2014 D3 Season: National Perspective

[PaulNewman]

Congrats to OWU.  I think some of us knew OWU was going to be a problem if both teams got there, and they definitely had the edge in the first half.  Still not sure about giving a PK in that spot, but maybe he did really get fouled.  Kenyon tried hard to get back in it and had some very good chances, and a goal might have changed things, but OWU continued to threaten as well and got the Lords very stretched throughout the game.  Injuries definitely played a role.  Glassman was in street clothes, Justice was playing on one leg and had to come out, and a couple of other starters played but were really limited. 

Losing really sucks.  Kenyon certainly had high hopes going in to the tournament.  Kudos to the senior group who have gotten Kenyon very much on the D3 soccer map and now should stay there for a while. 

Mr.Right, I missed the posts about Kenyon being compared to storied programs and any talk of coaching legends.  They did have a very, very good season.  They spent a good portion of the season ranked #2 in both polls and hosted two weekends in the NCAA tournament, but I'm glad you had such a nice day.

Oh, I almost forgot....remember your parting words to someone else in your as LaPaz blaze of glory exit?  Right back at ya.   

[PaulNewman]

Just saw RH's post.  Nothing to quibble about.  And for those wondering I did introduce myself to him afterwards.

Agree on Whitworth-CNU too.  Whitworth should have been up 3-1 in first half but instead were down 2-0 after CNU's first 2 shots.  They were in Gambier for days and not sure if the postponement played any role for any of the teams.  It did feel weird playing sweet 16 game when Wheaton already was in final 4.

[PaulNewman]

Forgot one thing...OWU GK made a phenomenal save on a free kick from about 5 yards outside the box with 30+ or so to go that was a big play.

[Domino1195]

Saw Kenyon-OWU live. Score was fair, Kenyon could have snagged one but OWU could have had a couple more as well. Total 180 from the first two games, this one was oddly comfortable for OWU. Kenyon was dealing with some injuries, and their stud CB was clearly playing hurt. It's a shame because I think he's been great all year, but he was really hobbled, which basically let OWU do whatever they wanted in the first half offensively.

Whether it was the injuries or other things, Kenyon didn't really show up today. I've seen probably a dozen Kenyon-OWU games, and this is the first time Kenyon hasn't pressed high up the field, especially early in the game.

Should be an interesting one tomorrow, I thought Whitworth was a bit better than CNU but Newport is just so fast and good on the break.

"Soccer is a cruel mistress . . " really feel for Whitworth - fantastic, technical team. Two moments of weakness on counter-attacks - down 2. Credit to CNU - did what they had to do to get the W.

OWU came out from the opening whistle and pushed the play. More physical, more hungry. This being the third game I've seen Kenyon play in the past 8 days - Kenyon player's heads weren't in the right spot. Lots of chirping at opponents, lots of complaining about calls. Thought Rieger had an excellent game.

Rematch of last year's match at OWU between CNU and OWU. Can't see how this game will be played on grass - going to get near an inch of rain overnight - hope they move the game to the turf football field if conditions worsen.

[Madhatter5]

Don't know if it's been asked and/or answered but I saw Messiah women lost also... When was the last final four that neither the Messiah men's or women's team made it???

My bracket is blown besides the left side I think. IMO I think it's Wheaton's championship to lose now

[KnightFalcon]

2003 was last time neither messiah team was in final 4

[Flying Weasel]

As the Tufts players and their fans rushed towards each other following the expiration of time, my 3-1/2 year old daughter, who likes going to Messiah games even though she and her younger brother don't really seem to pay much attention to the games, perceived that the game had ended and turned to mommy and in a sullen tone said, "the white team didn't score any goals."  She thinks they're supposed to score goals for her, and until today they had never let her down.  My wife and kids come along to most all home games and we also get to a lot of away games, but in more than at least 60 games they had never seen Messiah lose or get shutout having stayed home the night Neumann upset the Falcons in 2011 and again skipping last year's conference semifinal elimination on PK's.  My wife turned to her and confirmed that, no, Messiah had not scored today and that they had lost.  She started to cry.  What a bittersweet moment for a proud Dad and gutted Messiah fan.

To treat the kids (and to take my mind off the loss) we hit a nearby playground before the 1-hour drive home.  With another few hours to reflect, here's my take and impressions from the game.

Messiah played well today—not their best ever performance for sure—but still quite good.  Good enough to usually win, even against a good opponent.  The ball didn't bounce their way today at the moments that could have turned the game (i.e scoreboard) in their favor: a few off the post and crossbar and that shot Tufts cleared off the line.  So it felt like even though Tufts did a great job of minimizing Messiah's chances on goal, that the Falcons had still done enough to equalize and even go ahead.  Just wasn't to be, I guess. 

Full credit to Tufts.  There's different approaches to be taken to try to beat Messiah (Kenyon demonstrated one in last year's Sweet 16, Neumann quite another in 2011), but they all involve keeping Messiah off the scoreboard for as long as possible (DUH!, I know.).  But if on top of that you can score early, that can be huge, not least of all because of the confidence boast and the removal of any lingering doubt of whether you can play with the 10-time champions.  With that doubt removed, you can play your game, trusting in yourself and your teammates.  Tufts was fortunate with how the clearance from their opening minute free kick fell to so nicely to Jason Kayne, but he still needed to rip the perfect upper-90 shot or we have a different ball game.  The kid made the chance count with aplomb. Tip of the hat to him.  Little chance for Messiah's keeper who did come up big on a couple other occasions.

Tufts played the rest of the game with the very good balance of defensive compactness and limited but far from non-existent offensive forays.  I think they got the game plan just right for so long as the game stayed 1-0 in their favor (which it did until the end).  They continued to create the occasional dangerous chance and kept Messiah's defense on their toes throughout.  Messiah's defense was up to the task for the most part, though there were some nervy moments.

In possession, I think Messiah displayed their skill and illustrated what makes them best team in D-III.  The Falcons' great touches, control, short passing, and combination play were on good display despite Tufts playing good, tough defense and closing the Falcons down quickly without losing their shape and compactness.  However, regardless of how impressively the Falcons worked the ball through Tufts' challenges, the time it took to advance the ball into the offensive third meant the Jumbos always had the middle of the field crowded, giving Messiah no room to work in and around the top of the area.  Thus the low shot total for the Falcons.  Tufts did a great job of making sure defenders didn't get isolated on Payne and making sure he had little time or space to turn.  One of the few times he did, he almost scored the equalizer.

Tufts is a very good team and they certainly did not lack for self-belief, they certainly were not afraid of Messiah, and they clearly and genuinely relished the chance to knock off the kings of Division III.  You combine that with an early goal, an effective game plan and the players to execute it well, and some good fortune with the Messiah shots off the woodwork and you have yourself a win.  Messiah will rue those shots off the woodwork and the goal-line clearance, but they can have no complaints as Tufts worked hard, played well, and earned what they got.

I feel bad for the Messiah seniors.  Just when you think Messiah can't get any better, they did take the level of play to yet another level.  They very likely are the best class to pass through the Messiah program and that's saying something.  And yet, they will be the first class in 10 years to leave with just two championship rings instead of three.  Sure, there's no reason for anyone else to feel sorry for players with two national titles.  But they brought as much or more skill and as much or more effort and as much or more heart as their predecessors, and as a fan you still somehow feel they "deserved" better even though you know that's not how sports works, especially not in soccer.   

For the neutrals, it's going to be great to have a Messiah-free Final Four (women eliminated on PK's in the unfortunate #1-#2 Elite 8 match).  There's going to be a new champion though maybe not a first-time champion. 

The fall soccer season is a fun time of year going to the games, and so it's always a sad when the season ends, and all the more so when it ends in a loss.  The offseason is way too long and next season can't get here soon enough.

[wingtips2]

I hate to say it but when this sort of thing happens, moving venues this could turn into a Sunday-Monday affair or even Monday-Tuesday...They will most likely move it to the closest Turf field available but if traffic is stuck who knows.

This happened in 2002 Keene St sectional...Arcadia beat Keene st and Williams beat defending national champion Richard Stockton. They woke up to a ice storm and could not use Keene St field. Arcadia v Williams got moved to Southern CT State and Williams lost in PK's to a much weaker Arcadia side. One of Williams worst losses in an NCAA tournament

That was hardly a weak Arcadia team, they had white, degeorge, pocaroba, wimsey, etc - a bunch of guys I played with after school - and were more than deserving of a place in the elite 8

[wingtips2]

I am going to blast Oneonta and Muhlenberg in a letter to their AD and SID.  I know it will not do anything but they should realize this product is an embarrassment

Good - maybe next year they'll just cancel their video and we'll see how much you complain...get a grip

[Flying Weasel]

I hate to say it but when this sort of thing happens, moving venues this could turn into a Sunday-Monday affair or even Monday-Tuesday...They will most likely move it to the closest Turf field available but if traffic is stuck who knows.

This happened in 2002 Keene St sectional...Arcadia beat Keene st and Williams beat defending national champion Richard Stockton. They woke up to a ice storm and could not use Keene St field. Arcadia v Williams got moved to Southern CT State and Williams lost in PK's to a much weaker Arcadia side. One of Williams worst losses in an NCAA tournament

That was hardly a weak Arcadia team, they had white, degeorge, pocaroba, wimsey, etc - a bunch of guys I played with after school - and were more than deserving of a place in the elite 8

Yeah, that was a pretty darn good Arcadia side.  Their star rose and fell fairly quickly with their coach--name escapes me at the moment--moving on.  But for a few years with that group of players, they had a high-octane attack.

[Nutmeg]

As the Tufts players and their fans rushed towards each other following the expiration of time, my 3-1/2 year old daughter, who likes going to Messiah games even though she and her younger brother don't really seem to pay much attention to the games, perceived that the game had ended and turned to mommy and in a sullen tone said, "the white team didn't score any goals."  She thinks they're supposed to score goals for her, and until today they had never let her down.  My wife and kids come along to most all home games and we also get to a lot of away games, but in more than at least 60 games they had never seen Messiah lose or get shutout having stayed home the night Neumann upset the Falcons in 2011 and again skipping last year's conference semifinal elimination on PK's.  My wife turned to her and confirmed that, no, Messiah had not scored today and that they had lost.  She started to cry.  What a bittersweet moment for a proud Dad and gutted Messiah fan.

To treat the kids (and to take my mind off the loss) we hit a nearby playground before the 1-hour drive home.  With another few hours to reflect, here's my take and impressions from the game.

Messiah played well today—not their best ever performance for sure—but still quite good.  Good enough to usually win, even against a good opponent.  The ball didn't bounce their way today at the moments that could have turned the game (i.e scoreboard) in their favor: a few off the post and crossbar and that shot Tufts cleared off the line.  So it felt like even though Tufts did a great job of minimizing Messiah's chances on goal, that the Falcons had still done enough to equalize and even go ahead.  Just wasn't to be, I guess. 

Full credit to Tufts.  There's different approaches to be taken to try to beat Messiah (Kenyon demonstrated one in last year's Sweet 16, Neumann quite another in 2011), but they all involve keeping Messiah off the scoreboard for as long as possible (DUH!, I know.).  But if on top of that you can score early, that can be huge, not least of all because of the confidence boast and the removal of any lingering doubt of whether you can play with the 10-time champions.  With that doubt removed, you can play your game, trusting in yourself and your teammates.  Tufts was fortunate with how the clearance from their opening minute free kick fell to so nicely to Jason Kayne, but he still needed to rip the perfect upper-90 shot or we have a different ball game.  The kid made the chance count with aplomb. Tip of the hat to him.  Little chance for Messiah's keeper who did come up big on a couple other occasions.

Tufts played the rest of the game with the very good balance of defensive compactness and limited but far from non-existent offensive forays.  I think they got the game plan just right for so long as the game stayed 1-0 in their favor (which it did until the end).  They continued to create the occasional dangerous chance and kept Messiah's defense on their toes throughout.  Messiah's defense was up to the task for the most part, though there were some nervy moments.

In possession, I think Messiah displayed their skill and illustrated what makes them best team in D-III.  The Falcons' great touches, control, short passing, and combination play were on good display despite Tufts playing good, tough defense and closing the Falcons down quickly without losing their shape and compactness.  However, regardless of how impressively the Falcons worked the ball through Tufts' challenges, the time it took to advance the ball into the offensive third meant the Jumbos always had the middle of the field crowded, giving Messiah no room to work in and around the top of the area.  Thus the low shot total for the Falcons.  Tufts did a great job of making sure defenders didn't get isolated on Payne and making sure he had little time or space to turn.  One of the few times he did, he almost scored the equalizer.

Tufts is a very good team and they certainly did not lack for self-belief, they certainly were not afraid of Messiah, and they clearly and genuinely relished the chance to knock off the kings of Division III.  You combine that with an early goal, an effective game plan and the players to execute it well, and some good fortune with the Messiah shots off the woodwork and you have yourself a win.  Messiah will rue those shots off the woodwork and the goal-line clearance, but they can have no complaints as Tufts worked hard, played well, and earned what they got.

I feel bad for the Messiah seniors.  Just when you think Messiah can't get any better, they did take the level of play to yet another level.  They very likely are the best class to pass through the Messiah program and that's saying something.  And yet, they will be the first class in 10 years to leave with just two championship rings instead of three.  Sure, there's no reason for anyone else to feel sorry for players with two national titles.  But they brought as much or more skill and as much or more effort and as much or more heart as their predecessors, and as a fan you still somehow feel they "deserved" better even though you know that's not how sports works, especially not in soccer.   

For the neutrals, it's going to be great to have a Messiah-free Final Four (women eliminated on PK's in the unfortunate #1-#2 Elite 8 match).  There's going to be a new champion though maybe not a first-time champion. 

The fall soccer season is a fun time of year going to the games, and so it's always a sad when the season ends, and all the more so when it ends in a loss.  The offseason is way too long and next season can't get here soon enough.

From what I saw on video, your analysis is spot on. Messiah plays beautiful soccer with great organization and technical skills. They could have scored twice. But Santos and Kayne could have also added additional tallies. The Messiah keeper came up big. tufts did just enough to make it a little difficult for the Mesiah middies. How far was the Tufts goal from. it looked like from outside the box.  I really appreciate your first hand analysis!

[PaulNewman]

Great post FW.  First reaction is that a Messiah fan doesn't deserve to feel as bad as I do, which then makes me ask why my feeling bad/sad should seem any deeper or more poignant than for the
players/families of Thomas More who, honestly deserved to move on last week as much as Kenyon, or the Calvin kids/families, any other players/families, and especially the senior groups, where the ending (as in the real, real ending, hanging up the boots, last game ending) comes including for all the teams who don't even get to the tournament.  And then in that context of course the Messiah
players/families/friends DO feel just as bad.  The ultimate feeling of exhilaration can ony happen for one team, and it is nice if that can be passed around a little bit.  I'm not a Tufts fan but I am happy for them.  They broke through.  Just as I hoped would happen for Kenyon (and I was perhaps overly sensitive to the whole curse/fate thing...and then, when you lose, and your team wasn't whole at the wrong time against the curse team, well, then, you feel like that is EXACTLY what happened) and Brandeis and maybe a couple of others.  But MY team I suppose doesn't deserve to break through more than any other team, although the sentiment that it sucks for the rich to get richer seems permissable.

I'm rambling.  Still in the stage of replaying everything and just remembering that after taking on water for the first 20 or so minutes today it was actually Kenyon that had a ball hit the underside of the crossbar and almost go over the line to get the first goal, and a minute or two later the PK comes for OWU.  The feeling really sucks, even when I (sort of) know my team didn't really do enough to really deserve to win today.

[wingtips2]

So much for Kenyon..All you Kenyon lovers they are getting beat in every facet by Ohio Wesleyan. For all those that compared them to storied programs and anointing their coaches legends they have not been to a Final 4 since the legendary Jack Ketchen took some great teams in the mid 90's

A very disappointing performance by Kenyon - had them winning it all.

[Brother Flounder]

As the Tufts players and their fans rushed towards each other following the expiration of time, my 3-1/2 year old daughter, who likes going to Messiah games even though she and her younger brother don't really seem to pay much attention to the games, perceived that the game had ended and turned to mommy and in a sullen tone said, "the white team didn't score any goals."  She thinks they're supposed to score goals for her, and until today they had never let her down.  My wife and kids come along to most all home games and we also get to a lot of away games, but in more than at least 60 games they had never seen Messiah lose or get shutout having stayed home the night Neumann upset the Falcons in 2011 and again skipping last year's conference semifinal elimination on PK's.  My wife turned to her and confirmed that, no, Messiah had not scored today and that they had lost.  She started to cry.  What a bittersweet moment for a proud Dad and gutted Messiah fan.
I
To treat the kids (and to take my mind off the loss) we hit a nearby playground before the 1-hour drive home.  With another few hours to reflect, here's my take and impressions from the game.

Messiah played well today—not their best ever performance for sure—but still quite good.  Good enough to usually win, even against a good opponent.  The ball didn't bounce their way today at the moments that could have turned the game (i.e scoreboard) in their favor: a few off the post and crossbar and that shot Tufts cleared off the line.  So it felt like even though Tufts did a great job of minimizing Messiah's chances on goal, that the Falcons had still done enough to equalize and even go ahead.  Just wasn't to be, I guess. 

Full credit to Tufts.  There's different approaches to be taken to try to beat Messiah (Kenyon demonstrated one in last year's Sweet 16, Neumann quite another in 2011), but they all involve keeping Messiah off the scoreboard for as long as possible (DUH!, I know.).  But if on top of that you can score early, that can be huge, not least of all because of the confidence boast and the removal of any lingering doubt of whether you can play with the 10-time champions.  With that doubt removed, you can play your game, trusting in yourself and your teammates.  Tufts was fortunate with how the clearance from their opening minute free kick fell to so nicely to Jason Kayne, but he still needed to rip the perfect upper-90 shot or we have a different ball game.  The kid made the chance count with aplomb. Tip of the hat to him.  Little chance for Messiah's keeper who did come up big on a couple other occasions.

Tufts played the rest of the game with the very good balance of defensive compactness and limited but far from non-existent offensive forays.  I think they got the game plan just right for so long as the game stayed 1-0 in their favor (which it did until the end).  They continued to create the occasional dangerous chance and kept Messiah's defense on their toes throughout.  Messiah's defense was up to the task for the most part, though there were some nervy moments.

In possession, I think Messiah displayed their skill and illustrated what makes them best team in D-III.  The Falcons' great touches, control, short passing, and combination play were on good display despite Tufts playing good, tough defense and closing the Falcons down quickly without losing their shape and compactness.  However, regardless of how impressively the Falcons worked the ball through Tufts' challenges, the time it took to advance the ball into the offensive third meant the Jumbos always had the middle of the field crowded, giving Messiah no room to work in and around the top of the area.  Thus the low shot total for the Falcons.  Tufts did a great job of making sure defenders didn't get isolated on Payne and making sure he had little time or space to turn.  One of the few times he did, he almost scored the equalizer.

Tufts is a very good team and they certainly did not lack for self-belief, they certainly were not afraid of Messiah, and they clearly and genuinely relished the chance to knock off the kings of Division III.  You combine that with an early goal, an effective game plan and the players to execute it well, and some good fortune with the Messiah shots off the woodwork and you have yourself a win.  Messiah will rue those shots off the woodwork and the goal-line clearance, but they can have no complaints as Tufts worked hard, played well, and earned what they got.

I feel bad for the Messiah seniors.  Just when you think Messiah can't get any better, they did take the level of play to yet another level.  They very likely are the best class to pass through the Messiah program and that's saying something.  And yet, they will be the first class in 10 years to leave with just two championship rings instead of three.  Sure, there's no reason for anyone else to feel sorry for players with two national titles.  But they brought as much or more skill and as much or more effort and as much or more heart as their predecessors, and as a fan you still somehow feel they "deserved" better even though you know that's not how sports works, especially not in soccer.   

For the neutrals, it's going to be great to have a Messiah-free Final Four (women eliminated on PK's in the unfortunate #1-#2 Elite 8 match).  There's going to be a new champion though maybe not a first-time champion. 

The fall soccer season is a fun time of year going to the games, and so it's always a sad when the season ends, and all the more so when it ends in a loss.  The offseason is way too long and next season can't get here soon enough.

Yes, very good and non-biased analysis. It is hard to gauge things sometimes from the video feed. The one thing I notice is that many people make comments about teams when they have never seen them play in person. So, this report is excellent. One thing I could see though was the Tufts goal was a real cracker...and as mentioned above, messiah's midfield play is exciting to watch. The Tufts midfield also played well and exerted a lot of energy. Messiah should be proud of the way they play soccer....u can't win every year. And Tufts should be proud of what they accomplished today. Not many teams could pull off what they did today.

[Flying Weasel]

From what I saw on video, your analysis is spot on. Messiah plays beautiful soccer with great organization and technical skills. They could have scored twice. But Santos and Kayne could have also added additional tallies. The Messiah keeper came up big. tufts did just enough to make it a little difficult for the Mesiah middies. How far was the Tufts goal from. it looked like from outside the box.  I really appreciate your first hand analysis!

A step or two outside the area, if memory serves.