Mid-Atlantic Region

[Gregory Sager]

Probably nothing done to the players until full investigation which will conveniently last beyond post season.

2 basketball players and 3 soccer players part of the crew.  Protestors forced a cancellation and postponement of last night's basketball game against York by a holding a sit-in protest on the court.

It can't be both. It has to either be a cancellation or a postponement.

Both York (PA) and F&M show on their respective men's basketball pages that the game has been postponed, so it will be made up at some point later in the season.

Wagner quoted in article and said players have received death threat and are good kids who made a mistake. "I will do anything I possibly can to stand with anyone," said soccer coach Dan Wagner.

https://www.wgal.com/article/hundreds-of-f-m-students-rally-in-response-to-what-they-call-racist-halloween-costumes/29739737#

Going to be huge media coverage today, and likely more protests.  F&M and CC officials should be prepared.

I'll be very surprised if student protesters don't stage an identical sit-down strike on the F&M soccer pitch today, given that there were more soccer players involved in that obnoxious Halloween stunt than there were basketball players.

[FelixCloudy]

I'll be very surprised if student protesters don't stage an identical sit-down strike on the F&M soccer pitch today, given that there were more soccer players involved in that obnoxious Halloween stunt than there were basketball players.

Agree.  And I am having trouble with the CC stream which seems not to be live yet?  Not sure if the game has started?

[FelixCloudy]

Correction - F&M:Getty game is now live - five minutes in.  Probably my technical difficulties.

[Gregory Sager]

Yeah, I'm surprised. I'd be pretty salty if I was an F&M basketball player; their game got shut down by a sitdown strike and the soccer game didn't. Perhaps the revelation of the death threats aimed at the soccer players to which the F&M soccer coach alluded yesterday persuaded the strike organizers to back off today.

[FelixCloudy]

And maybe access to the field was pretty tightly controlled in advance - it is fenced, unlike the basketball gym.  Wagner and F&M administration certainly realized they could have an issue and might have made sure any protestors didn't have access to the turf.

As I type this F&M got their second goal...  they are not letting this stop them.

[Hopkins92]

G'burg 0:3 F&M
Dickinson 0:2 Hop

[Hopkins92]

Younker played about half the game and was dangerous today. I know I'm a broken record, but that's a very good sign for the Jays.

Tomorrow's game kicks off at 1pm in Lancaster. If I didn't have to paint a bedroom with a bunch of trim, I'd make way up there. Couple of top 10 teams playing their best... Should be quite a tilt.

[Falconer]

The Falcons survived a severe test at home on a windy Saturday afternoon in Grantham—the game had been announced for 7 pm but was moved up, apparently to avoid playing in freezing temperatures. Good idea! As expected, Lycoming came loaded for bear, and they got what they needed: an official who swallowed his whistle. The Warriors were able to play their preferred style of mugging first, asking questions later, slowing the more athletic Falcons enough to take most of the attraction out of their beautiful game. For their part, the Falcons matched their aggression on defense, though it would be unnatural for them to wrap both arms around opponents from behind, hang on to a player’s arm or jersey after he’s already blown by, stand defiantly in front of an opponent about to take a free kick, or bitch loudly about being called for a foul he knows he’s just committed. So, the Warriors appeared (as they usually do) somewhat deceptively to be the more aggressive team, whereas Messiah matched them tackle for tackle and bump for bump. Ironically, the only card given (a yellow to Warrior defender Arthur Nganu) was actually undeserved. He still unwisely pushed the envelope, daring the official to card him again on a subsequent set play, such that his teammates had to forcibly restrain him from crowding the Falcon kicker. That one SHOULD have been a second yellow, which would have fundamentally altered the game. The biggest non-call however was a hand ball in the Lycoming box that was seen but unwhistled, and from the smiles on the Lycoming bench was deeply appreciated, as the potential first goal was not attempted.

Nevertheless, 36 total fouls were called, roughly half the right number, with Lycoming earning the lion’s share (22-14). Neither offense was able consistently to string passes together, and at the half just 9 shots were taken combined. That number doubled after intermission, when all the goals were scored. The Falcons put two on frame (just 3 in the whole game), neither of them saveable, while the Warriors peppered the net far more regularly, but could not score until the final minute. Falcon SR keeper Nate Flaners, who had dutifully sat on the bench for 3 years, save the Falcons’ bacon multiple times, especially in the last 3 minutes when he made one of the greates saves I have ever seen on a close-in, perfectly directed header that everyone knew was going in. See the highlights on the Falcon home page for that one!

So, who outplayed whom? Just like the first game in Williamsport, this one was closer than the score—yet not as close, since it could have/should have been 3-0 with 3 minutes left; yet, it could have gone to OT, if not for the brilliant save in the closing minutes. Lycoming outshot Messiah, especially in SOG, but both teams were dangerous despite the inability to string passes together. If Lycoming somehow gets a bid (I say they won’t), they will not be a team anyone wants to play, and if they dn’t get good officiating they could very well knock off a top-10 team. They came close enough to doing that yesterday.

[rudy]

The Falcons survived a severe test at home on a windy Saturday afternoon in Grantham—the game had been announced for 7 pm but was moved up, apparently to avoid playing in freezing temperatures. Good idea! As expected, Lycoming came loaded for bear, and they got what they needed: an official who swallowed his whistle. The Warriors were able to play their preferred style of mugging first, asking questions later, slowing the more athletic Falcons enough to take most of the attraction out of their beautiful game. For their part, the Falcons matched their aggression on defense, though it would be unnatural for them to wrap both arms around opponents from behind, hang on to a player's arm or jersey after he's already blown by, stand defiantly in front of an opponent about to take a free kick, or bitch loudly about being called for a foul he knows he's just committed. So, the Warriors appeared (as they usually do) somewhat deceptively to be the more aggressive team, whereas Messiah matched them tackle for tackle and bump for bump. Ironically, the only card given (a yellow to Warrior defender Arthur Nganu) was actually undeserved. He still unwisely pushed the envelope, daring the official to card him again on a subsequent set play, such that his teammates had to forcibly restrain him from crowding the Falcon kicker. That one SHOULD have been a second yellow, which would have fundamentally altered the game. The biggest non-call however was a hand ball in the Lycoming box that was seen but unwhistled, and from the smiles on the Lycoming bench was deeply appreciated, as the potential first goal was not attempted.

Nevertheless, 36 total fouls were called, roughly half the right number, with Lycoming earning the lion's share (22-14). Neither offense was able consistently to string passes together, and at the half just 9 shots were taken combined. That number doubled after intermission, when all the goals were scored. The Falcons put two on frame (just 3 in the whole game), neither of them saveable, while the Warriors peppered the net far more regularly, but could not score until the final minute. Falcon SR keeper Nate Flaners, who had dutifully sat on the bench for 3 years, save the Falcons' bacon multiple times, especially in the last 3 minutes when he made one of the greates saves I have ever seen on a close-in, perfectly directed header that everyone knew was going in. See the highlights on the Falcon home page for that one!

So, who outplayed whom? Just like the first game in Williamsport, this one was closer than the score—yet not as close, since it could have/should have been 3-0 with 3 minutes left; yet, it could have gone to OT, if not for the brilliant save in the closing minutes. Lycoming outshot Messiah, especially in SOG, but both teams were dangerous despite the inability to string passes together. If Lycoming somehow gets a bid (I say they won't), they will not be a team anyone wants to play, and if they dn't get good officiating they could very well knock off a top-10 team. They came close enough to doing that yesterday.

Good summary Falconer.  The funny thing is a large contingent of Lycoming fans complained entire game about how unfair the refs calls were against them,  or about calls not being made against Messiah. I also think ref turned a blind eye on a take down in the box by Lycoming. One looked like a soft foul but another looked like a pk.  Good high intensity NCAA playoff game level.  Good preparation for the tournament. Lycoming #6 I'm told is very clean player and quality player and respectful opponent.

Brackets should be interesting. Messiah will likely have either Franklin and Marshall or Hopkins in their group so I wonder if the loser of their game could drop below Messiah in regional ranking making it possible for Messiah to host sweet 16 games. 

[YoungBuck]

We, the Mid-Atlantic faithful, ought to be making as much noise for the F&M vs. Hopkins CC Championship as the NESCAC crew would inevitably be making if Amherst hadn't stumbled yesterday.  The stakes for this one might be Sectional hosting duties for the winner.  The loser will probably drop to #3 in the regional rankings, and could have to get passed Messiah earlier than they would otherwise like. 

Both teams looked very strong on both ends yesterday.  I expect Hopkins to see the lion's share of the ball, but F&M at home will almost certainly generate more shots on the stat sheet.  Hopkins starting CM Liam Creedon missed the earlier game due to red card suspension, and F Achim Younker was out injured.  These two looked strong in yesterday's win, and might be enough to push Hopkins over the top for the second time this year.  Regardless of the result, this game will be at least worth sharing your screen with the end of Liverpool's rout of City.  Enjoy!

[YoungBuck]

Things heating up in Lancaster.  After a competitive 1-1 first half, Alex Lalovic, who was suspended for yesterday's semifinal win over Gettysburg for his involvement in the racist Halloween Costume scandal, puts F&M up 2-1 early into the second half (should he be on the field at all today?).  The lead didn't last for long though, as Hopkins responds with a PK from Liam Creedon to tie it at 2-2.  Last 25 in this one is gonna be spicy.

[FelixCloudy]

Alex Lalovic, who was suspended for yesterday's semifinal win over Gettysburg for his involvement in the racist Halloween Costume scandal, puts F&M up 2-1 early into the second half (should he be on the field at all today?). 

The soccer gods have answered:  JHU wins CC crown on F&M's turf 3-2.  Congrats to the Blue Jays, bringing home the trophy after a ten year hiatus.  The Jays last CC championship was Appleby's first season as their coach - it's been a long time coming.

[Hopkins92]

What a great match. Creeden played a Hell of a game, huge save from Lefevere.

[Hopkins All American]

Really happy for Appleby and his boys! He had a vision to play the way he wants and the boys have finally delivered him a well deserving silverware!

What was really special this year and stood out the most from my time at Hopkins was the fact that everyone in the Hopkins team have played a significant role. They are no longer reliant on one or two player to change the game but anyone in the team are capable to deliver when they are called upon. The guys who came off the bench could match the quality of the starters and there wasn't a huge drop in terms of quality. This was evident today when sophomore striker Koyman came off the bench to equalized the game at the first half, and assisted the game winner off a header in the 2nd.

Really excited to see how far they can go this year in the NCAA tournament!

[Hopkins92]

Absolutely well-deserved props to Appleby. Credit where it's due... They mixed up their style of play beautifully today... Got their third goal on a long ball up the middle that I think Koyman flicked on to a streaking Maclean who was in behind the Dips backline and finished like a pro. But they did that mixing of styles more than I've seen in the past and it was awesome to see it pay off.