2014 D3 Season: National Perspective

[KnightFalcon]

PKs for OWU-Calvin in chilly Holland, MI

[Domino1195]

PKs for OWU-Calvin in chilly Holland, MI

Glad to see the card given to OWU keeper. The garbage Krul started this summer - re keeper "antics" during KFTM - should have been addressed then. Now keepers feel compelled? to trash talk kickers.

[Ryan Harmanis]

OWU wins 4-2 in PKs. OWU makes, Calvin hits wide. OWU makes, Calvin saved. Makes on both sides. OWU saved, Calvin makes. OWU makes for 4-2 win.

[Ryan Harmanis]

In fairness, Calvin's keeper did identical things, especially last night. I think it's pretty bush league on both sides, but I guess it is what it is. As a goalie, you'd gladly take a yellow for a mental edge.

IMO the bigger issue on PKs is goalies coming off their line before the ball is hit. Didn't rewind but looked like OWU's keeper was 2 feet off his line on his save.

[Ryan Harmanis]

Ohio Wesleyan continues to be a huge thorn in Calvin's side. After losing to OWU in 2009, the 2011 National Championship game, and 2013, Calvin got some revenge early this season...only to fall to OWU in PKs today.

Calvin should have ended the game in overtime. A great cross looked to be heading right for an open Calvin player but it ended up hitting the crossbar. Then, in the second OT, an almost identical play led to a wide open header for Calvin from 5 yards out, but it went off the bar again.

[Mr.Right]

I thought Calvin made it to the Final 4 in 2009

[Ryan Harmanis]

I thought Calvin made it to the Final 4 in 2009

They did - should have clarified, OWU beat them in the regular season in 2009 and in 2012.

[KnightFalcon]

Agree Ryan with your OWU-Calvin assessment as I sit here at the New Holland Brewery in beautiful downtown Holland MI for a post game beverage. What those watching on video probably did not see was OWU's coaches signaling to the keeper which way the Calvin shooter would go based on their PK from the night before. Seemed to work for them

[Domino1195]

Congrats to U of Chicago (Asst coach is the son of my college teammate). They're looking at some Ohio products to add to their roster next year - should be moving on up over the next few years.

[PaulNewman]

Live by the PK, die by the PK.  This was Calvin's 3rd in a row.

PKs do seem pretty arbitrary, especially when on the losing side.

I thought Martin made a good tactical decision having Bloecher go first.  If he misses then that might impact the next kickers but he didn't miss.  Calvin had Vegter go third (which is better than fifth when you might not even get up to kick), but by his turn Calvin already had missed two.

Now OWU can relax and wait to see if Kenyon can hold serve tomorrow.

[Flying Weasel]

Stevens beat Montclair St. 3-0.  I thought the Ducks could take the game, but didn't see that kind of scoreline in favor of Stevens.  In the final analysis, Montclair St. got beat every time they played a good team: Cortland St., Wheaton-IL, Messiah, Rutgers-Newark, and now Stevens.  What does that say about the NJAC?  Rutgers-Newark did beat Babson today.

[Domino1195]

Live by the PK, die by the PK.  This was Calvin's 3rd in a row.

PKs do seem pretty arbitrary, especially when on the losing side.

I thought Martin made a good tactical decision having Bloecher go first.  If he misses then that might impact the next kickers but he didn't miss.  Calvin had Vegter go third (which is better than fifth when you might not even get up to kick), but by his turn Calvin already had missed two.

Now OWU can relax and wait to see if Kenyon can hold serve tomorrow.

More's forwards are ploddingly slow - will not challenge Kenyon's backs at all. I was impressed with the decisions and skill of More's backs - they didn't do anything stupid. After gaining possession their backs would make forays through the middle third into the attacking third - Kenyon loves "rope a dope" defense and if More tries to use the backs to initiate attacks they will be dispossessed and pay dearly.

If I could advise Kenyon it would be to use #21 - the Red Haired Wonder - more centrally as I feel he is the play maker on the team. More cannot match his strength and skill in the midfield: Kenyon could make this a route if they dominate the midfield - #21 - and attack quickly.

[Mr.Right]

Live Table:

UAA: 2-1-0
  -Rochester v Salisbury 0-0 Halftime    Rochester out shooting Salisbury 2-1.

Nescac 2-0-0
   -Bowdoin v Brockport St  1-1 Halftime

Centennial: 2-1-0

Newmac: 1-2-0

[PaulNewman]

Domino, you must have missed #6 for Th More.  He was fast, dynamic, and ran full out all over the field.  He played a marvelous game and was clear "man of the match" and in 2nd OT he made a dummy play that allowed a ball coming in to beat the North Park keeper.  I was very impressed with Thomas More and their collective work rate.  They are tough kids from northern KY and Cincinnati area who are not intimidated and a little bit nasty (like their exuberant [overly?] fans).  It will be interesting to see how the Kenyon student group interacts with the Th More faithful.  At any rate, I cannot overemphasize how hard Th More played.  They wanted it bad today.  They acted like they had won a national championship and one question tomorrow will be how much they have left in the tank after a very tough 2OT game and dramatic emotional celebration.  Watching this one I had the thought of Th More being a very good, enthusiastic college team playing a semi-professional, PDL-style North Park where several of their players seemed like they could be in the mid-to-late 20s.

[Flying Weasel]

Hardin-Simmons goes up 1-0 on Trinity (Tx.).  Can they repeat their 2009 upset of the Tigers?