Big Dance

[PaulNewman]

Speaking of the announcers -- who I commend for being honest when they don't know something or when they missed exactly what happened on a play and do an excellent job overall -- a really interesting moment in the Calvin-Tufts tilt was about 20+ minutes in McHugh commented that Calvin seemed to be dictating play and had an edge with Tufts scrambling a bit.  I agreed with him but at the same time did not think Calvin was necessarily in good shape long term.  Thor responded to McHugh's  observation by hesitating and saying he needed a little more time to decide...and sure enough Tufts scored in the next 3-4 minutes.  I didn't think Calvin was out of it then but by the second goal the game seemed over.  The last time Calvin was down 2 goals was probably in a Sweet 16 game 2-3 years ago against Chicago.

Anyway, Tufts is very interesting that way and I assume it is intentional.. Whereas Amherst tries to overwhelm and steamroll you right out of the gate, Tufts seems to take their time, maybe engaging in a bit of rope-a-dope, and then gradually turns the screws like last night to the point that Calvin had zero space to operate.  And it's at that point, I think versus Amherst and Tufts, that the other team looks like they are from a lower division and can hardly get the ball off their feet being suffocated.  Maybe when all of this over Mr. Zinner can give us some insight into whether there is an overt strategy of "OK, let's do this the first 15-20 minutes and then hit this switch, and at 60 minutes hit this other switch, etc."  Tufts' depth (where the 2nd 11 might well be a Sweet 16 team) is a key obviously, and to exaggerate just a tad the Jumbos seem to have at least one kid score every game that you didn't even know was on the roster.

[lastguyoffthebench]

Pick'em wouldn't be +110 unless we get ET and PK as a bonus. 
AMHERST +170 / TUFTS +170 / DRAW +200

I'll ride Tufts +175
Giammattei under 1.25
Tufts under 19.5 players, by the grace of the hook
Serpone over 16.5

[hiyasoccer]

The over on yellow cards... that's free money.

[The_View_From_732]

Amherst versus Tufts for [another] national championship.....the only silver lining I can grab hold of is that one of them is gonna lose.

Great final match-up and maybe one of the best in years....huge programs and of course both NESCACs; equal foes; neither intimidated, surprised or inexperienced with respect to what the other can and will throw at them; physicality, size, speed, and talent; dreaded rivals; star coaches...

I am sure the main reason I'm not a fan of either is that they are just too good.  I think what Amherst has done with 13 (?) straight Sweet 16s or better, a national title, and now another final almost matches what Tufts has accomplished since 2014. 

I would have thought I'd be cheering for Amherst.  For at least several years I was a skeptic regarding the critics of the Amherst style/behavior, but I've caved.  5 yellows yesterday and what seemed like 10 or more intentional studs up tackles.  And that pre-game pacing by Serpone?  Wow.  I'm not sure whether to be disgusted or worried.  Don't think I've ever seen anything quite like that from a coach in any sport at any level, unless maybe a crazed parent coach of his kid's U8 or U10 town team.  And then you listen to him at a press conference and it's like how can this be the same guy....obviously very smart, very articulate, and at least a talented thespian at appearing gracious and super-complimentary of his opponents and of course his team.  His sideline behavior looks compulsive, but he also has heard the critics long ago and he's smart enough and insightful enough to know how he must come across, and he either doesn't care, is strategic, or truly can't help himself. 

And Tufts strikes me as just a little (or a lot) too smug and entitled when it comes to these national title runs (and national titles).  Just a phenomenal streak of success that seemingly came out of nowhere.  I hope Shapiro does go to BC or Harvard because just not sure how much more Jumbo happiness I can absorb.

As for the game...I'm taking Tufts.  Going back and forth on 2-1, 3-2 and 3-1, but I'm gonna guess 3-1.  Why?  Tufts is one of the only teams in the country (at least outside the NESCAC) that will have zero fear of Amherst  and will need no time to adjust.  Tufts will not care if Amherst jacks up the physicality and may even relish the Mammoths getting chippy.  Tufts is not going to be punked, and I actually think that is a game Amherst will lose if they  are counting on how sky-high they can get because Tufts is bigger (and maybe badder) than them.  Tufts also will know better than anyone how to attempt stopping Giammattei, and they will remember letting him loose in OT last time.  I favor Tufts because you have no idea where their goals are going to come from....and that's because they have a ton of guys who are dangerous and can score.  Much harder to defend.  The wild cards are Amherst's frosh sensation and Lind.  The latter almost pulled off a gorgeous back-heel goal but apparently Tufts has a special place in their heart for Lind, so we'll see.  Tufts is so good missing Paoletta has barely been mentioned (except for Mr.Right noting that he's out).

And then there's the flip throw. 

Should be a good one....I'll be miserable either way....about like a UNC-Duke national bball final for me.

Concur with all of this

[blooter442]

Tufts up 1-0 at half off an effort from Tasker midway through the first half. Both teams have actually looked solid on the whole, but Tufts seems that bit more poised. Giammattei pretty quiet for most of the half but started to get into the game toward the end of the half. Still all to play for.

[Michel Bernstini]

Should be a good second half.   

[The_View_From_732]

That is just textbook Violent Conduct from Braun and Tufts is lucky not to be playing with 10 men

[hiyasoccer]

Oh man... Braun lucky to be on the field after throwing a wild elbow at a defenders head. Shades of that Tufts CB from 2014 that was suspended a couple games, though not thatttt bad. Not sure how the referee has seen that and only given a yellow.

[blooter442]

Stadium announcer changes his pitch about 5 times a sentence.

25 left, Amherst cranking up the pressure but Tufts still holding firm.

[hiyasoccer]

On the soccer side of things... Tufts defending pretty well, particularly on GG. Not allowing Amherst second chances, taking possession well and moving the ball out of their half, but Amherst has had a decent number of chances and will surely have plenty more to equalize in the 25 minutes left. Kindermann with a couple decent stops but looking very shaky on high balls. Being well protected by the tufts back line.

[blooter442]

Ratzan with a great cross which was completely missed by the Amherst CB, Jacobs all alone in the middle with the finish. 2-0 and that seems to be curtains with 16:59 left.

Questions over handball, and it looked like it was from the video. What's the "review" process if they don't check the goals when they go in? Seems like a gap in the process if I'm understanding this correctly.

[blooter442]

Oh wow...Lane latches on to a low ball into the box, rounds White, but loses hsi footing and goes out for a goal kick. Should have been 3-0. Just after, Amherst hits the post.

In terms of real scoring opportunities, Amherst has created a few half-chances that Kindermann has saved well but they were generally aimed in his direction. With Giammattei double- and triple-teamed, Tufts has had the better chances IMHO.

[blooter442]

And it's over, Tufts 2-0 over Amherst. Tufts was just a bit more streetwise, playing to its strengths, keeping Giammattei quiet, and not getting exposed. Pressed well defensively but also kept its shape well. That mid-October blip (including that loss at Amherst) looks a million miles away now, as the Jumbos pulled it together when it mattered.

[hiyasoccer]

Oh wow...Lane latches on to a low ball into the box, rounds White, but loses hsi footing and goes out for a goal kick. Should have been 3-0. Just after, Amherst hits the post.

In terms of real scoring opportunities, Amherst has created a few half-chances that Kindermann has saved well but they were generally aimed in his direction. With Giammattei double- and triple-teamed, Tufts has had the better chances IMHO.

Lane chance he didn't lose his footing so much as run out of room... good job by the Amherst keeper of forcing him wide enough. Sometimes it's all you have to do.

Tufts definitely the better team. Didn't generate a ton on offense, but generated enough and finished ruthlessly. First goal was huge. Defending was excellent, were able to exert their control on the game. Except for a couple of 5 minute stretches, Amherst couldn't generate pressure.

Tufts this year remind me a bit of Liverpool. Dynamic front 3 (though Braun is more of a target man) and attack that can score from nothing, solid back 5 that is very hard to break down, a midfield that does a lot of work on both ends of the field even if not always playing possession. And they show up for the big games, finish ruthlessly, and they make the opponent play their game, smothering them with midfield and defensive pressure then springing quick attacks to the front 3 to be joined by the 2 free midfielders.

[lastguyoffthebench]

Ratzan with a great cross which was completely missed by the Amherst CB, Jacobs all alone in the middle with the finish. 2-0 and that seems to be curtains with 16:59 left.

Questions over handball, and it looked like it was from the video. What's the "review" process if they don't check the goals when they go in? Seems like a gap in the process if I'm understanding this correctly.

It's not quite VAR for clear and obvious errors.  You only check for 3 things on video replay, and I'm not certain any d3 schools utilize this even after inception from a few years ago. 
-Goal in or out
-review for a fight to identify players involved
-identify players for discipline