Cali Crisler has made herself invaluable for the Arizona
Wildcats thus far. She has assisted five of Arizona’s seven goals to date,
including two against Oregon in the ‘Cats Pac-12 opening victory.
The majority of UA’s scoring has come off corners, with
Crisler to thank having assisted three of Arizona’s four goals coming off
corners. Crisler was unable to get an assist on the fourth due to the goal being
scored with a deflection after a save.
The ability to score from the corner flag is important for
every team, but especially for the Wildcats due to the number of turnovers that
their defense forces. The Wildcats have been consistent with keeping the ball
in their offensive half by disrupting passes in the midfield this season
allowing Arizona to start attacks with numbers already in front of the ball.
These numbers allow for balls to be played into the wings in
an attempt to cross the ball into the box. Arizona averages just fewer than
seven corners a game, which mostly come from this type of play.
Then enter Crisler who has the ability to drop a ball exactly where she
wants it like that of a high caliber quarterback. Arizona often runs a play
where defender Samantha Falascao sits on the back post of the net while forward Charlotte Brascia
parks herself in front of the keeper.
Brascia uses her big, 5-foot-11-inch frame to
force the keeper to stay planted, allowing Falascao to have a one-on-one
battle with her defender to win the ball.
Arizona has a daunting four-game stretch ahead of them
against top 25 teams, including the top two teams in the country. None of the UA’s next four opponents have conceded off a corner expect for Cal that has
given up more than 30 corner kicks on the year, at 31. Arizona conversely has
earned 61.
With star player Gabi Stoian out for the past two games, Arizona has
relied on Crisler to manufacture goals. But Crisler will need the help of her teammates as most of Crisler’s assists have originated in the center
midfield, with the center midfielders or outside backs creating turnovers. After the
turnover, Arizona will need work to get the ball to a wing in the corner in order for Crisler to have her best chances at creating goals.
Arizona will either need big games from the center midfield to earn those
corners, or strong play from their forwards to add another threat in the attack
if Arizona wants to compete against some of the best teams in the country.
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