Big Dance 2022 - Let's Go!

[Hopkins92]

Hey Coach, welcome.

This thread has kind of devolved from its original purpose, which was prognosticating and then commenting on the games in the tournament.

There was a thread mid-season that pretty deep into the OT rules, which might be a good place to pick that conversation back up now that we're in the tourney. I'll see if I can find it.

Here we go: http://www.d3boards.com/index.php?topic=9342.0

I will bump it... I think it's interesting now that we're actually in the tourney to see what people think.

[LetteroftheLaw]

Back to the tournament.... Wanted to take a look at goals for and goals against through two rounds for the remaining 16 teams. Let me start by saying obviously every teams strength of opponents differs to some extent so far, but in general this will provide a snap shot of which teams are winning with offense, defense, or both:
Chicago (6gf-2ga) vs St Thomas (4gf-1ga)
Gust Adolphus (3-1) vs St Olaf (10-2)
Stevens (4-2) vs Cortland (8-5)
Catholic (4-0) vs Hopkins (6-0)
Williams (2-1) vs Ohio Northern (1-1)
W&L (10-3) vs Kenyon (10-1)
Amherst (6-2) vs UMW (2-0)
Oneonta (7-0) vs Bowdoin (4-2)

Based on this, a couple observations/ comments:
- Impressive that 3 of the remaining 16 teams score 10 goals over the past weekend
- wonder whether GA defense or St Olafs offense will prevail
- Catholic vs Hopkins both strong defensively, will be interesting to see which one cracks
- Williams vs Ohio Northern is the battle of defenses and W&L vs Kenyon is the battle of offense (and defense), those matches fascinate me.
- I don't think UMW stands much of a chance vs Amherst but if they do I see them "getting lucky" in penalties as the only way they win.

[Hopkins92]

Nice, thanks LotL for this.

Cortland has had a wild first two games!

[NESCACfan100]

Crazy that Williams came into the tournament with 6 wins and knocked off Messiah at their field. All season Messiah was praised for being miles above every other team in the country and couldn't score in 110 minutes of soccer. I'd bet Williams beat Ohio Northern to advance to the Elite 8 where I predict their run to come to an end versus either W&L or Kenyon

[d4_Pace]

Kenyon appears to be the only host not playing the early game.  I wonder if this was by choice or if there is some arcane rule whereby playing early went to Williams because they took the spot of the #1 seed in the quad.

PN — I was wondering this as well, and I think it is simply because the games are played top to bottom in the bracket.  I was going to try to find some old brackets to confirm, but that's the best I can tell.

Interesting.  I've always been under the impression that the host or at least top seed left gets to pick and that they almost always picked the earlier game to have a few hours of more rest....but, that said, 11:00 am is early and maybe too early for some.

Sorry for the late response. But the host team gets to pick which slot they play. We also chose to play early and get the extra two hours of rest but I'm sure the Kenyon staff has their own logic. Reality is it doesn't really make much of a difference either way.

If I were in charge I think I would learn towards playing the later game because that's more in line with their normal game day schedule and routine. Worry about winning today and then sort out tomorrow was my tournament mentality.

[NEsoccerfan]

Crazy that Williams came into the tournament with 6 wins and knocked off Messiah at their field. All season Messiah was praised for being miles above every other team in the country and couldn't score in 110 minutes of soccer. I'd bet Williams beat Ohio Northern to advance to the Elite 8 where I predict their run to come to an end versus either W&L or Kenyon

"All season Messiah was praised for being miles above every other team in the country..." - That's simply not accurate at all.

[Hopkins92]

SEC = NESCAC

Personified.

Sorry, not sorry.

[NESCACfan100]

Not quite understanding the responses to my post. Messiah was #1 for most of the year and from what I read, lots of people on here said they were the top dogs along with Chicago for most of the season. I am just noting how it is "crazy" how 6-win Williams knocked them out at their own field.

[d4_Pace]

I won't comment on Messiah being lucky but Tufts certainly had tons of elements of luck in our wins. I say this each year but I think there are about 5 teams that can win a title with minimal luck, that can handle injuries and adversity and still win it all. Then there are about 10-15 additional teams that with luck and everything going there way could win in a given year. Some of the Tufts teams fell in the former category and others in the latter.

[SimpleCoach]

Crazy that Williams came into the tournament with 6 wins and knocked off Messiah at their field. All season Messiah was praised for being miles above every other team in the country and couldn't score in 110 minutes of soccer. I'd bet Williams beat Ohio Northern to advance to the Elite 8 where I predict their run to come to an end versus either W&L or Kenyon

Crazy indeed.  I've said all season that Messiah and Chicago are the two best teams.  And I still think they are miles above every other team in the country. Losing to Williams doesn't change that fact.  And yes, they couldn't score in 110 minutes... for the first time this season.

SC.

[NEsoccerfan]

Not quite understanding the responses to my post. Messiah was #1 for most of the year and from what I read, lots of people on here said they were the top dogs along with Chicago for most of the season. I am just noting how it is "crazy" how 6-win Williams knocked them out at their own field.

Ok, that's sounding more accurate. You left off the Chicago part in your first post...Totally agree re: Williams.

[NEsoccerfan]

Geez Louise dude. Ok.

This board has been wide open and full of wide ranging discussion all year. If you spent time watching them, they are one of the better D3 squads you'll get to see live.

Sorry if that offends. Geez.
                             

Who/what is this in response to?

[Gregory Sager]

SEC = NESCAC

Personified.

Sorry, not sorry.

Less sweet tea, better portfolios.

[DucksFan02]

Been quiet on the boards so far this season. LET'S GO DUCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
That is all 

[Hopkins92]

Not quite understanding the responses to my post. Messiah was #1 for most of the year and from what I read, lots of people on here said they were the top dogs along with Chicago for most of the season. I am just noting how it is "crazy" how 6-win Williams knocked them out at their own field.

Yeah, you're good... Sorry for the over the top response... Was getting into it with someone else on a completely unrelated board/topic and came in here hot.

Carry on and, again, apologies.