Baylor Soccer has won four in a row to reach 6-1-0 with one non-conference game remaining after beating Marquette 1-0 at home on Thursday night. Here are some of my thoughts and takeaways from that win over the Golden Eagles in Waco. Baylor plays the undefeated Oral Roberts Golden Eagles in Tulsa on Sunday at 7 p.m.
» It is always great to beat an undefeated team, especially one that is so organized defensively. Baylor’s winner was just the third goal scored on the Golden Eagles in seven games this season. Baylor has to do this again on Sunday against a different style of team in the undefeated Oral Roberts Golden Eagles. (Yes, they are both Golden Eagles).
» Getting back to scoring a goal early would really help the Bears. Baylor is typically good about coming out and putting a lot of pressure on opponents in the first 5-10 minutes of games. When they convert that pressure into an early 1-0 lead, the game settles down in a way that isn’t replicated by a later one-goal lead. It plays into the Bears' style especially well, with more space for the Bears’ attack being opened when opponents have to chase an equalizer. Yes, a lead plays into every style well, but I’d rather see talented attackers with more room to create than a bus parked in front of goal trying to avoid the same thing they are inviting by hunkering down.
» Jimison was the most dangerous Bear through the first half. Her close control and constant shooting threat made the difference in such an organized defense. I know the ESPN+ broadcast hit this pretty well, but Jimison has unlocked two of the last three games for the Bears, scoring in this one and getting a Pepperdine player sent off when that game was deadlocked at 1-1. Having a player that can force the issue and create the difference — whether scoring directly or in other ways — is exactly how you win close games and win them more than you lose them.
» The defense is still suspect. They make too many mistakes during the build-out. Michelle said it herself: “The biggest problem is we've got to stop giving away free chances on our build-out. Just sloppy stuff that's unforced errors, and we've really got to get through that … we're making too many [mistakes]. We're making too many, and eventually those catch up with you.” And you can see those mistakes and the chances they lead to in each game pretty clearly. The best example was the loss to Texas State, but against Texas, LSU and Marquette you can find examples as well.
» I see the defensive issues more in the center backs than the outside backs. The center backs are asked to do a great deal. The way the Bears play — often sending an outside back high up the field — means that it’s more of a back three, sometimes further exposing the center backs. And when they are asked to be brave in building out from the back, that puts responsibility and pressure on the center backs to make key passes. Being exposed — whether with the ball or against the ball — in a central area with no one between you and your keeper … it’s a tough task. Baylor’s center backs need to improve to ensure serious runs at trophies, but this also makes me more appreciative of how good Hallie Augustyn and Blythe Obar were last year.
» Despite all of that, I also don’t feel like the defense has let Azul Alvarez end up in very many tough spots in the last few games. The recovery runs by defenders have been excellent after mistakes, and the speed on the back line is really good. Nyela Calnek in particular is incredibly fast, but James, Miller and Vatter all have good pace. They all also appear to have a good sense of when to use what tactic: bodying, shielding, tackling, etc. The only thing I still think they need to utilize more is booting the ball out of play or down the field. I digress; the Bears’ back line has done a solid job of keeping shots off of their goal even if they give up decent shooting chances.
» I’d like to see Baylor get better off of set pieces. They had four corners and a few free kicks vs. Marquette and did not generate great chances, in my opinion. Against solid, well-organized defenses, set pieces can be a great opportunity to get a different look, work a good shot on goal, and unlock the game if you find the back of the net. Jimison’s goal in this game is a great example of this, with how much more open the second half was. Baylor will come across a team that plays Marquette’s style better than the Golden Eagles do, no offense to them, and they need to be ready to find a goal off set pieces when they do, just in case they aren’t converting from open play.
» Olivia Hess looked more offensively involved than she had in the few games. I’m not entirely sure what led to this, but it was a welcome sight. The sophomore shoots well from distance and could maybe do with a confidence-boosting goal. Her midfield and defensive play have been solid, but that is not her entire game. She’s at her best when she can get her head up and drive towards goal to either pick a pass or shoot.
» Theresa McCullough deserves some props for the skills she showed to beat not only her defender, but sometimes two on the right wing.
» I think the Bears could use Noelle Sather back as an extra spark off the bench for the midfield. That won’t happen until likely after the Big 12 opener against West Virginia on September 18th. Canada is through the group stage and will play France in the first round of the knockouts of the U-20 Women’s World Cup on September 17th. I won’t pretend to be in the know on these U-20 teams as far as predicting if this is the end of the road for Canada or not.
» If the Bears win on Sunday, they will be 7-1-0. Seven non-conference wins would tie 2018, 2016 and 2013 for the most since 2012’s eight non-conference wins. Last year, Baylor finished non-league play undefeated at 5-0-2, but all in all, this year’s schedule looks tougher to me, and I’d be more impressed by the 7-1-0 than the 5-0-2. But you’ve gotta get the win against a solid Oral Roberts squad.
