PREVIEW: Soccer Returns to Convention Play In opposition to Brown

2 months ago 3 min read

On the halfway level of the season, it has been an up-and-down street for soccer. After beginning off scorching with two straight wins, the workforce has hit a tough patch, shedding its previous three video games. As the center of the Crimson’s schedule looms, with 5 Ivy video games left within the yr, it’s now or by no means for the workforce to proper the ship. Cornell could have its first alternative this Saturday, Oct. 21, when it hosts Brown at Schoellkopf.

The Crimson (2-3, 1-1 Ivy) is coming off a 21-13 loss to Bucknell. After holding a lead early within the third quarter, Cornell’s offense was shut out for the ultimate 28 minutes of the sport, permitting the Bison to mount a comeback with two touchdowns.

The sport marks the second time this season that the Crimson has misplaced a lead within the second half, with the primary approaching Homecoming when the workforce fell to Colgate. In opposition to Bucknell, Cornell struggled to take care of drives, going 3 for 13 on third down. The Crimson additionally had points with penalties, committing six for 75 yards.

“Complete killer,” mentioned head coach David Archer ’05 on the penalties. “The arms to the face — that’s a method that’s going to get known as — we’ve bought to appropriate that.”

The Bears (3-2, 1-1 Ivy) is coming off an exciting 28-27 additional time victory towards Princeton. After overcoming a 14-point deficit within the 4th quarter, Brown blocked the additional level on the Tigers’ additional time rating, after which gained the sport with a landing and further level of its personal.

Brown comes into this weekend with a excessive flying offense. The Bears lead all of FCS in passing yards per recreation, at 352.6. Quarterback Jake Wilcox leads the Ivy League in passing yards with 1,759.

“You’ve bought to be sure to make them uncomfortable,” Archer mentioned. “And it’s a must to perceive they’re going to be resilient in what they name. They’re not going to care what the down is or the place the ball is, they’re simply going to maintain throwing that factor up. So that you’ve bought to be able to play each play and play a number of them.”

On the flip facet, nevertheless, Brown has struggled on protection. The Bears is permitting 399 yards per recreation and 28 factors per recreation, each worst within the Ivy League.

“We have now to have the ability to get that [the run game] going to proceed drives to remain on the sector,” Archer mentioned. “And to loosen up the run recreation, we’ve bought to hit some explosive performs.”

When these two groups met final yr, the Crimson by no means trailed, in the end successful a detailed 24-21 recreation. With each groups having an opportunity to go above .500 in convention with a win on Saturday, and the final three contests ending in one-possession video games, this weekend will possible deliver one other aggressive matchup.

Prediction: Cornell 28 Brown 24

Having misplaced its final three video games, the Crimson must discover a technique to win if it desires to maintain tempo within the Ivy League. On Saturday, the workforce will step as much as the event, exploiting Brown’s weaknesses on protection to place up factors and restrict the Bears’ offensive possessions.

Kickoff is about for 1 p.m. from Schoellkopf Subject. The sport will even be broadcast on ESPN+.