2023 NCAA Tournament

[Kuiper]

Congrats to Washington & Lee GK Will Joseph who won the NCAA DIII Men's Soccer Elite 90 award! I particularly like the double major in accounting and classics.  Only a GK would have that combo!

https://generalssports.com/news/2023/11/30/mens-soccer-joseph-wins-elite-90-award-for-ncaa-division-iii-mens-soccer-championship.aspx#:~:text=The%20Elite%2090%20is%20presented,two%20years%20with%20their%20school.

Will Joseph, a sophomore at Washington and Lee University, is the recipient of the Elite 90 award for the 2023 NCAA Division III Men's Soccer Championship.

Joseph, majoring in accounting and classics, currently carries a 4.00 GPA. Joseph was presented the award during the men's soccer banquet on Thursday evening in Salem, Va., ahead of the national semifinals on Friday.

The Elite 90, an award founded by the NCAA, recognizes the true essence of the student-athlete by honoring the individual who has reached the pinnacle of competition at the national championship level in his or her sport, while also achieving the highest academic standard among his or her peers. The Elite 90 is presented to the student-athlete with the highest cumulative grade-point average participating at the finals site for each of the NCAA's championships.

Eligible student-athletes are sophomores or above academically who have participated in a sport for at least two years with their school. All ties are broken by the number of credits completed.

[SKUD]

Surprised Kier has not mentioned the huge advantage W&L has with regard to familiarity of the host being a conference foe as ell as being just up 81 from Salem vs the other teams.

[Freddyfud]

Turf though?  Just realized one semi-final has 2 teams with turf home fields and the other has 2 with natural grass home fields.  Weather in Salem is still looking poor especially tomorrow.  Could the conditions at Kerr have an impact?

[SierraFD3soccer]

I did have a funny incident today in Georgetown also.  Now, they aren't sponsoring my foul count, but I am a fan of Vineyard Vines and visited the shop there today.  I was chatting to the young man (makes me sound old) assisting me and when we established I was here for the soccer, supporting Amherst (and PN there is no way there is a 5pct support for The Mammoths on this board!) he suddenly showed me his belt which had a W&L logo on it and advised me he was a 2021 alum and knew one or two soccer players.  It's a small world.

We're every where!!!

[SierraFD3soccer]

Turf though?  Just realized one semi-final has 2 teams with turf home fields and the other has 2 with natural grass home fields.  Weather in Salem is still looking poor especially tomorrow.  Could the conditions at Kerr have an impact?

I'm thinking not especially with W&L.  They may play on grass, but practice on turf. Amherst probably plays many games on turf and many if not most players spent their entire club careers and summer ball on turf.

[Another Mom]

Although, W&L are familiar with that exact field; and also, they can stay in Lexington with their familiar routines. There's also the fact that because salem is so close to Lexington there will be a larger cheering section, which could have an influence.

I am meeting Enmore and jknezek later today. So excited for this day to begin!

[coach analytics]

I do believe Amherst will prevail today because they are the most battle tested of all the teams remaining.  They played a very very difficult schedule and have proven the ability to win on the road.  They will be stout defensively, very dangerous on set pieces, and have game changing players on the outside in Nuhu and Ada O.

However, W&L showed me a lot a couple weekends ago by stealing one on Tufts home turf.  Their front four are very good and can possess the ball to create a lot of chances for their proven scorer.  Getting their CB 21 back from injury was critical although he almost cost them the game with a very clumsy tackle in the box late in the game.  They are very, very well coached, very experienced and remain organized throughout the game. Also, their GK is quite good.

I think their biggest weakness, which will play into one of Amherst strengths, is their outside defenders.  Tufts' wingers had a field day against them. Nuhu and Ada could be the difference makers.  Also how well will they handle the set piece prowess of Amherst?  They lack the size but not the toughness.

Even though I am a NESCAC fan, i will be rooting for the Generals after that Amherst Middlebury display of poor sportsmanship at the end of the game from the bulk of the Amherst players including Nuhu (who was becoming my favorite Amherst player).

[camosfan]

W & L is a good team, like 22, 7 and 14, however I think they are a year early, this will be the team to beat next year, when a player like 28 picks up more experience.

[SierraFD3soccer]

Although, W&L are familiar with that exact field; and also, they can stay in Lexington with their familiar routines. There's also the fact that because salem is so close to Lexington there will be a larger cheering section, which could have an influence.

I am meeting Enmore and jknezek later today. So excited for this day to begin!

Best of luck to today to your son and the team!!  PTBAG

[FanofNescac]

i predict a washington coll v amherst final and like the shoremen to walk out as national champs

[PaulNewman]

i predict a washington coll v amherst final and like the shoremen to walk out as national champs

If Wash Coll can keep Gaulmin and Morgan, LLC off the scoreboard for 90 or 110 minutes they will deserve to be in the final, at which point who wouldn't love to be down to a single match for a national title?  They already kept a bunch of AAs and first team all region level type of guys off the scoreboard...the Isaacs from Otterbein, Duratovic and Dujakovich from Kenyon, Kirkland and Berg from Mary Wash, and Scoffone, Kreus, et al from Conn Coll.  As I type I'm thinking Otterbein did score so have to check that.

[FanofNescac]

i predict a washington coll v amherst final and like the shoremen to walk out as national champs

If Wash Coll can keep Gaulmin and Morgan, LLC off the scoreboard for 90 or 110 minutes they will deserve to be in the final, at which point who wouldn't love to be down to a single match for a national title?  They already kept a bunch of AAs and first team all region level type of guys off the scoreboard...the Isaacs from Otterbein, Duratovic and Dujakovich from Kenyon, Kirkland and Berg from Mary Wash, and Scoffone, Kreus, et al from Conn Coll.  As I type I'm thinking Otterbein did score so have to check that.

Great points. On second thought, if Amherst gets back to the final. They will have players playign in their THIRD national title game..hard to imagine losing 3x. We will see

[PaulNewman]

So, Tufts and Messiah STILL aren't gonna play (women).

[Freddyfud]

Here is a view from Coach Singleton about playing in their backyard:

https://roanoke.com/sports/college/soccer/washington-and-lee-salem-ncaa-division-iii-mens-soccer-semifinals/article_309421ba-8fa8-11ee-a02b-c771f80ba680.html

I didn't realize W&L was constrained by a lack of graduate programs.  It seems as if the 2 seniors they lost were able to stay for a 5th year they would be much better than they already are. 

I know they have one of the best law programs in the country.  I guess I see "university" and incorrectly assume those constraints for 5th years don't apply (or maybe it helps them if an athlete is interested in pursuing a J.D.?)  I'd be curious as to general insight on how this works in practice.  But then again that 5th year of eligibility is expiring so maybe it will be moot.

[camosfan]

I don't know how useful the 5year thing is, take Messiah this year they had 7, and went out early because one was injured. Graduate students tend to be guys who did not play much before they come to the new school!