games and will enter with lots of confidence. Hamlets are a big physical team that might have some problems with the Scorps on the big turf field, especially if it gets hot early. Their big advantage is the hope that they can get the Scorps looking past them to Sunday.
The U-16 group is by far the group with the deepest and most consistent talent. This is the third straight year for these four teams. Truly, any of these four teams could end up winning the whole thing. The Stars have been the class so far, and it will take a very strong effort to knock them out. Especially on a big, dry, turf field. They are strong everywhere, including their bench. I have seen some Aztecs teams concentrate on possession for the sake of possession. This Aztecs team is a little less likely to worry about ball control and more likely to play a counter-attacking style. They have a good mix of athleticism and skill and are strong in the defensive middle. If they get down early against the Stars they will struggle, but if they can keep the Stars off the board they have a great chance to win. The Pioneers/ SS Select game shapes up to be a real even match. The Pioneers have played very well all year and played one of the best teams in the Region (Albertson) essentially even earlier this spring. This is the fourth straight year the Selects have made the semis, but they have lost the last two. I think their hunger to get back into the finals will prevail this year.
The U-15 group also features four great teams. Stars have great individual talent and will really be helped by the big turf field. Their depth and ball control can really wear a team down on that surface. Crusaders are a solid, well coached team. For them to win I think they will need to get some results out of set plays and play a bend but don’t break defense. Much like the U-16Stars/Aztecs game if Stars get up early it will be a struggle for the Crusaders. Scorpions beat the Pioneers 4-2 on turf earlier in the year. However, a lot can change over two months. The team that best handles the heat will win this game.
The U-14 group is pretty well examined on this site. Mathman has his ratings and recurring posters weigh in pretty regularly. It would be a lot of fun to see the Scorpions and Stars face off in the final. They are both great teams. I got a chance to see a little of a Stars game in Amherst. What struck me was the wave of offense that they send from their strikers and outside middies. They also use the entire field better than any other team in all three of these age groups. The fly in the ointment is that the Bolts are also a very strong team. They are very well coached and have players that can unquestionably execute a game plan to try to slow down the Stars attack and counter with their big strong forwards. Obviously the Scorpions have a very special player but they are very deep everywhere else. They are especially solid in the defensive middle. They play with great pace. Although not as offensively dangerous as the Stars, they have won a lot of big games and will enter with lots of confidence. Hamlets are a big physical team that might have some problems with the Scorps on the big turf field, especially if it gets hot early. Their big advantage is the hope that they can get the Scorps looking past them to Sunday.
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