2023 D3 Men's Soccer National Perspective

[Kuiper]

Is Haverford the new Williams?  Ties F&M 1-1 to go 1-0-5 on the year.

I'm looking at the stats and it has F&M leading on shots 31-3.

Maybe so, but skill wise I wouldn't put them into Williams category.  More like the "Williams of the Centennial League?" 

From what I saw definitely parked the bus mostly and thought they would counter.  They one shot on goal and one goal with about 12 min. left.  It was off a free kick that F&M could have done better with.  For F&M, lots of chances (7 shots on goal and Fords' keeper played well).  Grass definitely played a factor, but Oscar Horowitz bailed F&M out with 9 min or so left.  His 8th goal for 17 points in the first 6 games.

Grinding out another result.

I wasn't commenting on the team's quality with that post.  I was just noting the number of ties with no (or very few) losses, which is what made Williams' record so unusual last year.  Apparently, it won't be so unusual going forward in an era without OT.

[calvin_grad]

And @calvin_grad....just noticed that you have an outstanding post/+karma ratio.

Now, be truthful... does Chris Schau have bottomless eligibility?

And how are folks enjoying the refurbished facility?

Certainly, certainly glad Calvin has had so much sustained success. The tears were just there wishing we could have broken through one of those 4 times.

Schau has missed the last 4 games. So maybe a medical redshirt is in order so he can play another year?   

I wouldn't call it a refurbished facility yet. It's a pretty non-descript generic turf field with temporary bleachers that look into a setting sun. Once the football field is built next to it and there is a whole plaza with restrooms and concessions, then I can give a better review. Other fans I have talked to feel the same. Even though it is a turf field, I do like that it is only lined for soccer, and there are not football, lacrosse, field hockey, and other lines all over it.

[PaulNewman]

Ladies and gentleman, the new #1 team in the country....at least for 6 days...your Mary Washington Eagles.

At Shoemaker to take on Messiah next Saturday at 5:00.

[PaulNewman]

Carleton 1 North Central 0

Massive win for Carleton, now 7-0, over one of the hottest teams in the country.

I watched most of Amherst-Tufts.  I'm sure was more enjoyable in person but tough to watch online.  The scoreline feels a little deceiving but Tufts didn't do enough to win either.  Odd choices late when still down just 2-1 on a corner and then a free kick, the latter leading to a 3rd Amherst goal from their smallish frosh sensation.  Amherst forced Tufts to play the Mammoths style.  39 fouls...20 to Tufts.  Game at least watching online seemed to have almost zero flow...just restart after restart with neither team able to possess for more than 10-15 seconds.  Bottom line this is a big, big win for Amherst. 

Wesleyan also roared back form down 1-0 to beat Brandeis in Waltham 3-1.

Bowdoin and Conn play to a 0-0 draw while Williams' supposed program meltdown was just a bit overdone as the Ephs remain undefeated after forcing Sonny Liston, I mean Bates, to tap out.

[stlawus]

Tufts result is not surprising.  Their recruiting has fallen off a bit since the coaching change.  That also is not surprising given the comments he made about his recruiting philosophy to Simple Coach in an interview.   I said before the season started I think Amherst is odds on favorite to win the championship, too much depth and quality.

[PaulNewman]

Tufts result is not surprising.  Their recruiting has fallen off a bit since the coaching change.  That also is not surprising given the comments he made about his recruiting philosophy to Simple Coach in an interview.   I said before the season started I think Amherst is odds on favorite to win the championship, too much depth and quality.

What comments did he make about recruiting?  I agree this is not a vintage Tufts team, but they still have good overall talent and still enjoy at least the fumes of a championship pedigree.  They don't seem to have the offensive firepower and dynamic midfield as in past years.  That said, while Amherst was better, they weren't a lot better, and not 3-1 better.  I'm not sure this is a vintage Amherst team either but even an average Amherst squad is a national title threat.  Having Cubbedu back is big, though.  They are a huge team per usual.  It's tough to defend 6'8 and 6'5 dudes on corners and free kicks.

[stlawus]

He said when he recruits he only intentionally looks at MLS Next and ECNL players because that's where the better players usually are.  He said he wouldn't ignore a good player not in that pipeline, but you should be looking at good players regardless of their club situation.  In one of Jay Martin's interviews he said a lot of MLS Next players aren't good enough to play at OWU.  A lot of the greats to go through that program didn't come out of those clubs.  Of course MLS Next and ECNL have great players but if you're recruiting from there for the sake of recruiting that pipeline you're going to start limiting yourself.

[kevdog]

I watched some of the Amherst/Tufts game and it was tough to watch.  The video could not follow the action that well and it appear to be not focus at times. The start of the 2nd half was watching the sky for 5 mins.  Besides the video the game itself had no flow to it. Lots of fouls-39 total. I felt like I was watching a field hockey game (no offense to field hockey) with the whistle constantly blowing. Amherst played their typical dump the ball in the box and let our big forwards try to outmuscle them. Tufts didn't play their possession game that I am use to seeing from them. If Pele was watching the game he would say this is not a beautiful game.

[EnmoreCat]

Not sure how Amherst could force Tufts to play, "their style".  It might be time for asterisks against Amherst wins so that historians looking back at results in one hundred times won't fall into the trap of assuming it was just a pretty good team.  Viva L'Amhate!

[PaulNewman]

Not sure how Amherst could force Tufts to play, "their style".  It might be time for asterisks against Amherst wins so that historians looking back at results in one hundred times won't fall into the trap of assuming it was just a pretty good team.  Viva L'Amhate!

I'm sorry...you took that in a way that wasn't intended.  Perhaps I should have said impose their will, or dictate the play, etc.  It was mostly a compliment as very few teams in recent years have been able to make Tufts not feel in control.  In some years a team like Messiah might be able to do the same thing...and with a completely different style.  I'm sure even in these threads you've written about a team dictating the terms of games or matches, and that's commonspeak in all sports.  Amherst has an incredible record and has been one of the very top handful of programs for a very long time.  Most of us know that and even appreciate it.

Regarding what you thought you were reacting to, of course it's easy to think that this "whole Amherst thing" is just some weird vengeness coming from one or two people.  It's not, unless you believe dozens and dozens of folks over the years -- who in general do not know each other and are affiliated with other NESCACs and numerous schools in various conferences from many regions of the country -- have conspired in some way to assault Amherst.

Back to the game, from my pov the key play was the set up to the first Amherst goal.  Ref called what appeared to be a pretty soft foul on Tufts and an Amherst player very smartly quick-kicked the free kick to a darting player who had a step on the defender who had paused for just a beat.  I couldn't see well enough to see how clear the PK call was.  But yes, the game was different from that point forward.  And as you said maybe in the other thread, this was a big game for Amherst to get.  Gonna be a lot of great games in the league, then the NESCAC tourney, and finally the big one.

[EnmoreCat]

Just because you're paranoid doesn't mean they aren't out to get you!  My previously admitted fragile sensitivities were clearly out there for the world to see, yet again.  My antennae clearly aren't sufficiently fine tuned to pick up Ammiration, begrudging or otherwise...

[PaulNewman]

I don't know if this will have any relevance to anything but I do think it's an interesting topic...and please read presuming a dash of baked-in hyperbole...

Maybe this is standard around the world, but Americans by in large dislike winners...and the few times they are ecstatic about a winner is only when his or her team wins some ultimate prize.  Sometimes we hate some other teams more than we love our own.  Think about how some feel about the Dallas Cowboys or New England Patriots, Red Sox or Yankees, Lakers or Celtics, Real Madrid or FC Barcelona, Man U or Arsenal....and the common demoninator is anything that as a participant, parent, or super-fan made us feel pain...and that emotional attachment to events can make us even years later preoccupied with some perceived grievance or bad call about what happened in the Sweet 16 in the 73rd minute or whatever.  Tufts, OWU, and Calvin have all caused me some pain, and I can admit to my weak character in sharing that when any of those teams lose I amazingly don't find myself unhappy.  Just thinking about Duke makes my blood boil and every time I do my internal television shows The Shot from the 1992 East Region Final in Philadelphia.

And as I sit here 10 miles outside Boston in the heart of New England, I'm not displeased that the Patriots are down two touchdowns.

[SierraFD3soccer]

Just because you're paranoid doesn't mean they aren't out to get you!  My previously admitted fragile sensitivities were clearly out there for the world to see, yet again.  My antennae clearly aren't sufficiently fine tuned to pick up Ammiration, begrudging or otherwise...

I got your back!! From the Amherst of the Cent. Conf. Hahaha or should I just be super happy nobody is slagging on F&M for a page or two. Hahaha. Bring it on!!!

[Freddyfud]

He said when he recruits he only intentionally looks at MLS Next and ECNL players because that's where the better players usually are.  He said he wouldn't ignore a good player not in that pipeline, but you should be looking at good players regardless of their club situation.  In one of Jay Martin's interviews he said a lot of MLS Next players aren't good enough to play at OWU.  A lot of the greats to go through that program didn't come out of those clubs.  Of course MLS Next and ECNL have great players but if you're recruiting from there for the sake of recruiting that pipeline you're going to start limiting yourself.

Limiting yourself is the point so yea.  It's down to either you believe that's where the better players are while taking the risk you miss some or a lot of them are not good enough for your program so expand your scope.  Seems to be a matter of opinion and time will tell.  And to make it more complicated the club league dynamics are constantly changing so opinions today may be irrelevant in the future.

[Freddyfud]

I don't know if this will have any relevance to anything but I do think it's an interesting topic...and please read presuming a dash of baked-in hyperbole...

Maybe this is standard around the world, but Americans by in large dislike winners...and the few times they are ecstatic about a winner is only when his or her team wins some ultimate prize.  Sometimes we hate some other teams more than we love our own.  Think about how some feel about the Dallas Cowboys or New England Patriots, Red Sox or Yankees, Lakers or Celtics, Real Madrid or FC Barcelona, Man U or Arsenal....and the common demoninator is anything that as a participant, parent, or super-fan made us feel pain...and that emotional attachment to events can make us even years later preoccupied with some perceived grievance or bad call about what happened in the Sweet 16 in the 73rd minute or whatever.  Tufts, OWU, and Calvin have all caused me some pain, and I can admit to my weak character in sharing that when any of those teams lose I amazingly don't find myself unhappy.  Just thinking about Duke makes my blood boil and every time I do my internal television shows The Shot from the 1992 East Region Final in Philadelphia.

And as I sit here 10 miles outside Boston in the heart of New England, I'm not displeased that the Patriots are down two touchdowns.

From an Orioles, Redskins Commanders and Terps fan thanks for triggering my nightmares.  Gonna go listen to Spoon's "The Underdog" now.