Big Dance

[TheGreenKnight920]

Regardless of the eventual outcome (as its 0-0, currently), the fact that SNC and ONU, and previously, Calvin and UWW, have to play on this sad excuse for a pitch in do-or-die games is not a good look. There is literally a giant mud patch that covers approximately 1/3 of the pitch, as well as in front of both goals, and players are basically ice skating out there. You'd think for a perennial powerhouse, Calvin would be able to upgrade their facilities so this wouldn't have to happen.

[LetteroftheLaw]

Regardless of the eventual outcome (as its 0-0, currently), the fact that SNC and ONU, and previously, Calvin and UWW, have to play on this sad excuse for a pitch in do-or-die games is not a good look. There is literally a giant mud patch that covers approximately 1/3 of the pitch, as well as in front of both goals, and players are basically ice skating out there. You'd think for a perennial powerhouse, Calvin would be able to upgrade their facilities so this wouldn't have to happen.

This is an issue every year, which is why it was discussed earlier this week. I thought the NCAA had a list of requirements for fields in order for them to be eligible to host a tournament game? If so they need to look into reevaluating those requirements as I agree you don't want a match decided due to poor field conditions, plus there are enough programs with nice facilities that there's no excuse.

[blue_jays]

The NCAA is making a conscious decision to avoid night games as much as possible. Mid-November at night can be significantly worse than mid-November during the day.

Really? If so, why didn't they do this in years past?

I'm not trying to be antagonistic — I just don't get why, if this is a conscious decision, it allegedly wasn't made (or at least not explicitly) in previous years given that cold mid-November weather is not new. Perhaps the recent cold snap would have something to do with it?

That was the word communicated to schools putting in bids

[Hopkins92]

Regardless of the eventual outcome (as its 0-0, currently), the fact that SNC and ONU, and previously, Calvin and UWW, have to play on this sad excuse for a pitch in do-or-die games is not a good look. There is literally a giant mud patch that covers approximately 1/3 of the pitch, as well as in front of both goals, and players are basically ice skating out there. You'd think for a perennial powerhouse, Calvin would be able to upgrade their facilities so this wouldn't have to happen.

This is an issue every year, which is why it was discussed earlier this week. I thought the NCAA had a list of requirements for fields in order for them to be eligible to host a tournament game? If so they need to look into reevaluating those requirements as I agree you don't want a match decided due to poor field conditions, plus there are enough programs with nice facilities that there's no excuse.

It's weird, because as you allude to, a better quality pitch would certainly favor their style of play.

To wit, Chicago wraps up a fairly predictable 4-1 win over on Hope's sparkling turf facilities. The Maroons used snappy combination passing to open up the opponents and sliced and diced their way to an easy victory.

[Goknights2017]

Regardless of the eventual outcome (as its 0-0, currently), the fact that SNC and ONU, and previously, Calvin and UWW, have to play on this sad excuse for a pitch in do-or-die games is not a good look. There is literally a giant mud patch that covers approximately 1/3 of the pitch, as well as in front of both goals, and players are basically ice skating out there. You'd think for a perennial powerhouse, Calvin would be able to upgrade their facilities so this wouldn't have to happen.

Calvin's facility is usually quite nice during the year. Having a grass pitch is wonderful for most of the contests and much, much better than playing on artificial. However, when there is an early, heavy snow like their was this year, it makes it difficult to keep the field in the shape it normally is throughout the year. Last year the same thing happened but the pitch was still in reasonable shape. Must have been a bigger snow this year. Also, don't rip on the grounds crew at Calvin, they do an incredible job. Sometimes conditions don't work out for you.

[Hopkins92]

The NCAA is making a conscious decision to avoid night games as much as possible. Mid-November at night can be significantly worse than mid-November during the day.

Really? If so, why didn't they do this in years past?

I'm not trying to be antagonistic — I just don't get why, if this is a conscious decision, it allegedly wasn't made (or at least not explicitly) in previous years given that cold mid-November weather is not new. Perhaps the recent cold snap would have something to do with it?

Shirk corroborated either upthread or elsewhere on the board. Women went this route recently and it's now the law of the land for both sides of the equation.

That was the word communicated to schools putting in bids

[PaulNewman]

One of the nice things about a good turf field like at Hope (despite my own preference for grass) is that Hope for example could have hosted 4 games and then two the next day.  Calvin has used Hope's field before ("lost" in PKs to OWU there in 2014) and could have hosted via Hope.  Also would be great for spectators and provide some extra juice at the sites.  One also has to wonder whether in 25 years there will be any grass fields.

[Gregory Sager]

It's a shame, because SNC vs. ONU has been very competitive. Alas, Zuidema Field is a giant Slip'n'Slide. It appeared that the Green Knights had a breakaway opportunity quashed midway through the first half because the onrusher lost his footing at the edge of the eighteen.

[TheGreenKnight920]

It's a shame, because SNC vs. ONU has been very competitive. Alas, Zuidema Field is a giant Slip'n'Slide. It appeared that the Green Knights had a breakaway opportunity quashed midway through the first half because the onrusher lost his footing at the edge of the eighteen.

Yeah Boldt literally had just the keeper to beat,
but he got caught by the mud monster.

[Gregory Sager]

St. Norbert and Ohio Northern play to a scoreless draw, and then the Green Knights advance on PKs, 3-2. Two of the Polar Bears' PKers missed the goal completely.

Both sides had lots of great chances, but the Green Knights were running on fumes at the end of regulation and through both OTs. Somehow they managed to string it out through 110 and get to PKs, and then took proper advantage of the tiebreaker. ONU had two or three great opportunities late and in OT scoot just wide of the net to one side or the other.

St. Norbert is the first MWC side to get past the first round since Carroll did it seven years ago. Of course, the Pioneers have since left the MWC -- as SNC will also do two years from now.

[PaulNewman]

Hope looks to be very physical, bordering on chippy.

[PaulNewman]

And now OWU is looking very frustrated....Hope beating them to balls and winning a lot of the 50/50s.

[LetteroftheLaw]

Bracket time!

32: Amherst, Keene St, Keystone, Rowan, Rensselaer, JWU, Messiah, Oneonta, John Carroll, Centre, Texas Lutheran, Trinity TX, F&M, Montclair St, Kenyon, Rochester, Hopkins, Catholic, Christopher Newport, Swarthmore, Tufts, WPI, W&L, Oglethorpe, Chicago, Ohio Wesleyan, Luther, Wis. Superior, Calvin, Ohio Northern, North Park, Gust. Adolphus

16: Amherst, Rowan, JWU, Messiah, John Carroll, Trinity TX, F&M, Kenyon, Catholic, Chris. Newport, Tufts, W&L, Chicago, Luther, Calvin, North Park

8: Amherst, Messiah, John Carroll, Kenyon, Catholic, Tufts, Chicago, Calvin

4: Amherst, Kenyon, Tufts, Chicago

Final: Kenyon vs. Tufts - Kenyon Wins

The Lord having a little faith in Catholic, god bless

[Hopkins92]

This is a VERY entertaining game to watch, as a complete neutral.

As I'm typing that, OWU with an absolute bangeranggggg! Smashed it home  off a loose ball following a CK. Hoooo boy.

Gonna be a barn burner down the stretch.

[PaulNewman]

OWU somehow found another gear, especially after the 1st goal.  The guys up top are running their behinds off.   And the left back that scored the 1st goal imo might be OWU's best player....and I don't think he even made HM on the NCAC team, and that's with OWU having a bunch of players making all-conference.  The 2nd goal scorer, Gomez, was named midfielder of year in NCAC.

Addedum:  My bad, Huelsman did make 2nd team NCAC.