Top Conferences and NCAA Bids

[Puerco Espin]

Messiah will put on another clinic. First 30 will be evenly matched, but once RC gets tired, they stop playing defense and Messiah will run all over them.

3-0 Falcons.

[ldahoSoccer]

Would you rather........

lose this way    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cv_NoNsKpow

or this way   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ACWWeaD0x18

?

[lastguyoffthebench]

Rough to watch both.  That push off was worse.  More evident than the handball by Rutgers last night, a call which I would not make.  It was a fired shot in close proximity to defenders hand.   One of those... the ball played the hand, not the hand playing ball type deals.

Anyways... a clinic like the 3-0 drubbing Loras suffered in 2008 getting statistically dominated (outshot 16-4)?   That might happen considering this is Camden's first (and possibly only ever chance), but the thing is that Camden plays a style similar to Messiah.  They have a dynamic front 6, with an option for the backs to get forward.  It was near non-existent in the 2nd half because of Loras depth and ability to press forward trying to equalize.  My guess is that they will try to match up with Messiah in a 4-3-3 variation.  So we shall see just how good they are in comparison tonight.

Loras is a quality QUALITY side and will be in the hunt for years to come given their depth and extreme athleticism.  Camden has struggled vs teams that play direct, so when you package a deep lying sweeper that rarely gets beat, defenders that get stuck in well, with forwards that can break you down and spread you out, WITH a playmaker like Cavers.... Loras time will come.


I have watched Messiah for several several years.  Talking style of play and talent, Camden is right there with them.  Quite hard to argue against that, given this unbeaten run vs tough opponents (just no hardware to show for it yet...)  As you mentioned before about getting tired... that's where Messiah's edge is.  Just a matter of Camden being able to break down Messiah first and not having to chase the game.


If Camden scores first, which I believe they do... around the 25th min.... 2-1 FINAL

If Messiah scores first, I would expect they go up 2-0... Camden scores to make it 2-1, then Messiah adds the insurance goal.  3-1 FINAL

[PaulNewman]

Interesting.  I watched both games back to back.  Never crossed my mind that Rutgers-C's style of play bore any resemblance to Messiah.  In fact, I thought Loras played more possession than Rutgers and Cavers is the player one can most see fitting in seamlessly with the Messiah group.  Rutgers no doubt is a great D3 college team, but I found their style of play quite cynical.  We'll see if they look anything like Messiah in a couple of hours head-to-head.

[lastguyoffthebench]

No problem, NCAC.   Camden did not play typical possession style after the 30th min.  Was all downhill from there sorting out Loras' talent.

We shall see tonight!  How do you think it will play out.... I'm guessing you think the 3-1 Messiah range. 

[PaulNewman]

See my post on prior page that begins "Well, Williams...."  My predictions are contained therein.

[PaulNewman]

Curious to see to what degree Rutger's behavior implodes if they go down another goal or two.  Vicious tackle around the 10th minute on Payne and still never missing an opportunity to get in an extra knock and losing composure every time a Messiah player is fouled or falls down.  Balle pointing in the ref's face again.  Couple of chances for Camden due to previously described loose plays, including really bad one by Robbins, but otherwise Camden can barely get in the Messiah end.  Possession easily 75/25 Messiah.

[1970s NESCAC Player]

Total domination by Messiah eventually results in another title.  Been playing/watching DIII soccer since 1974, and that does not look like a DIII team . . .

[ECSUalum]

Congrats to Rutgers for a tough fought game tonight, but Messiah just too strong in their 2-1 2OT victory in San Antonio TX
Messiah........ just an incredible D-III soccer team...deserve all the credit for ANOTHER outstanding season

[ECSUalum]

Total domination by Messiah eventually results in another title.  Been playing/watching DIII soccer since 1974, and that does not look like a DIII team . . .

so true, would give a lot of D-I teams trouble!!!!!

[PaulNewman]

Credit to Rutgers-C.  They came out and played soccer in the 2nd half and just focused on competing instead of complaining or roughhousing.  Actually thought they would win in OT.  Messiah GK doesn't inspire ton of confidence and Robbins finally got burned for one too many loose plays.  Thompson was really, really off tonight.  Must have lost the ball at least 15 times. 

For the Messiah fans out there, how do they only win games against Lebanon Valley, Alvernia, etc 3-1 or 4-1?  Seems like they should win almost all of those games by 6-8 goals even allowing for very liberal subbing and appropriate sportsmanship.

[PaulNewman]

Somebody at D3 soccer confused.  Not 3 in a row for Messiah.  And they didn't bow out in 2010.  It was 2011, 2 years ago, when OWU won.

[lastguyoffthebench]

Messiah still just on that other level!  Incredibly organized.   Congrats to the Falcons on a great season and another star to the crest.  And congrats on the historic season for a team from the ghetto... 

Crazy that the deflection goals were almost identical.   There were only small stints where Camden looked dangerous... and their chippiness led to loss of momentum after the equalizer.   Once they went with two forwards and made adjustments to possess the ball, I thought they had a chance.

Anytime JThompson got the ball... had to just hold my damn breath.

Great work by Kovach on that last goal to keep the ball in, and then sick bangu from Wood to Payne. 

See ya'll next year!

NSCAA
Josh Wood your POY. 
Tim Oswald your COY. 

D3soccer.com
Mike Ryan Forward of the Year    (wishful thinking that he gets it over Wood)
Jeremy Payne Midfielder of the Year
Dan Figura Defender of the Year
Malick Faye  GK of the Year
Brad McCarty your COY

[PaulNewman]

MVP for the whole NCAA tournament has got to be Ramirez.

[lastguyoffthebench]

Because he has the knowledge to place the ball off the defender geometrically, and score goals, NCAC!  The commentator was brutal all three games ahah!  My worddd.