2016 NCAA Tournament

[Mr.Right]

Great game and I must say Calvin looked more fit and fired up as the game wore on. I was going to say that this is where Messiah's schedule does them no favors when they start playing quality opponents but certainly Calvin does not have a great schedule either so that is a wash. Calvin really impressed me 2nd Half as they have some motor..That is a Final 4 team and NCAA Champion if they continue to play like they did 2nd Half and OT. 1st half they looked asleep and Messiah could and should have put them away but did not and as Haverford saw last week you cannot keep teams in games.

[blooter442]

Bloots, thanks for the dialogue.
I have never professed to be objective! 
I agree that unsportsmanlike behavior taints the game. The hug shouldn't have happened. (Ironic that we're talking about hugs when headbutts kicked this back-and-forth off!)
And: posters shouldn't take every opportunity to evoke Amherst's name every time another team commits an act of poor sportsmanship.
This practice has become habit, especially by He Who Should Not be Named (who has offered many informative posts but can't help himself when it comes to his nemesis for some reason).
I'm not trying to distract. I'm just saying that folks are quick to throw Amherst into every mention of everyone else's dirty laundry. If I come across as defensive, it's because I am!

Wish I had seen the Messiah/Calvin game. Caught the OT. The end comes quickly.

Fair response! +K

[PaulNewman]

Van Dorne and Witte were fantastic too.  Calvin coach took Wheaton to national final as a GK and this Calvin GK looks as good as the kid last year.

And let me acknowledge that the Messiah announcers for the most part were very fair and did a good job with a huge audience.

[PaulNewman]

Coach must have made some kind of adjustment because Messiah wingers were doing what I thought they might in the 1st half and then were almost silent in the 2nd.  Calvin wingers got stronger as the game went on and started breaking through.  Impressive road so far beating ONU, CMU at CMU and now Messiah at Messiah.

And fyi, looking ahead...Calvin knocked F&M out last year.

[rudy]

Great game and I must say Calvin looked more fit and fired up as the game wore on. I was going to say that this is where Messiah's schedule does them no favors when they start playing quality opponents but certainly Calvin does not have a great schedule either so that is a wash. Calvin really impressed me 2nd Half as they have some motor..That is a Final 4 team and NCAA Champion if they continue to play like they did 2nd Half and OT. 1st half they looked asleep and Messiah could and should have put them away but did not and as Haverford saw last week you cannot keep teams in games.

Two golden opportunities in first half to score second goal to give them a cushion they really needed. As you suggested it might come back to bite then. Calvin was relentless in  2nd half. Great leadership from the Messiah seniors. They will be missed.  unfortunately someone has to  lose. Would have been nice for them to go to final 4 their last season..feel bad for them.  Congratulations to Calvin ..they earned it.

[4samuy]

Great game.  Falconer, I'd like to get your thoughts on why you predict Calvin will go all the way.  I'm
Curious to know about the three draws this year and if they gave up leads or came back to tie.

[Dark Knight]

Great game and I must say Calvin looked more fit and fired up as the game wore on. I was going to say that this is where Messiah's schedule does them no favors when they start playing quality opponents but certainly Calvin does not have a great schedule either so that is a wash. Calvin really impressed me 2nd Half as they have some motor.

Calvin's got a whole slew of freshman midfielders who come in like a hockey line for a few minutes each half, and Calvin doesn't lose much. The freshmen (mostly attacking middies) play maybe a third of the game and they have nearly a third of Calvin's goals -- 18 out of 60. Calvin didn't sub much last year, but this year, subbing in these 5 freshmen, the starters can play harder while they are in.

[Domino1195]

Great game and I must say Calvin looked more fit and fired up as the game wore on. I was going to say that this is where Messiah's schedule does them no favors when they start playing quality opponents but certainly Calvin does not have a great schedule either so that is a wash. Calvin really impressed me 2nd Half as they have some motor.

Calvin's got a whole slew of freshman midfielders who come in like a hockey line for a few minutes each half, and Calvin doesn't lose much. The freshmen (mostly attacking middies) play maybe a third of the game and they have nearly a third of Calvin's goals -- 18 out of 60. Calvin didn't sub much last year, but this year, subbing in these 5 freshmen, the starters can play harder while they are in.

There you are! Was wondering where you were. Congrats and good luck today. I imagine the weather might affect the game today - hopefully not too badly.

[Dark Knight]

Great game and I must say Calvin looked more fit and fired up as the game wore on. I was going to say that this is where Messiah's schedule does them no favors when they start playing quality opponents but certainly Calvin does not have a great schedule either so that is a wash. Calvin really impressed me 2nd Half as they have some motor.

Calvin's got a whole slew of freshman midfielders who come in like a hockey line for a few minutes each half, and Calvin doesn't lose much. The freshmen (mostly attacking middies) play maybe a third of the game and they have nearly a third of Calvin's goals -- 18 out of 60. Calvin didn't sub much last year, but this year, subbing in these 5 freshmen, the starters can play harder while they are in.

There you are! Was wondering where you were. Congrats and good luck today. I imagine the weather might affect the game today - hopefully not too badly.

Thanks!

The weather forecast is sunny with a high of 69, then a 30% chance of rain at game time and possible snow later. We'll hope the weather takes its time in getting there...

In Grand Rapids we had a high of 70 yesterday, and right now it's snowing with an inch of accumulation in the forecast.

[4samuy]

In a curious and IMHO surprising move, Chicago has decided to play the round of sixteen games today on their grass pitch instead of the turf.  I believe they had played their last 6 or 7 games total on turf (could be off on those #s).  Couple questions for anyone that may have insight.   Does the NCAA have any say on where they play?  Does anyone know whether Redlands, st Thomas and Benedictine play homes games on grass or turf?

[Mr.Right]

I thought if you are hosting or apply to host THEN you must play on the field where you played the majority of your games during the season. At least that used to be the rule and I am not sure if it has changed.

[Mr.Right]

I was unable to catch the F&M v Cortland matchup last night as I had to go out to dinner...I do not see any live reports...was it a deserved win? Does anyone have a report?

[Soccerfan]

It was an even played game. The pitch was very slippery. Cortland outshot F & M 21-16. Both teams had chances, Cortland had a few great chances that they failed to score on. F & M scored in OT when two of Cortland defenders fell leaving the F & M player wide open for the scoring shot.

[swibbles]

I just took a photo overlooking the Chicago athletic fields. You can see the maroon tents coming out on the grass field. Looks like it won't be on turf.

http://m.imgur.com/3zH3O3R

[NEsoccerfan20]

This Tufts/ UMB game hasn't even started and I can't stand their play by play guy.... Too many "Uh's" and can't pronounce names! Yikes!!!!!