2021 D3 Men's Soccer National Perspective

[Hopkins92]

So, possibly my last post on here for a while, but I think it needs to be said:

For all the shots taken at Amherst over the last week, particularly their Senior goalie, I have to point out how gracious he was in defeat last night. Hugging and giving a lot of props to his opponents after having his heart ripped out, after going O for 4 on those PKs. Some of us have been there. That's not an easy thing to stomach, to say the least.

Maybe it's too little too late for some of us, but I wanted to call that out and give the GK and the other Amherst players who went out of their way to be good sports in defeat last night. Was a very touching thing to see.

[PaulNewman]

So, possibly my last post on here for a while, but I think it needs to be said:

For all the shots taken at Amherst over the last week, particularly their Senior goalie, I have to point out how gracious he was in defeat last night. Hugging and giving a lot of props to his opponents after having his heart ripped out, after going O for 4 on those PKs. Some of us have been there. That's not an easy thing to stomach, to say the least.

Maybe it's too little too late for some of us, but I wanted to call that out and give the GK and the other Amherst players who went out of their way to be good sports in defeat last night. Was a very touching thing to see.

I keep thinking I've done my last post for a while and obviously not.  I am very surprised it's been so dead here after the game and all day today.

I'm not going to feel bad for Amherst in general, as they have after all made two consecutive finals and like 20 straight Sweet 16s...but as with everything the truth is always more complicated than we think.  I commented on the apparent contrast between how Serpone's behavior is described during games and what we see in press conferences and how he was with his players after the game.  I don't know what Hope-Gund did against Middlebury and I didn't love him yapping at Conn and Chicago players who got fouled in the box as though they were simulating, but certainly seeing him sob on his coach's shoulder was moving, and if Amherst wins that game he is imo the Final 4 MVP in a landslide.  He had an outstanding tournament (as I think several posters have noted), saving them against Chicago and preventing Conn from going up 2-0 which would have sealed the final.  Maybe others do, but I know nothing about his backstory except to say I'm sure there is one.  If I have this right, he is a 5th year senior who was never the regular starter and didn't play much over his 4-5 years, and wasn't the starter this year until the other GK got hurt.  And I credit both teams for seeking each other out afterwards.  All of them will remember their journeys for decades to come.

On another note, the bright lights here this year for me are marked by the increased engagement of previously active folks like yourself and @jknezek, Mr.Right having his best year here ever with his efficiency with far less time on the board but all of his posts packed with insight and details, the arrival of SimpleCoach, the steady presence of some old stand-bys, the emergence of people like @Another Mom and others.  And I'm curious to see how the apparent contradiction between the board struggling with participation levels and new bright lights emerging will play out moving forward.

[Another Mom]

Awww, @Paul Newman, you made my day!

I hope this board continues to be somewhat active, where else can I talk about my soccer obsession?!

My son spent a fair amount of time with both the Amherst and Conn programs during recruiting,  so I was particularly interested in the final. I liked both programs a lot but was rooting hard for Conn! And we know Peter Silvester (not well) so it was especially sweet to see his performance last night.

[Ejay]

Awww, @Paul Newman, you made my day!

I hope this board continues to be somewhat active, where else can I talk about my soccer obsession?!

My son spent a fair amount of time with both the Amherst and Conn programs during recruiting,  so I was particularly interested in the final. I liked both programs a lot but was rooting hard for Conn! And we know Peter Silvester (not well) so it was especially sweet to see his performance last night.

And your son had a nice freshman season. I expect we'll be talking about him in great detail at some point over the next 3 years.

[camosfan]

I certainly hope you guys are not planning to hibernate until next season, there are a lot of things we can discuss to keep us busy until they start playing again.

[BendIt007]

I wanted to sincerely thank all the regulars and all contributors here. The insights, sidebars, emotions, play-by-play breakdowns, player profiles, debates and enthusiasm and emotion conveyed adds so much to the season

I've been a lurker here on the D3 soccer/lacrosse boards for many, many, many years through good years and bad.   I'm an old Camel player from the late 70s under their first coach Bill Lessig (who passed away a few years ago). 

Of course, this season was incredible to go through, and as I live in Connecticut saw many games in person. And before and after each would check the boards sometimes holding my breath to see what Mr. Right and many others had to predict.

Thanks again!!! Great stuff and always adds a lot to every season... and made this season even more special. 

[Saint of Old]

007 Well done and congrats o the title man.
I realize that the distance between us is probably that between me and the current boys.

I think you just summed up what this website  board is all about. The fun, comradery and hope of alums old school, new school, parents etc rooting for our school and then to see a brand new champion crowned it does not get better.

Watching your team win it all knowing that you contributed in blood sweat and tears during your time at the school and on the team.

Many of us are waiting on our team t climb that mountain again, or for the first time (even more special).

Alums/Future players everyone associated with CC, you are now champions always and 4ever.

[FBALLISLIFE]

On another note, the bright lights here this year for me are marked by the increased engagement of previously active folks like yourself and @jknezek, Mr.Right having his best year here ever with his efficiency with far less time on the board but all of his posts packed with insight and details, the arrival of SimpleCoach, the steady presence of some old stand-bys, the emergence of people like @Another Mom and others.

100% agree.  It's been a fun season of commentary on the boards.  Thanks to all who contributed and made that possible.

[PaulNewman]

Connecticut College won the Men's D3 soccer national championship................wow.

Reuben Burk...take a bow...and dust off the mantel for a couple of COY awards.  And don't forget to shave!  You're almost 30 now.

[blue_jays]

Pat Flinn just took the head job at Drake, so UChicago will be on the hunt once again. They've struck gold on the last two hires, here's hoping they make it three in-a-row.
https://athletics.uchicago.edu/sports/msoc/2021-22/releases/20220105lew9ss

[Chargers96]

Coast to Coast Conference adds UW-Platteville for mens soccer only. They made the NCAA 2nd round in '18 and '17.  Sweet 16 in '12.  Pretty strong group w/ CNU, UMW, Salisbury, UW-Whitewater, UC-Santa Cruz, and UW-Platteville.

[Ejay]

Former Montclair State midfielder Michael Knapp was drafted by Austin FC in the third round of the MLS SuperDraft today. He played 2 years at Montclair before joining Red Bull II.

https://montclairathletics.com/news/2022/1/11/mens-soccer-knapp-drafted-to-austin-fc-in-mls-superdraft.aspx

[Ejay]

Wilkes and Lycoming bolting for the Landmark from the MAC-Freedom effective 2023.  That leaves the MACF at 7 teams and bumps the Landmark to 10. I suspect there will be some more changes forthcoming in the MAC?

https://www.landmarkconference.org/general/2021-22/releases/14102022-landmark-expansion

[EnmoreCat]

Does there tend to be much conference movement in D3?

[jknezek]

Tons. And with recent NCAA changes to 6 conference members for an AQ we are likely set for another round.