2016 D3 Season: NATIONAL PERSPECTIVE

[Falconer]

Falconer, I accounted for the home field thing elsewhere I think, stating that I don't see F&M troubling g Messiah regardless of where they play. MSU also just beat Rowan 3-0 without 3 key players, including LT. Possible MSU is chomping at bit to get at Messiah and comes out flat but I wouldn't predict a definite win for CNU. As for Lynchburg,  you have to employ your logic both ways. That was also an early game for Lynchburg and perhaps they are improved as well as their stellar record suggests, and of course they also have what I assume is a pretty good home field advantage.

MSU is certainly unpredictable.  Undeniably they soundly beat Rowan without either of the Terci brothers on the field.  I based my comment on having actually seen Lucas Terci play in person: he's one of the most dangerous players I've seen in a long time, more dangerous (IMO) even than someone like Amolo (whom you have seen often).  I frankly wish he were guaranteed not to play round two, so that Messiah wouldn't  have to deal with him.  Great scorers can change games, even games in which the opponent controls most of the possession.  I anticipate that Messiah will out-possess MSU (if that game materializes), and I anticipate that CNU will out-possess MSU, so the absence of Terci could be the difference in that game with CNU.

My comments about Lynchburg were based on the eye test, evaluating the individual players not their style of non-play in that one game.  I didn't see anyone who stood out; I didn't see evidence that they are on the same level with Messiah, or even W&L (who didn't park the bus so I could see what they have).  However, since they parked the bus I had only limited opportunities to see their skills and athleticism, so they could have been hiding a mountain of talent behind the bus, just playing for a tie in the early season to protect their chances for the dance.  I grant that possibility.

[jknezek]

It's important to remember that while W&L beat Lynchburg 2-1 at home 10/12, W&L lost to Lynchburg at Lynchburg in the ODAC finals, also 2-1. Both games were pretty even affairs and the results of the home team squeaking past was fair. For all intents and purposes, these teams really are at the same level. Lynchburg earned home field for the ODAC playoffs, no excuse for W&L's home loss to Randolph-Macon, and got the more important win.

[2xfaux]

Am I missing something because the Messiah women are in Williams' women bracket and if both win I would assume Williams women would host anyway. They are the top team in their regional pod and the Williams men are gone.

As is often the case, Mr Right, you're right. I hadn't considered that very real possibility.  In that case if the Falcons go to the second weekend they are probably playing on their own grass field, which never hurts.

For what it is worth, at this point, the William's women are #1 in the New England rankings and the Messiah women are #1 in the Mid-Atlantic.  Messiah has been shipped off to Buffalo this weekend because the men are hosting so if both the Messiah and Williams women move on to the sectional round it would seem possible that Messiah women would host.  However, the NCAA travel agents will ultimately be the ones who decide. 

[Flying Weasel]

Is 500 miles the threshold for the NCAA having to fly a team in?  The women's hosting could come down to whether Christopher Newport emerges from their pod or not as they would be over 500 miles from Williamstown, MA making Messiah or Stevens (should they advance) the sites that wouldn't require flights.  Then again, depending how other sectionals work out with number of fights required, maybe the NCAA is willing to fly one team in this sectional to reward Williams with hosting privileges.

[jknezek]

Is 500 miles the threshold for the NCAA having to fly a team in?  The women's hosting could come down to whether Christopher Newport emerges from their pod or not as they would be over 500 miles from Williamstown, MA making Messiah or Stevens (should they advance) the sites that wouldn't require flights.  Then again, depending how other sectionals work out with number of fights required, maybe the NCAA is willing to fly one team in this sectional to reward Williams with hosting privileges.

500 miles by TES, which is different than Google. But yes, that is the limit.

https://web1.ncaa.org/TES/exec/miles

[PaulNewman]

I heard 3rd hand that Kenyon missed by 20 miles, and so they get to enjoy an 8 hour bus ride to Lynchburg.

[Mr.Right]

I heard 3rd hand that Kenyon missed by 20 miles, and so they get to enjoy an 8 hour bus ride to Lynchburg.

WOW....8 hours is a monster drive...HUGE disadvantage especially for the bigger players with long legs...That seems a bit unfair

[lastguyoffthebench]

Brandeis has played 8 tourney teams this year... EIGHT (4-3-1).   Are they healthy enough to make a run? 

[Mr.Right]

Bloots can answer this better than me. I believe they are now fully healthy but IMO like I said before this is Brandeis weakest side since 2012 BUT it is also Amherst weakest side in q while with weaknesses that can be exploited especially in net but can Brandeis take advantage. I would give them a good shot to do so especially if they can score first and take as many shots as possible on Amherst GK and follow their shots as he has a horrible tendency of coughing up the ball right in front of him.

[PaulNewman]

jknezek, what is the atmosphere like at Lynchburg?  And is there a big difference between day and night games?

[Jump4Joy]

Mr. R,
Remind me who you're rooting for so I can advise others how to take them apart!
Or maybe how others can take the one other NESCAC team (Tufts) apart!
What happened to your NESCAC affiliation here? 

[jknezek]

jknezek, what is the atmosphere like at Lynchburg?  And is there a big difference between day and night games?

It should be pretty good.  Lynchburg doesn't have a football team, so soccer and lacrosse are campus events.  We aren't talking Messiah type support, but I think you'll get a decent and knowledgeable crowd for Lynchburg's game(s). I doubt anyone will be too fired up for the other side of the quad. Day versus night won't matter much.  Facility is good but turf.

[Domino1195]

I heard 3rd hand that Kenyon missed by 20 miles, and so they get to enjoy an 8 hour bus ride to Lynchburg.

Now, now - not that far! I drove from Durham to my home north of Columbus today - 7 and a half hours with three stops (475 miles). Thought about stopping in at Lynchburg. Tell the bus driver that Virginia uses unmarked cars - and they were the only state in which I saw troopers during the 15 hour round trip drive.

[Mr.Right]

Mr. R,
Remind me who you're rooting for so I can advise others how to take them apart!
Or maybe how others can take the one other NESCAC team (Tufts) apart!
What happened to your NESCAC affiliation here? 

I tell it like i see it from my point of view. People disagree with me all the time and I really feel Amherst GK Lee Owen's best trait is PK's so that might help Amherst. I have seen Amherst over 8 times this year and I notice he struggles with certain shots especially holding onto the ball when shots are hit low and bouncing.

[Mr.Right]

I heard 3rd hand that Kenyon missed by 20 miles, and so they get to enjoy an 8 hour bus ride to Lynchburg.

Now, now - not that far! I drove from Durham to my home north of Columbus today - 7 and a half hours with three stops (475 miles). Thought about stopping in at Lynchburg. Tell the bus driver that Virginia uses unmarked cars - and they were the only state in which I saw troopers during the 15 hour round trip drive.

Did you get out of the car take a nap and then play 90 minutes of intense futbol?