Melbourne Artificial Turf and Advantage?

[Guest]

A clearly disgruntled West Boca fan had this comment about Mel High’s dismantling of West Boca on Friday night (2/5).

Melbourne played real well but they have a huge advantage playing on artificial turf. Doing so changes how the ball bounces how it skids when wet and also is difficult to play defense on. Also field does not give when cleats are planted which increase the chance of major knee injuries. Only a fool would put this in. This is why every major college program and pro football teams have replaced the turf with grass. The state of Florida should ban all high school soccer games on these fields because they are dangerous and extremely skew the results. West Boca seemed to be exhausted from game 2 days ago that went to OT shootout with St Thomas. I guarantee Grubka can and will be stopped on a real soccer field.

I find it very hard to believe that a 47-0-1 record over the last two seasons can be solely attributed to playing less than half of their games on artificial turf. Melbourne plays all of its away games on grass and that includes last year’s 6A final four. Honestly, it is probably to Melbourne’s disadvantage to play on grass after practicing and playing on the turf. By the way, Melbourne made it to the 2008 Final Four before the turf was put in. On another note, both teams participating in the super bowl this weekend play on artificial turf… I am inclined to believe that this individual is, well, an idiot. Frankly, when Melbourne went up 3 – 0 very early in the second half, I was wishing we could have played Thomas Aquinas - would have been a better game. West Boca was tired, psychologically and physically, from their previous match with Aquinas? Had to take a long bus ride? Disadvantaged by the turf? Please. Seriously? Both of these teams are comprised of seasoned club soccer players that have been playing two and sometimes three games in a day at tournaments since they were little girls. West Boca got handled... They were overwhelmed by a superior team.

[Guest]

I posted comment fields reverse next year and yes It is a big advantage would it change outcome NO. Melbourne is very good team with great player #18 point point is defensive play tactics on a grass field would slow her down significantly. My guess is on grass field you would not see GRUBKA dominate game. She is the team and they know that. St Thomas was more skilled and deeper so LETS TALK

[Guest]

Obviously you have never followed #18 from Melbourne. She was one of the higher goal scorers in Regional 3 play for the 08/09 season. If I remember correctly all of Region 3 games are played on grass so it would be safe to say your assumption of slowing her down on naural grass is a miss-statement.
Also in her freshman year Melbourne went down on a Saturday and played Cardinal Gibbions at 10:00am winning that game 3-0 #18 scored 2 goals in that game and then went over to St Thomas to play them that same day at 3:00 and lost 2-1 with #18 scoring the lone goal for Melborne. But you know when team start doubling #18 others step up and win games for the Bulldogs because not one player makes or breaks that team. They are well balanced and work together to acheive success.

[Guest]

I will be more than happy to continue to discuss your riduculous assertations about artificial and your misinformed opinions about #18. Let me begin by saying that while #18 is a phenomenal player, she is decidely NOT 'the team'. I can't tell you how many people have stepped up and into new and expanded roles for a team that was faced with serious injuries to numerous starters this season. That happens to most teams, so it is something that must be played through and overcame, which is exactly what Melbourne did - which makes their undefeated season all the more impressive.

Your opinion that #18 can't perform on grass and because of that they will lose next year is patently absurd. Here is one example of how misinformed you are: Last year at the state 6A final four #18 did not play in the field. She played keeper. Mel High won both its games in Tampa and #18 scored ZERO goals. The Lady Bulldogs of Melbourne High School are a TEAM - and a damn good one at that.

[Guest]

One more comment... Thank you for mentioning #18s name on the Florida Today blog. You managed to start a real sh*t storm of attacks against a 16 year old girl that happens to be a pretty nice kid. I guess the lesson she learns from this is that success breeds contempt...

[Guest]

I am guessing that the Artifical Turf question was answered yesterday. Mel-High Lady Bulldogs Class 5A State Champs 25-0-0 and ranked #1 in the Nation in more than one poll. Way to go Lady Bullogs!

[Guest]

Yes you are right they deserve it 25-0 and #1 nation. My comment about turf was specifically about that it changes dynamics of defensing a great offense like Melbourne. Instead of 5-0 most likely it could have been 2-0 as we found both games on grass this weekend for Melbourne were close games. As far as mentioning name review FLorida Today articles and all they do is repeatedly so give that a break. She is a great player and no-one ever said that she was not. It was an issue of advantage of surface. Only 2 schools I know of in South FLorida have turf St Thomas and Boca High and it was not put in for soccer but football. Also WB was a very very good team to get to Regional FInal 2 victories over Boca High 6A finalist including on turf and Heritage Plantation 3A and St Thomas among many others. They should be proud of their season as should Melbourne. In that game the better team Melbourne won hands down. Subject over see you next fall.

[Guest]

I am told that American Heritage has been trying for 2 yrs to schedule Melbourne with no luck?? Could someone make that happen next year??