Ripon Scouting Report

Formation: 3-4-3
Scouting Report on Ripon College
Notes:
• Ripon's formation is the most interesting part of the team. They defend in the
back as though it were a flat 5. They get their outside midfielders so deep that it
leaves enormous gaps in front of the oppositions outside defenders.
• Their forwards do not check off of the back defensive line. However, they do a
lot of switching amongst themselves but the timing is usually so off that it
doesn't warrant any consideration. When the defense clears the ball to the
forwards Ripon tends to have its most success. The forward tries to turn and
face the defense allowing the other forwards to initiate runs. The forwards are
not strong in terms of touch, so any kind of defensive pressure will stop their
attack.
• Ripon's center forward pushes all the way up to the sweeper. Beloit chose to
guard this with a stopper instead of allowing the sweeper to mark up. If you
trust your sweeper, you may choose to let him mark the forward, keeping your
stopper free of any marking responsibilities.
• The defensive backs are unusually weak. They are not strong tacklers and make
terrible decisions on simple passes near their own goal. As stated earlier, the
outside midfielders drop so low on the field that they can almost be included as
defenders and only when they defend with all five players do they function
properly.
• Outside left midfielder, Kris Hanson (#17) is Ripon's best player. He is strong on
the ball and a solid defender. He does not release the ball very well and can be
easily guarded by a good defender.
• The Ripon back line does a lot of ball watching. If the ball is in the oppositions
control for a prolonged period of time, you can see the entire Ripon defense
creep closer and closer. A few times Beloit noticed and played the ball over their
heads to an on-running outside midfielder. For easy goals, look for the big
switch over the outside defender's head.
• Ripon's best play is the overlapping run. Once an outside forward has the ball at
his feet, he will turn and face and then wait for his midfielder to get around him.
It is their only real threat to score.
• With Ripon only playing with three true defenders there are large gaps between
20 and 30 yards from the net. Beloit never took advantage but look to take
multiple long range shots throughout the contest.
• Defenders, Zach Hershoff (sophomore #14) and Jayson Krause (freshman #19),
are constantly looking to turn the ball over. With even slight pressure they will
clear the ball.
• Ripon seems to concede that they will not win a possession game and are only
looking for quick strikes out of their three forward set. They rarely saw a true
possession but on clears they did not struggle in getting the ball into the
attacking third.
• Ripon guards their corner kicks in a zone. Beloit did not struggle finding the gaps
and putting shots on goal.
• Hershoff has had more than a few terrible crosses from the defensive line. Look
to isolate him on the ball.
• Jim Kulas (#4) is their outside midfielder and defender. Although he did not
start, he does see significant time. Look to attack his side of the field (generally
he plays right outside midfield).