2015 NCAA TOURNAMENT THREAD

[All NESCAC]

Safe to say when an unbeaten NESCAC first seed loses to the 8th seed in the conference tournament then they will win the NCAAs? If it happens against next year then I think so. Best conference in the country.
[/quote

Spot on SWANS.]

[Saint of Old]

Hats off to Amherst!!!

Good luck boyz.

Great season Oneonta.


Say what you want about Amherst, bottom line is RESPECT them because they win.
One more win for them and they are Kings of the D3 soccer world.

All Hail the Kings of Mens Soccer:

AMHERST

Congrats to the alums of this great program who deserve as much credit for this championship as the current players.

Champions for life!

[Mr.Right]

The number of championship stars on your crest matters...a lot!  Precisely because it is so very hard to do.  I contend that there isn't one player on any of these final 4 teams that agrees that it's great to just make a deep run.  They all want to win the championship...period. 

Loras might look at their season if they don't win it all or even if they make it to their first ever championship final and say "Wow!  We had a successful season!"  But if they do say that, that's why they probably won't win it the next time around.  A true champion program just wouldn't say that.  If they don't win it all, it's not success.  Just ask the players and alumni from the greatest program(s)...they will tell you.

Also kinda hard for me to wrap my mind around the notion that Loras is the absolute definitive #2 program in the past decade.  Yes they made five Final 4's and lost every one of those games...never making it to the top 2 (Championship Final) in the 40 year history of the NCAA D3 national tournament.  If winning a Final 4 game were as "random" as some have suggested...the odds of losing five Final 4 games in a row is 3.1%.  And statisticians understand that at odds that low it likely isn't random anymore (at p=.05), and its possible there is something else at play that starts to take the "randomness" out of the equation (maybe easy sectional play, psychological, better competition, system of play that can't win at the higher levels, it could be any number of things).  Or maybe it is random chance.  But with every Final 4 loss in a row, it is more and more statistically likely that there is something other then "randomness" at play.

If given the choice, I think Loras would trade all of those Final 4's for one Championship...and likely do it unblinkingly. 

Maybe this will be the year they finally get to the Final and ultimately hoist the Championship trophy...maybe.

As a point of comparison, there's a D3 Field Hockey program who has been to the NCAA Championship Final 7 times...and lost 7 times.  As absolutely brutal as it seems (and it is brutal and unfair), no one really cares. 

Championships matter.

I'm curious about the negative karma and the who and why, or maybe that's obvious at this point.

I should not fall for getting engaged in these instances of flawed logic, statistical or otherwise, and other cases of blatant and unapologetic bias.

I never said championships don't matter or that players/coaches aren't devastated when they don't win one or that they wouldn't give up a couple of Final Four appearances for a title.  Those weren't the issues I was addressing.  The issue was about overall program performance over a stretch of time.

Again, if they got to the Final Four and got blown out every time then maybe you could attribute outcomes to one of those other reasons you suggested.  As for statistics, what are the odds of ANY team getting to a Final Four?  Of winning a title?  What are the statistical odds of a team getting to the Final Four 5 times in 8 years?  See how frame of reference impacts the deductions made from "statistics"?  In my personal poll I vote Loras #2.  You can put them and anyone else wherever you like.  Maybe this construction will be more acceptable -- No program other than Messiah has gone to FIVE Final Fours in the last 8-10 years.  Oneonta with 3 in 5 years is knocking on the door.  That's impressive as well, and geez, they even have to go through the East Coast to get there.

The negative karma is coming from Shooter FYI...The minute he signs on we all get it...Whatever let him play his silly games

[Shooter McGavin]

The number of championship stars on your crest matters...a lot!  Precisely because it is so very hard to do.  I contend that there isn't one player on any of these final 4 teams that agrees that it's great to just make a deep run.  They all want to win the championship...period. 

Loras might look at their season if they don't win it all or even if they make it to their first ever championship final and say "Wow!  We had a successful season!"  But if they do say that, that's why they probably won't win it the next time around.  A true champion program just wouldn't say that.  If they don't win it all, it's not success.  Just ask the players and alumni from the greatest program(s)...they will tell you.

Also kinda hard for me to wrap my mind around the notion that Loras is the absolute definitive #2 program in the past decade.  Yes they made five Final 4's and lost every one of those games...never making it to the top 2 (Championship Final) in the 40 year history of the NCAA D3 national tournament.  If winning a Final 4 game were as "random" as some have suggested...the odds of losing five Final 4 games in a row is 3.1%.  And statisticians understand that at odds that low it likely isn't random anymore (at p=.05), and its possible there is something else at play that starts to take the "randomness" out of the equation (maybe easy sectional play, psychological, better competition, system of play that can't win at the higher levels, it could be any number of things).  Or maybe it is random chance.  But with every Final 4 loss in a row, it is more and more statistically likely that there is something other then "randomness" at play.

If given the choice, I think Loras would trade all of those Final 4's for one Championship...and likely do it unblinkingly. 

Maybe this will be the year they finally get to the Final and ultimately hoist the Championship trophy...maybe.

As a point of comparison, there's a D3 Field Hockey program who has been to the NCAA Championship Final 7 times...and lost 7 times.  As absolutely brutal as it seems (and it is brutal and unfair), no one really cares. 

Championships matter.

I'm curious about the negative karma and the who and why, or maybe that's obvious at this point.

I should not fall for getting engaged in these instances of flawed logic, statistical or otherwise, and other cases of blatant and unapologetic bias.

I never said championships don't matter or that players/coaches aren't devastated when they don't win one or that they wouldn't give up a couple of Final Four appearances for a title.  Those weren't the issues I was addressing.  The issue was about overall program performance over a stretch of time.

Again, if they got to the Final Four and got blown out every time then maybe you could attribute outcomes to one of those other reasons you suggested.  As for statistics, what are the odds of ANY team getting to a Final Four?  Of winning a title?  What are the statistical odds of a team getting to the Final Four 5 times in 8 years?  See how frame of reference impacts the deductions made from "statistics"?  In my personal poll I vote Loras #2.  You can put them and anyone else wherever you like.  Maybe this construction will be more acceptable -- No program other than Messiah has gone to FIVE Final Fours in the last 8-10 years.  Oneonta with 3 in 5 years is knocking on the door.  That's impressive as well, and geez, they even have to go through the East Coast to get there.

The negative karma is coming from Shooter FYI...The minute he signs on we all get it...Whatever let him play his silly games

Merry Christmas to you and yours. I am guessing you will be the Grinch again this year?

I have not given any karma to anyone since before the national title game actually. But thanks for pointing the finger.

But I am guessing that is why I am getting random negative karma as well every time I log in to check if people are posting...except it's most likely from you. So childish. But hey if it makes you sleep better at night then so be it.

[Jump4Joy]

I had to wait a few days to come down from my fan high before posting.
So happy for Amherst.
Random thoughts:
In Brandeis vs. Trinity, Viera played with a giant's heart. Surprised that the marquee names were so quiet that day. Trinity's #25 ran the show.
Trinity were good.
Suny Oneonta were even better: clever and composed passing like Trinity but also electric athleticism.
That said, I believe Amherst deserved to advance even though it could have gone either way.
Loras was a formidable opponent (especially dangerous on the quick counter) but was more similar to Amherst than Trinity or Oneonta, so the match-up played more into Amherst's strengths.
Again, Amherst deserved the win. Glad to see the Purple and White grab the prize without relying on some weird fluke or bad call. Pure guts ball for the last 15 mins, especially the last 5.
I didn't see Calvin play, so I can't comment.

Serpone and staff challenged their players by remaining flexible and fluid in changing formations and degrees of pressure to counter opposing forces. From changing restraining lines to allowing opponents time in the channels to yo-yoing the gap by alternately dropping the sole striker (when in use) into the pocket and then pushing him high. Lots of adjustments that proved effective. I was impressed.

As you know, I'm a big Bull fan. For sure an AA. (Same for NPL, of course.) Bull proved his mettle time and time again through his four years (should have been on that list earlier, IMO). The Final Four was no exception. Shut down two breakaways (one in each match, including one in OT against Oneonta). HUGE! Stoned the first PK in the semi to set a resounding tone. Broke the back of the net with one of his own to punctuate the moment. He's legit. Had a fantastic supporting cast with backs that allowed only one goal for the entire tourney and with Ciambella peaking in the right moment to add to an already dynamic attack.

Congrats to all for giving their all. See you next year!

[firstplaceloser]

so I'm guessing there will be no D3soccer All American awards?

[KICKIN95]

so I'm guessing there will be no D3soccer All American awards?

I was just wondering the same thing!

[lastguyoffthebench]

I'm sure they will be released by Sunday the 10th.  Over the last 5 seasons, we've seen the AA and POYs published as late as 1/7....

2014:   1/6
2013: 12/23
2012: 12/16
2011: 12/21
2010:  1/7


My picks still remain the same:


Coach of Year: Ryan Souders (Calvin), Serpone (Amherst), Rineer (Haverford)
Forward of Year: Sam Yarosh (Haverford), Tony Amolo (Kenyon), NPL (Amherst), Mike Ryan (Rutgers-Camden)
Midfielder of Year:  Logan Andryk (MSOE),  Austin Juniet (TMC), Dylan Williams (Oneonta St), Will Corkery (Haverford), Jeremiah Barnes (Kenyon), Damian Bziukiewicz (MSU), Josh Ocel (Brandeis), Sean Bingham (MIT), Marshall Hollingsworth (Wheaton),
Defender of the Year: Tom Carwile (Trinity), Harry Copeland (SLU), Conor Lanaghan (Brandeis)
GK of the Year:  Thomas Bull (Amherst), Niko Giantsopoulos (Calvin), Sam Clougher (Kenyon)

[Brother Flounder]

I'm sure they will be released by Sunday the 10th.  Over the last 5 seasons, we've seen the AA and POYs published as late as 1/7....

2014:   1/6
2013: 12/23
2012: 12/16
2011: 12/21
2010:  1/7


My picks still remain the same:


Coach of Year: Ryan Souders (Calvin), Serpone (Amherst), Rineer (Haverford)
Forward of Year: Sam Yarosh (Haverford), Tony Amolo (Kenyon), NPL (Amherst), Mike Ryan (Rutgers-Camden)
Midfielder of Year:  Logan Andryk (MSOE),  Austin Juniet (TMC), Dylan Williams (Oneonta St), Will Corkery (Haverford), Jeremiah Barnes (Kenyon), Damian Bziukiewicz (MSU), Josh Ocel (Brandeis), Sean Bingham (MIT), Marshall Hollingsworth (Wheaton),
Defender of the Year: Tom Carwile (Trinity), Harry Copeland (SLU), Conor Lanaghan (Brandeis)
GK of the Year:  Thomas Bull (Amherst), Niko Giantsopoulos (Calvin), Sam Clougher (Kenyon)

Coach of Year: Serpone (Amherst)
Forward of Year: Sam Yarosh (Haverford), NPL (Amherst), Mike Ryan (Rutgers-Camden)
Midfielder of Year:  Logan Andryk (MSOE),  Austin Juniet (TMC), Dylan Williams (Oneonta St), Will Corkery (Haverford), Jason Kayne (Tufts), Marshall Hollingsworth (Wheaton),
Defender of the Year:  Conor Lanaghan (Brandeis)
GK of the Year:  Thomas Bull (Amherst), Niko Giantsopoulos (Calvin)

[Shooter McGavin]

My nominations and picks(borrowed some nominations from above and added/subtracted some in and out as well):

Coach of Year: Serpone (Amherst), Ryan Souders (Calvin), Rineer (Haverford), Gibboney (Lycoming), Rothert (Loras), Shapiro (Tufts), Anderson (St. Olaf), Byrne (Oneonta) 
Forward of Year: Sam Yarosh (Haverford), Tony Amolo (Kenyon), NPL (Amherst), Mike Ryan (Rutgers-Camden)
Midfielder of Year:  Logan Andryk (MSOE),  Marshall Hollingsworth (Wheaton) Austin Juniet (TMC), Dylan Williams (Oneonta St), Will Corkery (Haverford), Jeremiah Barnes (Kenyon), Damian Bziukiewicz (MSU), Josh Ocel (Brandeis), Sean Bingham (MIT)
Defender of the Year: Tom Carwile (Trinity), Harry Copeland (SLU), Conor Lanaghan (Brandeis), Kyle Thomas (Lycoming)
GK of the Year:  Thomas Bull (Amherst), Niko Giantsopoulos (Calvin), Sam Clougher (Kenyon), Rodrigo Barrera (Etown)

[blooter442]

Coach of Year: Serpone (Amherst)
Forward of Year: NPL (Amherst)
Midfielder of Year: Will Corkery (Haverford)
Defender of the Year: Conor Lanahan (Brandeis)
GK of the Year: Thomas Bull (Amherst)

Serpone and NPL would be deserved picks IMHO, as would Bull. Bull and NPL were Amherst's two most important players in my opinion, and Serpone was the mastermind behind it all. Only saw Corkery a bit but he really impressed me, and you can't argue with 9 goals and 13 assists, game winners against Johns Hopkins and Dickinson in the Centennial tourney, and scoring against W&L and assisting against SLU. Lanahan wasn't as dominant as last year, but still headed up Brandeis' defensive unit very well with a new 'keeper behind him and a new freshman right back and was the standout CB from my observation.

Also, the fact that Bingham is listed as a midfielder on MIT's roster is very misleading — he is a center forward, make no mistake about it.

[lastguyoffthebench]

Interested in the logic of Lanahan over Carwile...

Lanahan:  22GP  21GS;  2G 1A on 19 shots (9 SOG); .105 Shot % / .474 SOG; 1 GWG ----------------   12 shutouts / .61 GAA

Carwile: 24GP 24GS;  9G 1A on 36 shots (18 SOG);   .250 Shot % / .500 SOG;  7 GWG (4/5 PKs) ----  18 shutouts / .35 GAA


Trinity played Brandeis twice and won 2-0; 2-0.... so you can't really use the SOS as an excuse.  Trinity was the better team. 

[blooter442]

Interested in the logic of Lanahan over Carwile...

Lanahan:  22GP  21GS;  2G 1A on 19 shots (9 SOG); .105 Shot % / .474 SOG; 1 GWG ----------------   12 shutouts / .61 GAA

Carwile: 24GP 24GS;  9G 1A on 36 shots (18 SOG);   .250 Shot % / .500 SOG;  7 GWG (4/5 PKs) ----  18 shutouts / .35 GAA


Trinity played Brandeis twice and won 2-0; 2-0.... so you can't really use the SOS as an excuse.  Trinity was the better team.

Well, most of us New Englanders likely saw Lanahan much more often than Carwile (aside from the two Brandeis games), hence the tendency to pick him. Regardless, Carwile has a strong case.

[Mid-Atlantic Fan]

I like that Shooter added a couple other Mid-Atlantic players and other deserving nation wide players/coaches. maybe they won't get the nod but they deserved to be on the short list. Kyle Thomas from Lycoming is a good candidate. 6'6" Sophomore 2nd Team All-American and Defensive POY in the MACC that anchored the stingy defense for Lycoming which had 13 shutouts and a national 10th best .057 GAA (from their website) along with a 20 game unbeaten streak. For only a Sophomore those are great stats! I don't think he will get the AA nod from D3 but should be heavily considered.

Another addition I like is that of the Oneonta, Loras, Lycoming, and Tufts coaches to the Coach of the Year list. I agree with the trend that Serpone should get it for his work done this year, but those other coaches all had a heck of a season. They all deserve recognition and deserve to be on the short list in my opinion.

The Etown goalie Rodrigo is a nice addition and he had a great season but I don't think many people know abut him because of Etown missing out on NCAAs. If they would have got in and made some noise he might have picked up some good recognition as he was a big part of their success this season. I believe Thomas Bull is a no brainer pick for GK of the Year.

The others are all toss-ups as all those players are deserving and there are enough choices for the short list. Lots of quality in D3 over the past couple of years! It's great to see the competitiveness and quality continue to rise.   

[1970s NESCAC Player]

Interested in the logic of Lanahan over Carwile...

Lanahan:  22GP  21GS;  2G 1A on 19 shots (9 SOG); .105 Shot % / .474 SOG; 1 GWG ----------------   12 shutouts / .61 GAA

Carwile: 24GP 24GS;  9G 1A on 36 shots (18 SOG);   .250 Shot % / .500 SOG;  7 GWG (4/5 PKs) ----  18 shutouts / .35 GAA


Trinity played Brandeis twice and won 2-0; 2-0.... so you can't really use the SOS as an excuse.  Trinity was the better team.

Well, most of us New Englanders likely saw Lanahan much more often than Carwile (aside from the two Brandeis games), hence the tendency to pick him. Regardless, Carwile has a strong case.

Carwile was definitely the better player when the two teams played at Amherst.  Ironically, though, the best defender (and arguably the best player) on the field that day was the freshman defender from England who played for Trinity, Lawrence Wyke.