Big Dance

[Mid-Atlantic Fan]

MAF NCAA Picks

Round 32
Amherst
Keene
Mary Wash
Rowan
RPI
Midd
Messiah
Oneonta
JC
KZoo
Claremont
Trinity
F&M
Hobart
Behrend
UR
JHU
Conn
CNU
Swat
Tufts
WPI
W&L
Oglethorpe
Chicago
OWU
Luther
Central
Calvin
ONU
NP
GA

Sweet 16
Amherst
Rowan
Midd
Oneonta
Kzoo
Trinity
F&M
UR
JHU
CNU
Tufts
W&L
OWU
Luther
Calvin
GA

Elite 8
Amherst
Oneonta
Trinity
F&M
JHU
W&L
Luther
Calvin

Final 4
Amherst
F&M
W&L
Calvin

Final
Amherst
Calvin

Champion
Calvin (2-1)

[Falconer]

Although watched the whole game (Messiah v Onteonta) on the stream, the picture was small, sometimes the camera wasn't pointing at the action (including on Messiah's second goal), and otherwise wasn't exactly the best. So, I have two questions for anyone who was actually at the game--sure you would have had a much better view.

(1) The play that resulted in the PK for Messiah, when the keeper collided with or took down Luke Groothoff: All I could see was two guys appear to make contact, as Groothoff was heading directly for the goal with the ball at his feet; then they were both on the ground, and Grootoff took a lot longer to get up. I saw the penalty being called. What actually happened? Was the play also carded?

(2) Oneonta scored when their main scorer (Hernandez) knocked one in from close in front, amidst some defenders. It looked good to me and it counted, but I noticed that Messiah's keeper had a conversation with the official afterwards, making gestures I was unable to see too clearly. What was his complaint? Was perhaps Hernandez offside? Did he perhaps shove one or two defenders out of the way? If anyone saw that play more clearly, just curious to hear the full story. Maybe it was just making something out of nothing, but Falcon players don't customarily do that...

[Mid-Atlantic Fan]

Oglethorpe, Roanoke, Ithaca, ONU, Trinity, Colorado, Central and Hope all making the committee look a little rough...most notably Oglethorpe, Roanoke and Hope. All were bubble teams who got thrashed in the first round. 2 goals combined by the 3 teams and that team being Roanoke who scored both. Gave up 9 goals combined. Hope faced a tough OWU team but looked rough to say the least especially considering they were hosting. Oglethorpe never stepped off the bus and Roanoke at least put up a fight but lost to a team that couldn't make their conference playoffs and hadn't played a game in 14 days. And sure you can argue that Swarthmore is now in the Sweet 16 but they bounced 2 South Atlantic teams in the process...not a good look for the at-large surprises that were awarded to this region. With that said, the top of the region has been strong in W&L, Centre and Rowan but no one argued that. Montclair with a nice run as well to demolish the beaten down East region. RPI is all that remains? The Mid-Atlantic had a great opening day but faltered in the second round. Most games were competitive and hard fought which speaks to the strength of the region but tough to see F&M and JHU both bow out so early. New England is always tough and have proven so once again. 3 teams remain from the top of their region and I don't think anyone is surprised by that. GL looking okay but John Carroll once again hosts and disappoints. Kenyon and OWU look like the cream of the crop from that region and can make nice runs to the finish line. Luther, Calvin and North Park all look beatable but will be tough outs. Claremont is a mystery but bounced a questionable Trinity with ease. The West not well represented outside of Claremont. F&M and JC just aren't tourney teams despite their continued regular season success. Always a disappointment to the many that pick them. ONU maybe biggest disappointment as the SOS and ranked wins looked great but the first round performance did not.   

Region Breakdown:
NE: 3
East: 1
MA: 2
SA: 4
GL: 2
Cen: 2
North: 1
West: 1

Toughest Sectionals:
Swarthmore
Amherst
North Park
Kenyon

[Flying Weasel]

Although watched the whole game (Messiah v Onteonta) on the stream, the picture was small, sometimes the camera wasn't pointing at the action (including on Messiah's second goal), and otherwise wasn't exactly the best. So, I have two questions for anyone who was actually at the game--sure you would have had a much better view.

(1) The play that resulted in the PK for Messiah, when the keeper collided with or took down Luke Groothoff: All I could see was two guys appear to make contact, as Groothoff was heading directly for the goal with the ball at his feet; then they were both on the ground, and Grootoff took a lot longer to get up. I saw the penalty being called. What actually happened? Was the play also carded?

(2) Oneonta scored when their main scorer (Hernandez) knocked one in from close in front, amidst some defenders. It looked good to me and it counted, but I noticed that Messiah's keeper had a conversation with the official afterwards, making gestures I was unable to see too clearly. What was his complaint? Was perhaps Hernandez offside? Did he perhaps shove one or two defenders out of the way? If anyone saw that play more clearly, just curious to hear the full story. Maybe it was just making something out of nothing, but Falcon players don't customarily do that...

I also watched the on-line stream with the poor camera work. 

On the PK, I think the foul occurred only a couple steps inside the left edge of the box and I don't remember it as Groothoff heading directly for goal at the time of the foul. My memory has Groothoff starting left of center and breaking past a defender by carrying the ball a little wider and with the keeper coming out to challenge he continued taking the ball wider to attempt elude the keeper.  And I thought it was the goalkeeper who stayed on the ground longer.

On the Hernandez goal, I assumed Messiah was claiming handball which I had no way of having an opinion on with the camera zoomed out and the number of bodies in the area preventing a clean view of it.

[Dave B]

Although watched the whole game (Messiah v Onteonta) on the stream, the picture was small, sometimes the camera wasn't pointing at the action (including on Messiah's second goal), and otherwise wasn't exactly the best. So, I have two questions for anyone who was actually at the game--sure you would have had a much better view.

(1) The play that resulted in the PK for Messiah, when the keeper collided with or took down Luke Groothoff: All I could see was two guys appear to make contact, as Groothoff was heading directly for the goal with the ball at his feet; then they were both on the ground, and Grootoff took a lot longer to get up. I saw the penalty being called. What actually happened? Was the play also carded?

(2) Oneonta scored when their main scorer (Hernandez) knocked one in from close in front, amidst some defenders. It looked good to me and it counted, but I noticed that Messiah's keeper had a conversation with the official afterwards, making gestures I was unable to see too clearly. What was his complaint? Was perhaps Hernandez offside? Did he perhaps shove one or two defenders out of the way? If anyone saw that play more clearly, just curious to hear the full story. Maybe it was just making something out of nothing, but Falcon players don't customarily do that...

I also watched the on-line stream with the poor camera work. 

On the PK, I think the foul occurred only a couple steps inside the left edge of the box and I don't remember it as Groothoff heading directly for goal at the time of the foul. My memory has Groothoff starting left of center and breaking past a defender by carrying the ball a little wider and with the keeper coming out to challenge he continued taking the ball wider to attempt elude the keeper.  And I thought it was the goalkeeper who stayed on the ground longer.

On the Hernandez goal, I assumed Messiah was claiming handball which I had no way of having an opinion on with the camera zoomed out and the number of bodies in the area preventing a clean view of it.

The game video is still available online at https://livestream.com/accounts/14594035.  Scroll down to "Past Events".

The run-up to the Oneonta goal starts at 0:43:58 of the video timeline.  The ball definitely appears to bounce up and hit his arm and most of the Falcons were calling for a hand ball.

The run-up to the foul on LG starts at 1:43:15.

[Falconer]

Although watched the whole game (Messiah v Onteonta) on the stream, the picture was small, sometimes the camera wasn't pointing at the action (including on Messiah's second goal), and otherwise wasn't exactly the best. So, I have two questions for anyone who was actually at the game--sure you would have had a much better view.

(1) The play that resulted in the PK for Messiah, when the keeper collided with or took down Luke Groothoff: All I could see was two guys appear to make contact, as Groothoff was heading directly for the goal with the ball at his feet; then they were both on the ground, and Grootoff took a lot longer to get up. I saw the penalty being called. What actually happened? Was the play also carded?

(2) Oneonta scored when their main scorer (Hernandez) knocked one in from close in front, amidst some defenders. It looked good to me and it counted, but I noticed that Messiah's keeper had a conversation with the official afterwards, making gestures I was unable to see too clearly. What was his complaint? Was perhaps Hernandez offside? Did he perhaps shove one or two defenders out of the way? If anyone saw that play more clearly, just curious to hear the full story. Maybe it was just making something out of nothing, but Falcon players don't customarily do that...

I also watched the on-line stream with the poor camera work. 

On the PK, I think the foul occurred only a couple steps inside the left edge of the box and I don't remember it as Groothoff heading directly for goal at the time of the foul. My memory has Groothoff starting left of center and breaking past a defender by carrying the ball a little wider and with the keeper coming out to challenge he continued taking the ball wider to attempt elude the keeper.  And I thought it was the goalkeeper who stayed on the ground longer.

On the Hernandez goal, I assumed Messiah was claiming handball which I had no way of having an opinion on with the camera zoomed out and the number of bodies in the area preventing a clean view of it.

Appreciate the second memory of this, very much. Admittedly I was focused on Groothoff, since I had the impression he was hurt on the play and obviously really concerned about that. if the keeper actually stayed down longer, I didn't notice. But, Groothoff did eventually rise, stayed briefly on the field, then left and didn't return.   

Hand ball? Very interesting. Certainly couldn't see that from the stream, but we couldn't see the front of his torso anyway.

[jknezek]

MAF NCAA Picks

Round 32
Amherst
Keene
Mary Wash
Rowan
RPI
Midd
Messiah
Oneonta
JC
KZoo
Claremont
Trinity
F&M
Hobart
Behrend
UR
JHU
Conn
CNU
Swat
Tufts
WPI
W&L
Oglethorpe
Chicago
OWU
Luther
Central
Calvin
ONU
NP
GA

Sweet 16
Amherst
Rowan
Midd
Oneonta
Kzoo
Trinity
F&M
UR
JHU
CNU
Tufts
W&L
OWU
Luther
Calvin
GA

Elite 8
Amherst
Oneonta
Trinity
F&M
JHU
W&L
Luther
Calvin

Final 4
Amherst
F&M
W&L
Calvin

Final
Amherst
Calvin

Champion
Calvin (2-1)

Man do you need my Generals to come through. I'm not sure I'd make that pick. Tufts is... a big ask in November. That being said, I'm thrilled this team gets the chance to try to climb the mountain. It should be a great experience win or lose. They are young, and while they will certainly miss the few seniors next year, especially Dolberg who I think is the heart of the team this year, I think next year might be the best chance to break through to the top level.

And yes, I love Coach Singleton. What he's done to push this program forward, tactically and with recruiting, has been phenomenal. Every off season I get concerned he will move on to a higher profile job. Having seen what happened when we lost our transformative football coach 2 seasons ago, holding on to Coach Singleton is imperative in my opinion.

[Flying Weasel]

Although watched the whole game (Messiah v Onteonta) on the stream, the picture was small, sometimes the camera wasn't pointing at the action (including on Messiah's second goal), and otherwise wasn't exactly the best. So, I have two questions for anyone who was actually at the game--sure you would have had a much better view.

(1) The play that resulted in the PK for Messiah, when the keeper collided with or took down Luke Groothoff: All I could see was two guys appear to make contact, as Groothoff was heading directly for the goal with the ball at his feet; then they were both on the ground, and Grootoff took a lot longer to get up. I saw the penalty being called. What actually happened? Was the play also carded?

(2) Oneonta scored when their main scorer (Hernandez) knocked one in from close in front, amidst some defenders. It looked good to me and it counted, but I noticed that Messiah's keeper had a conversation with the official afterwards, making gestures I was unable to see too clearly. What was his complaint? Was perhaps Hernandez offside? Did he perhaps shove one or two defenders out of the way? If anyone saw that play more clearly, just curious to hear the full story. Maybe it was just making something out of nothing, but Falcon players don't customarily do that...

I also watched the on-line stream with the poor camera work. 

On the PK, I think the foul occurred only a couple steps inside the left edge of the box and I don't remember it as Groothoff heading directly for goal at the time of the foul. My memory has Groothoff starting left of center and breaking past a defender by carrying the ball a little wider and with the keeper coming out to challenge he continued taking the ball wider to attempt elude the keeper.  And I thought it was the goalkeeper who stayed on the ground longer.

On the Hernandez goal, I assumed Messiah was claiming handball which I had no way of having an opinion on with the camera zoomed out and the number of bodies in the area preventing a clean view of it.

The game video is still available online at https://livestream.com/accounts/14594035.  Scroll down to "Past Events".

The run-up to the Oneonta goal starts at 0:43:58 of the video timeline.  The ball definitely appears to bounce up and hit his arm and most of the Falcons were calling for a hand ball.

The run-up to the foul on LG starts at 1:43:15.

Yes, watching it again, the ball definitely seems to kick up and hit Hernandez' arm before dropping at his side to shoot, but I can't tell if the ball kicked up off his foot or the defender's foot (or less likely off the turf).  If it came off the defender's foot, can't really call that back for a hand ball, but if it was off his own touch, then I think cries for a handball were fully justified. In the end it did not affect the outcome, but at the time it felt like it might signal a shift of momentum that could see Oneonta tie-up the game and change the whole complexion of the game.

[rudy]

Although watched the whole game (Messiah v Onteonta) on the stream, the picture was small, sometimes the camera wasn't pointing at the action (including on Messiah's second goal), and otherwise wasn't exactly the best. So, I have two questions for anyone who was actually at the game--sure you would have had a much better view.

(1) The play that resulted in the PK for Messiah, when the keeper collided with or took down Luke Groothoff: All I could see was two guys appear to make contact, as Groothoff was heading directly for the goal with the ball at his feet; then they were both on the ground, and Grootoff took a lot longer to get up. I saw the penalty being called. What actually happened? Was the play also carded?

(2) Oneonta scored when their main scorer (Hernandez) knocked one in from close in front, amidst some defenders. It looked good to me and it counted, but I noticed that Messiah's keeper had a conversation with the official afterwards, making gestures I was unable to see too clearly. What was his complaint? Was perhaps Hernandez offside? Did he perhaps shove one or two defenders out of the way? If anyone saw that play more clearly, just curious to hear the full story. Maybe it was just making something out of nothing, but Falcon players don't customarily do that...

I also watched the on-line stream with the poor camera work. 

On the PK, I think the foul occurred only a couple steps inside the left edge of the box and I don't remember it as Groothoff heading directly for goal at the time of the foul. My memory has Groothoff starting left of center and breaking past a defender by carrying the ball a little wider and with the keeper coming out to challenge he continued taking the ball wider to attempt elude the keeper.  And I thought it was the goalkeeper who stayed on the ground longer.

On the Hernandez goal, I assumed Messiah was claiming handball which I had no way of having an opinion on with the camera zoomed out and the number of bodies in the area preventing a clean view of it.

I believe the keepers head hit him in the thigh and took him down in the box in the process for the pk. And the discussion over the Oneonta goal was definitely whether it was a handball.  Goal counted so I guess they ruled incidental contact with hand or they just didn't see it to over rule the goal.

[Falconer]

Appreciate the chance to see it unfold again like this. FW is right--LG wasn't going straight to the goal, though obviously he intended to turn and do so; but, I'm right that Luke was on the ground longer than the keeper. Still hard to see exactly what the contact was, so it's good to have rudy's report on that. Thanks to all who chimed in.

The handball is still hard for my old eyes to see, but I if that's what the discussion was about, it must have happened. I don't think the players would all be asking for something they didn't see happen, in the heat of the moment.

As FW said, it was a huge non-call. I assumed it was a legitimate goal, and it certainly turned around the momentum. Not blaming anyone for this. All of us make mistakes, some of which can't be corrected.

[Hopkins92]

Watched that back about 5 times... I don't have a problem with that Oneonta goal. I also could make a case that his arm position was such that it could be seen as handling. Extremely close call that you really can't get worked up over, either way.

[MaturinNYC]

But the deciding PK in the Kenyon game - wow. #27 for UR was having a MOTM game - several Kenyon fans said the same. Second half I was stationed on the fence at the attacking end for Kenyon - oh the chances they missed! #27 loses his footing, falls chest-first on the ball, ball touches his arm. I was 10 yards away - harshest decision - still not sure it meets the current criteria for handling. But the gentlemanly way he accepted the decision - unheard of in this era. My heart goes out to him. Class act in the face of such a decision.

Amended after finding the exact passage from the IFAB changes to handling, March 2019: (page 16:  http://static-3eb8.kxcdn.com/documents/791/171520_110319_IFAB_LoG_changes_and_clarifications.pdf)

"Except for the above offences, it is not usually an offence if the ball touches a player's hand/arm: 
•directly from the player's own head or body (including the foot) 
•directly from the head or body (including the foot) of another player who is close
•if the hand/arm is close to the body and does not make the body unnaturally bigger
•when a player falls and the hand/arm is between the body and the ground to support the body, but not extended laterally or vertically away from the body"

I was also at the match yesterday, in the UR section of the stands so not far from your place along the fence, and my immediate impression of the play was 'clean' and any contact negligible. Everyone wearing blue & yellow - every fan, team member and coach i heard said the same thing, not a penalty. But i wanted to see it again in video just to ensure my partisan eyes weren't blind. And having just watched it in slow motion, that impression stands. It just simply isn't a penalty in any league/contest i've seen. And certainly not a golden-goal penalty in OT of a really good, exciting NCAA knockout game. The contact is almost all on his chest (imagine falling from a pushup position over a ball centered under your breast plate). IF there was any arm contact it would've had no effect on the position of the ball or the players around it. There was no "hand to ball", no change of the direction of the ball, no denial of a goal scoring opportunity, no unnatural hand position, nothing to justify killing a game and robbing both teams of the chance to decide it with their play. I take nothing away from the Kenyon player who converted the PK - a high pressure moment and he finished, so well done to him. But to end that contest on the sort of play that all refs are taught to wave "Play On!" to and let the game decide it, it's just a crying shame. 

The game was everything you want in an NCAA tournament game - the players giving it their all, fans backing their teams, coaches making tactical changes, an even match with both teams creating chances. Rochester was the better team in the early going and got the first point, Kenyon responded and pressed hard, especially in the 2nd half - creating their own chances but also inviting counters, making for an exciting back and forth. In OT the first 7 minutes saw a flurry of Rochester attacks, a pair of corners and a few free kicks and the feeling was that UR would find the winner.  But unfortunately that one call will now mar the game in the memory banks. I remember leaving Grantham, PA two years ago after Messiah beat Rochester in the Elite 8 and hearing players and fans all say "great battle, but they were better". Last year the feeling was that Tufts took that semifinal game - physically but fairly, they were better. But this feeling, this isn't easy to settle with. Losing to an opinion is awful.

[Caz Bombers]

Oglethorpe, Roanoke, Ithaca, ONU, Trinity, Colorado, Central and Hope all making the committee look a little rough...most notably Oglethorpe, Roanoke and Hope. All were bubble teams who got thrashed in the first round. 2 goals combined by the 3 teams and that team being Roanoke who scored both. Gave up 9 goals combined. Hope faced a tough OWU team but looked rough to say the least especially considering they were hosting. Oglethorpe never stepped off the bus and Roanoke at least put up a fight but lost to a team that couldn't make their conference playoffs and hadn't played a game in 14 days. And sure you can argue that Swarthmore is now in the Sweet 16 but they bounced 2 South Atlantic teams in the process...not a good look for the at-large surprises that were awarded to this region. With that said, the top of the region has been strong in W&L, Centre and Rowan but no one argued that. Montclair with a nice run as well to demolish the beaten down East region. RPI is all that remains? The Mid-Atlantic had a great opening day but faltered in the second round. Most games were competitive and hard fought which speaks to the strength of the region but tough to see F&M and JHU both bow out so early. New England is always tough and have proven so once again. 3 teams remain from the top of their region and I don't think anyone is surprised by that. GL looking okay but John Carroll once again hosts and disappoints. Kenyon and OWU look like the cream of the crop from that region and can make nice runs to the finish line. Luther, Calvin and North Park all look beatable but will be tough outs. Claremont is a mystery but bounced a questionable Trinity with ease. The West not well represented outside of Claremont. F&M and JC just aren't tourney teams despite their continued regular season success. Always a disappointment to the many that pick them. ONU maybe biggest disappointment as the SOS and ranked wins looked great but the first round performance did not.   

Region Breakdown:
NE: 3
East: 1
MA: 2
SA: 4
GL: 2
Cen: 2
North: 1
West: 1

Toughest Sectionals:
Swarthmore
Amherst
North Park
Kenyon

how did Ithaca make the committee look bad? They won a true road game in Round 1 and held maybe the #1 overall seed to 2-0 on a neutral field...that's as good or better than most of Amherst's opponents did.

[PaulNewman]

But the deciding PK in the Kenyon game - wow. #27 for UR was having a MOTM game - several Kenyon fans said the same. Second half I was stationed on the fence at the attacking end for Kenyon - oh the chances they missed! #27 loses his footing, falls chest-first on the ball, ball touches his arm. I was 10 yards away - harshest decision - still not sure it meets the current criteria for handling. But the gentlemanly way he accepted the decision - unheard of in this era. My heart goes out to him. Class act in the face of such a decision.

Amended after finding the exact passage from the IFAB changes to handling, March 2019: (page 16:  http://static-3eb8.kxcdn.com/documents/791/171520_110319_IFAB_LoG_changes_and_clarifications.pdf)

"Except for the above offences, it is not usually an offence if the ball touches a player's hand/arm: 
•directly from the player's own head or body (including the foot) 
•directly from the head or body (including the foot) of another player who is close
•if the hand/arm is close to the body and does not make the body unnaturally bigger
•when a player falls and the hand/arm is between the body and the ground to support the body, but not extended laterally or vertically away from the body"

I was also at the match yesterday, in the UR section of the stands so not far from your place along the fence, and my immediate impression of the play was 'clean' and any contact negligible. Everyone wearing blue & yellow - every fan, team member and coach i heard said the same thing, not a penalty. But i wanted to see it again in video just to ensure my partisan eyes weren't blind. And having just watched it in slow motion, that impression stands. It just simply isn't a penalty in any league/contest i've seen. And certainly not a golden-goal penalty in OT of a really good, exciting NCAA knockout game. The contact is almost all on his chest (imagine falling from a pushup position over a ball centered under your breast plate). IF there was any arm contact it would've had no effect on the position of the ball or the players around it. There was no "hand to ball", no change of the direction of the ball, no denial of a goal scoring opportunity, no unnatural hand position, nothing to justify killing a game and robbing both teams of the chance to decide it with their play. I take nothing away from the Kenyon player who converted the PK - a high pressure moment and he finished, so well done to him. But to end that contest on the sort of play that all refs are taught to wave "Play On!" to and let the game decide it, it's just a crying shame. 

The game was everything you want in an NCAA tournament game - the players giving it their all, fans backing their teams, coaches making tactical changes, an even match with both teams creating chances. Rochester was the better team in the early going and got the first point, Kenyon responded and pressed hard, especially in the 2nd half - creating their own chances but also inviting counters, making for an exciting back and forth. In OT the first 7 minutes saw a flurry of Rochester attacks, a pair of corners and a few free kicks and the feeling was that UR would find the winner.  But unfortunately that one call will now mar the game in the memory banks. I remember leaving Grantham, PA two years ago after Messiah beat Rochester in the Elite 8 and hearing players and fans all say "great battle, but they were better". Last year the feeling was that Tufts took that semifinal game - physically but fairly, they were better. But this feeling, this isn't easy to settle with. Losing to an opinion is awful.

Do you have a link to the video?  I couldn't find anything.

Any credit to the Kenyon player who drove into the box and had the corner on the UR defender and put the defender in a vulnerable situation?

I would quibble just a bit with your characterization of the first half.  The UR back line was superb but imo the Lords still dominated possession and the UR goal happened due to a blatant unforced error by Kenyon's very good frosh CB who made a weak, mis-hit pass with no pressure close to midfield that was easily picked off and turned into a throw in for UR and then failed clearances by Kenyon after that and a scrum goal. 

And I also thought UR was going to score in the OT sequence you mentioned.  It wasn't so much repeated attacks as much as Kenyon couldn't get a clear from the initial foray into the Lords' final third and kept giving up corners and free kicks.  Anyway, UR definitely had opportunity and could have won it there.

I wasn't at the game but definitely looked like a very competitive, well played match overall between two worthy opponents.  I knew UR was going to be a problem.  I am sorry that you and other UR folks left with bad feelings about the ending.  I know that is a horrible feeling and one that does stick for a long time.

[PaulNewman]

OK, I lied.  One more thought on sectional hosting.  2014.  Almost identical in the sense that hosting went to Muhlenberg, another Centennial which I presume was also the lowest seed in the sectional just like Swat now.  The difference was not flights (I think) but rather that Messiah wasn't hosting ONLY because the Messiah women had Shoemaker.  The Lady Falcons fell in PKs to Lynchburg in the Elite 8 in Grantham ironically enough, although Lynchburg also was undefeated going into the match.  Anyway, another instance when Tufts benefited.  I imagine Messiah nation believes that match might have ended differently at home.  I forgot that Messiah destroyed Cortland the day before 6-0.  Who knows, maybe this will be the year we get the long awaited rematch, although I certainly hope not