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The highly rated Fernando Pina turned in mediocre performances, one after another through 2013. When challenged by Jake Fenlasson, Pina did nothing to fight for his playing time. Pina never won back his position, and Fenlasson has been in the first eleven since then. In the annals of Zips Soccer, few recruits have held as much promise as Pina, and yet delivered such little production. Dormant talent often requires a change of scenery in order to flourish. See Coastal Carolina. Like David Meves, Jake Fenlasson is an expert shot blocker with decent foot skills. But his leg strength is insufficient at this level. There is no subsititute for being able to consistently club the ball over the midfield circle when nothing else is working. Surely, Zips coaches and players realize this deficiency. But the opposition realizes this as well, putting the Zips at risk as front lines continue to pressure our defenders with impunity. Fenlasson has been asked to do too much this season, too many acrobatic saves, too many desperation clearances. For the most part, he has handled his business well. He has developed into a good leader. But lurking in the minds of Zips Nation are the feeble punts and the weak goal kicks into the wind. See Marquette in 2013. I hope this one aspect of Jake's profile does not hurt us.

For whatever reason, Pina was not doing it at Akron. From what I recall, he wasn't agile nor was he directing the play in front of him. Thus, Jake took over the starting role. Pina never seemed to push to win it back. I assume that he transferred because he was not playing. Maybe the change of venue shook him up enough that he stepped up his game. Perhaps the back line in front of him coupled with lesser competition than the Zips are facing make him look better. Then again, maybe he is better. I don't know, nor does it matter. Pina, not our coaches, is the reason he lost his starting job at Akron. As far as Jake, I think he is playing very well and doesn't get enough credit. As I told him the other day, when I thanked him for the job he's been doing...I long for the days when Meves was "able to do his homework back there" because our back line (Barson, Korb, Valetin, Sarkodie) + our holding mid, Kitchen were so good. I wish Jake could get a break. Look at the number of saves he has had to make. Percentages are not in his favor for clean sheets when he has to make 9 saves in a game (10 to get the clean sheet). That's not on him.

Earlier in the season there was talk about the back line + GK and possible changes that the staff could make to improve things pronto given +2GAA at the time. Changes were made on the line, and by a staff that does not like change with good results except unresolved LB. I agree that Niko, quick as he is, remains challenged at that position size wise. I wonder how Clarke looks out there, and could he be a menace running up in addition to known defending capabilities? As for GK I do not remember anyone ever saying much about Jake or keepers generally, and while he seems likable and hangs in there for the most part he was a probable career back up to Pina until he inexplicably left (does anyone know the real story there, seems Coastal likes him well enough) and has given a slew of weak goals this year capped by what the announcers described as 'horrible goal keeping' to take Zips 0-1 and 'very shaky' play afterwards, not forgetting to credit a solid last minute save to avoid losing a game he might have set the team up to lose in the H1. Comment by TennZip was does not have a strong leg. Yes, and is smallish in hands and arms as part of a slight build overall. WMU's Shepherd (6-3 205) is more prototypical, but then again some favor the smaller more nimble guy. MNT and Intl plays to 6-2 to 6-4 (except Rimando, always an exception it seems). Best collegiate the same. Embick apparently coached Farrell at Internationals DA, he went on to WF. Good size. Pina YNT top keeper, left and thriving at Coastal. Quickness and great reach. Rubio top DA prospect and still well regarded, no minutes, size and reach but lacks Pina like quickness. Now the stage is set and you have a single option, and if this keeps playing out the Zips will progress in the 3rd or 1/4s on the back of Richie and Adam, but risk falling on the sword of burned LB or GK give. I will close that by saying I thought ND 2013 Patrick Wall at about the same size would hinder the Irish's hopes of winning it all, but was wrong. (I still like this year's model Chris Hubbard 6-4 205 much better )

Yay more free throws. Can't wait. That is why we all come!

“It’s hard to see yet because we’re mauling each other every day,” he said. “We haven’t made any adjustments. We talked a little bit more about keeping hands off. Other than that, we’ve spent very little time. Thirty seconds to me — we fling it up so fast it’s not going to matter. So we’ll see as it goes how it all plays out.” One thing to expect, Dambrot said, is more fouls to be called. “They’re going to call them from Game 1 to the end of the season,” he said. “I know that to be the truth, so we’re going to have to do a good job making sure we don’t foul because that is the great equalizer in the game.” Oh Joy. Just what the fans have been clamoring for.