2023 D3 Men's Soccer National Perspective

[Kuiper]

I posted about this on the Go WEST thread, but it may be of interest to some people here

TLU soccer put up an Instagram post about Jorge Ugaz, the player who was taken to the hospital after being fouled in the box during yesterday's game.  The kid is a senior and I expect his season is over, but it wasn't clear to me from the post whether he is out of the hospital.  I wouldn't be surprised if he needed surgery and was still there.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CyMPlCmPcDb/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

One positive thing about the post is that several St. Thomas players had liked it, including Daniel and Tony Castro (the brothers who scored the tying and winning goals), as well as one of the UST stars from last year's team, Ayomide Salako.  Not that it changes anything, but it's nice to see.

[WUPHF]

May as well post the link to the Texas Lutheran game which is easily accessible on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eoUD350KWfY

[College Soccer Observer]

Wow. Just wow. After reading the posts, I had to watch the 2nd half(the parts highlighted at least). I have not watched either team play before; but I was appalled at the play from both teams but would have to say St. Thomas seemed to be the more aggressive, or dare I say more egregious. I hope the young man who had his leg undoubtedly fractured ends up being ok and can play soccer again. I just hated to see the result(St. Thomas winning) in light of the that atrocious play by the St. Thomas player. Hopefully, either the NCAA or their conference will discipline both teams AND their coaches in such a way that the players understand this type of play will not be tolerated.

If this were a postseason NCAA tournament game, the NCAA could step in and issue suspensions.  The goalkeeper for TLU and #15 for St. Thomas each got two games by rule for their headbutting ejections.  All other suspensions are one game as far as the NCAA is concerned.  The individual institutions and the conference are free to impose additional discipline as they see fit.

[EnmoreCat]

Just watched the final 25 minutes (quiet day in downtown Enmore) and then went back to check out what CSO had to say, specifically about the game winning goal:

"On the subsequent free kick, the AR ruled that the ball crossed the line for a goal.  Based on the video angle, you really can't tell, but the body language of both teams immediately prior to and after the decision would lend support to the call of goal.  There really is no argument from white, and the black team is immediately celebrating."

I watched it a couple of times and clearly the AR was a lot closer and on a much better angle, but I couldn't help but think that it was rather bizarre physics that would see it actually clear the line and then start coming out.  Not saying it wasn't a goal and CSO's highlighting of the player responses is clearly relevant, but irrespective, it is one helluva way to win a game.

Most importantly, best wishes to the injured player for a speedy and successful recovery.

And I finally saw a field with a roof, which in Texas at least, should just about be compulsory. 

[College Soccer Observer]

@EnmoreCat I was reaching for something to explain/justify the decision to give the goal.  For me, I do not see any way where the whole of the ball crossed the whole of the line.  Unfortunately, this is not even in the top five talking points about this game.

[Hopkins92]

The ref gave a red card to the UST defender for the foul (leaving them down 10 men to 8) and awarded TLU a pk.

How was that not double jeopardy?  Did he not make a play on the ball?  Or given everything else in the game maybe a second yellow?

Sounds like the game was nuts.  Hope no one was hurt.

This was a leaping two footed lunge from several yards away where the defender directly impacted the player's leg.  It may have been the worst tackle I have ever seen.  Looking at the reactions of the players on both teams to the injury, I suspect it was either a compound fracture or a major dislocation.  Double jeopardy does not apply when the tackle itself is worthy of a red card without the goalscoring considerations.

Finally got to watch this... That is an absolutely horrendous challenge and judging by immediate reactions from both teams I was able to tell that was a compound fracture. I've you've never seen it happen up close, count your f'ing blessings. I'll never forget the two I've seen.

I don't want to be overly harsh, but the announcer was very poor in that situation. Again, if you know the game, and you see those reactions, you know what just happened immediately.

[maineman]

Have any sanctions against the teams been announced, yet?

[College Soccer Observer]

The only thing we know for sure is that the two players ejected for headbutting have automatic two game suspensions.  Everyone else has one.  No word officially from the conference.

[PaulNewman]

Quick take in anticipation of Montclair hosting Amherst...

First, credit to both programs for scheduling this match.

Second, Montclair is so difficult to peg. Crush Rowan and Rut-Newark (and before that a pretty good Stockton outfit) and in between lose to PS-Abington.  The latter admittedly has had some decent results, but still...

Third, Montclair needs this game reputation-wise and as a NCAA tournament prep far more than Amherst. A win would be huge in part because almost no one is gonna expect or trust Montclair to prevail.

Fourth, more will be made of an Amherst win than it should be...in part because Montclair is not reliable and tends to be overrated and that is just the kind of team that an Amherst or Tufts loves to exploit.

[SKUD]

Prediction Amherst 3-1.  I have watched both these teams. IMO MSU has excellent players but is not excellent as a team.  They will lose their composure playing a team much bigger and more physical than them.  I hope for but do not expect a game. Also not sure if MSU can match up with Cubeddu and Okorogheye to eliminate them like Babson did.

We should do a foul/card pool for this one!
Amherst 14, 2
MSU 18,3,1

[Kuiper]

Have any sanctions against the teams been announced, yet?

With St. Thomas playing at Austin College tomorrow at 5 pm CDT and Texas Lutheran playing @ Colorado College on Sunday at 12:00 pm MDT and presumably needing to finalize the travel roster Friday for the flight to Colorado, I expect we'll hear something from SCAC and/or the schools, if something is forthcoming, by tomorrow morning at the latest.  At the very least, we'll get clarity if they determined that any of the red cards were given to the wrong players.

[PaulNewman]

Prediction Amherst 3-1.  I have watched both these teams. IMO MSU has excellent players but is not excellent as a team.  They will lose their composure playing a team much bigger and more physical than them.  I hope for but do not expect a game. Also not sure if MSU can match up with Cubeddu and Okorogheye to eliminate them like Babson did.

We should do a foul/card pool for this one!
Amherst 14, 2
MSU 18,3,1

I was gonna guess 3-1 myself.  Could be 4-1 but Amherst may just lock down if up 2 goals.

Side drama will be whenever Lukovic and son of EnmoreCat find themselves matched up.

[College Soccer Observer]

Have any sanctions against the teams been announced, yet?

With St. Thomas playing at Austin College tomorrow at 5 pm CDT and Texas Lutheran playing @ Colorado College on Sunday at 12:00 pm MDT and presumably needing to finalize the travel roster Friday for the flight to Colorado, I expect we'll hear something from SCAC and/or the schools, if something is forthcoming, by tomorrow morning at the latest.  At the very least, we'll get clarity if they determined that any of the red cards were given to the wrong players.

The red card issued to St. Thomas #25 was transferred to #30, so #30 is suspended for Friday's game.

[SKUD]

I was gonna guess 3-1 myself.  Could be 4-1 but Amherst may just lock down if up 2 goals.

Side drama will be whenever Lukovic and son of EnmoreCat find themselves matched up.
[/quote]

That would be an epic battle of 2 absolute bastards of the pitch. Two warriors.

[EnmoreCat]

Prediction Amherst 3-1.  I have watched both these teams. IMO MSU has excellent players but is not excellent as a team.  They will lose their composure playing a team much bigger and more physical than them.  I hope for but do not expect a game. Also not sure if MSU can match up with Cubeddu and Okorogheye to eliminate them like Babson did.

We should do a foul/card pool for this one!
Amherst 14, 2
MSU 18,3,1

I was gonna guess 3-1 myself.  Could be 4-1 but Amherst may just lock down if up 2 goals.

Side drama will be whenever Lukovic and son of EnmoreCat find themselves matched up.

You might need to go back to the NESCAC page, PN, now known as "EnmoreKitten".