Big Dance 2022 - Let's Go!

[Another Mom]

I actually have a photo all cued up to post, but can't figure out how. It says the file's too large. Will keep working on it. Though I do wish W&L could have played head to head.

[Kuiper]

St. Olaf scores on a breakaway to take a 2-1 lead over Gustavus Adolphus with 40 minutes to go. 

[Maine Soccer Fan]

I actually have a photo all cued up to post, but can't figure out how. It says the file's too large. Will keep working on it. Though I do wish W&L could have played head to head.

The file is too large because the hat is too large...?

[Kuiper]

St. Olaf scores on a breakaway to take a 2-1 lead over Gustavus Adolphus with 40 minutes to go.

Holy cow!  Gustavus Adolphus ties it up 2-2 a couple of minutes later.  The St. Olaf keeper tried to come out against a negative ball from the endline and gets beaten too easily for the goal.  I have to say, that's what you get for wearing a GK kit with hoops!  Honestly, the GK looks like a reverse candy cane. 

[PaulNewman]

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.

[BigSoccerFan]

St. Olaf scores on a breakaway to take a 2-1 lead over Gustavus Adolphus with 40 minutes to go.

It would end in a tie most likely as that was Williams fame plan.

[Hopkins92]

Hopkins up 2-0 at the half but there have been some very nervy moments. Really nice goals for Hopkins and probably should've had another. Hopkins cleared a ball off the line on a corner and Catholic have buzzed around a fair bit. They have the edge on shots at 10-7... But Hopkins has a slight edge in possession. Kind of how we thought this would go, but I would say I'd like Hop to settle down a bit more. Giving the ball up a bit too much in the middle.

[LetteroftheLaw]

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.

[PaulNewman]

Anybody have any clue why the Williams recap would refer to ONU like 8 times as the 'Klondikes'?

[Kuiper]

Anybody have any clue why the Williams recap would refer to ONU like 8 times as the 'Klondikes'?

Klondike is the name of ONU's polar bear mascot

https://www.onu.edu/news/klondikes-revealed-2022

[PaulNewman]

Anybody have any clue why the Williams recap would refer to ONU like 8 times as the 'Klondikes'?

Klondike is the name of ONU's polar bear mascot

https://www.onu.edu/news/klondikes-revealed-2022

I don't get it....I actually checked the soccer website before posting and everything still says Polar Bears.

[Kuiper]

Anybody have any clue why the Williams recap would refer to ONU like 8 times as the 'Klondikes'?

Klondike is the name of ONU's polar bear mascot

https://www.onu.edu/news/klondikes-revealed-2022

I don't get it....I actually checked the soccer website before posting and everything still says Polar Bears.

The nickname for the sports teams is Polar Bears, but they have a mascot named Klondike and so Klondikes is kind of a secondary or unofficial nickname.

[PaulNewman]

I forgot to mention that I thought #16 Sebastian Gaese had the game of his life and I think got the first two assists.  His ability to hold up and win balls will be important against Williams.

[gustiefan04]

Olaf and GAC headed to PK's.

[Kuiper]

Olaf and GAC headed to PK's.

Gustavus Adolphus advances 4-3 in the shootout