Big Dance 2022 - Let's Go!

[Hopkins92]

Okay, cardinals have their work cut out for them in the second half. Interesting first half, thought Catholic actually pressed well and put it on JHU pretty well but two transition goals for Hopkins has the cardinals on their heels. Quality finishes, no doubt about that but limited chances for Hopkins outside of that. Hats off to being efficient with the chances and hoping Catholic can get a quick one to keep this competitive.

Yeah, they did a nice job in the first, but it's exhausting chasing Hopkins around in the 2nd. Like you said, it's one thing to be down 1 and need to chase the game... Down 2 is very difficult against the Jays. Your boys never ever quit, which is truly admirable.

Man, if Hopkins could've finished one of many chances in the second, the game would've been well and truly over. Going on overall quality chances, I can see a scenario where that game was 5-4 or in that range.

As it stands, Hopkins advances to the Elite 8 not having conceded a goal.

[Domino1195]

No comments on Kenyon/W&L game?? It's fun to watch this game. Scoreless at the half.

The field and win is the difference maker early. W&L can't play it's game of long diagonals with this tiny field, and Kenyon can't solve the center backs with their low crosses. We are in for an exciting second half.

Tiny field? It's 120x75. You'll see some of these tiny fields used in Qatar starting tomorrow. . .

[Hopkins92]

Yeah, the field in Gambier seemed pretty massive on my feed the last few weeks.

[NEsoccerfan]

Mary Washington down to 10 men.  Aidan Shell with the red card.

What game are you watching?

Are the live stats wrong?  They gave the red to MW in the 72d minute.  Amherst's Tens Cate's red evens things out in the 81st minute, although Anherst's keeper saves the PK attempt

Yes they are wrong it was against ten cates being himself.

Was driving from Chicago back to Ohio today and didn't get a chance to watch any of the games. What was the red for? I'm desperately trying to find an on-demand version of this game to watch but it may have been scrubbed from Amherst's records 

[NEsoccerfan]

Also, I know it's my fault for not being available to watch, but why is it so hard to find any of these games after the fact when they are all recorded and it's 2022!

[PaulNewman]

Kenyon was away team today and they are for tomorrow as well.  So maybe that is why they played the later game.  So hosting and seeding played no role, or both Williams and W&L seeded ahead of Owls?

[Domino1195]

Wow...obviously relieved, grateful, and feel very fortunate that Kenyon got through that one.  Really good chance W&L wins that game if they got to 2-2, which they almost did multiple times with balls sliding across the goal mouth that easily could have been tapped in at far post.  At minimum would have ended up 3-3 or 4-4 and we'd be in OT. 

So first, congrats to W&L.  Best team Kenyon has played all season probably by significant margin (allowing that Calvin may have had just an off day).  Extremely talented team and @jknezek was correct imo that there were multiple 5-10 min stretches where they had Kenyon's defenders really scrambling and holding on...which, for the most part, they did...and credit to Nguyen, Burns, Muther and late in game Thesing for bending and bending but not breaking.  I was surprised how easily W&L cut through Kenyon's midfield.  Led to giving up way too many deep throws, corners, and free kicks.  And a really attractive style of soccer.  Like I have said in a couple of places I think these programs are very similar, very even, and will likely have future encounters...definitely two of the top ten programs in the country and arguably top five or close to it.

I don't know if W&L always does this but first thing I noticed in 1st half is that no one has pressured Kenyon in the back like they did....Nguyen and Burns (and Pedreschi) love to ping the ball around in the back and set up driven balls to the wings or over the top and W&L just didn't let them do that.  They also for the most part took Upton out of the game and Duratovic really got nothing.

Now we'll see if Kenyon has what it takes to complete the deal.  Watching the Williams game it seemed like the Ephs have six or seven players named Boardman.  He was everywhere.

Couple things: several Kenyon players had an off day today. Some key players too.
Midfield was dominated by W&L for large portions of the game. One reason, as you alluded to: they smartly pushed their center forward up against Kenyon's deepest back. I have not seen any team do this to Kenyon this year. This positioning opened up space between the backs and midfield - Kenyon relies on compactness and connected lines. W&L opened up the midfield, and they had a couple really talented middies #6 & #10. #3 for Kenyon - played in 18 previous games - very important midfielder - is out with the concussion suffered against Calvin. His absence was noticeable.

The high press W&L employed rattled the normally composed Kenyon side. Again, I have not seen a team "disrespect" Kenyon this year. Said another way: W&L was not afraid of Kenyon and played as such. Some of the one and two-touch play we've seen throughout the year was missing - credit W&L.

W&L's press may have contributed to Kenyon's direct play today, but they fell in love with direct play last week vs Calvin. It began to pay dividends as soon as they got the wind behind them second half -they converted. It's one thing to watch Sam Carson on video and note how fast he is, but to see his ridiculous speed, anticipation and finishing in person is a treat. And he was OS at least 5 times today trying to get a one v one. He got it right on the third Kenyon goal.

Kenyon's defense was opened up like no other time this year. Forcing the center backs to mark, good midfield play - W&L were unlucky not to have scored more.

ONU did not play a good team game today. Too much holding onto the ball - more than a 3 count. Turning into pressure, playing the ball right back to where it came from - oh, where there was pressure. Did not use the entire field or change the point of attack. Williams was the better team: played as a unit, especially when pressing without the ball. I thought they won 50/50 duels by at least a 90% to 10% margin. Same for second balls. They cleaned everything.

At half I mentioned that Williams might take advantage of the wind with #26 long throws. Yes, they are borderline legal, watch the back foot - but no one calls this violation any more. Sure enough that's how they get their goal.

I can see how each team may win tomorrow. If Kenyon doesn't fix some of its issues today they may be disappointed tomorrow afternoon. Williams knows how Kenyon like to attack - and their 4 backs are solid - loved #6 today.

[PaulNewman]

Domino, all that fits with what I observed.

That really sucks about Nardiello-Smith...not only is he very talented and a competitor but he's a big part of that older group that stuck around.  I remember the play....foul was called on him.

[blue_jays]

St. Thomas is a supremely talented offensive team and will go far again next year. But their spotty defense could not hold up to UChicago's second-half onslaught. The Maroons are a second half team and demonstrated that once again in the bitter cold and wind. A better PK attempt and the final should have been 5-1.
The match with GAC tomorrow will have a much different tenor. The GACvSTO game today was played wide open and wild, but the Maroons won't be taking the same risks the Oles were taking all day today.

[Yankeesoccerdad]

I caught the latter part of Amherst/MW while waiting for Bowdoin/Oneonta. Someone forgot to tell MW they were supposed to lose. MW showed up and played with great confidence and skill, despite being outsized. On the sidelines, several people noted Amherst got some early yellows and that actually caused them to play less aggressive than usual. MW had a chance to put the game away on a penalty late in the second half, but Amherst GK had a great save to keep the game tied.

As the game went to OT and PK, more Bowdoin and Oneonta fans arrived and joined the MW cheering section. In PKs, Amherst brought in a smaller GK, presumably because he is more agile on dives.

It was a surreal game—everyone but MW thought Amherst would find a way to win but it didn't happen.

MW players after the game had a look on their faces like Tom Brady winning his first Super Bowl. Did this really happen?  Great win for what seems like a nice group of players.

[camosfan]

congrats, you guys demolish The Red Dragons!

[nescac1]

Good observations on Williams, Domino.  The Ephs looked far more confident today than vs Messiah, where it felt like they were hanging on for dear life much of the game.  Finishing is always an issue for this team but they at least looked dangerous and earned the goal they managed to put home. 

Number 6 is Nick Boardman and he is clearly the best player on the team, especially after another star went down with a mid-season injury.  He should be a first team all-American.  There is an enormous amount of pressure each game on Boardman and the other stellar center back, Gara Grady, along with GK Diffley. They play every minute knowing that most games the Ephs are not gonna score more than one goal and they have to hold the center, and have done a fantastic job especially in the post season.  The Ephs have surrendered an incredible three goals in their last nine games (all vs very good competition) but clearly the Kenyon offense is at a different level than all but Messiah.

The Ephs' coach does a nice job mixing and matching the rest of the lineup, playing a very deep bench filled with solid contributors that allows guys to stay fresh and run intensely all 90 minutes, but there isn't one or two guys who are the engine of the offense with any consistency, nor one super dangerous striker (the Ephs really do miss Felitto's ability to finish plays).  Williams as always tomorrow will rely on the center of the defense to hold up and hope it can scrap for a goal or two but if Kenyon can get to two goals it starts to get very dicey for Williams.   

[Yankeesoccerdad]

congrats, you guys demolish The Red Dragons!

Thanks camosfan!  Oneonta is a good team, as you know. The field at Amherst was in great shape, but I think Oneonta is more dangerous on turf. Oneonta scored first and had the upper hand early. Bowdoin answered two minutes later with Felipe Rueda Duran getting the equalizer. Felipe is part of an amazing group of first years who have had a big impact this year. At the 23 minute mark, NESCAC rookie of the year Tyler Huck scored a go ahead goal for Bowdoin. Huck was injured in the scoring play and came off the field, as did POY Reid, who had a non-contact injury on the other end of the field. Another first year,  Paul Cluskey took over for Reid and had an impressive game. The frosh class made substantial contributions throughout the season and it was especially felt today.

After going down 2-1, Oneonta played with more purpose and had the run of play for a while.  The turning point in the game came late in the first half when Oneonta was awarded a penalty kick and threatened to equalize. Bowdoin GK Webber dove correctly and got the big save. The momentum swung after that. Despite holding possession for long stretches, Oneonta did not have great chances. Bowdoin's Charlie Ward added an insurance goal with 30 minutes left in the match to secure the win.

Overall, a good day to be a polar bear. Bowdoin and MW are staying at the same hotel in Amherst, so don't expect any fire alarms.

Tomorrow at Amherst, under the radar Bowdoin meets Cinderella MW. Can't  wait!

[Gregory Sager]

Overall, a good day to be a polar bear.

It depends upon what kind of Polar Bear you are. It wasn't a good day at all to be this kind:

[Saint of Old]

Want to shout out Paul Newman and the very few fans that will be cheering for their team during a World Cup.
This is something most of us have never done and will never do. These players from the Elite 8 Will have special memories.

For people who have played, there is a special feeling one gets from watching a world cup as a player.

Yesterday was a tough reminder that only one group of seniors wont be shedding tears at the end of the season.
The only positive as a fan is getting to watch some real quality Football(ers) on show @ the dance.

Watching Mary Washington I came away extremely impressed. They play proper football and have composed players who dont get rattled.
Kirkland gets  the goals and attention, but that kid Castillo, who is half the size of the Amherst kids, dominated the midfield and bossed the game. He created the penalty that was missed in the last 3 minutes and was spraying the ball with comfort all around the field. MW is also extremely deep.
Whoever beats these guys has a great chance of winning the title in my opinion. Just a hunch.