NESCAC

[SoccerTroll]

Tufts road to Championship went through Messiah last year. Scored in first minute then held on white knuckle screaming and kicking for 89 minutes. D3 is about defense, so the team with the best counter and tenacity will carry the day. A little luck isn't a bad thing either.

[blooter442]

Tufts road to Championship went through Messiah last year. Scored in first minute then held on white knuckle screaming and kicking for 89 minutes. D3 is about defense, so the team with the best counter and tenacity will carry the day. A little luck isn't a bad thing either.

You gotta have some luck to win a championship. Tufts had some luck in that game - they had to defend for 89:07, and they were bailed out on different occasiosn by the crossbar, a wonder save from Greenwood, and a goal-saving tackle from Zach Halliday after the Messiah player had beat Greenwood 1-v-1. That being said, if you score a wonder goal against Messiah in the first minute and can hold on for 89 minutes, you deserve it 100% regardless of luck.

[Brother Flounder]

Tufts road to Championship went through Messiah last year. Scored in first minute then held on white knuckle screaming and kicking for 89 minutes. D3 is about defense, so the team with the best counter and tenacity will carry the day. A little luck isn't a bad thing either.

You gotta have some luck to win a championship. Tufts had some luck in that game - they had to defend for 89:07, and they were bailed out on different occasiosn by the crossbar, a wonder save from Greenwood, and a goal-saving tackle from Zach Halliday after the Messiah player had beat Greenwood 1-v-1. That being said, if you score a wonder goal against Messiah in the first minute and can hold on for 89 minutes, you deserve it 100% regardless of luck.

Tufts also missed a couple of gimme's in the second half... I can remember to great passes by Kayne to hoppenot for one on one chances that were shanked. Yes, Tufts had to defend the whole first half but played equally as well or better than Messiah in the secnd half.

[Brother Flounder]

Tufts road to Championship went through Messiah last year. Scored in first minute then held on white knuckle screaming and kicking for 89 minutes. D3 is about defense, so the team with the best counter and tenacity will carry the day. A little luck isn't a bad thing either.

And Troll.. what about The Giant Slayer goal?  It was exceptional, as even note by the Messiah coach...

[blooter442]

And Troll.. what about The Giant Slayer goal?  It was exceptional, as even note by the Messiah coach...

Ok, ok...serious question, when did "The Giant Slayer Goal" become a proper noun/trademark? I mean, it's an accurate description, but where did that phrase come from? (Genuinely curious, because I've seen it on countless occasions.)

[Brother Flounder]

And Troll.. what about The Giant Slayer goal?  It was exceptional, as even note by the Messiah coach...

Ok, ok...serious question, when did "The Giant Slayer Goal" become a proper noun/trademark? I mean, it's an accurate description, but where did that phrase come from? (Genuinely curious, because I've seen it on countless occasions.)

I don't know where it came from, but it fits so nicely

[blooter442]

Tufts also missed a couple of gimme's in the second half... I can remember to great passes by Kayne to hoppenot for one on one chances that were shanked. Yes, Tufts had to defend the whole first half but played equally as well or better than Messiah in the secnd half.

Just reading this now. Not sure that I agree they were equal to or better than Messiah in the second half - I counted about four or five clear-cut chances for Messiah to Tufts' one or two. Regardless, we can agree to disagree, but what I will say is that Tufts deserved it, and I was happy that they were the NESCAC's representative in the Final 4.

Still want to know where the "Giant Slayer" term came from. Please do let me know if you ever find out.

[Mr.Right]

Nah I agree 2nd Half Tufts had some great chances ONLY because Messiah was PUSHING #'s forward. Santos was the MVP of that whole run. That is what Tufts is missing. They do not have a Santos for defenses to watch. They are much easier to defend than last year. They are not much easier to break down but they are easier to defend. Unless Conor Brown shows up and Majumder is finishing this Tufts side will not get out of the 1st weekend. Now had Tufts finished strong they would of had Bowdoin's draw and I would have given them a great chance for the Elite 8. However, with the games being on turf this might actually help Tufts in attack and their speed on the flanks will be helped.

[blooter442]

Think Van Siclen should make at least 2nd team All-NESCAC. Bull and Sydor are the top two GKs IMHO, but I think Van Siclen is on the same level as Greenwood and I would personally say has been better this year. He was let down by his defense earlier in the year, but played well throughout the season and didn't give up a single goal in the NESCAC tourney. Has a GAA of 0.39, which is only second in the NESCAC to Bull's 0.24.

[Brother Flounder]

Think Van Siclen should make at least 2nd team All-NESCAC. Bull and Sydor are the top two GKs IMHO, but I think Van Siclen is on the same level as Greenwood and I would personally say has been better this year. He was let down by his defense earlier in the year, but played well throughout the season and didn't give up a single goal in the NESCAC tourney. Has a GAA of 0.39, which is only second in the NESCAC to Bull's 0.24.

Certainly a good argument!  When are the selections announced?

[blooter442]

Certainly a good argument!  When are the selections announced?

Not sure, but I think tomorrow. Looking at the press release, last year was 11/13 (Thursday before NCAAs) and tomorrow would be the same corresponding date/week. UAA seems to announce their All-Conference squads on the same day as well - anyone know why Thursday?

[Mr.Right]

Yes but he is helped a nudge by Bowdoin's deliberate style. After Bowdoin's great NCAA Final 4 run in 2010 they had a 2-3 year nightmare in GOAL before Van Siclien arrived. They had some great teams with some horrible goaltending that really HURT them from 2011-2013. That was on O'Leary for not recruiting a legit GK and I believe they even had to beg an average at best GK Will Wise who was a Lax player to play in net. They are very happy Van Siclien is in Brunswick for another 2 years.

[Brother Flounder]

Nah I agree 2nd Half Tufts had some great chances ONLY because Messiah was PUSHING #'s forward. Santos was the MVP of that whole run. That is what Tufts is missing. They do not have a Santos for defenses to watch. They are much easier to defend than last year. They are not much easier to break down but they are easier to defend. Unless Conor Brown shows up and Majumder is finishing this Tufts side will not get out of the 1st weekend. Now had Tufts finished strong they would of had Bowdoin's draw and I would have given them a great chance for the Elite 8. However, with the games being on turf this might actually help Tufts in attack and their speed on the flanks will be helped.

Good Analysis RIGHT......

[Mr.Right]

yes usually the Thursday before NCAA's the Nescac teams are announced followed by an OUTCRY of Amherst players / alums questioning why a lot of their players have been left off. Coaches screwing Amherst this way and that. Will that trend continue this year?


                                                                               Yes           -125
                                                                                No           +115

[Brother Flounder]

 

yes usually the Thursday before NCAA's the Nescac teams are announced followed by an OUTCRY of Amherst players / alums questioning why a lot of their players have been left off. Coaches screwing Amherst this way and that. Will that trend continue this year?


                                                                               Yes           -125
                                                                                No           +115