Mid-Atlantic Region

[Hopkins92]

Pride Nation erupts!!!!

1-0 off of a cross and very nice header at the middle/back post.

Game seemed destined for OT.

3:30 left.

Ball game.

Goal scorer is a Freshman. The ride continues! Honestly, they are a scrappy bunch and they have belief. But, really, on the grass at Shoemaker, that sure looks like a tough task. The Pride played a good game at home on this turf against the Falcons, but I just don't see it on that grass.

11-5-2... Championship game... Dream season.

I kind of luck-boxed into picking up on this team early, but what a ride. I'm about to be annoying...

After 0-3 start.. 11-2-2...

I know, I know.. Alvernia is their only Ranked result, well other than the L to Messiah, and that result against Alvernia might even go away now? (I don't fully get the RvR stuff)... But what a season for a team that has truly seen some dark days in the not very distant days ( 3-8-5 in 2017).

ETA - I keep forgetting about SUNY Cortland. So, 0-2-0 RvR... unless you count Alvernia, and they are 2-2 RvR which... Not terrible? Their win percentage is VERY compelling (.647 before this win, I don't math, so... better after tonight ) but I know there SoS is butt, so...

I keep modifying when I meant to quote.

[Hopkins92]

Lent-Koop is fine. Out tonight as a precaution.

Inside dope... karma.

[Falconer]

This is a digression, but I had to vent.

I think most Falcon players would say that their best soccer player is Groothoff; I certainly think so and have said so before, that he's their version of Messi. It's not evident in his stats, but IMO the main problem is that the scorer almost never gives two assists on a goal, even if the first pass is the decisive one—no goal without it. Very often, that crucial pass is Groothoff's. To see this in tonight's game, watch the clip for the goal by Cole Cristian, the assist is given to Ben Lefever from the right corner—fully deserved, but possible only because of the great pass to Lefever from Groothoff right at the start of that clip. Why no assist for that?

G does that all the time, it seems, slots a perfect ball forward that leads to a another pass for a SOG, or to a shot wide of the goal that should have been on frame, or to a blocked shot that G ultimately set up. IMO he should have at least a dozen genuine assists in his line, without being generous in the scoring. That's what he does for the Falcons.

[jdfranklin23]

This is a digression, but I had to vent.

I think most Falcon players would say that their best soccer player is Groothoff; I certainly think so and have said so before, that he's their version of Messi. It's not evident in his stats, but IMO the main problem is that the scorer almost never gives two assists on a goal, even if the first pass is the decisive one—no goal without it. Very often, that crucial pass is Groothoff's. To see this in tonight's game, watch the clip for the goal by Cole Cristian, the assist is given to Ben Lefever from the right corner—fully deserved, but possible only because of the great pass to Lefever from Groothoff right at the start of that clip. Why no assist for that?

G does that all the time, it seems, slots a perfect ball forward that leads to a another pass for a SOG, or to a shot wide of the goal that should have been on frame, or to a blocked shot that G ultimately set up. IMO he should have at least a dozen genuine assists in his line, without being generous in the scoring. That's what he does for the Falcons.

No argument from me on LG.  I know MM gets a lot of the press because of his speed and scoring; but, Cole Cristian's goal tonight was ridiculous.  Reminded me of some of Danny Thompson's goals

[Hopkins92]

This is a digression, but I had to vent.

I think most Falcon players would say that their best soccer player is Groothoff; I certainly think so and have said so before, that he's their version of Messi. It's not evident in his stats, but IMO the main problem is that the scorer almost never gives two assists on a goal, even if the first pass is the decisive one—no goal without it. Very often, that crucial pass is Groothoff's. To see this in tonight's game, watch the clip for the goal by Cole Cristian, the assist is given to Ben Lefever from the right corner—fully deserved, but possible only because of the great pass to Lefever from Groothoff right at the start of that clip. Why no assist for that?

G does that all the time, it seems, slots a perfect ball forward that leads to a another pass for a SOG, or to a shot wide of the goal that should have been on frame, or to a blocked shot that G ultimately set up. IMO he should have at least a dozen genuine assists in his line, without being generous in the scoring. That's what he does for the Falcons.

I'm a very big hockey person, and I they get it right on this front. Very often, the first pass is what obliterates a defense, not the one that sets up the knock-in.

A lot of fancystats account for this in the professional ranks, but not D3 soccer stats.

(almost as OT as it comes, but... A guy like Aaronson at Leeds is a great example of a player that you can't just judge by straight first line stats.)

[PaulNewman]

Welp.  Another goat has wandered off the property.

Surely the criteria were put in place to deprive LG of the acclaim he truly deserves....him, and only him.

[Falconer]

Welp.  Another goat has wandered off the property.

Surely the criteria were put in place to deprive LG of the acclaim he truly deserves....him, and only him.

The objectivity just oozes around the edges.

[Maine Soccer Fan]

This is a digression, but I had to vent.

I think most Falcon players would say that their best soccer player is Groothoff; I certainly think so and have said so before, that he's their version of Messi. It's not evident in his stats, but IMO the main problem is that the scorer almost never gives two assists on a goal, even if the first pass is the decisive one—no goal without it. Very often, that crucial pass is Groothoff's. To see this in tonight's game, watch the clip for the goal by Cole Cristian, the assist is given to Ben Lefever from the right corner—fully deserved, but possible only because of the great pass to Lefever from Groothoff right at the start of that clip. Why no assist for that?

G does that all the time, it seems, slots a perfect ball forward that leads to a another pass for a SOG, or to a shot wide of the goal that should have been on frame, or to a blocked shot that G ultimately set up. IMO he should have at least a dozen genuine assists in his line, without being generous in the scoring. That's what he does for the Falcons.

As far as technical ability, decision-making, and athleticism, Groothoff is certainly the best player. He has an incredible engine to boot although it hasn't been needed yet this year. Additionally, putting one man on him in the middle of the field is essentially to leave him unmarked as he turns players so easily. However, there are other players who play their positions so well that for as good as Groothoff is, his effect on the team isn't head and shoulders above the rest.

Case in point was watching Marlotte glide by guys with the ball tonight after being out for weeks. I was like, "Oh yeah, they also have one of the best right-backs in the country but I'd forgotten how good he is because his absence didn't handicap the team."

[PaulNewman]

Welp.  Another goat has wandered off the property.

Surely the criteria were put in place to deprive LG of the acclaim he truly deserves....him, and only him.

The objectivity just oozes around the edges.

LOL...objectivity.

[Ejay]

This is a digression, but I had to vent.

I think most Falcon players would say that their best soccer player is Groothoff; I certainly think so and have said so before, that he's their version of Messi. It's not evident in his stats, but IMO the main problem is that the scorer almost never gives two assists on a goal, even if the first pass is the decisive one—no goal without it. Very often, that crucial pass is Groothoff's. To see this in tonight's game, watch the clip for the goal by Cole Cristian, the assist is given to Ben Lefever from the right corner—fully deserved, but possible only because of the great pass to Lefever from Groothoff right at the start of that clip. Why no assist for that?

G does that all the time, it seems, slots a perfect ball forward that leads to a another pass for a SOG, or to a shot wide of the goal that should have been on frame, or to a blocked shot that G ultimately set up. IMO he should have at least a dozen genuine assists in his line, without being generous in the scoring. That's what he does for the Falcons.

I'm a very big hockey person, and I they get it right on this front. Very often, the first pass is what obliterates a defense, not the one that sets up the knock-in.

A lot of fancystats account for this in the professional ranks, but not D3 soccer stats.

(almost as OT as it comes, but... A guy like Aaronson at Leeds is a great example of a player that you can't just judge by straight first line stats.)

In the Catholic/Drew game, the Cardinals scored 4 goals but registered 5 assists.  Must be the same guy who records their SOG.

[MNBob]

I know for certain that UWEC has recording lots of "hockey assists". UWEC players is leading the nation in assists. I had previously thought that soccer only allowed for a single assist. What is the rule?

[MessageBoardMessi]

This is a digression, but I had to vent.

I think most Falcon players would say that their best soccer player is Groothoff; I certainly think so and have said so before, that he's their version of Messi. It's not evident in his stats, but IMO the main problem is that the scorer almost never gives two assists on a goal, even if the first pass is the decisive one—no goal without it. Very often, that crucial pass is Groothoff's. To see this in tonight's game, watch the clip for the goal by Cole Cristian, the assist is given to Ben Lefever from the right corner—fully deserved, but possible only because of the great pass to Lefever from Groothoff right at the start of that clip. Why no assist for that?

G does that all the time, it seems, slots a perfect ball forward that leads to a another pass for a SOG, or to a shot wide of the goal that should have been on frame, or to a blocked shot that G ultimately set up. IMO he should have at least a dozen genuine assists in his line, without being generous in the scoring. That's what he does for the Falcons.

As far as technical ability, decision-making, and athleticism, Groothoff is certainly the best player. He has an incredible engine to boot although it hasn't been needed yet this year. Additionally, putting one man on him in the middle of the field is essentially to leave him unmarked as he turns players so easily. However, there are other players who play their positions so well that for as good as Groothoff is, his effect on the team isn't head and shoulders above the rest.

Case in point was watching Marlotte glide by guys with the ball tonight after being out for weeks. I was like, "Oh yeah, they also have one of the best right-backs in the country but I'd forgotten how good he is because his absence didn't handicap the team."

And you have to give some love to Ben Lefever....he is dangerous on the wing, and holds up the ball better than anyone I've seen.  Also, he scored the first goal of the game tonight  - and it was insane - literally going through 3 York defenders to finish.

[jdfranklin23]

For anybody who has the inclination and time to kill (like I did at 2-3am), the Messiah Soccer site has a ton of archived records on the "Additional Links" section of their page. https://gomessiah.com/documents/2019/7/11/MSOC_Record_Book_yby.pdf They have a W-L record for every opponent they've ever played, year-by-year results, etc. I know Widener is having a banner year and is gonna show up ready to roll on Saturday; but, the odds/stats are definitely not in their favor (0-30, counting this season's loss).  Messiah boasts a ridiculous 847-189-62 lifetime record and has outscored their opponents 3166-934!  Yikes

[Hopkins92]

This is a digression, but I had to vent.

I think most Falcon players would say that their best soccer player is Groothoff; I certainly think so and have said so before, that he's their version of Messi. It's not evident in his stats, but IMO the main problem is that the scorer almost never gives two assists on a goal, even if the first pass is the decisive one—no goal without it. Very often, that crucial pass is Groothoff's. To see this in tonight's game, watch the clip for the goal by Cole Cristian, the assist is given to Ben Lefever from the right corner—fully deserved, but possible only because of the great pass to Lefever from Groothoff right at the start of that clip. Why no assist for that?

G does that all the time, it seems, slots a perfect ball forward that leads to a another pass for a SOG, or to a shot wide of the goal that should have been on frame, or to a blocked shot that G ultimately set up. IMO he should have at least a dozen genuine assists in his line, without being generous in the scoring. That's what he does for the Falcons.

As far as technical ability, decision-making, and athleticism, Groothoff is certainly the best player. He has an incredible engine to boot although it hasn't been needed yet this year. Additionally, putting one man on him in the middle of the field is essentially to leave him unmarked as he turns players so easily. However, there are other players who play their positions so well that for as good as Groothoff is, his effect on the team isn't head and shoulders above the rest.

Case in point was watching Marlotte glide by guys with the ball tonight after being out for weeks. I was like, "Oh yeah, they also have one of the best right-backs in the country but I'd forgotten how good he is because his absence didn't handicap the team."

And you have to give some love to Ben Lefever....he is dangerous on the wing, and holds up the ball better than anyone I've seen.  Also, he scored the first goal of the game tonight  - and it was insane - literally going through 3 York defenders to finish.

Yep, and as I mentioned in my rambling coverage, it came 90 seconds into the game. You gotta be wide awake when you're playing Messiah. They don't mess around.

[jdfranklin23]

This is a digression, but I had to vent.

I think most Falcon players would say that their best soccer player is Groothoff; I certainly think so and have said so before, that he's their version of Messi. It's not evident in his stats, but IMO the main problem is that the scorer almost never gives two assists on a goal, even if the first pass is the decisive one—no goal without it. Very often, that crucial pass is Groothoff's. To see this in tonight's game, watch the clip for the goal by Cole Cristian, the assist is given to Ben Lefever from the right corner—fully deserved, but possible only because of the great pass to Lefever from Groothoff right at the start of that clip. Why no assist for that?

G does that all the time, it seems, slots a perfect ball forward that leads to a another pass for a SOG, or to a shot wide of the goal that should have been on frame, or to a blocked shot that G ultimately set up. IMO he should have at least a dozen genuine assists in his line, without being generous in the scoring. That's what he does for the Falcons.

As far as technical ability, decision-making, and athleticism, Groothoff is certainly the best player. He has an incredible engine to boot although it hasn't been needed yet this year. Additionally, putting one man on him in the middle of the field is essentially to leave him unmarked as he turns players so easily. However, there are other players who play their positions so well that for as good as Groothoff is, his effect on the team isn't head and shoulders above the rest.

Case in point was watching Marlotte glide by guys with the ball tonight after being out for weeks. I was like, "Oh yeah, they also have one of the best right-backs in the country but I'd forgotten how good he is because his absence didn't handicap the team."

And you have to give some love to Ben Lefever....he is dangerous on the wing, and holds up the ball better than anyone I've seen.  Also, he scored the first goal of the game tonight  - and it was insane - literally going through 3 York defenders to finish.

Yep, and as I mentioned in my rambling coverage, it came 90 seconds into the game. You gotta be wide awake when you're playing Messiah. They don't mess around.

As Coach Mike Babcock was fond of saying, "You have to start on time"