MIAA

[Christan Shirk]

Did I read the stat box right - Calvin put in a different GK for the PKs?  Anyone know why?

"Mirza does a fantastic job of reading the shot," Hughes continued. "He made that one save that we needed.  It was a huge boost of confidence for our team."

Wow - that's gotta be tough, coming in cold in that situation

A little late to respond to this, but Messiah did the same thing in the 2008 final against Stevens and the reserve keeper blocked the first two (fairly well taken) shots en route to Messiah winning the shootout and national title.  Not common, but is done.  I remember my brother's team doing it back in the 1993 tournament, going with a freshman reserve keeper over the senior starter, and talk about coming in cold, literally--it was sub-freezing temps with flurries up in New York that day.  Ended up being one of the longest shootouts in tournament history (maybe the longest but no one keeps such records as far as I know) with each team taking 16 or 17 shots and my brother's team winning the shootout 11-10.  Talk about nerves and drama with shooters having to go a second time after going through ten different takers.  Never will forget that!

Thing is, in both those cases the reserve was considered a better pure shot blocker in PK-type situations.  And in both cases it worked out, suggesting, but not proving, that it was the right decision.

[Christan Shirk]

So how do you explain a team that for the third year in a row does way better in the tournament than the season's results would lead one to expect?

Mmmm.  Where have I heard it put that way before? 

And maybe your question is rhetorical, meant to imply that the expectations have been off.  But I don't think so.

It is rather remarkable the way Calvin has elevated their game in the tournament and avoided whatever caused them to stumble during the season.  In 2009 when they reached the title game, they seemed to be a title contenders for parts of the season, but had a stretch late where they really didn't play well at all.  So hard to know what to expect heading into the tournament even though you know the potential is there.  I can only figure their coach really knows how to get the team focused come NCAA time and really knows how to game-plan for specific opponents on short notice.  But who knows.

I can only imagine it has been wonderfully exhilarating for the Calvin fans these past few years.

[Dark Knight]

So how do you explain a team that for the third year in a row does way better in the tournament than the season's results would lead one to expect?

Mmmm.  Where have I heard it put that way before? 

And maybe your question is rhetorical, meant to imply that the expectations have been off.  But I don't think so.

It is rather remarkable the way Calvin has elevated their game in the tournament and avoided whatever caused them to stumble during the season.  In 2009 when they reached the title game, they seemed to be a title contenders for parts of the season, but had a stretch late where they really didn't play well at all.  So hard to know what to expect heading into the tournament even though you know the potential is there.  I can only figure their coach really knows how to get the team focused come NCAA time and really knows how to game-plan for specific opponents on short notice.  But who knows.

I can only imagine it has been wonderfully exhilarating for the Calvin fans these past few years.

Yeah, I read the d3soccer.com piece and tried to be offended, but I found I couldn't disagree. 

I saw one of Calvin's losses to Olivet, and they looked listless, like they were tired or weren't trying that hard. On the other hand, for the big games against Hope, they played very well. There must be some issues with maintaining maximum intensity for all games all season long.

Also, some of the freshmen and sophomores have really started to make an impact as the season went on.

[OWUSoccer]

For the red card, I think the suspension might actually be two games, meaning the player would have to miss the semis and (potentially) the final as well.  I'm not sure if "fighting" is the distinction required, but I know when I played a teammate received a straight red for a scuffle with an opposing player and had to sit out the following two games.

I couldn't see exactly what happened on the red card due to the stream, but if it goes down for fighting or for punching the player, I believe the suspension is two games.

[d3fan1]

That would be a travesty. I agree, it was hard to see because of the quality of the stream, but it looked like the UTT came in very wrecklessly and aggressively and the Calvin player in trying to keep his balance stumbled forward over the prone UTT player. Other UTT players thinking their teammate was being attcked actually started a small scrum with the result being the red card. Maybe there was a kick or something we couldn't see, but I would be very shocked if there was more than a one game penalty.

[Dutch Touch]

Congrats to David Whitaker of Hope and Miles Colago of Calvin for making the d3soccer.com All America teams.

Well deserved by both of these gentlemen.

[Knight2Day]

Chris Hughes to coach at Davenport. Even if they go DII, they wouldn't be allowed to compete in the tournament for 3 years due to provisional status. Have to say barring some unforeseen "great deal" from Davenport, this is a pretty big kick to the shorts especially coming within a year of Chris Hughes essentially claiming to be the caretaker of the program and cultivator of Dr. Z's dream after his death....real headscratcher for me and I'm sure the players are having a hard time with this one....real dissapointed in Chris with this one

[goodknight]

Chris Hughes to coach at Davenport. Even if they go DII, they wouldn't be allowed to compete in the tournament for 3 years due to provisional status. Have to say barring some unforeseen "great deal" from Davenport, this is a pretty big kick to the shorts especially coming within a year of Chris Hughes essentially claiming to be the caretaker of the program and cultivator of Dr. Z's dream after his death....real headscratcher for me and I'm sure the players are having a hard time with this one....real dissapointed in Chris with this one

K2D:  This is a loss for the Calvin soccer program, to be sure.  But Chris made the very difficult decision to accept the Davenport offer based on what was best for his family's situation.  He is a guy of great integrity and sensitivity, and I completely understand and support his reasons for this move.  Let's hope Calvin can attract another head coach to build on the last 10 years of Chris' leadership.

[d3fan1]

I was shocked to hear this news. I am not that familar with the Davenport program, but I am surprised to hear that Chris would leave his "home" at Calvin just when they are joining the elite few in D3 soccer. When I saw the headline, I thought Chris was using his recent success on the national level to move to a D1 position. In any case, I wish Chris the best of luck!!

When Calvin wins the national championship next year, it would have been nice for Chris to have been part of it though!!

[Knight2Day]

I was shocked to hear this news. I am not that familar with the Davenport program, but I am surprised to hear that Chris would leave his "home" at Calvin just when they are joining the elite few in D3 soccer. When I saw the headline, I thought Chris was using his recent success on the national level to move to a D1 position. In any case, I wish Chris the best of luck!!

When Calvin wins the national championship next year, it would have been nice for Chris to have been part of it though!!

Wouldn't be shocked if a player or two decided to transfer to D-port especially if they could gain scholarships through it

[socdude4]

Does anyone have an idea what happened to Coach Hughes?? Curious to see a Calvin alum leave his alma mater while they are having considerable success. I know the Calvin position was only a part-time gig but he obviously has known that for the last 10 years. Will the Davenport position be full-time?? Anyone know the specifics?

[Flying Dutch Fan]

I was shocked to hear this news. I am not that familar with the Davenport program, but I am surprised to hear that Chris would leave his "home" at Calvin just when they are joining the elite few in D3 soccer. When I saw the headline, I thought Chris was using his recent success on the national level to move to a D1 position. In any case, I wish Chris the best of luck!!

When Calvin wins the national championship next year, it would have been nice for Chris to have been part of it though!!

Wouldn't be shocked if a player or two decided to transfer to D-port especially if they could gain scholarships through it

Heard today that Lawrence Murray (who will redshirt for a year while his knee recovers) and Dino Duratovic are indeed headed to Davenport.

[Knightmare]

I was shocked to hear this news. I am not that familar with the Davenport program, but I am surprised to hear that Chris would leave his "home" at Calvin just when they are joining the elite few in D3 soccer. When I saw the headline, I thought Chris was using his recent success on the national level to move to a D1 position. In any case, I wish Chris the best of luck!!

When Calvin wins the national championship next year, it would have been nice for Chris to have been part of it though!!

Wouldn't be shocked if a player or two decided to transfer to D-port especially if they could gain scholarships through it

Heard today that Lawrence Murray (who will redshirt for a year while his knee recovers) and Dino Duratovic are indeed headed to Davenport.

That'll be a lose for the Knights.  Has anyone heard anything on the Calvin coaching search to replace Hughes?  I would think that they'd try to get someone hired as soon as possible to give the new coach adequate time to prepare for the coming season...from introducing and meeting with current returning players to trying to secure some commitments for new incoming players.  Seems to be pretty quiet on the coaching search front.

[Flying Dutch Fan]

Calvin has announced a new men's soccer coach:

http://www.calvin.edu/sports/news/comments/ryan-souders-named-calvin-mens-soccer-coach/

[Flying Dutch Fan]

6 weeks or so till the season starts.  Any news on incoming freshman for any of the MIAA teams?  Any thoughts or predictions on how the league will do this year in non-conf matches?  Who is going to win the MIAA?