This week is my adventures in Ohio and Indiana.

No snow this trip, but I had plenty of cold, wind and rain.

This article contains my previous week’s travel to Akron, Ohio and Bloomington, Indiana. This article includes the following schools: Northwestern, Akron, Old Dominion and Indiana.

Next week is NCAA tournament 3rd round in Florida.

Just a reminder, this year, I’m concentrating on just a few players at each game.

Akron, OH – On a chilly, windy evening with wind chills in the 20s, Akron beat Northwestern 3-1 in an entertaining match.

In the 2008 NCAA tournament, Akron’s home match against Northwestern was moved to Chicago because of Akron’s field conditions. In this context, it seems destined that Akron would get a chance to play Northwestern at home. However, these 2 teams are good enough that having them meet in the first round is silly. Then, again having a 2nd round match-up in the first round makes for good viewing for the fans!

 

F: Oliver Kupe

W/D F: Lepe Seetane

M: Kyle Schickel, Connor Holloway, Chris Ritter, Nick Gendron

D: Peter O’Neill, Jarrett Baughman, Nikko Boxall, Grant Wilson

GK: Tyler Miller

F: Darren Mattocks

M: Luke Holmes, Scott Caldwell, Aodhan Quinn, 

DM: Will Trapp, Bryan Gallego

D: David Mayer, Chad Barson, Matt Dagilis, Yedlin DeAndre

GK: David Meves

 

Northwestern was better than Akron in the second half, but like much of Akron’s woes this year, Northwestern couldn’t finish their chances.

Senior Peter O’Neill converted the penalty kick in the 63rd minute. O’Neill delivered several second half set pieces from near midfield that were not properly defended by Akron that could have been converted. He also did all the corner kicks. Interestingly, the first corner kick was earned at the 63rd minute. Northwestern had 2 more within the next minute or so. Akron didn’t have a corner kick in the entire match.

Early in the game, O’Neill had a wild clearance. He calmed down after that incident. O’Neill couldn’t match sophomore Aodhan Quinn’s pace eventually having to foul in the 29th minute. I don’t believe that O’Neill has enough athletic ability to have professional opportunities.

Senior Oliver Kupe is a talent, though. He has a huge body which employs effectively and quickness that should be illegal on a man that big. In the 34th minute, Kupe got free along the left side. With a head of steam, Akron center backs were reluctant to get too near him for fear of being no more than a buoy in his wake. When Kupe got into the box, he hit a rocket – sizzling along the ground destined to the far post, but junior goalkeeper David Meves was able to get down low to get a hand on the ball and deflect it wide.

I’d like to see Kupe get even stronger in the air, defending his positioning to enable him to be more dangerous in the air. Kupe has professional potential. I expect that he’ll be successful in the combine and depending upon how many Generation Adidas players are signed, he should be a first round pick.

Sophomore Lepe Seetane is 5’2” compared to Kupe is 6’3”. How could the Akron streaming announcer confuse these two so many times? Seetane is exceptional on the ball. He’s related to Maryland’s Sunny Jane – now that would be an interesting 1v1 to watch in the back yard. His acceleration is jaw popping. But, his height is going to be a non-starter for some MLS teams.

Here’s a geography lesson for the Big 10 network. Lesotho is an enclave (fully surrounded) by South Africa.

Freshman goalkeeper Tyler Miller has talent, but he was nervous early. He has good hands. He could become a good goalkeeper. Miller needs to improve on this distribution from his feet.

I wasn’t impressed with junior center back Jarrett Baughman’s game. I did like the work of freshman Nikko Boxall. He’s the little brother of former UCSB and current Vancouver center back Michael Boxall. Nikko is smaller but quicker than his brother. He has a similar temperament and nasty disposition (in a good way for a center back). I envision in this New Zealand backyard, a nasty battle with shin splitting tackles that eventually ends in a fist-fight between Nikko and Michael.

 

Senior Luke Holmes created the first goal in the 27th minute by some precise dribbling squaring the ball to Scott Caldwell who hit a “change up” that bounced into the lower corner.

The second goal was scored by sophomore Aodhan Quinn in the 55th minute. The play started with an early cross that hung in the air that Baughman didn’t clear sufficiently under pressure by sophomore Darren Mattocks. Quinn picked off the loose ball at the top of the box and buried it first time into the corner.

The insurance goal was scored in the 77th minute with tenacious ball handling by both Mattocks and Holmes in the box that wound up ended with Holmes touched forward and Mattocks blasted a left footed shot.

This was the first time that I’ve seen Holmes live (excluding PDL). He’s a quick player with feet that are equally quick. I like that he has the agility to take a shot regardless where the ball arrives. For example in the 39th minute, he hit a slick side volley that hit the cross-bar. Hopefully, Holmes gets invited to the combine, because I can see that he could contribute to a MLS team if given a chance.

I suspected that Akron inserted senior Matt Dagilis into the starting line-up to try and contend with Kupe. However, I was informed that Akron wanted a better ball-hawking midfielder and moved freshman Bryan Gallego into the defense midfielder. This opened a slot for Dagilis to play. This explanation makes sense. Dagilis saved a ball off the line in the 37th minute after goalkeeper Meves punched a ball that wound up going backward.

After playing early in his career and not playing for the last 2 years, Dagilis has a terrific attitude, stating that he always prepares to play regardless. He seems like a nice kid who I suspect will be successful in the business world.

Meves made several nice stops but had a few mental mistakes. He needs to play clean.

Junior Chad Barson is a stable defender. He isn’t flashy nor has electrifying speed, but he’s a competent defender. I have spent many hours considering if he can play centrally in MLS. I’m still not sure. But, if he can, he might be in the league for the next 10 years.

I don’t care for senior Michael Balogun’s ball skills.

NOTE: Akron beat Southern Methodist, but UAB lost to Charlotte ruining my “master plan” to see Akron at UAB on 11/27. Drats!

Bloomington, IN – On a cool, rainy Sunday afternoon, Indiana outclassed Old Dominion 3-0.

Simply put, Indiana was the better team.

 

F: Yannick Salmon

M: Gideon Asante, Tim Hopkinson, Skylar Hagan

DM: Jordan LeBlanc, Chris Harmon,

D: Jason Gaylord, Ryan Oakes, Alex De John, Thomas Webb

GK: Victor Francoz

F: Eriq Zavaleta

M: Alec Purdie, A. J. Corrado, Nikita Kotlov

DM: Kerel Bradford, Jacob Bushue

D: Chris Estridge, Tommy Meyer, Caleb Konstanski, Matt McKain

GK: Luis Soffner

 

Old Dominion put defenders in the box, but they allowed space 30 yards from goal. Allowing this space enabled Indiana looks at the goal and pinned Old Dominion from transitioning through the midfield.

With just 1 senior and a host of talented juniors, Old Dominion could be very good next year – if they play better defense.

Junior goalkeeper Victor Francoz made countless stops throughout that kept Old Dominion in the game. He allowed a rebound that led to the third goal, but the first stop was top notch. Francoz needs a better defense in front of him.

Junior Yannick Smith is a strong fast forward. When he was involved in the play, he was dangerous. But for long periods of time, he was waiting for the ball. On 2 separate occasions, he ran back into the midfield to try and win the ball. He is someone that may be one of the best senior forwards in 2012.

Sophomore Tim Hopkinson is active with a superior work rate. His corner kicks are inconsistent. At times, they are driven into dangerous spaces. Other times, he hangs them easily for the goal keeper to pick off. Hopkinson needs to get stronger to deal better with physical defenders such as junior Caleb Konstanski. Hopkinson is technically competent with the ball at his feet.

Junior Chris Harmon started deep in defensive midfield but continued inching up forward as the game slipped away. Harmon has a distinctive running style. He is one of the most bow-legged players that I’ve seen in college soccer. His running style reminds me of a film that I saw many years ago of the great Brazilian, Garrincha. Harmon’s low center of gravity helps him frustrate defenders. I like the confidence that he exudes on taking first time shots including in the 66th minute full volley from Smith. Like Hopkinson, Harmon is pushed off the ball too easily. He needs to be stronger in his upper body.

Sophomore Gideon Asante is super quick player who has unbelievable acceleration. At times, his first touch escapes him – but once under control, Asante has many tricks.

All of the attackers are small; making the Old Dominion attack pre-ordained for balls through the last line of attack or quick attacks.

Junior Alex De John was ejected in the 79th minute following his second yellow of the half.

In the 82nd minute, the lone senior Thomas Webb was ejected for his second yellow essentially ending the game being down by 3 goals and 2 men.

 

Indiana opened the scoring in the 17th minute when senior Chris Estridge took a long pass 30 yards out flashing toward the middle of the field. He dribbled toward the corner and released a cross that sophomore Nikita Kotlov finished from 6 yards.

The second goal was scored by Kotlov in the 71st minute. Freshman Patrick Doody drove in a corner kick that Kotlov flashed across the ball and hit a left footed volley blast from 10 yards. Nice goal.

The final goal was Kotlov-influenced, as well. In the 80th minute, Kotlov combined with senior Alec Purdie to find an opening in the back. Kotlov headed a ball that was destined for the goal, but Francoz stopped the initial offering but he was unable to do better with the ball – either tipping it wide or catching it. Junior Tim Wylie touched in the rebound for the 3rd goal of the game.

Purdie was timing his runs well early. Finding himself 1v1 against the goalkeeper several times, but he was unable to finish. In the 9th minute, he got behind again and he delivered a delicious cross, but freshman Eriq Zavaleta missed his shot. This was the best game that I’ve seen Purdie play. His passing was well weighted. In the second half, he tried to be too tricky and the attack faltered.

Senior Chris Estridge came into the game carrying a minor injury but he didn’t look affected until he iced it when he came out with the game decided. Estridge is the best senior left back. He is quick, technically gifted with superior vision and the ability to connect with his forwards. I’d like to see him be challenged on the defensive side – I expect that it will be a battle against North Carolina’s Rob Lovejoy.

Senior Tommy Meyer is a borderline tweener. He isn’t tall like North Carolina’s Matt Hedges. He isn’t as physical as Louisville’s Austin Berry. He’s not as swift as Maryland’s London Woodberry. At 6’2”, he is tall enough, but not exceedingly so. Meyer excels because he is smart and knows how to play defense. He’s exceptionally adept at stopping attacks by clogging the passing lanes. Meyer serves many of the deep set pieces. Because of this and his accurate service, he leads Indiana in assists with 7 – not bad for a stay-at-home center back. I like him and I think he has a bright future next year.

Konstanski has really shined this year. I watched him in the summer while he played for the PDL Northern Virginia Royals. He impressed me with his speed of play and his competence while playing midfield. This year, I have enjoyed catching him playing stalwart center back. He’s a big strong kid who is confident on the ball. I like his nastiness. Next year, could be a big year for his professional aspirations.

With North Carolina waiting for Indiana on Sunday, here’s a few quick thoughts on this match.

Besides the Lovejoy-Estridge battle, I expect that sophomore Jacob Bushue will have his hands full dealing with the trio of central midfielders (senior Kirk Urso, freshman Mikey Lopez, and junior Enzo Martinez). If the refereeing allows junior Billy Schuler to be manhandled by Meyer and Konstanski, it could be difficult for Schuler to get free. However, I expect that Schuler will use his quickness to find space in the box and score at least 1 goal.

Sophomore Mike McKain is going to need a superb effort to slow down junior Ben Speas. I expect that Speas will have a superior match and cause havoc on the North Carolina left hand side.

Defensively, I don’t expect that North Carolina will be beaten by Indiana speed like Old Dominion was beaten. While North Carolina is young in the back, they have very good athletes. The key will be Urso stopping Kotlov from getting deep into the underbelly of the North Carolina defense.

I predict a 3-1 victory for North Carolina. I’d like to see this match, but I’ll be in South Florida to see another terrific matchup between the Bulls and New Mexico. These are 2 teams that I have only seen once live and once on TV this year.