Big Dance 2022 - Let's Go!

[Ejay]

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.

And coach Kilby and his staff are great.  My son went on a recruiting trip there and I was very impressed. I'm rooting for them for sure.

[nescacfan94]

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.   

Good observation on Boardman. He is not the most technical player, but at this level, he doesn't need to be. What he is, however, is a superior athlete to most everyone he is up against on the field. He is big, he his fast, he can get up in the air, and he has a great feel for the game. That together makes his lack of technical quality moot. At this level, on these fields, at this time of year, imho, superior athleticism beats superior technique.

As for Bowdoin, let the crowd continue to sleep on them. Their results, and their resilience, speaks volumes.

[nescac1]

Definitely cheering for Bowdoin today.  Sounds like some key guys got hurt yesterday - hopefully they can go today!  It's up to Bowdoin and/or Williams to keep the long NESCAC Final Four streak alive ...

[Maine Soccer Fan]

A little anecdote about Kenyon. After narrowly beating Kenyon last year, a 5th year senior at Messiah mentioned that that Kenyon team was the best team he'd played during his time at Messiah. It was a shame they played in the 2nd round.

[Fitz@615]

Agree with Domino1195 on the Williams analysis. Amazing that they are in the Elite 8 and yet to score a goal in the run of play in the tournament. Their defense moves as one and the pressure is constant. And yes, the throws are not alway borderline illegal, but illegal; but as you stated, it rarely gets called.

[northman]

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!

Yankeesoccerdad, am I correct in guessing you're a parent of a current Bowdoin player?  If you are, I encourage you to enjoy the ride as long as it lasts.  We were parents of a Bowdoin player during their run to the 2010 Final Four in San Antonio.  That team had a great starting 11 and one super sub, but really had no depth beyond that.  The lack of depth caught up with them when one of their star CMs pulled up with a hamstring less than 10 minutes into the semi-final game vs. Lynchburg.  Bowdoin hung onto a 1-0 lead into the 88th minute, when they ran completely out of gas, surrendered an equalizer, and then lost in OT.

As you indicated, this 2022 Bowdoin team has more depth, and their first year class has been impressive.  Without knowing it for certain, my guess is that second year assistant coach Andrew Banadda has had a positive impact on recruiting.  Ironically, Andrew was a starter for Middlebury when they played three memorable games against my son's Bowdoin team in 2010.

[Domino1195]

Here i constantly complained about poor keeper decisions, leaving the 6, sometimes leaving the entire area, not getting the ball and conceding. Then it happens 3 minutes in in the first WC match. Redeemed by VAR but geez. Guess it's not just 18 to 22 YO kids doing dumb stuff

[camosfan]

Here i constantly complained about poor keeper decisions, leaving the 6, sometimes leaving the entire area, not getting the ball and conceding. Then it happens 3 minutes in in the first WC match. Redeemed by VAR but geez. Guess it's not just 18 to 22 YO kids doing dumb stuff

panic!

[Another Mom]

Does anyone else find the Kenyon announcers annoying? If they are students I'll cut them more slack. But if I hear "ball loose!" one more time . . .

[NEsoccerfan]

Does anyone else find the Kenyon announcers annoying? If they are students I'll cut them more slack. But if I hear "ball loose!" one more time . . .

I'm glad I didn't have to be the one to say it 

[camosfan]

Does anyone else find the Kenyon announcers annoying? If they are students I'll cut them more slack. But if I hear "ball loose!" one more time . . .

They are cheerleaders more than commentators.

[gustiefan04]

Chicago's feed feed is awful today. Seems the camera is in the press box behind glass and it's fogged up really bad. It's also very laggy/choppy. Not sure what's different today, it was fine yesterday.

[blooter442]

7-1-11 Williams is playing for a spot in the Final 4 tomorrow; the incredulity of the situation and football less synonymous with the golden era Ephs should not detract from the fact that they are in the Elite 8. What a time to be alive.

Update: Said Williams team is currently 7 minutes away from the Final 4.

[Gregory Sager]

Mary Washington 3
Bowdoin 2

UMW is going to the Final Four for the first time since 1997.

[Gregory Sager]

Williams 1
Kenyon 0

The NESCAC maintains its Final Four streak.