Quote from: Hopkins92 on November 26, 2019, 11:20:17 AM

Quote from: EB2319 on November 26, 2019, 07:29:23 AM

Quote from: Gregory Sager on November 25, 2019, 10:26:49 PM
The defender who was ostensibly guarding Newton simply let the Centre junior forward blow by him (and Newton even had his hand up, signaling for a pass) and didn't even kick it into high gear until Newton had the ball at his feet and was penetrating the box, at which point you can see that MSU defender lean forward, pump his arms, and sprint in pursuit of Newton, whom he didn't catch up to until the shot was two-thirds of the way to the net.

Yes, this. He simply didn't track back but rather decided to pass Newton off to the center back who was unfortunately out of position to defend against the run and a perfectly weighted ball.

It really comes down to the CB that tries one of the worst bike-clearances I've ever seen, when as has been noted, the ball is already 5-7 yards over his head and past his body. He very easily could've just trucked it for a 3 or 4 more paces and met the ball and the forward simultaneously (worst case, he also had a legit shot of just catching it of the hop and clearing it.)

Not knowing what led up to that, it looked like a guy playing on absolutely destroyed legs... Was he perhaps having to chase the opposition's forward a bunch? Because, man, that was the play of a desperately fatigued player.

The last 35 min of the game + OT looked like both team's legs were completely gone. Centre's defending on MSU's two goals was shambolic. Players were slipping and looked gassed. I think many can relate to the feeling of being a defender, seeing a ball over the top, and getting frozen. Seemed to be what happened & tired legs. Really poor cover by the other defender as well.

Centre v CMS has a wild finish. 4 goals in the last 3 minutes. Very poor defending and composure at the end of the game. Centre advances to Elite 8. Will be interesting to see if they can hang with Kenyon or Montclair St.

Quote from: PaulNewman on November 20, 2019, 12:23:42 PM

Quote from: scoutteam1 on November 20, 2019, 11:17:19 AM

Quote from: Domino1195 on November 20, 2019, 09:21:31 AM

Quote from: scoutteam1 on November 19, 2019, 09:59:35 PM
Did anyone watch the JCU game? Seemed like they were contenders since they were ranked #1 in GL region.

Saw bits and pieces - but a good portion of it.  Two of the variables I commented on materialized in this game:  inability to score from the run of play (over-reliance on set-piece goals); and opponents being able to get behind the midfielders to run at the back four. Twice Centre was able to send through-balls past the midfield to Garuba and he created the first goal, scored the third as a result.

Towards the end of the game it was apparent how little attacking prowess they possessed. JCU will see many of the key players from this team return next year - and JCU West - St. Ignatius - won the DI State title, which has been a good source of players who don't go NCAA DI.

May be interesting to see which teams advance this weekend.  Some of the teams that made it this upcoming weekend can defend AND attack.  The "defend and wait for counters or set pieces" teams - wonder how they'll do?

Centre / Claremont seems to be a toss up. Do either have a chance of upsetting Kenyon, assuming the Lords advance?

What are your thoughts?

Of course any of the four team could advance.  Kenyon is good and at home (although the latter hasn't been enough in prior years).  Montclair is very athletic, physical and skilled with a potent offense and guys capable of wonder strikes for goals.  Centre has probably the hottest striker in the country and is on a roll especially considering how they dispatched a favored and very hungry JCU team at JCU.  And C-M-S is the one West team that pretty much has stayed on the national radar all season.  Beating Trinity at Trinity in a NCAA game (even if Trinity had a down year) is an impressive feat and C-M-S has its own All American.

I haven't seen much of any of the teams.

Centre's Garuba may be one of the most talented players in D3 soccer (19 goals last year, 22 and counting this year). Judging from social media, most of his goals are fantastic individual efforts. And it looks like they have a decent & consistent supporting cast. Don't seem particularly deep, but if they defend well and find Garuba, then it seems like he'll at least get a few opportunities to create and/or score. That's a dangerous recipe in the tourney.

Don't know enough about C-M-S, but beating Trinity away is a tough ask. Looks like either C-M-S or Centre can win the game and get a surprise berth to the Elite 8.

Montclair St, when I last saw them, had talent, but were very undisciplined. Can't see them beating Kenyon, who if they (Kenyon) are the same as in the past, are organized, disciplined, with the talent to match/exceed Montclair St.

Quick look at past results, Kenyon have dominated Centre since 2012. It looks like Centre has only 1 result during that time span and the teams have played almost every year. Looking at the result in the regular season game, it seems like a decently even game but Kenyon just better.

History seems to indicate that Kenyon has the edge. 

Quote from: Domino1195 on November 20, 2019, 09:21:31 AM

Quote from: scoutteam1 on November 19, 2019, 09:59:35 PM
Did anyone watch the JCU game? Seemed like they were contenders since they were ranked #1 in GL region.

Saw bits and pieces - but a good portion of it.  Two of the variables I commented on materialized in this game:  inability to score from the run of play (over-reliance on set-piece goals); and opponents being able to get behind the midfielders to run at the back four. Twice Centre was able to send through-balls past the midfield to Garuba and he created the first goal, scored the third as a result.

Towards the end of the game it was apparent how little attacking prowess they possessed. JCU will see many of the key players from this team return next year - and JCU West - St. Ignatius - won the DI State title, which has been a good source of players who don't go NCAA DI.

May be interesting to see which teams advance this weekend.  Some of the teams that made it this upcoming weekend can defend AND attack.  The "defend and wait for counters or set pieces" teams - wonder how they'll do?

Centre / Claremont seems to be a toss up. Do either have a chance of upsetting Kenyon, assuming the Lords advance?

Did anyone watch the JCU game? Seemed like they were contenders since they were ranked #1 in GL region.