2023 NCAA Tournament

[SierraFD3soccer]

I know I'm just being picky... but is it too much to ask of the NCAA to have links for the stats and stream on the match pages?

Why??  Might promote the game??

[EnmoreCat]

SUNY Poly 1 Amherst 2

Whilst the D3 cognoscenti had already given this game to the Mammoths, for this correspondent at least, the uncertainty of knock out football means that there will be a feeling on unease.  Player management at this time of the year is important and Amherst started the game with a different look, rotating more than a few players in, with a view to an undoubtedly difficult game in prospect against either WPI or Stevens.  This meant a slightly disjointed game by the Mammoths, where they took time to get going.  The Wildcats had a couple of lively forwards that needed watching and there was one skilful shot executed which required a save from the purple shirted keeper.  The Amherst goal was the end result of what had been a tidy move by the white shirts, with one of the freshmen finishing from a quite acute angle. 

For the second half, the Amherst line up had a more familiar look to it and whilst there was the feel of assurance about their play, the reality was that the Wildcats continued to play their game and had every right to feel right in it.  Where the game did change a bit was that the Mammoths midfield started to take more control and a few opportunities started to be created, one of which was converted by one of the seniors, who perhaps could have been more judicious in his manner of celebration. 

At this stage, I am sure the Amherst game plan was to get another goal and then hopefully start to rotate a few players, but to the Wildcats' credit, they weren't going away.  The livestream didn't keep up with the play, so we couldn't see the own goal.  It ironically was probably at this stage where Amherst did actually start to take proper control of the game and make it difficult for the Wildcats to get inside their penalty area and in the end, there weren't too many stressful moments for Mammoths coaches, players and supporters alike.

All credit to the Wildcats, they looked a lot better than what their Massey rating would suggest and had a couple of forwards who with the right service could be pretty dangerous.  For Amherst, it's a case of move on and get ready for tomorrow, which of course, is what tournament football is all about.  The commentator did well, particularly with EnmoreKittten's name, but also had a couple of nice one liners, I particularly liked the one about it being time to SUNY Poly to unbolt the kitchen sink.

Fouls: SUNY Poly 12 Amherst 13 (still looking for a naming sponsor for this section)

[Falconer]

Also, a hat tip to Messiah with only 8 yellow cards all season.  Even for a team that plays possession-based soccer and doesn't necessarily need to press the heck out of its opponents or dive in on desperation tackles, it's hard to have single digit yellow cards.  While it's probably at least in part attributable to being (far) ahead in many of its matches, I wonder if there is a "halo effect" at work here.  After all, if the fine gents at Amherst can get some yellows on bad reputation alone (as has been suggested), couldn't Messiah be avoiding a few based on good reputation?

I appreciate the hat tip, Kuiper, but (to be fully honest) the Falcons had a bad year in that particular category. You have to go back to 2017 (their last title) to get another figure that high. The norm in Grantham is about 5 YCs/season. The number for RCs is even more revealing. The last time the Falcons had a RC, the coach was Layton Shoemaker (and believe me, he wasn't happy with his team when that happened) and none of the current Falcons had yet been born.

This is business as usual in Grantham. They just don't play dirty. Never. That's how it should be done everywhere else, IMO, including New Jersey and New England where they need to hear that message (to be frank). Maybe that halo isn't just an effect. Ask their opponents.

Thanks again for calling them out, in a good way. 

[Hopkins92]

Just in case folks don't read regional threads, the Hopkins - Babson match was an epic 4-3 OT finish, with winner coming with 90 seconds left on the clock.

Hop was down 2-0 and scored two late to push things to OT, then went down 3-2 in OT... Stormed back in the second session to get the W.

Unreal. Feel for Babson, as that was some highway robbery at the end. (To be fair, the game was pretty even, so it's not like Hop didn't "deserve" to win.)

[SierraFD3soccer]

Just in case folks don't read regional threads, the Hopkins - Babson match was an epic 4-3 OT finish, with winner coming with 90 seconds left on the clock.

Hop was down 2-0 and scored two late to push things to OT, then went down 3-2 in OT... Stormed back in the second session to get the W.

Unreal. Feel for Babson, as that was some highway robbery at the end. (To be fair, the game was pretty even, so it's not like Hop didn't "deserve" to win.)

Deserve or not deserve not even a factor. JHU played lights out the last 10 min in regular time and then in the 2nd OT. 

[PaulNewman]

As a neutral, thoroughly enjoyed JHU vs Babson.  Babson was very good and Hopkins was so resilient especially after being frustrated by at least a handful of near misses and facing 2-0 and then 3-2 deficits.

FYI, for those checking scores on the NCAA site the Lynchburg game is wrong.  Ohio Northern is up 1-0 in 2nd half.

Pac Lu and Carleton going to OT2.

And Colorado Coll has drawn level after trailing Oglethorpe 2-0.  Deep into 2nd half.

[PaulNewman]

I don't get why St Olaf doesn't use the camera setting for replays for the actual game....so much better.  Hopefully PKs will have the better view.

[Kuiper]

I don't get why St Olaf doesn't use the camera setting for replays for the actual game....so much better.  Hopefully PKs will have the better view.

Carleton's Linder stops the first two.  Really impressive.  Carleton wins in PKs

Very even game.  Pac Lu had chances to score, as did Carleton.

[Freddyfud]

Lynchburg scores with 2:40 left to tie.  Game going to extra time.

And tough spot for the PLU freshman taking that second PK.

Wild day of soccer...

[Kuiper]

Colorado College goes from down 2-0 to up 3-2 with three minutes to go.  Huge comeback by CC/collapse by Oglethorpe

[BaboNation]

Congrats to Johns Hopkins on a well earned victory. 

[Kuiper]

Colorado College goes from down 2-0 to up 3-2 with three minutes to go.  Huge comeback by CC/collapse by Oglethorpe

Colorado College wins 3-2.  Broad with a massive top hand save in the final minute or so to seal the victory.

[PaulNewman]

Colorado College goes from down 2-0 to up 3-2 with three minutes to go.  Huge comeback by CC/collapse by Oglethorpe

Colorado College wins 3-2.  Broad with a massive top hand save in the final minute or so to seal the victory.

Super impressive for CC to travel that far and be down 2-0 to a very solid team, and then come back and win in regulation.  I won't be surprised if CC beats Emory.

[Freddyfud]

Heading to PKs in Lynchburg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CWPgM-_U1SM

[Ejay]

Did anyone watch the Catholic/Oneonta game?  2-1 with all three  goals scored within a 60 second span. Curious what happened.