The Big Dance

[blooter442]

Mr. Right wrote recently of your peacekeeping role on the board, so I thought that you might slide into the Max Kellerman position. 

I can live with that.

Besides, Ian Darke's accent differs from that of the one on the Soundcloud link you provided a while back 

Touche!

[truenorth]

Great post MaturinNYC....

A few loose thoughts/questions not necessarily fitting here but didn't want to start a whole new thread....

Tufts and NESCAC....Much is made of the shortened NESCAC season, and limited time for preseason training.  My question is whether there really is a lack of a Spring season.  I know they can't have any sort of formal Spring season with official practices and real scrimmages, but....is there an expectation that players training and lift and play indoors through the winter, and then latch on to some kind of fairly competitive Summer action?  Do the captains tapped for the next year make sure there is ongoing training and cohesion?

Also, much is made in the D1 vs D3 discussion about kids choosing D3 because (among several factors) of the option for doing a junior year abroad?  I was thinking about this and realized I can't recall anyone mentioning any players of real significance for at least top level, competitive D3s where kids actually have taken a year abroad.  I can recall a player or two from Kenyon taking a Spring semester only to go abroad but not a full year.  Anyone have any evidence to the contrary?

And what goes into programs NOT utilizing the training trip abroad once every 3-4 years?  Is this allowed in NESCAC?  Why would very competitive programs not take advantage?  Funding?  Just coach preference?  Lack of player interest? 

And finally (for now), and to the extent that there is any truth to this....what is the reason(s) some (and I don't mean Mr.Right) during the season (and prior seasons) seemed doubtful or unsure about how good Tufts is.  It almost seems like some are surprised.  Yes, there is good fortune (the pure luck of getting home field for the sectional in 2016), but Tufts arguably could have zero titles or FIVE.  Who could say they wouldn't have won last year if they had gotten by Brandeis in an OT game?  And they lost in the last 30 seconds to Kenyon in 2015 (preventing the Jumbos from playing in the Elite 8....none other than Calvin)?  And think there is a momentum that comes from winning one, but certainly after two to three within a short time frame that helps creates a culture of expecting to win, having a certain swagger, and I'm sure huge benefits in terms of recruiting.

Which reminds me, one more thing....to the extent that someone can share this info, what schools is Tufts winning recruits from in head to head battles or in cases where Tufts is one of a recruit's final 3-4 choices?  Other NESCACs?  Academically oriented D1 mid-majors (Davidson, Colgate, Richmond, Bucknell, etc)?

Gratuitous, self-serving commentary corner....the more I watched Calvin the more I'm not super confident that Kenyon would have beaten Calvin.  We probably will mostly remember Tufts beating Calvin, but the Knights certainly were a fantastic team and would have been worthy national champions.  But I do think Kenyon would have had a chance.  Looking through some of the comments about how Tufts asserted control early in the game, I think it's possible that Kenyon is one of the other few teams that could have taken Calvin out of its game a little too.  Calvin is used to having control, even in close games, but I think the high pressure and swarming of the Lords (on a very good day) could have bothered Calvin....not to the same degree as Tufts, because the Lords could not match the overall size, athleticism and physicality of Tufts, but perhaps enough to create a competitive game.  After all, the Lords did finish at 18-1-3 which compares pretty well to the eventual Elite 8 and Final Four teams.

PaulNewman, these are all good observations and questions.  I'll offer my perspective on some of this, as well as some of what Falconer and others subsequently posted.

I think it's relatively rare for any NESCAC students, let along NESCAC student athletes, to take a full year abroad.  Many of the soccer players typically spend spring semester of their junior year abroad.  As I've mentioned before, my younger son (who played for Bowdoin) "studied" (I use that term loosely) abroad in Rome during his spring semester.  He became fast friends with a Williams soccer player who was in the same program, and they trained occasionally with a low level club team.  His Williams colleague became a close enough friend that he attended my son's wedding earlier this year.  Pretty cool...

Regarding winter and spring training, my general sense is that NESCAC players have indoor pickup games and occasional captain's practices, but are largely on their own.

When we think about Tufts as being unique among NESCAC schools (larger university, graduate programs, suburban Boston setting, etc.), my sense is that their men's soccer program has become attractive more because of its sustained recent success and Shapiro's reputation than because of its larger university status.  In other words, Shapiro broke the paradigm there...and now success begets success...

[NEsoccerfan]

I'm ambivalent about some of the stuff above.  I'll pull a DT and say "there are good people on both sides, both sides."

When you write as much as MR does, with very detailed game set-ups and the like, he's going to get a couple of things wrong.  I've never seen him as a Tufts hater at all....maybe less ready to crown them before they've been crowned, but he always eventually has given Tufts its due.  All of our styles grate on each other after a while.  MR and I are probably responsible for at least half of each other's negative karma going back a few years ago....but imagine if people like him and myself and Falconer and 1970s and even BF (D4, can you do something about BF lol???) didn't participate.  We all contribute to making all this a bigger deal than it is.  MR helps hype Tufts and the rest of the NESCAC and often other programs and players as well.  I thought I was done, and then the season started and I gradually got pulled in more and more....and caught the Kenyon bug yet again with another great season I wasn't expecting and then only to be heartbroken yet again.  I'm sure some Kenyon folks are sick of me and my ridiculous comments.  But I've also elevated Kenyon's profile over the years, and I think it does make some difference when programs have their super-fans and super-defenders.  I'm also really embarrassed.  It really is remarkable how middle aged and older middle aged men can get so caught up in all this stuff.  Pretty easy to diagnose but much harder to treat...

I'm curious what the response to another Tufts title is around the Grantham area.....pretty quiet so far.

I do not think D4pace was taking a jab just countering my point which is what we do on here but thanks to all for the backup from some of the "gang" like NESoccerfan, Buck O and PN.  I agree with pretty much all of what PN said here except the part about being middle-aged...lol...I am still in my 30's.

FWIW I wasn't referring to D4pace, I was referring to the person who in their second post ever said you owe Tufts nation an apology for shorting them all season.

[Mr.Right]

Totally fair point about not being able to watch as much and you do a great job considering that. I want that to be clear that I completely respect that. 1970s I know for a fact a bunch of different schools in the NESCAC read the boards pretty consistently not that sure about the rest of the country.

Mr. Right while I appreciate your challenge, I'm not super interested in sharing how I would try to beat tufts. I love watching the boys pile up the rings for Coach Shapiro.  I definitely agree that all the guys on the team have flaws, mine was speed hence the name, but I think they should be judged relative to the d3 level. You're right if we didn't then we'd be playing in the ACC or with Pulisic and mcKennie in the Bundesliga. 

For example, Gavin Tasker is really bad at telling jokes, Coleman was incapable of using an inside voice, and Rojas is way too good at instagram.

I was going to just let this all pass but I feel like pushing just a bit more. I remembered back to last season when I basically had asked you the same question as I wanted you to rate Tufts players and so on and you kind of defused the situation with praise(kind of like now). It actually is a great tactic as most egomaniacs  will stop in their tracks to admire the praise and forget the issue entirely BUT others will question why is this person taking this option? What is behind it? I am kinda in the latter camp so I wanna push forward all in good fun. I suppose it is unfair to ask a Jumbo to rate his teammates and completely break down their own team so I will compromise.....


Tufts played two teams this season more than once(Amherst and Colby). Let's look at Amherst for this situation. Hypothetically, let's say Tufts has a match at Home v Amherst tomorrow. Rumor around the Athletic Department is that Shapiro is unable to Coach tomorrow because the Senior Women's Administrator has mandated that he fill in for a Tufts Assistant Football Coach and teach the guy's PE Class. Shapiro balks at teaching that stupid Badminton PE Class because he has an important match against Amherst but the Senior Women's Administrator said he must because the Assistant Football Coach needed the time to watch even more video of Football's next opponent in 9 months. Shapiro shrugs he has not even seen this woman all Fall and has to think real hard about even what her name is. She looks like a Nancy,  but was it Judy? No no no it's Debbie...OK but he tries one more way out of this pickle as he starts explaining the phobia he has to the "shuttles" especially if they have the real feathers but Debbie explains Tufts only uses the synthetic "shuttles". Shapiro gives in and smiles and say's see you next year.



Ok sorry got off track.....


Shapiro is out...D4Pace is IN as the Head stud on the sidelines...Tufts has no injuries as every player is available. Tufts has played Amherst twice this season so D4Pace is confident in what he is doing here...So here it is...First off what are you going to do during warm-ups? Usually Head Coaches have a chat about 30-45 minutes before kickoff. Do you go over and chat up Serpone before the match OR do you give him the stink eye? You are new to this whole scene BUT you gotta show the veteran Head Coach of Amherst that you mean business. Do you show him you are the new young buck on the sidelines and you are intense and your boys are that much more intense than yourself? Intimidation is the name of the game...OK then after figuring all that out.......

How does D4Pace plan on playing Amherst? What is the scouting report on the Jeffs? How will Amherst set up? Where do you attack them and take chances? What weaknesses are glaring straight at you that you must take advantage of? What and who are you focusing on defensively? What does Amherst do in attack that worries you the most? On and on.......

[Mr.Right]

I'm ambivalent about some of the stuff above.  I'll pull a DT and say "there are good people on both sides, both sides."

When you write as much as MR does, with very detailed game set-ups and the like, he's going to get a couple of things wrong.  I've never seen him as a Tufts hater at all....maybe less ready to crown them before they've been crowned, but he always eventually has given Tufts its due.  All of our styles grate on each other after a while.  MR and I are probably responsible for at least half of each other's negative karma going back a few years ago....but imagine if people like him and myself and Falconer and 1970s and even BF (D4, can you do something about BF lol???) didn't participate.  We all contribute to making all this a bigger deal than it is.  MR helps hype Tufts and the rest of the NESCAC and often other programs and players as well.  I thought I was done, and then the season started and I gradually got pulled in more and more....and caught the Kenyon bug yet again with another great season I wasn't expecting and then only to be heartbroken yet again.  I'm sure some Kenyon folks are sick of me and my ridiculous comments.  But I've also elevated Kenyon's profile over the years, and I think it does make some difference when programs have their super-fans and super-defenders.  I'm also really embarrassed.  It really is remarkable how middle aged and older middle aged men can get so caught up in all this stuff.  Pretty easy to diagnose but much harder to treat...

I'm curious what the response to another Tufts title is around the Grantham area.....pretty quiet so far.

I do not think D4pace was taking a jab just countering my point which is what we do on here but thanks to all for the backup from some of the "gang" like NESoccerfan, Buck O and PN.  I agree with pretty much all of what PN said here except the part about being middle-aged...lol...I am still in my 30's.

FWIW I wasn't referring to D4pace, I was referring to the person who in their second post ever said you owe Tufts nation an apology for shorting them all season.

Ya I completely agree...He was probably one of the parents barking at the Ref all game. It would be like me saying to him did you go on the field after the game and apologize to the officiating crew. Of course not after the game he was probably stuffing his face of food with the other parents and players.

[NEsoccerfan]

Mr. Right, he just misses the point. You are an equal opportunity critic, which is what I like about you.

[d4_Pace]

First off Mr. Right, Cheers to you cause that was hilarious. I think you have nailed NESCAC office dynamics on the head from what I've heard. Despite having zero chance at winning a national championship football is still King. I appreciate your ability to see through my tactics. Although once again you have played right into my hands because I think we can all agree that the Amherst game is a bit of an anomaly given their much maligned style of play.  So thanks for letting me off the hook.

First off, Coach Serpone and I have always enjoyed a pretty cordial relationship since he recruited me in high school. In fact, I remember it being a little off-putting when he complimented me on my play during one of our games.  So I imagine I would go up and have a brief friendly conversation as most NESCAC coaches do pregame.  And the reality is Justin is actually a great guy, his sidelines antics are just a little much.

In terms of the Amherst game, I think the key is keeping them in their own half as much as possible. If you are able to press them so that their monsters are winning headers at half field instead of in your box you will have a much better chance of winning. Now that is much easier said than done. Amherst run of 8 sweet sixteens in a row is almost...ALMOST as impressive as Tufts 3 in 5. 

[d4_Pace]

And to Paul Newman, first off I think you are almost always spot on with you analysis. I'm not saying Tufts should have had 6 AA on the stage at the final four singing Kumbaya together.  But like you I agree that Tasker is one of the top wingers in the country and deserved AA status despite having less points than Calvins backups. The reality is I would bet a million of Mr. Rights bananas that a NESCAC team will never score 96 goals like Calvin just did so Tasker's 7 goals is as impressive as Witte's 15 (he also got robbed of AA) Tufts defense from 2016 still has nightmares about the kid.

[Buck O.]

Something just occurred to me when you mentioned Tasker.  As you know, Tufts just finished an undefeated championship-winning season.  But his younger brother's Middlesex team ALSO just finished an undefeated championship-winning season.  In fact, they had the exact same record: 18-0-3. That's a nice double.

[PaulNewman]

[When we think about Tufts as being unique among NESCAC schools (larger university, graduate programs, suburban Boston setting, etc.), my sense is that their men's soccer program has become attractive more because of its sustained recent success and Shapiro's reputation than because of its larger university status.  In other words, Shapiro broke the paradigm there...and now success begets success.../quote]


truenorth, I think you are on to something here.  Tufts certainly has been a very attractive school for a long time but not like one of the hottest scbools in the country.  I think you're right and I realize why I was partly wrong in my UAA comparisons with Tufts.  It's not about the size or programs or city but rather Shapiro is the difference and now the culture they have now created is the difference.  Which is not to say that Shapiro isn't fantastic at selling Tufts, the school, as much as Tufts soccer.

[Brother Flounder]

Mr. Right, he just misses the point. You are an equal opportunity critic, which is what I like about you.

How true! 

[PaulNewman]

Something just occurred to me when you mentioned Tasker.  As you know, Tufts just finished an undefeated championship-winning season.  But his younger brother's Middlesex team ALSO just finished an undefeated championship-winning season.  In fact, they had the exact same record: 18-0-3. That's a nice double.

Is the younger one going to Tufts???

[Brother Flounder]

I pulled a Blooter and took advantage of an opportunity for economical travel and accommodations, heading off not to Copenhagen, Reykjavik, or Liverpool, but to Greensboro for the Final Four.  Doing so allowed me to check off an item on my D3 men's soccer spectating bucket list (up next: a night game at the Rock Bowl). I will attempt to offer a few comments that, for the most part, do not duplicate the excellent observations of MaturinNYC and address issues that may not have been fully discussed or evident on the live stream. 

*My biggest regret in attending the games in person is that I did not get to view and, more importantly, hear Ira and Dave's webcast.  A family member who tuned in gave high marks to the commentary.

*In an attempt to let the live experience soak in, I went (largely) device-free.  I confess that I peeked at the halftimes to see what Mr. Right, Blooter, PaulNewman, and the rest of the gang had to say.  [By the way, who occupies the Rob Stone, Stuart Holden, and, most importantly, Alexi Lalas roles? Or is it more like who occupies the Stephen A. Smith ("Trent Vegter is a dear, dear friend..."), Max Kellerman, and Skip Bayless roles?  I have my own ideas, but suspect my karma would take a massive hit if I shared them ]

*As MaturinNYC mentioned, UNCG was a top notch host and everything about the facilities and presentation elements were first class.  It was amazing to see how well the field held up over 6 games (and multiple rainfalls) in less than 36 hours.  The grounds crew deserves a ton of credit for keeping the field playable.  I cannot remember any (overly) bad bounces. It was a real treat to see players run onto perfectly weighted, defender-splitting through balls that would have rolled mercilessly out of bounds on turf.

*All four teams were well-represented by family, friends, fans, and alumni.  Rochester won the custom gear competition hands down. Those snappy blue Final Four t-shirts evoked the spirit of Meliora and had to leave the Yellowjackets on the field feeling very supported. From an auditory perspective, the fans of all four teams brought enough cowbells to keep even Christopher Walken happy. The cannon shots after the goals were very cool on a visceral level and brought a bigtime feel to the games.

*Although not the mecca for coaches that the D1 basketball Final Four is, there were members of quite a few D3 coaching staffs in attendance, including Whitworth, from the Pacific Northwest.  It was interesting to see Brandon Bianco, chair of the championships committee, handing out all of the awards.  If Case had managed to knock off Calvin in the Elite Eight, would he have presented himself with the Case team award and shaken his own hand?  As I watched the title game, I wondered what was going through the mind of Coach Bianco's fellow committee member, Justin Serpone, who had to watch his conference rival claim another championship. 

*Calvin's performance against Chicago was, as amply described on these pages, simply stunning. After watching several of their live streams during the season, I had wondered if they could dominate elite teams the way they did their conference opponents. I got my answer!

*The elephant in the room of this whole event is the back-to-back format.  It almost guarantees that the title game is going to be more ragged than the semifinal matches.  I am waiting (but not holding my breath) for the Final Four that features Calvin, Yeshiva, and two other teams.  They would have to play the semifinals on Friday and the final on Monday, right?

*The energy that Tufts brought to the first 5-10 minutes of the final was palpable, belying my comment about the back-to-back format.  Speaking of energy, I was shocked to see in the box score that Calvin only used 13 players. I knew that the Knights didn't do a ton of subbing and that they experienced no drop off when they did, but had no idea that they only used 13 players.  That speaks volumes about their level of conditioning.  Even more impressive (to me) than the conditioning of the Knights was their collective first touch, especially the wide players, who routinely and calmly received passes in the air from distance in ways that left them ready to dribble or pass as needed.  From the Jumbos, I was awed by the real estate covered by Tasker and Lane.  I can't imagine that the video feed was able to capture them tracking both back and across the field with pace, thwarting attacks and closing down players with remarkable effectiveness.  I smiled at the LeBron-like halftime rest that Coach Shapiro gave Tasker when he subbed Tasker out at the 43-minute mark of the first half.

*Calvin's players, coaches, and supporters exuded pure class in victory and defeat.  With a fourth runner-up, the Knights have entered Buffalo Bills and Minnesota Vikings territory, but with Coach Souders at the helm, their chances of winning the big one someday are strong. 

*I'm not sure if the webcast caught this, but midway through the first half of the final, when Tufts was racking up the fouls at an alarming rate and zero fouls had been called against Calvin, several Jumbo supporters were vocal in their criticism of the referee.  Coach Shapiro turned to the crowd and motioned for quiet, saying that addressing the referee was his job.  Nary a peep was heard from the fans regarding the referee for the rest of the game.  This incident shows the respect that the Jumbo supporters have for Coach Shapiro.

Final Four done.  Rock Bowl, here I come!

Great post.  You need to take a risk to post more next year.  You seem like one of the few who has an appreciation for D3 across regions.  Are you willing to reveal your primary region of interest?

Is JP Dellacamera up for grabs?  Julie Foudy?  I just want to be somebody...

I thought the announcers were excellent.

And another kudos for one of the best single things in the tournament....the woman who called the CWRU sectional (and even considering that she was in the bag for CWRU.....she was superb.

Twellman and Lalas suck!

[Brother Flounder]

I'm curious what the response to another Tufts title is around the Grantham area.....pretty quiet so far.

Since you asked, PaulNewman, I'll give my twenty five cents.

Tufts is clearly the premiere D3 program over the past five years. Clearly. Those used to saying that the road to the title goes through Grantham need a geography lesson.

I'm sure you want more, so I'll offer more. First, IMO the two best Falcon teams in that period were (in order) 2014 and 2016. Tufts beat the former on a deflected shot in the first minute on a small muddy field, while the Falcons hit the woodwork at least once (was it twice?) in the closing minutes. That's as close as it gets. I think the Falcons were probably slightly better, meaning that they might have beaten Tufts in a 3-game series, but that's just my opinion and we'll never know. We do know that Tufts won fair and square and went on to beat two really good teams soundly in the Final Four. They fully deserved that win.

The 2016 team lost at home to Calvin in 2OTs. Calvin deserved to win that one: they clearly dominated the second half, tied the game, and won on a great play. True, the Falcons should have scored at least 3 in the first half, but they have to blame themselves and no one else for not advancing. Calvin then gave Tufts all they could handle in the final, but Tufts prevailed. That's what great teams do. Had the Falcons advance, maybe they beat Tufts, but that's only speculation. What we do know favors Tufts.

Now, the 2017 team was a different story. No one, flat no one, shut them out all year, and they played great defense except on set plays where they sucked on both ends of the field. Perhaps Tufts would have beaten them in the semi-final, if they got past Brandeis, but I actually don't think so. Not b/c Tufts wasn't just as good last year--they might have been better than the Falcons last year--but that particular Falcon team as everyone knows, just refused to lose. I think we can assume that they would have scored at least one against Tufts, just as they scored against everyone else, and perhaps that would have been enough. More likely, it would have been like the Brandeis game, which ended 3-2. Again, this is speculation. What we do know is that, reversing 2016, the Falcons got it done and the Jumbos didn't make the Final Four.

The 2018 Falcon team was (IMO) perhaps (I say perhaps) weaker overall than the 2014, 2016, and 2017 teams--though obviously stronger than the 2015 team that didn't even get a bid. The SRs this year (the 5 big names being West, Ruiz Plaza, J Brautigam, Bell, and Alejos) were just FR in 2015. All 5 started before the season ended--which tells you a lot about that team, since that just never happens in Grantham. The supporting cast was the weakest in a long time. The JR and SO classes on this year's team aren't as deep as the SRs of 2017 and 2018, especially the SO class. However, the FR class is certainly among the very best in Falcon history; we'll see just how good before they are done. Luke Groothoff (as noted by bloots) is the first FR AA (second team, but he should have been 1st team IMO) for the Falcons since Kasiguran, who might have been the single best D3 player of his era. Groothoff could prove to be in that category: time and teammates will tell. Kasiguran's supporting cast was unbelievably good, still (IMO) the greatest Falcon class ever. I know next to nothing about the incoming FR class, except that it might be the largest in number under Brandt or McCarty and it's supposed to contain one of the best CBs out there (someone from the Southwest). That's exactly what's needed if the Falcons are to reclaim supremacy from Tufts. Two or three great classes in a row are what the doctor ordered. Perhaps that's in the works.

I would have loved to see a Falcon-Tufts semi-final: who wouldn't have? Rochester stepped in and prevented that. I congratulated them without any sour grapes already, as anyone can see. They played a great game, earning the right to play Tufts themselves, but as saw they weren't quite in the same class as Tufts. I don't know whether the Falcons would have done any better, but almost certainly they wouldn't have beaten Tufts without CM Ruiz Plaza, CB Cooper Robbins, and three other key players much slowed by injuries (Alejos and Kokolios were starters unable to start), with 7 men in all down or out. I mention this here only b/c you asked for my view, PaulNewman, so I'm giving it. All things considered, this wasn't going to be the year for that Falcon-Jumbo game; the real Falcon team wouldn't have showed up. I think we can assume that West would have scored at least once vs Tufts, since he scored against every other top 25 team this year, but we can't assume that the Falcons would have scored twice or have shut out the Jumbos. Certainly it would have been a barn burner.

So, that's my thoughts. More than three cents worth, granted. I hope others don't resent any of this, which I've kept to myself until now. Had there been no specific request from you, I probably would have remained silent. I missed all 3 games this weekend owing to family commitments and other things--and mostly that would have been true even if the Falcons had made it to Greensboro. Just as I missed the game with Rochester. So, I can't comment specifically on any of the games. The only time I've seen Tufts this year was their home game vs Bates, in which Bates put cement around the wheels of their bus and Tufts proceeded to display an almost studied inability to finish. Clearly they got over that problem at some point in November, which is why they won (apparently).

Congratulations to Tufts. They earned it.

I also feel the 2014 Messiah team was their most talented....very quick, talented and organized...with a great center attacking middie....

[d4_Pace]

Still couldn't handle Tufts attacking center mid though ayy Brother