2021 Game Notes

[Hopkins92]

We need to grab a beer, man. We really see the game in a very similar fashion.

As I think I've proven over the years, I'm no Hopkins blind-homer. They absolutely show their overall class and skill against lesser teams, but they really lack bite and dangerousness in the final third against top-quality opponents. I've said it many times... When you are down a goal and there 10-15 whatever minutes left, you have to stop trying to quasi-tiki taki on the fringes near the midfield stripe. Even the most skillful teams start lumping the ball forward and putting the opposition D under duress in the final 10 minutes of a game.

Frankly, it's maddening.

Look at the Messiah finish today. Yes, they play the beautiful game... But when "s" gets real and the minutes are ticking down, they really start hammering the ball forward (with a purpose) and make it really tough. Hopkins, IMO, having watched them for many years, just doesn't do that. It's weird.

[SimpleCoach]

WPI v MIT  - 4 PM
MIT
Bias? – I can't spell either schools complete name.
Link – Smart Soccer Game 

   MIT's game field looks narrow.  Maybe it's the video, but it looks real narrow.
   MIT has better of the possession, but WPI is making possession difficult.  Seem to be a solid defensively. 
   WPI Keeper the Giant looks like he is 6'6".  But then again, WPI seems to have some size all over the field.
   MIT tries to get it under control, but struggling to connect beyond midfield.
   WPI seems to have been influenced by Franklin & Marshall's "Build from the Front" philosophy.  But better.
   WPI#11 and WPI#29 seem to make up the lead of the attack.  Both very big and with some skill.
   MIT not handling pressure well at all.  Very wasteful with the ball when they can get it into space.
   WPI#5 can take a free kick.  Forces the keeper to make a save that leads to a throw in.  WPI#5 takes the long throw, bounces around and lands at the feet of WPI#29, who then drills it low to the MIT Keepers left.  WPI 1, MIT 0.
   Most of the first half I would say has been in MIT's half, which I wasn't expecting.
   WPI is physical and I think that has become disagreeable for MIT.
   MIT is forced to go back and lot.  They can hold the ball with the back three, but cough it up when they try to make pass it to their midfielder who get slammed as soon as the ball come's close.
   I don't think MIT has had a shot on goal yet.
   They just had a header on corner that went to the WPI Keeper the Giant, and another where he had to goal low on one on one's.
   And like that, its halftime.  WPI 1, MIT 0.  WPI is giving MIT a run for it's money.  MIT doesn't look like they are comfortable with the ball at all.  My first time watching WPI, so not sure if this is normal for them, but they are certainly more direct with the ball.

[Hopkins92]

Here is what I have on tap for today.  Only really interested in the Messiah and Wilmington games.  For the Johns Hopkins game, I am interested in seeing if they can keep control when they are caught in a Neanderthal ball game.  Figured I would follow the Landmark games to the end, where I could.  Muhlenberg has kind of imploded,  so really not sure why I chose that one.  Happy to add or remove from the list if there are better games.

• Wilmington v John Carroll – 7:30 PM
• Gettysburg v Muhlenberg – 7 PM
• Scranton v Elizabethtown – 4 PM
• Catholic v Juniata  - 4 PM
• WPI v MIT  - 4 PM
• Johns Hopkins v Franklin & Marshall – 3 PM
• Messiah v Penn State-Harrisburg – 12 Noon

Have a great day and hope your team carries you to victory.

I could probably PM you this, but might be worth airing out... If you are around next season (crosses fingers), maybe we can keep this going and as a collective, we can coalesce around a few midweek and Saturday games. Not to take away from your thread and observations, but just to add more eyeballs to six or seven games that would be cool to get a collective sense of the games.

Now that you are dropping in streaming links, that's just become part of my enjoyment of the process.

[Hopkins92]

WPI v MIT  - 4 PM
MIT
Bias? – I can't spell either schools complete name.
Link – Smart Soccer Game 

   MIT's game field looks narrow.  Maybe it's the video, but it looks real narrow.
   MIT has better of the possession, but WPI is making possession difficult.  Seem to be a solid defensively. 
   WPI Keeper the Giant looks like he is 6'6".  But then again, WPI seems to have some size all over the field.
   MIT tries to get it under control, but struggling to connect beyond midfield.
   WPI seems to have been influenced by Franklin & Marshall's "Build from the Front" philosophy.  But better.
   WPI#11 and WPI#29 seem to make up the lead of the attack.  Both very big and with some skill.
   MIT not handling pressure well at all.  Very wasteful with the ball when they can get it into space.
   WPI#5 can take a free kick.  Forces the keeper to make a save that leads to a throw in.  WPI#5 takes the long throw, bounces around and lands at the feet of WPI#29, who then drills it low to the MIT Keepers left.  WPI 1, MIT 0.
   Most of the first half I would say has been in MIT's half, which I wasn't expecting.
   WPI is physical and I think that has become disagreeable for MIT.
   MIT is forced to go back and lot.  They can hold the ball with the back three, but cough it up when they try to make pass it to their midfielder who get slammed as soon as the ball come's close.
   I don't think MIT has had a shot on goal yet.
   They just had a header on corner that went to the WPI Keeper the Giant, and another where he had to goal low on one on one's.
   And like that, its halftime.  WPI 1, MIT 0.  WPI is giving MIT a run for it's money.  MIT doesn't look like they are comfortable with the ball at all.  My first time watching WPI, so not sure if this is normal for them, but they are certainly more direct with the ball.

Not the same style... at all... but same level of *yawn* when it comes to going forward with Hopkins. Like... it's cool that you have skill, but what's the point of the exercise fellas?

[SimpleCoach]

Gettysburg v Muhlenberg – 7 PM
Muhlenberg
Bias? – Watched both multiple times.
Link – Battle of the Mule Pasture 

   One ugly game so far.  I love a grass field, but not sure it is in the best condition.
   Lot of balls popping up and bouncing around.  Balls coming off the foot going all sorts of ways.
   Both teams obviously press so it is difficult to make a game out of it.  First 15 minutes are a bit more like an amateur boxing match.
   No real looks on goal yet as this is being played between the 18's.
   Gettysburg has Muhlenberg playing from deeper because they are a little more effective in getting forward.
   Am a big fan of Gettysburg#6 and Muhlenberg#8.  Both a anchors for their team.
   20 minutes remaining and they keep slugging away at each other.
   Neither team has a clear idea of how to get forward and break down the defense.
   If I were a betting man, I think a goal would have to come from some set piece, be it a corner or a free kick, or long throw.  Just don't see it any other way right now.
   And like that Muhlenberg proves me wrong and gets on the end of ball that should have been cleared out.  Thru ball from Muhlenberg#17 .  Gettysburg#3 is there to make the play but misjudges the ball and it lands at the feet of Muhlenberg#32, who takes a touch and hits it over the keeper as he is going to ground to try and get the ball.  Gettysburg 0, Muhlenberg 1.
   3 minutes left in the half.
   Halftime.  Not a great game, just a battle.

[SimpleCoach]

Wilmington v John Carroll – 7:30 PM
John Carroll
Bias? – Multiple times watching each.
Link –   OAC Contest Du Jour

   Both teams feeling each other out.  Trying to work the ball and find the open space.  Defensively, both teams are not giving anything in the final third.
   JCU has had a couple of dangerous opportunities in the first 15 minutes.
   Senior Night at JCU.  Wahoo!
   JCU getting wide wherever they can and driving the ball across keeping Wilmington defense on guard.  That's where the goals will come from.
   JCU does a good job of shifting the side of the attack.
   And there you have it.  Ball gets out wide and is driven across the box.  There are three Wilmington defenders in the middle, no one marking the three John Carroll forwards, one who is near, one central and one far post.  The central JCU#8(?) is two yards behind the Wilmington defender.  The far post JCU forward, is three yards in front of a defender.  The ball is driven across and JCU#8 slides and hits the ball in the back of the net.  Wilmington 0, John Carrol 1.
   27 minutes left in the half.
   Wilmington has a long throw with Wilminton#42(?)
   Numbers are hard to read.  Kudos to the announcers who are do a good commentary on the game.
   Wilmington is stepping up high now to get the equalizer.
   JCU doing a good job of slowing the play with possession.  Especially as Wilmington has a sense of urgency to equalize.
   Wilmington does need to be careful.  JCU is effective on the counter and catching Wilmington in transition.
   JCU really marking tight at midfield, really making it difficult for Wilmington to get the ball in dangerous spots.  They need to move the ball more quickly, and support the man with the ball who doesn't seem to have the options to keep it moving.
   Halftime. Wilmington 0, John Carrol 1.  John Carroll has the better of the play on both sides of the ball.  Wilmington struggling to figure things out, especially when they try to get forward, but think that's because JCU is doing so well defensively.

[Ejay]

SC, might I offer a suggestion?  Instead of watching the first half of games, watch the second half of games.  I'm finding that often the first half largely consists of 1 of 2 things:
1. Both teams feeling each other out to see where their opponent's strength's and weaknesses are. Or
2. One team pressing the hell out of the other team to force mistakes and take a early lead into half. 

The second half of games are much more interesting.  You start to get a better sense for what each team's philosophy is, which teams have coaches that are tactically savvy, and ultimately what teams are made of. 

[Centennial1]

SC, might I offer a suggestion?  Instead of watching the first half of games, watch the second half of games.  I'm finding that often the first half largely consists of 1 of 2 things:
1. Both teams feeling each other out to see where their opponent's strength's and weaknesses are. Or
2. One team pressing the hell out of the other team to force mistakes and take a early lead into half. 

The second half of games are much more interesting.  You start to get a better sense for what each team's philosophy is, which teams have coaches that are tactically savvy, and ultimately what teams are made of.

Now that you say it, I think that's a great idea. Most important, DON'T STOP taking notes, SC. (Mods: he's shouting! Lock the thread! )

[SimpleCoach]

Scranton v Elizabethtown
ETown
Bias? – None.
Link – SCR v ETown

   Don't know if it was me or the video quality wasn't good.  Between sun glare and being almost at field level, was hard for me to watch.  Sorry.

[SimpleCoach]

SC, might I offer a suggestion?  Instead of watching the first half of games, watch the second half of games.  I'm finding that often the first half largely consists of 1 of 2 things:
1. Both teams feeling each other out to see where their opponent's strength's and weaknesses are. Or
2. One team pressing the hell out of the other team to force mistakes and take a early lead into half. 

The second half of games are much more interesting.  You start to get a better sense for what each team's philosophy is, which teams have coaches that are tactically savvy, and ultimately what teams are made of.

The reason for the first half is because 1. the passing.  Tried figuring out when a team would be at their best to count passes.  And for consistency, I stuck with the same half.  2. There is no other reason.

I have watched over 100 games, and think I have enough info.  So, because @Ejay asked politely, I will watch the second half of the next game.  And see if I get enthused by the change in pace.

And thanks for the kind words @Centennial1.  Now shut him down Mods!

[SimpleCoach]

Catholic v Juniata
Juniata
Bias? – First time watching Juniata.
Link – Battle of the Birds

   This is what I will call the Ejay Experience.  I am watching the second half of this game.  Not counting passes.
   Catholic 0, Juniata 1.  Went back and watched the goal.  Came on a corner.  Catholic doesn't mark man to man, they all go inside the six.  Big man gets up, unmarked, and scores a header.
   I mean this is where I scratch my head and say I can't believe they are not better.  Catholic has the ball in the back.  Catholic #4 receives the ball from his left from Catholic#29/.  Takes a touch then passes it to Catholic#24.  To his right is the third leg of the triangle, but he is not in the right position because he is too high.  Catholic#24 receives the ball and passes the ball out of bounds instead of to the man on his right.  And so you go from an easy build up to giving Juniata a throw in deep in Catholic's half. 
   I am watching too much soccer and starting to nit pick.
   And then Juniata throws the ball in, and the receiver on touches the ball... out of bounds.
   Catholic has the opportunity to tie the game early in the second half with three or four shots from two yards out.  Juniata Keeper comes up big on a couple, defense on a couple and finally get the ball out.  Should be 1-1. 
   Those shots inside the six is exactly what Catholic looks for in their attach.  The more chaos ball, the better.
   Catholic now gets a ridiculous penalty from what I can tell.  Shoulder to shoulder for a ball.  Catholic#7 to step up and take it.  Puts it to the Juniata Keeper's right, he dives left.  Catholic 1, Juniata 1.
   Am baffled by the work some of these players do to win the ball, then to squander it with a bad pass or ill-timed attempt to beat the man on the dribble.
   Juniata caught Catholic sleeping on a restart, and Juniata#7, who received the ball, did a poor job controlling the ball and it went out of bounds.
   Catholic is keeping Juniata deep in their half.  They can't connect to get out of the pressure.
   If I were the Juniata coach, I would press Catholic#32 every time the ball came to him.
   Think this referee is losing it.  Just handing out cards indiscriminately as if they were business cards.
   Lets be clear, Catholic is the better team.  Why it is even tied is beyond me.  The only two players that stand out for me are Juniat#8, a big tall center back, and Juniata#23(?) , a speedy forward.  Other than that, think Catholic should have the run of these guys.
   I find that with Catholic and a lot of teams, they lack awareness in their positions, and that their positions are starting points, not areas of responsibility, if that makes sense.
   Catholic attacks without any sense of organization, which is fine.  But their CDM, Catholic#18 is hunting for a goal and stepping up high.  Result is that there is a 30 yard gap between defenders and the midfielders.  This is where Juniata should have a man sitting, hovering for the ball to come to him and then go on the attack.  That's where Juniata will get a goal.
   Catholic is having all sorts of shots blocked or cleared off the line. 
   Catholic Keeper just came out for a corner ... more like went fishing on a corner.  Big Juniata player snapped a header that went off the cross bar.  They got the corner ... because of two bullets before.
   Unless Juniata can counter quick, they have no hope of getting the ball past midfield.  If done right, two passes can leave 7 Catholic players chasing back.
   Getting a little chippy.
   Juniata is dangerous on corners.  Different looks and have four real tall players.
   Catholic attacks North/South.  So predictable.  If I were the Juniata coach, I would man mark Catholic#3 and Catholic#12 shut them down and the wings will be shut down.
   And end of the second half.  Catholic 1, Juniata 1.  OT it is.
   According to the stats, Catholic has 24 shots, Juniata 5.  How is it only 1-1?  Seriously, that is a question I would be asking if I were the Catholic head coach.
   First OT .... Same as it ever was.
   Second OT.  Catholic Keeper has a spectacular save on a Juniata shot to keep it level.  On a corner... Catholic chaos.  Shot, block, shot, header, block, shot block, rebound goal.  Catholic 2, Juniata 1.

[SimpleCoach]

We need to grab a beer, man. We really see the game in a very similar fashion.

As I think I've proven over the years, I'm no Hopkins blind-homer. They absolutely show their overall class and skill against lesser teams, but they really lack bite and dangerousness in the final third against top-quality opponents. I've said it many times... When you are down a goal and there 10-15 whatever minutes left, you have to stop trying to quasi-tiki taki on the fringes near the midfield stripe. Even the most skillful teams start lumping the ball forward and putting the opposition D under duress in the final 10 minutes of a game.

Frankly, it's maddening.

Look at the Messiah finish today. Yes, they play the beautiful game... But when "s" gets real and the minutes are ticking down, they really start hammering the ball forward (with a purpose) and make it really tough. Hopkins, IMO, having watched them for many years, just doesn't do that. It's weird.

Anytime @Hopkins92.

[Hopkins92]

Wilmington v John Carroll – 7:30 PM
John Carroll
Bias? – Multiple times watching each.
Link –   OAC Contest Du Jour

   Both teams feeling each other out.  Trying to work the ball and find the open space.  Defensively, both teams are not giving anything in the final third.
   JCU has had a couple of dangerous opportunities in the first 15 minutes.
   Senior Night at JCU.  Wahoo!
   JCU getting wide wherever they can and driving the ball across keeping Wilmington defense on guard.  That's where the goals will come from.
   JCU does a good job of shifting the side of the attack.
   And there you have it.  Ball gets out wide and is driven across the box.  There are three Wilmington defenders in the middle, no one marking the three John Carroll forwards, one who is near, one central and one far post.  The central JCU#8(?) is two yards behind the Wilmington defender.  The far post JCU forward, is three yards in front of a defender.  The ball is driven across and JCU#8 slides and hits the ball in the back of the net.  Wilmington 0, John Carrol 1.
   27 minutes left in the half.
   Wilmington has a long throw with Wilminton#42(?)
   Numbers are hard to read.  Kudos to the announcers who are do a good commentary on the game.
   Wilmington is stepping up high now to get the equalizer.
   JCU doing a good job of slowing the play with possession.  Especially as Wilmington has a sense of urgency to equalize.
   Wilmington does need to be careful.  JCU is effective on the counter and catching Wilmington in transition.
   JCU really marking tight at midfield, really making it difficult for Wilmington to get the ball in dangerous spots.  They need to move the ball more quickly, and support the man with the ball who doesn't seem to have the options to keep it moving.
   Halftime. Wilmington 0, John Carrol 1.  John Carroll has the better of the play on both sides of the ball.  Wilmington struggling to figure things out, especially when they try to get forward, but think that's because JCU is doing so well defensively.

Granted, I only caught a few moments, but...

Man, that field is hard to look at... yeesh.

The Second goal from JCU was an absolute laser off the foot of a freshmen.

Overall impression is that JCU is sneaky good and will be an incredibly tough out in the tourney.

[PaulNewman]

Hopkins, strongly concur on John Carroll...probably the most underrated among real contenders because they had a couple of bumps during the season.  Very disciplined, a mature, experienced older team, grown men, with at least 4-5 real difference makers.  Will have a very strong RvR currently at like 5-2-3.  Battle tested and has prevailed in high-level matches with Chicago and Kenyon, the kind of teams you'll face in the Sweet 16 and Elite 8. 

And unfortunately agree about the field.  It's even worse when JCU, CWRU, etc host in the NCAA tourney.  Leaving aside any snob factor, just selfishly the games on those fields are very hard to watch because of the degraded visual quality effect.  All the lines and how dark the fields often are on the stream really impact viewing clarity.  My sense is that there is at least a little bit of similar effect for the players. 

[Hopkins92]

Hopkins, strongly concur on John Carroll...probably the most underrated among real contenders because they had a couple of bumps during the season.  Very disciplined, a mature, experienced older team, grown men, with at least 4-5 real difference makers.  Will have a very strong RvR currently at like 5-2-3.  Battle tested and has prevailed in high-level matches with Chicago and Kenyon, the kind of teams you'll face in the Sweet 16 and Elite 8. 

And unfortunately agree about the field.  It's even worse when JCU, CWRU, etc host in the NCAA tourney.  Leaving aside any snob factor, just selfishly the games on those fields are very hard to watch because of the degraded visual quality effect.  All the lines and how dark the fields often are on the stream really impact viewing clarity.  My sense is that there is at least a little bit of similar effect for the players.

I don't think SC will mind a bit of a threadjack here...

I absolutely feel like I'm ready to do the Poll next year. Flying around now having watched at least 30 different teams outside of the Region V, you can really get a sense of the quality and... I dunno, strength of purpose? of teams within just a few minutes. Like, I watched Emory vs. Peidmont last month and came away VERY impressed with Emory. And that was on just 10 or so minutes.

Teams either have a plan and conviction or they don't. Example: We may not like the style F&M deploys, but... hoo boy, those guys are on the same page, committed, and they finish their chances. Very dangerous team.