The spring exhibition season concluded yesterday in Pensacola with games against Mississippi State and LSU. Megan Hinnenkamp played in both games and did not appear limited (to me).
Exhibition format: Two 30-minute halves, running clock (except for injury). Results of game 1: MSU-1, UF-0. Only goal was on a PK with about 5 minutes remaining in 2nd half. Result of game 2: UF-7, LSU-0. My impressions: Offense. UF's style of play hasn't changed: numerous long, direct passes which were lost - resulting in very little possession. UF didn't build from the back at all. (I now suspect that they much be coached not to.) Instead, they depended almost exclusively on breakaways following turnovers. UF wasn't dangerous on set piece plays. MSU was much more controlled and UF only threatened once during a scramble in front of their net. Defense: UF always kept numbers back, even during set plays on offense, and were very physical (which also caused the PK). MSU really couldn't threaten on offense either, even though they possessed the ball for a large majority of the time. UF's defense was mostly steady throughout. LSU was just bad, especially on defense. They were very unsteady with the ball in front of their net and wilted under pressure from UF's forwards, resulting in several turnovers and UF goals. Their GK was rash coming off her line and gave up two empty-net goals. UF's defense and midfielders just absolutely smothered LSU when they had the ball, and UF's forwards were frequently able to break away from LSU defenders and force them into panic sprints toward their own goal.
