The Big Dance

[Hopkins92]

This game is bonkers.

[blooter442]

Whooey...Calvin with TWO huge chances, one hits the bar and another cleared off the line. Calvin should be home and dry but a combination of luck and a well-timed run from Koh has them still in it.

[franklyspeaking]

Calvin is ALL OVER and I am not sure where the UC defense is

[Mr.Right]

That is a killer 3rd Goal right before the Half....Chicago MUST come out and switch it up...I mean this team is in a 4-2-3-1 and they are getting smoked sitting with 6....They are going to have to come out and attack with numbers and outscore Calvin and leave their GK out to dry on the counter....

[blooter442]

And Calvin gets a third..Katsimpalis came wayyyyy out of his net and got caught in no-man's land. 3-1 now.

[Hopkins92]

Yeah, Calvin is bossing this game right now. And UC is RATTLED big time. If they had gutted it out and got to half at 2-1, I'd say this game has legs.

As it stands, Chicago needs to get it together in the back or this is going to be an embarrassing result.

[oldonionbag]

Wow. That was the most fun I've had watching a first half of college soccer in a LONG time.

[blooter442]

Can't say that Calvin doesn't deserve their 3-1 halftime lead, they are absolutely running this game.

[Mr.Right]

Will Chicago stay calm in their 4-2-3-1 or will they force it....Honestly, Chicago needs to wake up defensively....


BARN BURNER...This game is fantastic....Calvin GK a massive error...You gotta dive on that ball on Koh's foot....Calvin's 2nd goal another GK'ing error as Chicago's GK way off his line....


Great stuff this Half....

I wouldn't say the second Calvin goal was the GK's fault. Adams tried to cross it, the defender running along side made contact with the ball in his stride and deflected it in. The GK was looking for a cross and an awkward shot came at him.

Still was out of position and about 3-4 steps to far off his line....either way it doesnt matter because he has saved about 3 Goals along with his crossbar and one cleared off the line....I am really surprised Chicago is not more disciplined defensively as they came out of the gates PINCHED in a 4-2-3-1 and were giving Calvin all the room on the flanks that they wanted...Calvin burned them all Half...Chicago's tactics did not work in that Half.

[Ejay]

Time to see what Chicago coach is made of.  They haven't been down 2 goals all season.

[PaulNewman]

The set-up for this game strongly favored Calvin.  The Knights almost never lose and last two losses to Chicago.  Really hard to beat a  team as good as Calvin 3 times in a row.  Souders is also a fantastic motivational coach and he had his guys primed.  Now I'm questioning why I slightly favored Chicago.  I thought the Maroons might come out flying and get a couple of quick goals themselves.  They looked good first 6-8 minutes but last 30 minutes could not sustain any possession in their offensive half and Calvin looks lethal.  Chicago could score a couple of goals in 2nd half but don't see how they will prevent more goals from Calvin.

[NEsoccerfan]

Wow. That was the most fun I've had watching a first half of college soccer in a LONG time.

Agreed - these teams are playing direct, aggressive, but beautiful soccer. They both deserve to be here.

[Hopkins92]

Pet Peeve:

A cross to no one is not a good play. It means you didn't pick your head up to see your pass was going to be fruitless.

It's the only area on the field where fans/announcers praise a pass that had no chance of connecting with anyone.

[Hopkins92]

Geez. Calvin is really clinical in their finishing. Chicago does a lot of ball watching in their defensive 3rd.

[Mr.Right]

BALLGAME.....Calvin looks determined to go home with that trophy....Chicago to lackadaisical on defense 1st Half killed em....Chicago loses 4 Seniors but some bigtime players.....Calvin should enjoy this wide open space today because I can promise you Tufts or UR will not be giving them anything resembling this type of space....