Big Dance 2022 - Let's Go!

[Kuiper]

Chicago has clearly had the more forward movement, but they've only played 3 subs all game and Stevens has had 9 subs (although only 6 with significant time).  We'll see if that affects things in 2OT, but Chicago still pushing

[NEsoccerfan]

I sense yet another Chicago heartbreak coming...

[Kuiper]

I sense yet another Chicago heartbreak coming...

Maybe not!  Yetishesfky with a header goal!  1-0 Chicago.  3:15 to go in 2OT

[Kuiper]

Chicago wins 1-0 to advance to the Finals.  Stevens had injuries that hampered them offensively and led them to play uber-defensively and Chicago finally broke through.  Finally gets to the Championship Game.

[Kuiper]

Mary Washington and Williams are 0-0 midway through the half, but MW might be in trouble if Gadsoni Abel, their CM #10, is out for the game.  He just left the field with his arm hanging from the side.

UPDATE:  0-0 at half.  Mary Washington has had several beautiful opportunities in the box and has had the Williams defenders chasing ghosts at times with moments of individual skill, while Williams keeps lumping the ball into the MW box and hoping.  MW's GK, Hemmendinger, though, is going to let one of those in if he's not careful.  He's been very aggressive coming off his line to attack those balls in the 18, but he's had a few where he dropped the ball or failed on the clearance.  Williams has guys in the box, especially on corners or free kicks, who can pounce on any mistakes he makes.  They got bailed out on one when the Williams striker had an open net and put it over the crossbar (although the ref may have called a foul on Williams anyway).

[nescac1]

Oddly, while Abel was very noticeable making a positive impact for MW before his unfortunate injury, MW seemed to pick up its overall level of play after he left the game.  Williams I thought controlled the first 30 minutes but MW was the far more dangerous team in the last 15 minutes and had two very dangerous chances where they just couldn't get enough on the shots.  In the end, neither team had many good chances overall.  As expected, this game likely comes down to whoever can poach an opportunistic goal, probably on a counter, as these two teams are very evenly matched. 

Williams' aggression and tireless running from a deep squad is its trademark, but late in the half MW used that against Williams a bit, beating guys who were running crazily hard at the ball with some nice touches.  Williams needs to do a bit less chasing and calm down, and play more the way it played in the first 30 minutes when it controlled the ball better and was more poised overall. 

MW's goalie is very aggressive coming off his line so Williams may have a chance to chip one over.  The Ephs have had a lot of passes into the box but none really are connecting at all for good chances. 

[Kuiper]

Williams scores a header on a great pass in the air across the box.  1-0 with 9:48 left.  Not sure Mary Washington is going to have enough time to break down a determined Williams' defense holding onto a 1-0 lead.

UPDATE:  MW isn't done.  Williams just saved a goal with a defensive header off the goal line.

[Kuiper]

Williams makes it to the championship.  SC won't be happy!

Chicago-Williams on Saturday for all the DIII Men's Soccer marbles.

[Ejay]

What's the plan for the hat eating? Pay per view?

[nescac1]

Congrats to the Ephs on a well-earned 1-0 win.  Williams played well the entire second half and certainly earned the victory.  How appropriate that the winning goal came from Gara Grady to Boardman, who have been the defensive heroes throughout this run, a perfect service and clinical finish.  The other play of the game came from David Wang (I think) who had an incredible header to save a goal on a shot that had gotten past the Ephs' goalie and was surely going in.  Wang was all over the field all game and was certainly one of the Ephs' MVPs on the day, even before that game saving play.

The U.S. World Cup Team could learn something from Williams about how to kill the clock up one with five minutes left.  The Ephs did a great job of controlling the ball deep in MW territory and wasting every possible second in the process.  Also, what a relief, no injury time -- it certainly was not missed from a viewing perspective! 

Hopefully the Ephs can carry through tomorrow and keep playing well vs. a favored UChicago squad! 

[Gregory Sager]

Dave McHugh wanted to go back to get another look at that possible handball in the box by Williams in the final two minutes, but the production crew never replayed it. Both he and Ira Thor reacted as though they had seen a handball, but from that angle and distance you couldn't really tell conclusively without a replay from an alternate camera.

[Kuiper]

Dave McHugh wanted to go back to get another look at that possible handball in the box by Williams in the final two minutes, but the production crew never replayed it. Both he and Ira Thor reacted as though they had seen a handball, but from that angle and distance you couldn't really tell conclusively without a replay from an alternate camera.

He (and/or his partner) seemed pretty sure of it too, but I agree that it was hard to tell from the stream.

[FBALLISLIFE]

Dave McHugh wanted to go back to get another look at that possible handball in the box by Williams in the final two minutes, but the production crew never replayed it. Both he and Ira Thor reacted as though they had seen a handball, but from that angle and distance you couldn't really tell conclusively without a replay from an alternate camera.

I went back on the video several times, and it sure looked like the defender opened up his arms (making himself bigger) and caught that ball with his right hand when the MW player ducked.  No intentional by any means, but a handling offense nonetheless.  Tough to call that in that situation, and the act by the MW player to bend over really put the ball in a difficult spot for the defender, but that's why you get the whistle in the Final Four.

Sure wish we had better angles on the video.

[SimpleCoach]

I know two things of this game.

1. That was a handball 7 days a week.  SP2 and I were right in the corner on that side and both called it when it happened.

2.  After deep analysis of the Williams tactical execution of their game plan ... I can confirm that Williams is where soccer goes to die.

[nescac1]

Watching in real time on a small screen I can't really opine fairly on the hand ball.  It certainly looked like a call that could have gone against the Ephs ... very tough to make that call on a clearly unintentional play in that situation, but at the same time, the Ephs seemed to be fortunate that wasn't called -- although as many teams can testify, a PK vs. Diffley is far from a sure thing in any event.

Here is a video of the beautiful game-winner from the Ephs:

https://twitter.com/CoachMacQuarrie/status/1598456291206258690?s=20&t=Wnsbbe8ahNB0_4I1A-bGpQ

Where soccer goes to die or no, Williams is in the midst of a pretty incredible run of victories (and one tie) against a brutal series of opponents, so they have more than earned their spot in the title game.  And I'm sure they won't mind one more game where no one believes in them going into the contest.