The Big Dance

[Flying Weasel]

Nick West again!  2-1 Messiah.  Top left corner with pace from distance.  Top shelf free kick to give him a nation-leading 28 goals on the season.

[Saint of Old]

In the North it is "Go West Young Man".

[Flying Weasel]

After the equalizer, Cortland came out of their defensive shell. But that only helps Messiah.

[NEsoccerfan]

Horrible defending by Amherst's Shahmirzadi. 2-0 Tufts and this one appears to be over. The better team won today.

[Flying Weasel]

We get it Messiah fans: you have the toughest road to the final 4, your best players are injured, the weather has cost you a home game, and playing on turf hurts you. All teams have to play with some level of adversity.

Sheesh!  You clearly do not get it.

No Falcon fan has claimed we have the toughest road to the Final Four.  I personally don't think any sectional is significantly tougher or easier than the others.

No one has claimed all our best players are out injured--Nick West is playing, Luke Groothoff is playing, etc., etc.  Talking about the affect of players missing due to injury is a natural thing to do.  It's not making excuses to discuss the reasons for a team to be underperforming as Messiah clearly was in the first half and suggest that the absence of a player as central to what Messiah does as is the case with Ruiz Plaza might be a significant contributing factor.

No Falcon fan has lodged a complaint about the change of venue (OK, I did because it meant I couldn't be at the game). 

I personally don't think turf hurts us as much as some other fans because I've seen us play awfully well on turf including in last year's Sectional.  And I'm not convinced our problems today were due to the turf.

[Flying Weasel]

PK for Messiah.  Nick West converts for the hat trick.  Messiah up 3-1 with under 5 to play.

[Flying Weasel]

Cortland State responds with a goal of their own.  This will make for an interesting final 3 1/2 minutes.  And Cortland works for another shot that goes wide.

[Flying Weasel]

It makes you wonder why Cortland ever bunkered down in the second half when then led 1-0.  It let Messiah back in the game.  Cortland can be very dangerous, but waited to test Messiah again until after they lost the lead.

[Flying Weasel]

Nervy finish for the Falcons as Cortland pressed for the equalizer, but the Falcons see it out.  FINAL:  MESSIAH 3, CORTLAND 2

[blooter442]

Went to Tufts-Amherst, where there was a raucous crowd, mostly Tufts fans.

This was much the reverse of the September game where Tufts dominated for 60 minutes and then had to hang on. This time Tufts shaded the first half without really creating any dangerous chances — Weatherbie coming forward was probably their most dangerous attackinrg threat.

Second half, all Tufts. First goal was a banger from Rojas after some buildup and then the frosh Seigelstein converted a rebound for the second. Third goal was reserve Glover sticking with the play and GK White couldn't hold it allowing Glover to walk it in. All told a dominating last 30 from Tufts, who was the worthy winner.

[PaulNewman]

Still licking my wounds today, despite the ever so genuine words of condolence...."so close but yet so far"....Really?

Did Cortland have any injuries?  What was over the top was not that Messiah was missing a key to their attack or their most skillful player....its that he has to be the most skillful player in the country.  Even if he is (how could we determine that?) there's no need for that there.  I haven't watched a minute of any of these games today, but is there any chance that Cortland was just outplaying them for a few minutes?  Messiah's safely into the Elite 8....no worries.

One step closer to a Messiah-Tufts blockbuster.

JimLahey is a troll....just look at what he (she?) did with his first post.  Should have been shut down right then and there.

[NEsoccerfan]

We get it Messiah fans: you have the toughest road to the final 4, your best players are injured, the weather has cost you a home game, and playing on turf hurts you. All teams have to play with some level of adversity.

Sheesh!  You clearly do not get it.

No Falcon fan has claimed we have the toughest road to the Final Four.  I personally don't think any sectional is significantly tougher or easier than the others.

No one has claimed all our best players are out injured--Nick West is playing, Luke Groothoff is playing, etc., etc.  Talking about the affect of players missing due to injury is a natural thing to do.  It's not making excuses to discuss the reasons for a team to be underperforming as Messiah clearly was in the first half and suggest that the absence of a player as central to what Messiah does as is the case with Ruiz Plaza might be a significant contributing factor.

No Falcon fan has lodged a complaint about the change of venue (OK, I did because it meant I couldn't be at the game). 

I personally don't think turf hurts us as much as some other fans because I've seen us play awfully well on turf including in last year's Sectional.  And I'm not convinced our problems today were due to the turf.

"It might indeed be the case that Messiah will have the toughest road to the Final Four, as has been suggested." - Falconer

"Quite possibly, Ruiz Plaza is the most skillful handler in the tournament--and now he's not in the tournament." - Falconer

"The change of location may cost Messiah its 12th championship." - Not from a Messiah fan, but adding to the echo chamber.

"Turf field also not our best surface." - Rudy

YOU clearly don't get it hahahhahaha.

I love watching Messiah. They are one of my top 3 favorite teams. Great coach and great players. As far as you fans though...

[Brother Flounder]

Went to Tufts-Amherst, where there was a raucous crowd, mostly Tufts fans.

This was much the reverse of the September game where Tufts dominated for 60 minutes and then had to hang on. This time Tufts shaded the first half without really creating any dangerous chances — Weatherbie coming forward was probably their most dangerous attackinrg threat.

Second half, all Tufts. First goal was a banger from Rojas after some buildup and then the frosh Seigelstein converted a rebound for the second. Third goal was reserve Glover sticking with the play and GK White couldn't hold it allowing Glover to walk it in. All told a dominating last 30 from Tufts, who was the worthy winner.

Bloots, wish I could have made it!  How was Serpone?

[blooter442]

Bloots, wish I could have made it!  How was Serpone?

Honestly didn't notice, but I can't imagine great. 

[blooter442]

Lopez did as Lopez does, Chicago leads 1-0 with 15 left.