2021 Final Four

[irapthor]

Will be interesting to see how these familiar foes ask questions of one another tonight.
Announcers: much improved coverage so far.

Thanks...we do listen to constructive feedback...the two of us have been doing this together for some time now.

I'm surprised Amherst has not gone deeper into its bench in the first half to preserve some legs for the second half which we know is going to be juicy.

[PaulNewman]

Conn fortunate to go into half 0-0.  First 20-25 minutes was survival but I thought that in 2nd half last night with Amherst so maybe I'm wrong.  It's almost like Amherst is playing different sport, not just different style.  I'd like to know how Bryce Johnson got 12 years of eligibility.  Seems like a great kid but wish he'd never learned how to do a flip throw.

Conn has got to find a way to put Amherst defense under more sustained pressure.

And yes, announcers MUCH better and on point.  Only obvious error I heard (understandable) was calling Bocchetti Derby because of same numbers).

[hiyasoccer]

Will be interesting to see how these familiar foes ask questions of one another tonight.
Announcers: much improved coverage so far.

Interesting that you say this, because they're definitely familiar with each other, but far from as familiar as they might be. The true seniors have only faced Amherst 3 times previously, super seniors 4 times. Juniors have 2 previous games against them, freshmen and sophomores have 1. So yes, definitely familiar, but IIRC (and my memory sucks) Tufts got almost as familiar with Kenyon as these players are with each other.

For a contrast, by the time I finished my 4 years, there were two teams I had faced 7 times (9 for one of them if you count two preseason scrimmages). At that point I knew our gameplan against both of them like the back of my hand (funnily enough most of the games went pretty much the same way), and I could probably have given the tactics talk for our opponents as well.

[hiyasoccer]

Phenomenal reach by Amherst keeper to keep Conn out on a curler that might have taken a deflection to add some topspin. Good footwork and dive, positioning looked good but hard to tell. Tricky tricky shot.

And Conn scores on the ensuing corner! Simple in-swinger to the back post, headed past the empty post (looks like both post players left their spots, so guessing that was intentional?). Honestly would love Amherst to lose on a set piece. Go Camels!

Other random thought - Conn really needs to put someone on the near post on these long throws zipped in to feet.

[Jump4Joy]

Meanwhile, Amherst comes back on a set piece. More soccer to come!

[hiyasoccer]

Oh boy, Conn have really shot themselves in the foot here. Between the 3 v. 1 where the attacker decided to dribble at the one defender rather than make the easy breakaway pass, and the bad keeper mistake there... can't make those kinds of mistakes. On the bright side for Conn they'll get a break to get their heads right.

[paclassic89]

Oh boy, more time for gimmick throw-ins and lumping balls into the box   

[hiyasoccer]

Oh boy, more time for gimmick throw-ins and lumping balls into the box   

Jinx!

[SimpleCoach]

Amherst v Connecticut
National Championship
4 December 2021

-   Connecticut is caught up in the Amherst vortex.
-   Amherst game plan is to get as many throw in's as possible.
-   I have to believe that Amherst will run out of steam more quickly than usual.
-   Conn just needs to hold and deal with the pressure.  And figure out how to keep the ball on the deck and to feet.
-   Conn is slowly finding their place.  First 25 minutes it was Amherst's game.
-   Pace has slowed from Amherst but continue to press.  Conn is able to move the ball a little better.  And haven't seen a flip throw in like 10 minutes!
-   Again, Amherst get's away with playing so physically because the ref permits a lot of physical activity.
-   I like how Conn has taken control of the game.  Two touch soccer.  It's the only way to deal with Amherst.
-   The overly dramatic responses by Amherst players to any call that goes against them is tiresome.
-   Nil-Nil at the half.....
-   Conn doing much better to start the second half.  Amherst still pressing as they do, but not as effective. Conn is able to connect a bit more. 
-   Amherst pressure is not nearly as intense as it was in the first 20 minutes.
-   And Conn gets a goal.  Corner kick on a fantastic save by the Amherst Keeper.  Ball swung far post and headed in.  No back post man?  And the Amherst defender was literally hugging the Conn forward.
-   Regardless of outcome, this is the result of Conn just being patient and dealing with the pressure all game.
-   You can see in certain instances where Amherst is getting nervous.  Simple mistakes because they are being rushed ..... to kick the ball long.
-   Conn is feeling it.  Getting comfortable moving the ball under pressure.
-   20 minutes left.
-   Amherst looking for anything to happen in the box, but Conn is being disciplined in the back.
-   Amherst has a 6'8 guy.  Think his position is to be anywhere there is a high ball.
-   11 minutes left.
-   Announcer just said Amherst has only had 2 corner kicks.
-   Conn #23 is the best freshman left back in the country.  He also makes mistakes like he is freshman.
-   I do like the Amherst Keeper.  Made two huge saves and he is very solid in the air.
-   4 minutes left.
-   Amherst is looking spent.  Lots of standing around, and the pressure is non-existent by their standards.
-   2 minutes.
-   Remarkable.  Chaos in front of the goal and Amherst scores the tying goal.  Why the Conn Keeper didn't come out for it, I don't know.
-   And we go to OT.
-   First half of OT over. 
-   On to the second half.
-   In both halves, Conn has done well in possession.   Now they need to reward themselves.
-   Amherst is coached to wrap their arms around the player they are defending on a corner or set play.  Conn should have gotten a PK after Conn player was pulled down by Amherst#12.
-   Amherst just get's dangerous when you least expect it.
-   1-1 after 110 minutes.
-   Penalty Kicks to decide who will be the national champion.  On that note, I will not be watching.  Am out.
-   Interesting that they have switched Conn Keepers.
-   Ok.  I am watching.  The Conn Keeper who replaced the Conn Keeper just made two remarkable saves to his right on the first two PKs Amherst took.  The second one was full on incredible.  Now I know why they switched them.
-   And Connecticut College are the 2021 National Champions.

[Jump4Joy]

Congrats to Conn. Congrats to NESCAC.

[blooter442]

First national championship in any sport for the Camels.

[paclassic89]

Alright,  good guys won

[PaulNewman]

What an accomplishment by Conn College...just incredible.  I'm flashing back to the last minute of Salem St and Burk in his chair calmly filling out his PK lineup.  Went into Bello at Tufts , came back twice, and then survived a massive comeback effort by the defending champs, somehow gets through W&L that was #1 almost the whole season, and then Amherst, one of the toughest challenges a team can have in the biggest of spots.

COY is Burk.

MVP of this tournament tie between Yeonas, Jaran, and Djerdjaj with almost MVP to Maidenberg, Hope-Gund, and Cubbedu.  Back four for Conn massive as well.

[PaulNewman]

LOL... the guy handing out the trophies is a Kenyon guy in the athletic department!  Closest we've gotten!

[PaulNewman]

Amherst v Connecticut
National Championship
4 December 2021


-   Nil-Nil at the half.....

LOL.

Conn was just so resilient...a minute away and Amherst levels.  Gets through 2 OTs and total calm for the PKs.

Yeonas is a paradigmatic leader.  Did he get the MVP?