The Big Dance

[Flying Weasel]

I understand your points, and I don't disagree. I'm not the referee on what is or is not permissible, nor do I purport to be. Anyone on here is free to say what they want, and that includes me. My initial comment was not prescriptive or a directive. It was a mental observation sprinkled with some hyperbole and sarcasm, that I chose to share on the thread. To me, it was starting to sound like you three/four were preparing excuses /justifications in the event of a loss v. Cortland. Even as a Messiah supporter myself, I found that to be vexatious. Had I known it would have offended you guys to the point I'd receive negative karma, I would have kept my thoughts to myself. Good luck against Rochester today (no sarcasm that time).

Fair enough, NEsoccerfan.  I'm not sure what I personally posted that would have been interpreted as preparing excuses, but OK.  "Vexatious" . . . learned a new word; thank you (vocabulary was never my strong suite).  I was not personally offended by any specific criticism/reaction but the repeated broad brushing of "Messiah fans" does get under my skin for whatever reason . . . ohh, yeah, because I am a Messiah fan!  I've been posting on this and the previous D-III soccer message board since 2001 and anyone who has known me for a good length of time will know that I want to see these message boards have more posters, to have more teams and regions represented, to have more exchange of information, opinions, and viewpoints.  I want people to feel welcome to express themselves and go from lurker to active participant. Sure, people should also feel free to disagree with opposing opinions, but disagreeing with another's opinion is different from criticizing that opinion or that person. It just felt like the implication or suggestion was that some of the opinions and viewpoints expressed, particularly by "Messiah fans" in this instance, shouldn't have been expressed (e.g. every team faces adversity, so why are you Messiah fans pointing out that some of your players are out injured). And it felt like there was a rush to judge others' motivations (e.g. you say your sectional is tough just to exaggerate your team's greatness when they advance, you mention injured players so you have an excuse when they lose). I say "it felt like . . ." because I don't know the reasons or motives for the reactions and criticisms that I took exception to, but they were the type of reactions that just don't seem to me to create a welcoming and inviting climate for the free exchange of information and opinions. The purpose of this latest silly and annoying and probably ineffective long-winded crusade of mine full of hyperbole/sarcasm is to ask everyone to consider what we can do to encourage rather than discourage more participation and more exchange of information and opinions, even if it means giving a pass sometimes to a partisan fan preparing his excuses.  Grading people's opinions, motives, and contributions doesn't seem conducive to creating the climate we should want.  That's my 92 cents on the matter and will be my last word on the matter for this year . . . I promise.

[Flying Weasel]

Messiah equalizes early in 2nd half, just before I could get back into the living room, so I have no idea about the goal besides that it was Nick West (surprise, surprise).

1-1 still with 27 minutes remaining.

[Flying Weasel]

For Messiah it was nice to see Joe King back from injury and getting playing time today for the first time in over a month.  The sophomore outside back was a very nice addition to the starting lineup to start the season, especially given Shay Quintin missed most of September due to injury.  Hopefully he gets to play in a couple more games yet this season.

[Flying Weasel]

Not really that surprised by the Tufts-MSU game after having watched the Messiah-MSU game earlier this year.  I'm surprised Tufts put 4 up so quickly (their finishing is on today, that's for sure), but besides that . . . 

[Flying Weasel]

Wow.  Rochester go up 2-1 with under 8 to play when a Messiah player was unable to clear the ball before it broke the goal-line plane.

[Flying Weasel]

Rochester wins 2-1.  Congrats to them.  They played with the confidence and discipline you'd expect from their UAA pedigree.  They limited Messiah's good looks and grabbed two goals.  Messiah certainly wasn't at their best this weekend and I'll leave it to others to decide how much of that is down to their opponents quality versus themselves.  There are probably some other fair observations and laments and what-if's from the Messiah point of view, but it is what it is.  Rochester took care of business, Messiah did not.

[NEsoccerfan]

Wow.  Rochester go up 2-1 with under 8 to play when a Messiah player was unable to clear the ball before it broke the goal-line plane.

According to the stats, it was a cross that hit off the keeper for an own goal. I'm curious how that happened, as Messiah's keeper has been quite solid in the handful of games I've seen this year.

I really feel for Nick West after the spectacular season he had. The only consolation is that he has a title from last year. With his pace and aggression, I feel that he can compete at the next level and am hoping this isn't the end of his soccer career.

[Flying Weasel]

Wow.  Rochester go up 2-1 with under 8 to play when a Messiah player was unable to clear the ball before it broke the goal-line plane.

According to the stats, it was a cross that hit off the keeper for an own goal. I'm curious how that happened, as Messiah's keeper has been quite solid in the handful of games I've seen this year.

I really feel for Nick West after the spectacular season he had. The only consolation is that he has a title from last year. With his pace and aggression, I feel that he can compete at the next level and am hoping this isn't the end of his soccer career.

The video wasn't the best quality (at least for me) and I couldn't catch exactly what happened with the ball before it was surprisingly goal-bound.  Before the whistle even blew, I kind of figured it had crossed the plane before being cleared away.  Not the kind of goal you want to go out on, but the overall performance this weekend from the Falcons was not what it needed to be.

Nick West certainly did all he could this year to help Messiah be successful.  But in my opinion they were too reliant on him--not intentionally per se.  Lots of great players out there including a few at Chicago, etc., but West has to be a finalist for POY.

[NEsoccerfan]

Not really that surprised by the Tufts-MSU game after having watched the Messiah-MSU game earlier this year.  I'm surprised Tufts put 4 up so quickly (their finishing is on today, that's for sure), but besides that . . .

Agreed. Tufts out shot MSU 16-4 in the first half. For an elite 8 match-up, that is quite remarkable.

[blooter442]

Tufts-Montclair notes:

- When Montclair kicked off I was standing at the Tufts attacking end. I noted that they were playing three at the back. I guess I knew that that was their typical scheme, but it did surprise me a little bit. When you play three at the back you have to have wingbacks who are either sitting deep or have the athleticism to get up and down the sides to keep your team from being exposed to a counter. Montclair did not have either of those. Their first half performance was apalling, demonstrating a complete lack of focus defensively and completely unbecoming of a team in Elite 8 game.  They had to have known how dangerous Tufts' front five are but Tufts scored three goals in transition.
- The first goal, Montclair was completely flat footed. If I remember correctly it was the three on two and I think Rojas had the initial possession which Braun finished off.
- Second goal, more of the same. This time the keeper got a had to Tasker's shot, but couldn't keep it out.
- Third goal, van Brewer with a nice finish. Again, Montclair caught open at the back.
- Fourth goal was Enge finishing a rebound.
- Defensively, the hosts did not have much to do. I will say that Mieth did not look super confident on a couple of high balls, but handled them well enough.
- Paoletta is a stud. I don't think he is Vegter level yet but I was very impressed with his athleticism and composure. When the game was still scoreless, there was a bouncing ball and a few Montclair player standing around it, probably about 30 yards from goal. Paoletta threw himself into the crowd and emerged with the ball, kicking it away.
-  I was impressed with Tufts' mentality and focus. There was a short spell at the beginning of the second half when already winning by four goals, the hosts took their foot off the gas a little bit. Shapiro and a few of his players made it clear that this was not acceptable and they regained control.
- I think Lopez is a better striker than Braun, and Calvin's attack is very impressive, but based on the last two days I would take Tufts' front five over both and Rochester (assuming Chicago wins).

[Flying Weasel]

My sense of Montclair State is that in some ways they are fast-track bullies.  They can completely demolish inferior opponents (see their 8-0, 8-0, 7-0, 8-1 wins), but against other top sides, they do not have the defensive organization and discipline needed and despite some quality in attack it's usually not going to produce enough against the better defenses.

[daddyEzK]

Nick West certainly did all he could this year to help Messiah be successful.  But in my opinion they were too reliant on him--not intentionally per se.  Lots of great players out there including a few at Chicago, etc., but West has to be a finalist for POY.

Messiah was the superior team from my observation.  But think you are right about their reliance on West.  Offensive strategy seemed to be get him the ball in the middle and let him go one on one.  When that wasn't working they didn't seem to have a plan B.

[PaulNewman]

I forced myself to get to the Tufts match....wanted to go up to some Tufts alums (Majumder, Halliday, Conor Coleman, etc) and ask (jokingly) if they wanted to do a live interview for D3soccer.com, especially when I knew I had blooter right there with me.  I did meet blooter for first time in person.  Got the lowdown on those Iceland trips.

Tufts was super-impressive.  They shell-shocked Montclair in the first 10 minutes, not giving MSU time to even get into the game or even start some good complaining.  Don't know if it was because so far behind or because it was Tufts or some of both, but I didn't see MSU try the kind of jawing and physical play we've seen in other games.  MSU was thoroughly outclassed.  Tufts for one thing is much bigger than MSU.  Tasker is quite a player and much stronger and more physical than I remembered for a smaller guy.  Tufts is very skilled, very big, and can be very physical when needed.  Very organized and very deep.  I have a hard time picturing them losing unless via PKs.

Mixed feelings about the Messiah result which I didn't see at all.  On the one hand, very happy for a team like Rochester to break through for a Final Four....but on the other we yet again are denied a Tufts-Messiah match on a big stage.  I honestly think that would be a 50/50 game (with Messiah at or near full strength) and where Tufts would probably find a way.  Would also have been interesting to see what Shapiro would do (or not do) to deal with West. 

[Saint of Old]

Many many coaches are relieved they do not have to plan for West anymore.
Kid is a beast.
I saw some of the game yesterday where he had a hattrick and was quite quite impressed.
3 very different goals which I think showed off his versality as a player.

Hats off to Messiah.
You have to stop them in the Quarter Finals or before.
This team does not lose in the final four.

It says something about the program that an elite 8 exit feels like a failed season.

[Bobcat1]

Bottom line: Tufts outscored their opponents 7-0 this weekend. They have not allowed a goal in nearly a month and are a very worthy representative of the NESCAC in the Final Four. Best wishes to the Jumbos in Greensboro!