The Big Dance

[Mr.Right]

Starting CB Paoletta goes down....If he is out tomorrow that would be a huge loss....Does not look like anything serious but who knows

Paoletta on crutches at the end of the game.  He is definitely Tufts' defensive leader and his absence could well be the difference.  Who replaced Paoletta for the last 20+ minutes?

This IS NOT good news for Tufts....That means Paoletta is out and he is Tufts starting CB and their best defender. He allows for Najjar and Aroh to play CB and hold respectively because his pace and IQ make up for their lack of pace. Najjar and Aroh are real solid in the air but Paoletta allows for them to be a step slow because he can clean up their mistakes. Overstatement? We will see.......Now does Shapiro stick a Frosh at CB who is a good player BUT has never started a game and certainly has not played in a game like this. Whoever starts is going to have to deal with Calvin's sensational striker and that will not be easy. This could turn the game or in Vegas speak this injury would significantly shift the line towards Calvin. Shapiro should probably go with tested veteran Tanner Jameson who has speed and has played CB before he just is not the toughest kid but with Aroh and Najjar it should be ok. If he does start the Frosh that would make 2 Frosh starting on a backline in a NCAA Final. Certainly not unheard of but pretty rare..I look for Calvin to take advantage of this opportunity especially if they play like they did yesterday.

[Mr.Right]

Well scratch all that...Paoletta is in the starting lineup so obviously it was not serious. Maybe the crutches were cautionary...who knows...

[blooter442]

Tufts brings the third kit out...maybe they were reading the boards.

[blooter442]

Wowzah...Tufts out front less than a minute in. Aroh, deflected, 1-0.

[blooter442]

Might this be the second edition of "Tufts holding midfielder's first goal of the season is the winner in national championship game against Calvin"?

[Mr.Right]

Tufts goes up 1-0 on a deflected shot...Calvin MUST clear that ball out BUT with these conditions and the ref looking like he will let both teams play there could be some goals today...

[blooter442]

Wooooow...Tasker in behind and beats the 'keeper but the flag is up. Tufts out way more aggressive than Calvin in these first couple minutes. The Knights can't get near the ball.

[lastguyoffthebench]

Tasker well onside for a second chance...

[Mr.Right]

Najjar almost whiffs but Calvin cannot capitalize....He is shaky back there im tellin u....We got a nice physical battle in the rain today

[Mr.Right]

Calvin's RB certainly got the scouting report on Tasker as he stuffs him cutting inside with the ball at his feet. He is sittin on Tasker's Right foot...I like it

[blooter442]

Calvin scored against Calvin...heh.

[blooter442]

Calvin actually has played well since going down and has created some chances...I could see them getting back into this.

[Mr.Right]

Calvin starting to control possession midway thru this Half BUT THEY MUST attack faster before Tufts can get into its 4-5-1....They are allowing Tufts to get set on defense..

[Mr.Right]

Announcers pick up on the fact that Calvin is constantly attacking Tufts right side defensively. They have realized an advantage they think they have against Tufts RB Weatherbie and CB Najjar....Nice pick up

[blooter442]

Lane blows a big chance for 2-0.

...less than a minute later, he makes it 2-0 with a nice header off a long throw by Daly.