Mid-Atlantic Region

[Dave B]

Same post as I have in the National Thread.

Ah Selection Monday is upon us! Maybe the only good Monday of the year 

Now that tensions have died down and I was able to digest the gravity of the game let me add my opinion on to what we witnessed Saturday night in Grantham. Unbelievable game by two of the very best in the nation. That was as good as any Division 1 soccer game I have watched this year. The Warriors came out flying with intensity that Messiah could not match and it showed with 2 goals in less than 20 minutes. The stat line favored the Warriors through the first 25 minutes, out-shooting Messiah 8-2 and gaining 2-0 advantage on the scoreboard! When was the last time that happened to a Messiah team let alone on their home surface. For the last 15 minutes Messiah finally started to settle in but this may be because of the mass subbing that the Warriors were able to do towards the end of the half. Once again Lycoming's depth was a big advantage over Messiah's small bench.

Onto the second half! Messiah came out gunning as expected and started to push for that first and pivotal goal, but Lycoming answered every charge they threw at them. The 2 CB's for Lycoming were incredible and I don't know if I have seen a duo that good in the back this year. The first time around they were clearly solid players and defenders but they stood out to me during this game. With that being said, the GK for Lycoming also made some crucial saves in the second half after not being challenged once in the first half. I recall him making multiple diving saves as the pressure mounted and he gobbled up everything that came his way. In the 88th minute the Falcons finally got on the board and gave us all an exciting final 2 minutes of the game, but Lycoming closed it out and stood victorious while earning the AQ.

WHAT A GAME!!!!

I see many different posts about the officiating and weather. Keep in mind both teams had to play in the same conditions with the same officials. I actually thought the official did a nice job in the sense that he was consistent. Someone in this thread earlier stated that if he or she calls X a foul and not Y in the first 15 minutes then you know how the game is going to be called and have to adapt to that. Messiah did not adapt well to that style of officiating, which was letting the teams play. I thought he did a good job with keeping the flow of the game going which should have actually benefited the Falcons offense. As for the rain it clearly affected Messiah and not in a good way. But they were not the only team playing on a slick muddy surface so it's hard to blame anything on the rain.

Why did Messiah not throw numbers forward more towards the end of the game? I am sure they were concerned with Lycoming's ability to counter but they were down 2 goals!!! At that point, in my opinion, it's all or nothing. I was disappointed to see Messiah's lack of urgency down the stretch to get back in this game. Or was it Lycoming's ability to shut down the Messiah offense that it just seems like they weren't urgent enough? Regardless, the goal in the final 2 minutes was simply a consolation. All in all Lycoming out played Messiah for 90 minutes and thoroughly earned this victory. I thought it was a magnificent match that had a little bit of everything for the spectators. I would have to say this was the best game I have watched so far this season. And lastly, I feel that both of these teams have the chance to go far in the NCAA tournament. For the sake of the region, I hope one of them wins it all! 

"All in all Lycoming out played Messiah for 90 minutes"
Don't agree with this..but everyone is entitled to their opinion!  Certainly 2 corner kick goals in first 20 minutes put Messiah in a difficult hole.  Lyco outplayed Messiah in first half. First goal was a terrific header from Tueno. He was the  difference maker in this game on both sides of the field.  Messiah hopefully will do better putting a body on players on corners in the tournament.   Second goal I could not really see what happened. Well taken corner but did not see how the ball got in the net.

Second half Messiah outplayed Lyco..even stats show that (12 shots to 2 in 2nd half in favor of Messiah).   Messiah did make adjustments coming out for second half.  Of course Lyco adjusted their style up 2 goals but I don't think that was the only reason Messiah had many more shots and better control of possession.  The puddles on the field though were certainly not helping.   

Players/coaches on both sides getting to know each other with this rivalry and I think it's great to have a rivalry like this.  It makes games so much more interesting and exciting.   Look forward to potential re-match in the tournament.

That second corner actually went in untouched (or marginally touched).  I thought it curled in (off of the back post) on the fly, but  Messiah's recap says that the ball skipped under Bell's save attempt before hitting the back post.  Either way, it isn't something you see very often and is one that shouldn't have gone in the way it did.

I had said earlier that Messiah has had trouble defending set pieces this year.  What I didn't say is the Lycoming is very good (offensively) on their set pieces.  CB Sainclair Tueno, who scored on the first corner, is Lycoming's leading scorer.  How often do you see that?

[blooter442]

I had said earlier that Messiah has had trouble defending set pieces this year.  What I didn't say is the Lycoming is very good (offensively) on their set pieces.  CB Sainclair Tueno, who scored on the first corner, is Lycoming's leading scorer.  How often do you see that?

Not very often, but as John Madden would say, it often means that the CB is very good. 2015 D3soccer.com DPOY Tom Carwile of Trinity led his team in goals IIRC, although I do remember that he took PKs for the Tigers.

[2xfaux]

Unfortunately I have no idea how to quote someone and am too old and lazy to figure it out but Dave B's thought that Lycoming would host seems very unlikely to me because of the size of their field and the lack of seating for fans.  We shall see and it is a shame because I think they have earned it.  Perhaps, the success of the men's team will lead to some improvements in their soccer facilities.   

FYI- there is a Quote button on the upper right of each post.

Lycoming hosted in 2015, so there is precedent, even though you are right about their need to upgrade their facilities.  However, they are very "land-locked" at the present time.

Who knew?  Thanks.

[RetiredWarrior]

Unfortunately I have no idea how to quote someone and am too old and lazy to figure it out but Dave B's thought that Lycoming would host seems very unlikely to me because of the size of their field and the lack of seating for fans.  We shall see and it is a shame because I think they have earned it.  Perhaps, the success of the men's team will lead to some improvements in their soccer facilities.   

FYI- there is a Quote button on the upper right of each post.

Lycoming hosted in 2015, so there is precedent, even though you are right about their need to upgrade their facilities.  However, they are very "land-locked" at the present time.

Who knew?  Thanks.

Like everyone said, they hosted in 2015. And it was a very good atmosphere and well run host site, IMO, given the restrictions. My insight into the facilities is on par with Dave B. The field is surrounded by single family homes, and they haven't even been able to put up lights on the football field, much less the soccer field because of the resistance from the community. It is actually very sad, because it should be a school that continues develop an amazing soccer culture, new facilities would only speed up that process IMO.

On a side note, I'm interested in everyone's thoughts on the top 10 as of now. We should have more clarity here in a few minutes, but the results from the weekend seem like there could be a bit more shifting than normal at this time of year.

[Dave B]

Unfortunately I have no idea how to quote someone and am too old and lazy to figure it out but Dave B's thought that Lycoming would host seems very unlikely to me because of the size of their field and the lack of seating for fans.  We shall see and it is a shame because I think they have earned it.  Perhaps, the success of the men's team will lead to some improvements in their soccer facilities.   

FYI- there is a Quote button on the upper right of each post.

Lycoming hosted in 2015, so there is precedent, even though you are right about their need to upgrade their facilities.  However, they are very "land-locked" at the present time.

Who knew?  Thanks.

Like everyone said, they hosted in 2015. And it was a very good atmosphere and well run host site, IMO, given the restrictions. My insight into the facilities is on par with Dave B. The field is surrounded by single family homes, and they haven't even been able to put up lights on the football field, much less the soccer field because of the resistance from the community. It is actually very sad, because it should be a school that continues develop an amazing soccer culture, new facilities would only speed up that process IMO.

On a side note, I'm interested in everyone's thoughts on the top 10 as of now. We should have more clarity here in a few minutes, but the results from the weekend seem like there could be a bit more shifting than normal at this time of year.

Lycoming again gets to host.  Matchup looms with Drew if they both win their first game.

[Mid-Atlantic Fan]

9 teams will be representing the region this year.

First Round Match-ups
Lynchburg vs PSU-Abington
Dickinson vs Emory
Rowan vs Cabrini
Hopkins vs DeSales
Lycoming vs Lehman
F&M vs Drew
Messiah vs Castleton


I expect Abington and Cabrini to bow out in the first rounds as well as DeSales although I think they will give Hopkins a little bit more of a push than Abington and Cabrini will give Lynchburg and Rowan. Hopkins, Lycoming, and Messiah should all advance out of the first round with relative ease, but it is the NCAA tournament and anything can happen. This leaves a couple toss-ups between Dickinson/Emory and F&M/Drew. I anticipate both of these games to be highly contested and entertaining games to watch. Keep in mind that F&M made an Elite 8 run last year before getting ousted by Calvin. A slow start to the season for them after losing their All-American forward, but they have recovered nicely and been hot going into the tournament. They get matched with Drew who may be the hottest team in the country right now and are boasting an undefeated record, 1 of only 3 remaining unbeaten teams. As for Dickinson and Emory we might as well flip a coin. But I will be a little bias here and favor the red Devils in a 2-1 OT win.

[Shooter McGavin]

9 teams will be representing the region this year.

First Round Match-ups
Lynchburg vs PSU-Abington
Dickinson vs Emory
Rowan vs Cabrini
Hopkins vs DeSales
Lycoming vs Lehman
F&M vs Drew
Messiah vs Castleton


I expect Abington and Cabrini to bow out in the first rounds as well as DeSales although I think they will give Hopkins a little bit more of a push than Abington and Cabrini will give Lynchburg and Rowan. Hopkins, Lycoming, and Messiah should all advance out of the first round with relative ease, but it is the NCAA tournament and anything can happen. This leaves a couple toss-ups between Dickinson/Emory and F&M/Drew. I anticipate both of these games to be highly contested and entertaining games to watch. Keep in mind that F&M made an Elite 8 run last year before getting ousted by Calvin. A slow start to the season for them after losing their All-American forward, but they have recovered nicely and been hot going into the tournament. They get matched with Drew who may be the hottest team in the country right now and are boasting an undefeated record, 1 of only 3 remaining unbeaten teams. As for Dickinson and Emory we might as well flip a coin. But I will be a little bias here and favor the red Devils in a 2-1 OT win.

Hopkins will get bounced in the first round. DeSales will get a fluke goal and pack it in and survive 1-0. They will get out-shot 24-5 and 9-2 SOG and pull the massive upset.

[rudy]

9 teams will be representing the region this year.

First Round Match-ups
Lynchburg vs PSU-Abington
Dickinson vs Emory
Rowan vs Cabrini
Hopkins vs DeSales
Lycoming vs Lehman
F&M vs Drew
Messiah vs Castleton


I expect Abington and Cabrini to bow out in the first rounds as well as DeSales although I think they will give Hopkins a little bit more of a push than Abington and Cabrini will give Lynchburg and Rowan. Hopkins, Lycoming, and Messiah should all advance out of the first round with relative ease, but it is the NCAA tournament and anything can happen. This leaves a couple toss-ups between Dickinson/Emory and F&M/Drew. I anticipate both of these games to be highly contested and entertaining games to watch. Keep in mind that F&M made an Elite 8 run last year before getting ousted by Calvin. A slow start to the season for them after losing their All-American forward, but they have recovered nicely and been hot going into the tournament. They get matched with Drew who may be the hottest team in the country right now and are boasting an undefeated record, 1 of only 3 remaining unbeaten teams. As for Dickinson and Emory we might as well flip a coin. But I will be a little bias here and favor the red Devils in a 2-1 OT win.

Good summary MAF of the region teams/matchups!
That F&M/Drew game is definitely a tough first round draw for both teams.  As you say..F&M started slow but have really come together and managed to win their conference.  They will give Drew all they can handle for sure.  Lyco is in a tough quadrant after they get by the first game.  PLaying either Drew or F&M and then if they manage to win that game they have likely RUN/Bowdoin/Brandeis waiting for them.  They will definitely have to earn their way to the Elite 8 and things don't get any easier then!  Hopkins has an even tougher road maybe..with Rowan likely second game and then Tufts waiting (should be a lock with a first round by and then a game they should win).  Messiah has a much easier first 2 games than either..but it is the tournament and anything can happen.

Should be interesting..

[Flying Weasel]

MID-ATLANTIC REGION - NCAA REGIONAL RANKINGS - November 06, 2017

Rank	School	. Div. III . Record	. Div. III . SOS	. R-v-R .	. Overall . Record	. Prev. . Rank
1.	Messiah	18-2-0	0.608	7-2-0	18-2-0	1
2.	Lycoming	18-2-0	0.572	5-1-0	18-2-0	2
3.	Johns Hopkins	14-1-3	0.553	4-1-2	14-1-3	3
4.	Franklin and Marshall	11-5-2	0.607	4-5-2	11-5-2	8
5.	Dickinson	11-6-3	0.604	4-6-1	11-6-3	5
6.	Drew	19-0-1	0.522	3-0-0	19-0-1	6
7.	Gettysburg	13-5-0	0.547	2-4-0	13-5-0	4
8.	Haverford	10-5-3	0.595	4-5-0	10-5-3	7
9.	Lebanon Valley	11-5-1	0.547	1-3-0	11-5-1	9
10.	Elizabethtown	10-7-2	0.583	1-4-0	10-7-2	10

[Mid-Atlantic Fan]

9 teams will be representing the region this year.

First Round Match-ups
Lynchburg vs PSU-Abington
Dickinson vs Emory
Rowan vs Cabrini
Hopkins vs DeSales
Lycoming vs Lehman
F&M vs Drew
Messiah vs Castleton


I expect Abington and Cabrini to bow out in the first rounds as well as DeSales although I think they will give Hopkins a little bit more of a push than Abington and Cabrini will give Lynchburg and Rowan. Hopkins, Lycoming, and Messiah should all advance out of the first round with relative ease, but it is the NCAA tournament and anything can happen. This leaves a couple toss-ups between Dickinson/Emory and F&M/Drew. I anticipate both of these games to be highly contested and entertaining games to watch. Keep in mind that F&M made an Elite 8 run last year before getting ousted by Calvin. A slow start to the season for them after losing their All-American forward, but they have recovered nicely and been hot going into the tournament. They get matched with Drew who may be the hottest team in the country right now and are boasting an undefeated record, 1 of only 3 remaining unbeaten teams. As for Dickinson and Emory we might as well flip a coin. But I will be a little bias here and favor the red Devils in a 2-1 OT win.

Quoting myself here but who do we think has the best chance at making a deep run?

Based on the bracket I'd rank them like this:

1. Messiah
2. Lycoming
3. Dickinson
4. Hopkins
T5. F&M
T5. Drew
6. DeSales
7. PSU-Abington
8. Cabrini

[franklyspeaking]

2 out of those 3 will be out after the second round.  Drew/F&M/Lycoming.......only 1 will make it through round 2

[D3soccerwatcher]

2 out of those 3 will be out after the second round.  Drew/F&M/Lycoming.......only 1 will make it through round 2

frankly - You are correct.  And of these three teams, I have Drew advancing to sectionals on my bracket (although I do think F&M is playing well right now - they haven't lost a game in over a month).

[D3soccerwatcher]

9 teams will be representing the region this year.

First Round Match-ups
Lynchburg vs PSU-Abington
Dickinson vs Emory
Rowan vs Cabrini
Hopkins vs DeSales
Lycoming vs Lehman
F&M vs Drew
Messiah vs Castleton


I expect Abington and Cabrini to bow out in the first rounds as well as DeSales although I think they will give Hopkins a little bit more of a push than Abington and Cabrini will give Lynchburg and Rowan. Hopkins, Lycoming, and Messiah should all advance out of the first round with relative ease, but it is the NCAA tournament and anything can happen. This leaves a couple toss-ups between Dickinson/Emory and F&M/Drew. I anticipate both of these games to be highly contested and entertaining games to watch. Keep in mind that F&M made an Elite 8 run last year before getting ousted by Calvin. A slow start to the season for them after losing their All-American forward, but they have recovered nicely and been hot going into the tournament. They get matched with Drew who may be the hottest team in the country right now and are boasting an undefeated record, 1 of only 3 remaining unbeaten teams. As for Dickinson and Emory we might as well flip a coin. But I will be a little bias here and favor the red Devils in a 2-1 OT win.

Quoting myself here but who do we think has the best chance at making a deep run?

Based on the bracket I'd rank them like this:

1. Messiah
2. Lycoming
3. Dickinson
4. Hopkins
T5. F&M
T5. Drew
6. DeSales
7. PSU-Abington
8. Cabrini

Of these nine teams, here's how I see deep run potential...

1. Messiah
2. Drew
3. Hopkins
3. F&M
5. Lycoming
6. Dickinson
7. DeSales
8. Cabrini
9. PSU - Abington

[rudy]

9 teams will be representing the region this year.

First Round Match-ups
Lynchburg vs PSU-Abington
Dickinson vs Emory
Rowan vs Cabrini
Hopkins vs DeSales
Lycoming vs Lehman
F&M vs Drew
Messiah vs Castleton


I expect Abington and Cabrini to bow out in the first rounds as well as DeSales although I think they will give Hopkins a little bit more of a push than Abington and Cabrini will give Lynchburg and Rowan. Hopkins, Lycoming, and Messiah should all advance out of the first round with relative ease, but it is the NCAA tournament and anything can happen. This leaves a couple toss-ups between Dickinson/Emory and F&M/Drew. I anticipate both of these games to be highly contested and entertaining games to watch. Keep in mind that F&M made an Elite 8 run last year before getting ousted by Calvin. A slow start to the season for them after losing their All-American forward, but they have recovered nicely and been hot going into the tournament. They get matched with Drew who may be the hottest team in the country right now and are boasting an undefeated record, 1 of only 3 remaining unbeaten teams. As for Dickinson and Emory we might as well flip a coin. But I will be a little bias here and favor the red Devils in a 2-1 OT win.

Quoting myself here but who do we think has the best chance at making a deep run?

Based on the bracket I'd rank them like this:

1. Messiah
2. Lycoming
3. Dickinson
4. Hopkins
T5. F&M
T5. Drew
6. DeSales
7. PSU-Abington
8. Cabrini

Drew outlasts F&M 3-2.  Lyco takes care of business 2-0. 

[mailsy]

Cabrini knocks off #17 Rowan 1-0 in OT!
WOW! Congrats Cavs!!
Up next DeSales or Hopkins.