Big Dance 2022 - Let's Go!

[Fitz@615]

These things are hard hard to win man, and believe it or not the magic ingredient this time of year (besides) hunger and confidence is LadyLuck. That is your trifecta in November, unfortunately some teams just run out of that third requirement. Messiah has been lucky. I have personally experienced a dance playing before the craziest by far crowd in D3 (before they won a single Chip) What people don't realize is that Messiah was a sick sick team way before 2000. Always strong, just didn't win the big one. Still even for a program this good you need loads and loads of luck to win almost a dozen Chips in a short span.
Who does Lady Luck favor now, there are no sub-par or undeserving teams left so Luck will play a big part.

So, let me understand your post. Messiah has won 11 Nattys and it is because they are lucky? Did you really write that? I have been a sports fan my whole life and played multiple sports. There may have been few lucky moments; but when any team in any sport wins 11 Nattys, it is not because the team "has been luck".  Ridiculous post

[PaulNewman]

Harsh, but fair.

[FBALLISLIFE]

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.

[PaulNewman]

Back to the tourney...

I was very surprised to see that Williams, one of the wealthiest D3s in the country only has one asst coach...and his official Williams email is a gmail.com address. 

I was pretty unfamiliar with Coach Siebert but was very impressed with him reading about him and watching the two short press conferences this weekend.  He was quite detailed about the team's approach, very grateful, and spontaneously offered genuine praise for both NYU and Messiah.  I got a little bit of a Reuben Burk vibe.

The Messiah group -- Coach McCarty, Groothoff and Pavlovich -- was pure class.  Had to be unimaginable that they were out as they sat there but no excuses, no externalizing, no resentment.  Messiah is the gold standard and I have no doubt they will continue to be the gold standard.

[PaulNewman]

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.

[Convict charlie]

These things are hard hard to win man, and believe it or not the magic ingredient this time of year (besides) hunger and confidence is LadyLuck. That is your trifecta in November, unfortunately some teams just run out of that third requirement. Messiah has been lucky. I have personally experienced a dance playing before the craziest by far crowd in D3 (before they won a single Chip) What people don't realize is that Messiah was a sick sick team way before 2000. Always strong, just didn't win the big one. Still even for a program this good you need loads and loads of luck to win almost a dozen Chips in a short span.
Who does Lady Luck favor now, there are no sub-par or undeserving teams left so Luck will play a big part.

So, let me understand your post. Messiah has won 11 Nattys and it is because they are lucky? Did you really write that? I have been a sports fan my whole life and played multiple sports. There may have been few lucky moments; but when any team in any sport wins 11 Nattys, it is not because the team "has been luck".  Ridiculous post

In many of them years they were not the best even in the area. York (pa) was the better team. Super close together too.

[Saint of Old]

These things are hard hard to win man, and believe it or not the magic ingredient this time of year (besides) hunger and confidence is LadyLuck. That is your trifecta in November, unfortunately some teams just run out of that third requirement. Messiah has been lucky. I have personally experienced a dance playing before the craziest by far crowd in D3 (before they won a single Chip) What people don't realize is that Messiah was a sick sick team way before 2000. Always strong, just didn't win the big one. Still even for a program this good you need loads and loads of luck to win almost a dozen Chips in a short span.
Who does Lady Luck favor now, there are no sub-par or undeserving teams left so Luck will play a big part.

So, let me understand your post. Messiah has won 11 Nattys and it is because they are lucky? Did you really write that? I have been a sports fan my whole life and played multiple sports. There may have been few lucky moments; but when any team in any sport wins 11 Nattys, it is not because the team "has been luck".  Ridiculous post

You need loads of Luck to win 1 much less 11, but educate us all oh ye great football master Fitz

[paclassic89]

These things are hard hard to win man, and believe it or not the magic ingredient this time of year (besides) hunger and confidence is LadyLuck. That is your trifecta in November, unfortunately some teams just run out of that third requirement. Messiah has been lucky. I have personally experienced a dance playing before the craziest by far crowd in D3 (before they won a single Chip) What people don't realize is that Messiah was a sick sick team way before 2000. Always strong, just didn't win the big one. Still even for a program this good you need loads and loads of luck to win almost a dozen Chips in a short span.
Who does Lady Luck favor now, there are no sub-par or undeserving teams left so Luck will play a big part.

So, let me understand your post. Messiah has won 11 Nattys and it is because they are lucky? Did you really write that? I have been a sports fan my whole life and played multiple sports. There may have been few lucky moments; but when any team in any sport wins 11 Nattys, it is not because the team "has been luck".  Ridiculous post

In many of them years they were not the best even in the area. York (pa) was the better team. Super close together too.

Speaking of bad luck.  From 2005-2012, York was knocked out of the NCAA's after going to PKs 5 times.   They had some great players in that era but just couldn't put a run together in the tournament

[Kuiper]

Somehow, I think University of Chicago will take pride in the way it was described by the University of St. Thomas in its press release about their upcoming Sweet 16 matchup. 

"Men's Soccer to face Academic Powerhouse Chicago in Sweet 16"

"In just the first year of NCAA Division III competition, UST Men's Soccer impressed by qualifying for the Sweet 16 round in Chicago this weekend. After defeating Chapman and Pacific Lutheran in the first two rounds, the Celts will face top five academic powerhouse University of Chicago with a trip to the elite eight on the line."

https://ustcelts.com/sports/msoc/2022-23/releases/20221114ny2nhr

No mention that Chicago is pretty good at soccer too.   

[Saint of Old]

These things are hard hard to win man, and believe it or not the magic ingredient this time of year (besides) hunger and confidence is LadyLuck. That is your trifecta in November, unfortunately some teams just run out of that third requirement. Messiah has been lucky. I have personally experienced a dance playing before the craziest by far crowd in D3 (before they won a single Chip) What people don't realize is that Messiah was a sick sick team way before 2000. Always strong, just didn't win the big one. Still even for a program this good you need loads and loads of luck to win almost a dozen Chips in a short span.
Who does Lady Luck favor now, there are no sub-par or undeserving teams left so Luck will play a big part.

So, let me understand your post. Messiah has won 11 Nattys and it is because they are lucky? Did you really write that? I have been a sports fan my whole life and played multiple sports. There may have been few lucky moments; but when any team in any sport wins 11 Nattys, it is not because the team "has been luck".  Ridiculous post

In many of them years they were not the best even in the area. York (pa) was the better team. Super close together too.

Speaking of bad luck.  From 2005-2012, York was knocked out of the NCAA's after going to PKs 5 times.   They had some great players in that era but just couldn't put a run together in the tournament

Careful, AngryFitz might come after you as well

[FBALLISLIFE]

These things are hard hard to win man, and believe it or not the magic ingredient this time of year (besides) hunger and confidence is LadyLuck. That is your trifecta in November, unfortunately some teams just run out of that third requirement. Messiah has been lucky. I have personally experienced a dance playing before the craziest by far crowd in D3 (before they won a single Chip) What people don't realize is that Messiah was a sick sick team way before 2000. Always strong, just didn't win the big one. Still even for a program this good you need loads and loads of luck to win almost a dozen Chips in a short span.
Who does Lady Luck favor now, there are no sub-par or undeserving teams left so Luck will play a big part.

So, let me understand your post. Messiah has won 11 Nattys and it is because they are lucky? Did you really write that? I have been a sports fan my whole life and played multiple sports. There may have been few lucky moments; but when any team in any sport wins 11 Nattys, it is not because the team "has been luck".  Ridiculous post

I suppose what you mean is that "Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity."  It's true, of course.  But you cannot seriously deny that a little of that luck often paves the way to the championship.  Messiah was positively dominant this year. Blind luck that a 6-win Williams team not only made the tourney, but was pitted against them in Round 2. Even then, Messiah wins that game 11 out of 12 times, probably more. Pure luck that on that particular Sunday, they picked up the dice and rolled snake eyes.  If you don't think there's ever any luck involved, I guess you have to believe Messiah was going to lose on Sunday regardless of the opponent. That seems a little more ridiculous to me. 

[Saint of Old]

These things are hard hard to win man, and believe it or not the magic ingredient this time of year (besides) hunger and confidence is LadyLuck. That is your trifecta in November, unfortunately some teams just run out of that third requirement. Messiah has been lucky. I have personally experienced a dance playing before the craziest by far crowd in D3 (before they won a single Chip) What people don't realize is that Messiah was a sick sick team way before 2000. Always strong, just didn't win the big one. Still even for a program this good you need loads and loads of luck to win almost a dozen Chips in a short span.
Who does Lady Luck favor now, there are no sub-par or undeserving teams left so Luck will play a big part.

So, let me understand your post. Messiah has won 11 Nattys and it is because they are lucky? Did you really write that? I have been a sports fan my whole life and played multiple sports. There may have been few lucky moments; but when any team in any sport wins 11 Nattys, it is not because the team "has been luck".  Ridiculous post

I suppose what you mean is that "Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity."  It's true, of course.  But you cannot seriously deny that a little of that luck often paves the way to the championship.  Messiah was positively dominant this year. Blind luck that a 6-win Williams team not only made the tourney, but was pitted against them in Round 2. Even then, Messiah wins that game 11 out of 12 times, probably more. Pure luck that on that particular Sunday, they picked up the dice and rolled snake eyes.  If you don't think there's ever any luck involved, I guess you have to believe Messiah was going to lose on Sunday regardless of the opponent. That seems a little more ridiculous to me.

Funny thing is, I made the point that Messiah and her fans were quality and consistent performers before 2000, and maybe should have won before then, they just maybe lacked a bit of luck.
This board has many intelligent football observers who understand the nuance, fickleness and needing everything to align in order to win a Chip, but some folks like Fritz are just here to demonstrate their brilliance in soccer.

Like a great Ping Pong player once said, "Ridiculous is as Ridiculous does".

[lastguyoffthebench]

Luck absolutely plays a role; hosting/playing surface, potential paths to the final 4, injuries, weather,  etc.

Throw in late equalizers/winners and even officiating (human error).

[FBALLISLIFE]

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.

Confirmed.  Last year, each sectional was played top to bottom, regardless of who hosted.  Chicago hosted the top-right sectional, but they were in the bottom half of that region and played in the second game in Round 3.

[PaulNewman]

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.

Confirmed.  Last year, each sectional was played top to bottom, regardless of who hosted.  Chicago hosted the top-right sectional, but they were in the bottom half of that region and played in the second game in Round 3.

Thanks for figuring it out.  Seems ridiculous to me but I'm sure there is a really good reason.