Shoemaker was covered with snow at 9:00 am this morning and the decision was made to move the Sectional final to the lacrosse field. It was a fabulous 110 minutes of soccer that had to unfortunately end in PKs. Messiah prevailed 3-2 on PKs, but I left at the end of the 2nd OT not wanting to watch (the Messiah women have been eliminated on PKs in each of the last five years). Hats off to Williams College who threw everything at Messiah and was ever so close to advancing to the Final Four. It is easy to see why they have won 3 of the last 4 national championships.

Will be at Messiah for both games today. Nice, beautiful, sunny, crisp November morning. Rain expected later today but should start after both games are complete. Will be 38 degrees at KO of 1st game warming to 47 degrees by 2nd game. It is odd that Trinity and Messiah have not met more often given their consistent appearances in the NCAAs. Game two is an all NESCAC affair. Good stuff.

Very nice play from Messiah's flanks. Very evenly matched for much of the game but Messiah seemed to gain control as the 2nd half rolled on. They have really stepped it up in these past three games.  Conference games up next ... See you at the Shoe.

Quote from: blooter442 on December 06, 2017, 03:54:25 PM
At 5-0 I think even Liverpool will see the game out from here. Coutinho with the hatty. They are so good going forward at times.

They are fun to watch. Their 23 goals in the group stage would have been a record if PSG had not scored 25. Still, not too shabby for a team selected from Pot C.

Quote from: firstplaceloser on December 03, 2017, 06:13:02 PM
random question. where do Messiah commits normally play? what level and what clubs? NJ has a few well known teams so I wasn't sure

I don't know if anyone answered your question regarding clubs. I can only answer for those recruits from this area (central PA). Many of them played for PA Classics.  Other clubs include North Union United and SuperNova FC.  I believe Christian Pulisic first gained notoriety while playing for PA Classics.  His father used to coach there ... actually his father coached at LVC before that.  Small world.

Quote from: Gray Fox on December 02, 2017, 04:06:22 PM
Which is the group of death?  and the group of dearth?

I don't think there is a "Group of Death" this year; probably due to the change in the selection process. There are some groups that are interesting but only because the teams are closer in talent. Group D (Argentina, Croatia, Iceland, Nigeria) may be of most interest. Groups A (Russia, Uruguay, Egypt, Saudi Arabia) and H (Poland, Colombia, Senegal, Japan) are others where all four teams must feel they have a real opportunity to advance.

Quote from: OldMCGuy on December 03, 2017, 10:31:35 AM
As a Zimbabwe-born Messiah soccer alum from the late 1960's - early 70's I went to elementary school with a handful of very athletic Swedish missionary kids.  Last night's game felt like a reunion of sorts.  (Special thanks to Gregory Sager's wonderfully informative essay on North Park University.)

Wow!  You played in the very early years (Drescher, Barr, and Sweimler).  I assume its safe to assume that you had no idea back then what the Messiah soccer program would become today.  I have been watching Messiah soccer since 1984 and wish I had the opportunity to watch you and your teams play.

Quote from: Dave 'd-mac' McHugh on December 02, 2017, 05:53:58 PM
No... little more complicated. You need 7 schools in a conference to earn an AQ. You need at least four "core" members to have a conference or retain your conference-ship. The start-ups may need six, but I am not positive of that.

The MAC Commonwealth currently has nine schools: Albright, Alvernia, Arcadia, Hood, Lebanon Valley, Lycoming, Messiah, Stevenson, and Widener.

Quote from: Brother Flounder on November 19, 2017, 06:36:36 PM
Regarding Brandeis vs. Messiah, they said that Messiah would easily beat Tufts in 2014 but The Giant Slayer goal by Tufts set them back 2 years.  Tufts was the underdog in all playoff games and easily beat every opponent except Messiah on its way to a championship in 2014. So, I don't count out the Judges and will be rooting for a win.

I'm not sure who the "THEY' are to which you make reference. The field at Muhlenberg was quire small and the surface was frozen both days. Even the Tufts coach was complaining about this after the first game (see link). A small, frozen field certain neutralized Messiah's advantage with incredible speed on the wings. My feelings at the time, and I believe most Messiah fans agreed, was the first goal might win it . . . and it certainly did. I knew it would be a very close, hard fought affair. I don't recall anyone thinking Messiah would win with ease.

Quote from: wchandy22 on November 23, 2014, 09:02:26 AM
Field conditions at Muhlenberg were a factor after the pitch froze overnight and had only slightly melted before play started today.

http://www.gotuftsjumbos.com/sports/msoc/2014-15/releases/20141122gjae9v

I don't think we will see many goals today. A very small field with two of the better defensive teams in the country. 1-0?

Messiah over Allegheny 5-0 but all five goals came in the last 25 minutes. It was a very slow start for both teams with Allegheny outshooting Messiah 2-1 after 30 minutes. Fatigue certainly was a factor as Messiah began to dominate in the 2nd half. Goals by (and in order) Nick West, Robby Johnson, Nathan Eagan, Danny Rowe and Colby Thomas. Nathan also picked up two assists. Oddly enough, the 3rd and 5th goals were set pieces from nearly identical positions on the field. Nathan put the first into the upper 90 and played a beautiful ball into the six that Colby was able to handle. A lot of positives but also plenty of work to do. I believe everyone had some playing time with exception to Connor Bell (backup GK) and Danny Cole, Ben Haines and Zeb Cross (could be wrong, though).

Quote from: Mr.Right on September 03, 2015, 03:47:34 PM
One more thing: I am sure someone has talked / answered this question back in 2014 but does anyone have any information on why Ludwig left York? Was he forced out or did he want to foucs on club / development teams. Did he change professions?...Just curious

I believe this article from the York Dispatch sums it up.

After 16 successful seasons, Ludwig resigns as York College men's soccer coach
By JOHN WALK
http://www.yorkdispatch.com/ci_27143753/

This will be an exciting year for Messiah and I am eager to see how Brad works all these younger players into various roles.  I expect quite of bit of shuffling until he finds a combination that clicks.  In some ways, I am reminded of the 2008 season after the departure of one of the best classes in Messiah history.  Plenty of opportunity for the first years and sophomores.

It's also nice to be posting once again.  I believe this was my last post (the morning of the game against Tufts at Muhlenberg).  Darn my powers of prognostication.

Quote from: wchandy22 on November 23, 2014, 09:02:26 AM
Field conditions at Muhlenberg were a factor after the pitch froze overnight and had only slightly melted before play started today.

http://www.gotuftsjumbos.com/sports/msoc/2014-15/releases/20141122gjae9v

I don't think we will see many goals today. A very small field with two of the better defensive teams in the country. 1-0?

Conditions appear to be much better in Gambier, much warmer although they could see some rain; especially during the 2nd game (Kenyon / OWU). Heading out to Allentown; hoping the field is in better conditions. Doesn't appear field conditions improved much for yesterday's 2nd game given he following comments from Tuft's web site:

Field conditions at Muhlenberg were a factor after the pitch froze overnight and had only slightly melted before play started today.

http://www.gotuftsjumbos.com/sports/msoc/2014-15/releases/20141122gjae9v

I don't think we will see many goals today. A very small field with two of the better defensive teams in the country. 1-0?

Wheaton is a very deserving Final Four team. But their last five tournament games have all been at home. They now need to show us they can win on the road. Oddly enough, they are closer to Kansas City than any of the other three Final Four teams.

Actually, I wish I had a different feed. My feed locked up once Wheaton scored. Can some of you please log off so I can watch the 2nd half.