The Big Dance

[Mr.Right]

With still about a week to go here are my thoughts so far on predictions:

Semi-Finals
Messiah over Brandeis  2-0
Chicago over North Park  2-1

Final:
Messiah over Chicago  2-1

I would be shocked if there is going to be 8 goals in 3 in games this weekend. I will say 5 goals would be more like it unless the North Park and Chicago game gets stretched. Nice work Bloots on your Final 4 preview...+k for your time and effort...I am waiting on the prediction game until I get a feel of what is going on in North Carolina behind the scenes lol..

I will also add that Brandeis has 5 straight shutouts and have not given up a goal in over a month when they lost 1-0 to Chicago in late October. I expect a low scoring match with Brandeis absorbing some pressure and countering when given the opportunity. I think this will be a 1-0 game either way.

[deiscanton]

With still about a week to go here are my thoughts so far on predictions:

Semi-Finals
Messiah over Brandeis  2-0
Chicago over North Park  2-1

Final:
Messiah over Chicago  2-1

I would be shocked if there is going to be 8 goals in 3 in games this weekend. I will say 5 goals would be more like it unless the North Park and Chicago game gets stretched. Nice work Bloots on your Final 4 preview...+k for your time and effort...I am waiting on the prediction game until I get a feel of what is going on in North Carolina behind the scenes lol..

I will also add that Brandeis has 5 straight shutouts and have not given up a goal in over a month when they lost 1-0 to Chicago in late October. I expect a low scoring match with Brandeis absorbing some pressure and countering when given the opportunity. I think this will be a 1-0 game either way.

Greg Irwin was the Brandeis keeper when the Judges last gave up a goal as Ben Woodhouse was still recovering from an injury.

[Mid-Atlantic Fan]

MAF's Final 4 Predictions
Messiah 2-1 over Brandeis
North Park 3-2 over Chicago in OT

Messiah over North Park 1-0

[Mr.Right]

Messiah v Brandeis             0-0   Brandeis PK's....
Chicago v north Park           1-0   Chicago

Chicago v Brandeis              1-0   Chicago


Honestly these are all toss-ups but I do not see all these goals that people are predicting...

[firstplaceloser]

I think we are just hoping for a high scoring eventful weekend. it's pretty much impossible to know, what ever teams shows up that day ready will win. there's a chance it could go either way. we will see tonight. 

TCNJ women's lose a close one with a goal from
chicago in the first 5 min.

[Mr.Right]

How does the field look? Ill check out the Williams women's game to get a feel for the field...

[Mr.Right]

Field looks to be in good shape..Nice grass field and weather looks to be fantastic..

Williams women knocking the ball around the pitch. Nice 2-touch futbol. If only the Williams Men could start playing like this.

[blooter442]

Williams women knocking the ball around the pitch. Nice 2-touch futbol. If only the Williams Men could start playing like this.

As soon as I saw the first two sentences, I knew what the third one would be. 😂

[Mr.Right]

lol...Bloots how are we feeling today? What % do you give Brandeis today...Basically, will we see a Rolldeis post at about 7:30pm tonight

[blooter442]

lol...Bloots how are we feeling today? What % do you give Brandeis today...Basically, will we see a Rolldeis post at about 7:30pm tonight

I am probably the wrong person to ask. I know you're supposed to optimistically pick your team/conference/etc., but as the resident skeptic/pragmatist I usually steer clear of predictions, and often find myself picking against my team in high-profile clashes, although I did correctly think Brandeis would beat Drew in the Sweet 16. Today, I'll bite.

I will give Brandeis 35%. I do think if they score first they will be in a great spot. I also think their experience (as a squad) in the Final 4 is unique. That said, I also think Messiah will be the best side they've played all year by quite some distance. That's not to disrespect Chicago or Tufts, but watching Messiah rip apart Rochester was something else. They have some serious pace and skill and I think will come out of the gates flying.

That being said, here are my predictions for tonight and tomorrow:

Messiah 3-1 Brandeis
Chicago 1-0 North Park (OT)

Messiah 2-1 Chicago

[Mr.Right]

Wow...So another guy that thinks we will be seeing a ton of goals this weekend..Interesting..You really think Messiah will get a 3 spot on Brandeis? Idk I suppose it is possible especially if Messiah gets one early then Brandeis will have to go at them which will leave them susceptible at the back but I do not see more than 1 goal in the game maybe 2..maybe

[Mr.Right]

yeah during our group dinner each captain had a 5min speech. RUC was the only team that never made it there and you could tell bc we had 40 kids with us and everyone else had like 20. our school let us bring the whole team for the experience.

I will say this, the NCAA really makes you feel honored to be there and everything was incredible. there was a floor where they have a room loaded with snacks just for us players lol and about your comment about doing anything to go back.... yes, literally ANYTHING to go back again. you grow up as a child with that as a very attainable goal. The amount of hours of lifting running playing studying andnits all to play in a Final Four as a student athlete. 1% of student athletes will have the chance at a National Championship. if you really think about it that's amazing. and I feel bad for the teams who were almost there that didn't quite make it. from the first day of preseason we sat down as a group and said to ourselves "we have something special do not waste it" a final four run consists of a few components, which are Hard work, Dedication, Family, Love/respect for the game, and finally the most Important LUCK. you need it and when it happens you know... but enough rambling on

Well done...+k for the emotional and honest response..

[blooter442]

Wow...So another guy that thinks we will be seeing a ton of goals this weekend..Interesting..You really think Messiah will get a 3 spot on Brandeis? Idk I suppose it is possible especially if Messiah gets one early then Brandeis will have to go at them which will leave them susceptible at the back but I do not see more than 1 goal in the game maybe 2..maybe

I think the scenario you outlined is my thought process. I think if Messiah comes out flying, which I think they will, and they were to get one Brandeis would have to chase the game. Whether or not that happens, I have no idea, but that's my gut feeling.

[firstplaceloser]

Wow...So another guy that thinks we will be seeing a ton of goals this weekend..Interesting..You really think Messiah will get a 3 spot on Brandeis? Idk I suppose it is possible especially if Messiah gets one early then Brandeis will have to go at them which will leave them susceptible at the back but I do not see more than 1 goal in the game maybe 2..maybe

I think the scenario you outlined is my thought process. I think if Messiah comes out flying, which I think they will, and they were to get one Brandeis would have to chase the game. Whether or not that happens, I have no idea, but that's my gut feeling.

yeah that's what I was thinking. messiah get an early lead and Brandies getting caught on counters. i've seen them do it before haha

[NEsoccerfan]

Williams women knocking the ball around the pitch. Nice 2-touch futbol. If only the Williams Men could start playing like this.

As soon as I saw the first two sentences, I knew what the third one would be. 😂

Agreed, Mr. Right. They knock the ball around better than 99% of the men's teams.