The Big Dance

[Mr.Right]

Najjar has been solid today...I like how Shapiro moved Tasker to the right side of the field midway thru the 1st Half to better utilize him against Calvin's weaker wingback the LB as the RB was eating Tasker up early in the game...Good move

[Buck O.]

Tufts juuuuuuust starting to creak defensively...

Tufts does seem to be half a step slower than they were in the first half, which is also reducing the risk that Calvin will be caught on the counter.

[Mr.Right]

As I say that Tasker moves back to the left side of the field....Tough conditions though which could help get Calvin that equalizing goal on a mistake

[blooter442]

This is gonna be a fun last five minutes.

[Mr.Right]

3 minutes left....Any guesses on how many laps Mieth does around the field after the final whistle?

[blooter442]

And that is ballgame...congrats to the Jumbos once again. 3 titles in 5 years is impressive, and the way they saw the game out today after dominating the first half was impressive.

[Brother Flounder]

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

Glad I brought up the topic.  For the record, I think these are easily the Jumbos' best unis!

Yep, wonderful uniforms!

[Brother Flounder]

And that is ballgame...congrats to the Jumbos once again. 3 titles in 5 years is impressive, and the way they saw the game out today after dominating the first half was impressive.

Great fought battle. Two excellent teams.  Calvin brought the heat the second half. The Jumbos bent a little but didn't break. Congrats to both teams, and to Coach Shapiro...

[Brother Flounder]

As I say that Tasker moves back to the left side of the field....Tough conditions though which could help get Calvin that equalizing goal on a mistake

LaPaz, your analysis was spot on during the whole game...

[blooter442]

One common theme from (a number of) Tufts' NCAA games these last few years is the Jumbos getting goals at the end and (particularly) at the beginning of games. Early goals have been a thing going as far back as "Ye Olde Giant Slayer Goal," to the OWU semi, to this year's Montclair game, to both the semis and finals this year, and late (2OT) goals have seen them through against Kenyon and Calvin in 2016. Either way, they've been ON at both the beginning and end of games and it's paid off. That is the sign of a well-coached team with the right mentality.

Fun fact: In the last five years, Tufts has trailed just three times in NCAA action (four times if you count last year's sudden-death loss): all were in 2015 against Montclair State and Kenyon (twice).

[Brother Flounder]

One common theme from (a number of) Tufts' NCAA games these last few years is the Jumbos getting goals at the end and (particularly) at the beginning of games. Early goals have been a thing going as far back as "Ye Olde Giant Slayer Goal," to the OWU semi, to this year's Montclair game, to both the semis and finals this year, and late (2OT) goals have seen them through against Kenyon and Calvin in 2016. Either way, they've been ON at both the beginning and end of games and it's paid off. That is the sign of a well-coached team with the right mentality.

Fun fact: In the last five years, Tufts has trailed just three times in NCAA action (four times if you count last year's sudden-death loss): all were in 2015 against Montclair State and Kenyon (twice).

And what about winning titles after losing early in the NESCAC tourney.... there is a theme there... does the rest help?

[blooter442]

And what about winning titles after losing early in the NESCAC tourney.... there is a theme there... does the rest help?

Eh, I think it might help -- certainly doesn't hurt -- but they do get some rest during Thanksgiving if I am not mistaken (which I would think to be more impactful for the semis and Final)? Either way, you gotta get through those first two weekends, so, yes, in that regard I think it helps, but might be negligible regarding semis and the Final. Again, certainly doesn't hurt!

[calvin_grad]

Gutted for my alma mater.       It takes a combination of a skilled team and a little luck/good bounces to win a national championship in any "one and done" tournament. 

Runners-up in '09, '11, '16, and '18, and semi-finalists in '15.  At some point, they have to break through, right??

Thanks to the senior class.  Time for the next group to step up, but the Knights are going to miss Vegter, McCaw, Witte, and Alcrecht especially from this great senior class.

[blooter442]

Great press conference. Candor from Souders that being the bridesmaid isn't fun, but that he was proud of his team. And the Tufts presser features a nice (impromptu) monologue from Weatherbie (starting around 20:05) about how Shapiro transforms players and how instrumental he is in his team's success. He's bang on. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C_G8_-mlCmk&feature=youtu.be

[Saint of Old]

TUFTS ARE THE KINGS OF COLEGE SOCCER.
IT IS UNDISPUTED.
IT NEEDS NO EXPLANATION.

As for Shapiro, Great Generals know how to build Great Armies.