Big Dance 2022 - Let's Go!

[Saint of Old]

Coach Bean was a legend indeed.
So is Dr. J

There is. Reason the 50p win club is so very small.
I think coaches like that have simply seen it all before and getbto the point where they are the embodiment of tbeir program.
Interestingly both legendary coaches won 2 Chips.

I know OWU fans would love for Dr. Jay to get a 3rd.

[Domino1195]

I've seen OWU several times this season - early on and lastly the home Kenyon game. While they improved over the year I still think their defense is vulnerable and mistake prone. It only takes one mistake. But Denison and Kenyon were the quality of the NCAC and OWU went 3-0-1 vs them.

Snow is certain for the ONU site; Kenyon sits on a line that could go sleet, rain or snow. Enjoy!

[Mid-Atlantic Fan]

Kenyon vs Calvin

Should be an Elite 8 or Final 4 matchup but somehow we get this in the 2nd round. Cruel for both teams to get this draw.

I think you'll see Calvin squeak this one out in OT 3-2.

[Flying Weasel]

Kenyon vs Calvin

Should be an Elite 8 or Final 4 matchup but somehow we get this in the 2nd round. Cruel for both teams to get this draw.

And last year Kenyon and Messiah met in the 2nd Round, and there's plenty of other examples over the years.  Geography plays a big part, but also the ranking/selection criteria which, being too simplistic and formulaic/rigid, results in Calvin being ranked just 4th in their region (which who knows how and what that translates to in overall national seeding).  Theoretically, having the #1 team in one region play the #4 team from another region in the second round (round of 32) really isn't out of line unless the #4 ranked team's region was identified as being stronger/deeper than most other regions in which case a Sweet 16 encounter would be appropriate.  Last year Kenyon, #4 in their region, matched up with Messiah who was #1 in theirs, which means that game should have been a second round, maybe Sweet 16, match-up based on whatever formal or informal seeding that committee develops. Until the regional ranking and selection criteria allows for more subjectivity to recognize that even though a team didn't have the toughest schedule, they still are among the best teams in the nation, these sorts of first weekend match-ups will continue to occur in essence by design, not due to the misfortune of geography/travel considerations.

[Domino1195]

This is not your grandfather's Calvin team re: defense. They've conceded 22 goals and have just a few clean sheets. No comparison to the teams 4-5 years ago or the game these two played in the elite 8 in 2015. I just don't see Calvin's backs staying with the Kenyon forwards.  Plus the one and two-touch play that the team excels at: they should break down Calvin's defense several times today.

#8 for Kenyon will not have as much time to d*ck around with the ball as he did yesterday. If he gets caught and stripped - Calvin on the counter will be deadly.

[MNBob]

Game day! Good luck to all the players and coaches playing today and may the fans get to see some exciting and injury-free soccer!

[Buck O.]

What I don't understand as Calvin crushes a UAA team (showing they didn't belong in the tournament)

Um, no.  Teams that belong in the tournament can have a bad day.  Or the team they're playing can have a particularly good day.  Or both.  One game's results do not demonstrate that a team didn't belong in the tournament.

[Buck O.]

This ref must have rabbit ears or something... Seems very worried about dissent (I guess) and he's given out a card to CMU already that looked like for dissent and now he's barking at the keeper. Like... They aren't wasting time, what could he possibly be getting into it with the goalie for there?

Lighten up, Francis.

Have you ever seen a good ref with rabbit ears?  I can't recall it.  In my experience, hypersensitivity is usually a near-perfect indicator that this ref is going to suck.

[LetteroftheLaw]

Yes enjoy the games today! Interested to hear any upset predictions/ unexpected results; mine are below:
- Aurora over Gust Adolphus
- Rowan over Middlebury
- Vassar over Babson

Games I'm looking most forward to are:
- UMHB vs Pac Lutheran
- Midd vs Rowan
- Williams vs nyu

[Buck O.]

Kenyon vs Calvin

Should be an Elite 8 or Final 4 matchup but somehow we get this in the 2nd round. Cruel for both teams to get this draw.

And last year Kenyon and Messiah met in the 2nd Round, and there's plenty of other examples over the years.  Geography plays a big part, but also the ranking/selection criteria which, being too simplistic and formulaic/rigid, results in Calvin being ranked just 4th in their region (which who knows how and what that translates to in overall national seeding).  Theoretically, having the #1 team in one region play the #4 team from another region in the second round (round of 32) really isn't out of line unless the #4 ranked team's region was identified as being stronger/deeper than most other regions in which case a Sweet 16 encounter would be appropriate.  Last year Kenyon, #4 in their region, matched up with Messiah who was #1 in theirs, which means that game should have been a second round, maybe Sweet 16, match-up based on whatever formal or informal seeding that committee develops. Until the regional ranking and selection criteria allows for more subjectivity to recognize that even though a team didn't have the toughest schedule, they still are among the best teams in the nation, these sorts of first weekend match-ups will continue to occur in essence by design, not due to the misfortune of geography/travel considerations.

Does anyone know how long the current format has been in effect?  Because the regional-based format seems like something out of the 70s, when people only saw teams from within their region.  It's time to modernize the format.  I understand that there will still be an interest in minimizing travel expenses, which may cause good teams in some cases to face each other sooner than they otherwise should, but placing the #1 team in one region vs the #4 team in another is just silly.

[PaulNewman]

Kenyon vs Calvin

Should be an Elite 8 or Final 4 matchup but somehow we get this in the 2nd round. Cruel for both teams to get this draw.

And last year Kenyon and Messiah met in the 2nd Round, and there's plenty of other examples over the years.  Geography plays a big part, but also the ranking/selection criteria which, being too simplistic and formulaic/rigid, results in Calvin being ranked just 4th in their region (which who knows how and what that translates to in overall national seeding).  Theoretically, having the #1 team in one region play the #4 team from another region in the second round (round of 32) really isn't out of line unless the #4 ranked team's region was identified as being stronger/deeper than most other regions in which case a Sweet 16 encounter would be appropriate.  Last year Kenyon, #4 in their region, matched up with Messiah who was #1 in theirs, which means that game should have been a second round, maybe Sweet 16, match-up based on whatever formal or informal seeding that committee develops. Until the regional ranking and selection criteria allows for more subjectivity to recognize that even though a team didn't have the toughest schedule, they still are among the best teams in the nation, these sorts of first weekend match-ups will continue to occur in essence by design, not due to the misfortune of geography/travel considerations.

I have just emerged from my online blackbelt yoga/Buddhism class led by Saint of Old....and I am drenched in a deep and abiding acceptance.

Kenyon is national title (or at least Final 4) or bust (and no doubt same with Calvin) team.  Sure, if Kenyon loses early I may have to absorb a few extra mini-revenge posts hurled my way, but big picture, I don't care one bit whether they lose now, or to W&L or CWRU next round or to Messiah (or whoever) in the Elite 8. 

Do I think the draw (for both) was unfortunate?  YES.  Nefarious? NO.  Calvin and OWU have played in the 2nd round several times.  What is more questionable to me (and again, not nefarious) is putting these two in the same quad with Messiah.  If one wants to argue that Stevens was more deserving than Kenyon for a #1 seed, OK.  But then at least put Stevens and Kenyon in a quad together.

I personally don't care if it is a great game or not, but I think it will be.  Calvin will be the best team Kenyon has played all season (maybe by far).  Kenyon may not be the best team Calvin has faced, but the Owls also pose challenges the Knights haven't seen.  If we all hadn't just watched Calvin decimate CMU I think most would see this as a toss-up or a lean Kenyon.  Calvin has great talent all over the field, but I'm not sure the CMU match means much.  Kenyon beat CWRU 4-0 and ONU 6-2.

Great energy, poise, and intense focus for 90 (or 110) minutes.  No panic if go down 1-0, and no let-up if go up 2-0.  Run through the tape as they say and live with the result.

[blooter442]

Currently watching the Polar Bears on split screen with LIV-SOU. Bowdoin hosting the XC regionals as well as this pod. You can see the women's runners in the background of the game!

[LetteroftheLaw]

Oneonta all over NEC 4-0 17 mins into the match, yikes.

[blooter442]

Oof, Merchant Marine takes a 1-0 lead on Bowdoin. Ball back to the goalkeeper was hopping but he misplayed the bounce and it went straight in. Didn't see that coming.

[Maine Soccer Fan]

Oof, Merchant Marine takes a 1-0 lead on Bowdoin. Ball back to the goalkeeper was hopping but he misplayed the bounce and it went straight in. Didn't see that coming.

Did it pop over his foot or over his head?