The Big Dance

[D3Grad]

Luther with the win in overtime.  I do not know anything about Dominican but if Gustavus wins that will be an interesting and evenly matched game.  St. Thomas/UW-Superior/Luther/Gustavus are equal in strength.  I do not see any of these teams challenging Chicago or Trinity in an Elite 8 game but will make a good Sweet 16 round.

[stlawus]

Unbelievable that UR is not charging to stream their game and then SLU's game...Maybe they thought that would not look good being an NCAA game and all or maybe there is some sort of rule about that by the NCAA but I highly doubt it.

All NCAA tournament games for DIII sports are required to be streamed for free.  I'm not sure if the NCAA subsidizes the streams or just simply require free streams, but tournament games cannot be behind paywalls unless there are special circumstances (e.g. Mount Union Football having a TV package).

[njf1003]

Unbelievable that UR is not charging to stream their game and then SLU's game...Maybe they thought that would not look good being an NCAA game and all or maybe there is some sort of rule about that by the NCAA but I highly doubt it.

All NCAA tournament games for DIII sports are required to be streamed for free.  I'm not sure if the NCAA subsidizes the streams or just simply require free streams, but tournament games cannot be behind paywalls unless there are special circumstances (e.g. Mount Union Football having a TV package).

That's not quite right. You get free broadcast rights from the NCAA if you don't charge for your NCAA streams. Otherwise it's quite a bit of money if you have commercials or PPV so basically no school would ever make back the money. I think staff for broadcasts can be included as part of your hosting package so the school won't be out much for doing a broadcast.

[Mr.Right]

Colby GK Dan Carlson goin nuts at his back 4...The Frosh Pugh almost just cost them right there....Clouse is having a nightmare game...He looks gassed, giving the ball away at will and playing out of position a bit tonight....He MUST clean this up.

[stlawus]

Unbelievable that UR is not charging to stream their game and then SLU's game...Maybe they thought that would not look good being an NCAA game and all or maybe there is some sort of rule about that by the NCAA but I highly doubt it.

All NCAA tournament games for DIII sports are required to be streamed for free.  I'm not sure if the NCAA subsidizes the streams or just simply require free streams, but tournament games cannot be behind paywalls unless there are special circumstances (e.g. Mount Union Football having a TV package).

That's not quite right. You get free broadcast rights from the NCAA if you don't charge for your NCAA streams. Otherwise it's quite a bit of money if you have commercials or PPV so basically no school would ever make back the money. I think staff for broadcasts can be included as part of your hosting package so the school won't be out much for doing a broadcast.

Didn't know that, I thought there was just a blanket requirement.  Either way all the teams that charge/used to charge broadcasts were made free in the playoffs, like Hobart.  They've since removed the pay wall but when they charged broadcasts they were made free for the playoffs.

[Falconer]

The situation at Messiah sounds dire....but with the best striker in Falcons history and arguably the best defender ever playing I'm going to give them a puncher's chance lol.

Thought you'd chime in on this, Paul. I know you do agree with my view that West is the top D3 gun this year, once you saw him when he was red hot in that streak. (What he's been doing lately is looking to pass out of double and triple teaming--which is how J Groothoff got such a great look today.) If you saw Luke Groothoff play a few games at CB, however, I think you might also agree with my view of his prowess there. I implied that he's better than AA Carter Robbins (an older brother of Cooper and someone I know you appreciated), because I believe that. He's two rungs above Robbins in athleticism, smoother with the ball at his feet, and already looking like a 3-year veteran with his decision making. And simply no comparison with Robbins when he goes forward. Without question, West and L Groothoff are the two most talented Falcons on this team. (Blooter and Mr Right saw Groothoff play in HS, and I sense that neither of them is inclined to dispute this assessment.)

But, as you know, if you take four starters off of any team, they probably aren't as good. Hopkins is really, really good, top to bottom--terrific defensively, starting with the keeper and Cole Rosenberger, and capable of matching Messiah with possession on a good day. This is not a good time for the Falcons to be missing two starting defenders. I'm not as worried about the offense, despite Alejos being hobbled again (he did play today, though he didn't start) and not being able to bring Luke out the back to join the attack. I'm concerned that Cooper's steady presence and King's athleticism will be sorely missed in the back. Come tournament time, if you're going to have men go missing, you'd rather have it be somewhere else than CB and RB.

[PaulNewman]

I don't question how good those players are....I was responding more to your angst about being disadvantaged...You likely will still be better at every single position on the field...sure, you could get upset, but if there was no chance of being upset then why even play?

Also wonder how Groothoff got out of Maine....Colby could really use him right about now...

[blooter442]

Nice recap Bloots...Was Tufts players watching the match?  How u feel Stevens will match up at Tufts tomorrow....

They were there at least most of regulation if not the OTs.

I think Stevens will give them a game. They play a fluid 4-3-3 with the front 3 making diagonal runs. Aversano (#10) is their best player. He is quick, skillful, and apparently has 10 goals and 9 assists on the year. CF #9 is solid and holds the ball up well. They do not have a ton of size but are scrappy and physical.

As for how they match up I think Tufts has a size advantage which could be key on set pieces and I think Tasker and Lane could have some joy out wide but I think Tufts' back 4 will have its hands full with Stevens' front 3. That may be going out on a limb considering they did not score today but I think Najjar might get dragged around a bit by the front 3 using diagonal runs and combinations. He will have to be 100% on and I think Weatherbie will be going up against Aversano so he will have his hands full, but he has gone up against the best player of many opponents this year and come out on top.

Stevens had a few nice plays where they had great buildup but then were let down by the final ball. Then again Tufts has had a bit of trouble scoring lately. I don't think this will be a free-flowing game.

All told -- particularly considering Stevens went the full 110 minutes and Tufts was rested -- I think Tufts should win this in regulation, but I do not think it will be a stroll by any means.

[Mr.Right]

Colby hanging around just fine right now....15 minutes left...MSU will be pushing crazy numbers forward which should give Colby some chances to counter...Also, Seabrook is using the Wiercinski playbook of taking their sweet ol time on free kicks/throws and goal kicks...I just think #10 Clouse is killing them in the middle of the field..He is so GASSED right now...Colby just does not have the depth but they are doing fine against NJAC's top team...

[blooter442]

Without question, West and L Groothoff are the two most talented Falcons on this team. (Blooter and Mr Right saw Groothoff play in HS, and I sense that neither of them is inclined to dispute this assessment.)

I'd agree with that, although given he's got three years on Groothoff and has scored 87 goals this year I'd have West at #1 (although Groothoff could be just as good in a few years). Anyway, Groothoff is a stud although back then I saw him playing at CM. That being said, I think his soccer IQ and athleticism would see him succeed just about anywhere on the field, maybe even in goal, so I am not surprised that he has done so well at CB this year (and chipped in with a few goals, too).

[Falconer]

I don't question how good those players are....I was responding more to your angst about being disadvantaged...You likely will still be better at every single position on the field...sure, you could get upset, but if there was no chance of being upset then why even play?

Also wonder how Groothoff got out of Maine....Colby could really use him right about now...

I don't agree that the Falcons will still be better at every position. And, I'd say that even if no one were hurt. JHU has some players who would start in Grantham, especially Rosenberger. He's first team all-Centennial for a good reason. Of the defenders I've seen this year, I put him maybe third, after Vegter and Groothoff--but Groothoff sometimes plays in the MF. Watch him tomorrow and see what you think. He'll almost certainly be marking West. At Keeper, Messiah and Hopkins might be dead even, or perhaps Hopkins has a slight advantage. The Falcons would also find somewhere to put Martinez and Younker. That's at least three Blue Jays whom I would start for Messiah.

[blooter442]

Montclair equalizes with less than 10 minutes left. Colby didn't clear the ball but it was a nice finish, left-footed and into the far corner. Will be curious to see if Colby just plays for pens or if they try to go for the W.

[Mr.Right]

MSU gets the game tying goal with 5 minutes left...Nig mistake by Colby's Frosh #14 who tried to get in front of the ball played in and misjudged it. Then the RB Wyett tried to clear it and he it off an MSU player and it went right to the kid who ripped it left footed into the net...Carlson had no chance...Colby was getting stretched and agian because Clouse is slow damn slow it is giving MSU 2v1 in the middle of the field...1-1 4 minutes left.

[blooter442]

Whooey...Montclair kid gets off a shot, Carlson can't hold it and he has to take out his own man to smother the rebound with MSU players lurking.

[blooter442]

And a mixup in Montclair's end almost gives Colby a winner, but MSU gets it clear...then a nice cross in from the right with about 30 seconds left sees Colby get a free header but the kid puts it right at the 'keeper. I guess we have our answer, Colby is going for it.