No love for the Falcons???

chairman · November 20, 2010, 09:49:21 PM

Wheaton guys?

2xfaux · November 20, 2010, 10:21:40 PM

Jim is a Wheaton guy.

Jim Matson · November 22, 2010, 12:14:27 AM

Yeah, my long-ago degree granting institution...

That potential match up looks closer, although I watched parts of the William Smith match against Oneonta and they do look good - nice flow through the midfield.

Otterbein is very stingy on defense and not slow. Hardin-Simmons will have to work for it - and the Otterbein keeper is strong.

Messiah will really have to work for this one.

2xfaux · November 22, 2010, 11:05:37 AM

"There's something you don't see every day, Chauncey. What's that, Edgar?" I doubt the writers of "Rocky and Bullwinkle" (the greatest TV show of all time) had this in mind but it certainly is apropos......the Messiah women's soccer team on the ropes. Great game plan and almost perfect execution by Johns Hopkins but the Falcons managed to hang on for the win. Great job Hopkins.

Long live "Rocky and Bullwinkle".

Go Falcons!!!!

Jim Matson · November 25, 2010, 01:25:32 PM

The Messiah radio guys claimed it was the closest women's match they had seen in years. One of them commented that it was a few years since a Messiah women's fan had to keep an eye on the clock. It would have been a nicer season for Hopkins had they at least won that first match earlier in the season, but they certainly had the opportunity to have made their way to the Final Four.

Hopkins soccer has sure done well in the past few seasons - both men and women.

jellybelly · November 25, 2010, 03:12:49 PM

I agree that it was a very good game.... a nail biter for all the fans. JHU appeared to be bigger than Messiah overall and played hard. It was a fast-paced game and both teams left it all on the field. It's hard to imagine that there will be a more exciting game in Texas.

Jim Matson · November 28, 2010, 06:14:32 PM

Hardin-Simmons will be as big or bigger than Johns Hopkins, although not as fast. William-Smith is smaller but as fast, and plenty of ball-control. Otterbein is the sleeper - tough defense and solid all around.

But Hopkins probably has as much skill as anyone in San Antonio. Too bad they couldn't be there.

hubert · December 03, 2010, 02:16:18 PM

Quote from: Jim Matson on November 28, 2010, 06:14:32 PM
Hardin-Simmons will be as big or bigger than Johns Hopkins, although not as fast. William-Smith is smaller but as fast, and plenty of ball-control. Otterbein is the sleeper - tough defense and solid all around.

But Hopkins probably has as much skill as anyone in San Antonio. Too bad they couldn't be there.

Heartily agree with your last paragraph. However JHU had the opportunity to be there...and for my liking they slipped up in some other games this season where they just shouldn't have.

Jim Matson · December 03, 2010, 09:07:46 PM

Good point. Maybe with a stronger spot in the bracket, they would seen Messiah in Texas.

chairman · December 04, 2010, 06:55:11 PM

No chance of that. The NCAA was not going to move them around for competitive balance. I think the bracket was poorly done in a lot of spots, but that is part of being bound by financial constraints in the region.

Jim Matson · December 04, 2010, 08:07:50 PM

Looks like the size advantage of Hardin-Simmons made the difference on the set plays early. What a match!

2xfaux · December 06, 2010, 11:57:00 AM

You have that right, Jim. Congratulations to HSU on a well deserved win. The Falcons never quit but the two early goals were too much to overcome. The Messiah seniors certainly didn't want to go out this way but you have to imagine that, as time and new challenges in their lives take some of the sting out of this loss, they will look back and think 96-2-3 ain't too shabby.

Go Falcons!!!

Jim Matson · December 06, 2010, 11:06:06 PM

Especially when you consider that their two losses were limited to the 2007 title match (Wheaton 1, Messiah 0), and the 2010 title match (HSU 2, Messiah 1).

I think the 2007 title match was the only time I've seen these gals not score a goal.

purplehat · December 07, 2010, 01:27:51 PM

What an unbelievable career record(96-2-3) the Messiah seniors have had. Does anyone know if this is a Division III record? I'm thinking it would have to be considering that they had a record 75 game or so non loss streak that was just ended on Saturday night.

2xfaux · December 07, 2010, 06:35:57 PM

Quote from: Jim Matson link=topic=7081.msg1272562#msg1272562 date=1291694766
I think the 2007 title match was the only time I've seen these gals not score a goal.
/quote]

Actually they tied 0-0 with Hopkins and Gettysburg in 2008. Despite those results and the losses to HSU and Wheaton it looks like Coach Frey's job is safe..for now.

Thanks to d3.com, all the great D3 soccer players and fans for making this so much fun and special thanks to Jim Matson for your great work. Our family is moving on to new adventures but we will always be D3 soccer fans.

Happy Holidays