Big Dance 2022 - Let's Go!

[Yankeesoccerdad]

Just wanna say the vibe on this site right now is pretty cool.

Posters raising their games man.
This is Playoffs boys, gotta come a bit stronger with the banter and the play on the field!!!

This is the first year I am reading about the tournament here (previously just focused on NESCAC) and I am amazed at how much people here know about what many would consider a fairly obscure topic.  I get the homers knowing a lot about their teams, but how do the frequent posters know so much about the national d3 soccer landscape?  I guess I am not really looking for an answer to that question; I am just appreciating the enthusiasm and knowledge here.

This reminds me of the first time i listened to the Paul Finebaum show and realized there is a population that knows who the fourth string right guard is for every SEC football team before the annual spring football games.  And now I know there is a similar (but smaller) population following d3 soccer.

[MNBob]

This is the first year I am reading about the tournament here (previously just focused on NESCAC) and I am amazed at how much people here know about what many would consider a fairly obscure topic.  I get the homers knowing a lot about their teams, but how do the frequent posters know so much about the national d3 soccer landscape?  I guess I am not really looking for an answer to that question; I am just appreciating the enthusiasm and knowledge here.

Echoes my thoughts as well.

[College Soccer Observer]

True, but ccny replaced a game vs Centenary that was almost as bad from a schedule point of view.

[jknezek]

This is the first year I am reading about the tournament here (previously just focused on NESCAC) and I am amazed at how much people here know about what many would consider a fairly obscure topic.  I get the homers knowing a lot about their teams, but how do the frequent posters know so much about the national d3 soccer landscape?  I guess I am not really looking for an answer to that question; I am just appreciating the enthusiasm and knowledge here.

This reminds me of the first time i listened to the Paul Finebaum show and realized there is a population that knows who the fourth string right guard is for every SEC football team before the annual spring football games.  And now I know there is a similar (but smaller) population following d3 soccer.

Since I run the Fan Poll on this site I'm just going to say that I'm constantly amazed at the time and effort the pollsters put in and their depth of knowledge. Some are very active posters on here, some are not, but all of them have great insight and knowledge. There are some others on here I wish I could convince to join the poll, but I don't think you will find a better group of D3 soccer analysts anywhere.

Having helped with the D3soccer.com Men's poll this year, I think they get great information fed to them to help them choose their ballots. I'm not sure those coaches, ADs, etc. have the time or inclination to put in their own analysis that the guys doing the Fan Poll have pushed out. Coaches are busy coaching, ADs are busy taking care of all of their sports.

Our Fan Poll voters are... focused... on the national D3 soccer landscape like no one else in the country. Add that to the rest of the community here and it is really a singular place for the best information on a pretty obscure topic.

[PaulNewman]

Just wanna say the vibe on this site right now is pretty cool.

Posters raising their games man.
This is Playoffs boys, gotta come a bit stronger with the banter and the play on the field!!!

This is the first year I am reading about the tournament here (previously just focused on NESCAC) and I am amazed at how much people here know about what many would consider a fairly obscure topic.  I get the homers knowing a lot about their teams, but how do the frequent posters know so much about the national d3 soccer landscape?  I guess I am not really looking for an answer to that question; I am just appreciating the enthusiasm and knowledge here.

This reminds me of the first time i listened to the Paul Finebaum show and realized there is a population that knows who the fourth string right guard is for every SEC football team before the annual spring football games.  And now I know there is a similar (but smaller) population following d3 soccer.

OMG, love Finebaum.  In fact, I want to be the Paul Finebaum for D3 Soccer....let's say, for like maybe 250K per year.  "OK, BillyRayJimBob from Dubuque, what you got today?"

[coach analytics]

Just wanna say the vibe on this site right now is pretty cool.

Posters raising their games man.
This is Playoffs boys, gotta come a bit stronger with the banter and the play on the field!!!

This is the first year I am reading about the tournament here (previously just focused on NESCAC) and I am amazed at how much people here know about what many would consider a fairly obscure topic.  I get the homers knowing a lot about their teams, but how do the frequent posters know so much about the national d3 soccer landscape?  I guess I am not really looking for an answer to that question; I am just appreciating the enthusiasm and knowledge here.

This reminds me of the first time i listened to the Paul Finebaum show and realized there is a population that knows who the fourth string right guard is for every SEC football team before the annual spring football games.  And now I know there is a similar (but smaller) population following d3 soccer.

OMG, love Finebaum.  In fact, I want to be the Paul Finebaum for D3 Soccer....let's say, for like maybe 250K per year.  "OK, BillyRayJimBob from Dubuque, what you got today?"

PN - no doubt you are the front runner with Mr Right dropping out (nothing covert here) but i am working on my resume.

[oacalum]

Am I remembering correctly that someone set up a bracket challenge for the tournament last year?

[Gregory Sager]

Just wanna say the vibe on this site right now is pretty cool.

Posters raising their games man.
This is Playoffs boys, gotta come a bit stronger with the banter and the play on the field!!!

This is the first year I am reading about the tournament here (previously just focused on NESCAC) and I am amazed at how much people here know about what many would consider a fairly obscure topic.  I get the homers knowing a lot about their teams, but how do the frequent posters know so much about the national d3 soccer landscape?  I guess I am not really looking for an answer to that question; I am just appreciating the enthusiasm and knowledge here.

This reminds me of the first time i listened to the Paul Finebaum show and realized there is a population that knows who the fourth string right guard is for every SEC football team before the annual spring football games.  And now I know there is a similar (but smaller) population following d3 soccer.

OMG, love Finebaum.  In fact, I want to be the Paul Finebaum for D3 Soccer....let's say, for like maybe 250K per year.  "OK, BillyRayJimBob from Dubuque, what you got today?"

"Well, PN, I just wanna say in response to that last caller that doing away with the sweeper system after Rothert left has nothing to do with anything. You win soccer games by putting the ball in the net, and Loras just ain't doing that right now. You gotta get another Bonilla or Pucci in there who's gonna get it done up top. It kills me that Johnson is bringing in all those Swedes across town who can score, and the Spartans are killing it while the Duhawks have fallen on their faces. In order to get back into the national picture, they need offense. Ya gotta recruit offense! OK, that's all I gotta say, so I'll hang up and wait for your reply."

[PaulNewman]

Just wanna say the vibe on this site right now is pretty cool.

Posters raising their games man.
This is Playoffs boys, gotta come a bit stronger with the banter and the play on the field!!!

This is the first year I am reading about the tournament here (previously just focused on NESCAC) and I am amazed at how much people here know about what many would consider a fairly obscure topic.  I get the homers knowing a lot about their teams, but how do the frequent posters know so much about the national d3 soccer landscape?  I guess I am not really looking for an answer to that question; I am just appreciating the enthusiasm and knowledge here.

This reminds me of the first time i listened to the Paul Finebaum show and realized there is a population that knows who the fourth string right guard is for every SEC football team before the annual spring football games.  And now I know there is a similar (but smaller) population following d3 soccer.

OMG, love Finebaum.  In fact, I want to be the Paul Finebaum for D3 Soccer....let's say, for like maybe 250K per year.  "OK, BillyRayJimBob from Dubuque, what you got today?"

"Well, PN, I just wanna say in response to that last caller that doing away with the sweeper system after Rothert left has nothing to do with anything. You win soccer games by putting the ball in the net, and Loras just ain't doing that right now. You gotta get another Bonilla or Pucci in there who's gonna get it done up top. It kills me that Johnson is bringing in all those Swedes across town who can score, and the Spartans are killing it while the Duhawks have fallen on their faces. In order to get back into the national picture, they need offense. Ya gotta recruit offense! OK, that's all I gotta say, so I'll hang up and wait for your reply."

That's great!

And Kevin Cavers, Alex Bradley, Jorge Simon, Tommy "take a bow" Fluegel, Richard Lenke, Johnny Rummelhart, and Sam Koenig (current UW-Platteville coach) are not walking through that door.

[2xfaux]

I am not sure where to ask this question.. I am wondering how the Covid year, having created so many grad student and fifth year players this year will play out going forward.

[Ejay]

Well, I stand by my opinion :-)

Seriously,  teams that didn't make the ncaa tournament ranked in the top 10, over a team that finished in the final four? How does that make any sense? What does Massey "think" is changing. One has a longstanding coach, the other doesn't.  Do you think Massey has some special insight into the incoming freshmen?!

I will eat my hat if Williams finishes the year ahead of Washington and Lee -- and I will do it on @simplecoach's YouTube channel to boot!

The great thing about a 6 win Williams team making the tournament is this possibility!

[Gregory Sager]

Well, I stand by my opinion :-)

Seriously,  teams that didn't make the ncaa tournament ranked in the top 10, over a team that finished in the final four? How does that make any sense? What does Massey "think" is changing. One has a longstanding coach, the other doesn't.  Do you think Massey has some special insight into the incoming freshmen?!

I will eat my hat if Williams finishes the year ahead of Washington and Lee -- and I will do it on @simplecoach's YouTube channel to boot!

The great thing about a 6 win Williams team making the tournament is this possibility!

I have to admit to an unhealthy curiosity as to whether we would, in fact, get a chance to see Another Mom dine on her chapeau on SC's YouTube show.

[Another Mom]

Ha ha ha (although, as someone who always wants to have a Plan B, my mind *has* turned to investigating hat-shaped cakes . . .)

I suppose there's the tiniest chance that the two might play in the tournament  . . . Though if they do, I'd better get my hat-eating practice in --  making it out of that quadrant would be quite an achievement.

[Kuiper]

Pacific Lutheran posted a video on Twitter showing the team's reaction upon learning that they had gotten a Pool C bid.  I think it's nice to remember that it's not just a few middle age parents and alums who get excited about this.  It's a big deal for the players, especially for a team on the proverbial bubble.

https://twitter.com/golutes/status/1589688260598849536?s=20&t=QoUp61S8whGqLEua7sHacQ

Here's two other views of the reaction (clearly a big deal to the university and the athletics department!)

https://twitter.com/LAllanBelton/status/1589690518573051904?s=20&t=jVnR7YSHjPEf2n3mbdX4Ig

https://twitter.com/PLU_AD/status/1589705296024567808?s=20&t=jVnR7YSHjPEf2n3mbdX4Ig

They also included some quotes from the coach in the press release

https://golutes.com/news/2022/11/7/mens-soccer-mens-soccer-headed-to-fifth-national-tournament.aspx

[camosfan]

Even here

https://twitter.com/tuftsjumbos/status/1589693332959088640?s=61&t=w6o7JiKsO3ojtdkD1hu5wQ