2023 NCAA Tournament

[SierraFD3soccer]

Great game! All played well. Amherst kept St.Olaf below their goal average, but probably had too many injuries to win.

Once again we have to go to the too many games in such a short time. A day off not to sufficient for quality soccer. I don't know why the announcers were saying that over and over.

Though Amherst is 1-4 now, most of us would say they would trade places any time. Hey, they are ahead of the Buffalo Bills!

As to the keeper out of the box I agree that the ball has to be totally out. We are also watching it from above as opposed to being on the field and or too far away from the play. If the center do not see or the AR does not clearly see, no call just like the hand ball calls which would have affected the game much more.

[coach analytics]

St Olaf definitely deserved the win.  They were, by my eye, the far better team.

I still do not understand why Amherst does not try to possess when they have tremendous skilled players.

Plus St O's goalie made some key plays.

[camosfan]

Serpone over rely on 23,21 and 17! two got injured today and they fell flat.

[EnmoreCat]

St Olaf 2 Amherst 1

Not the game report I was hoping to write, but in a final it is the big risk.  Congratulations to St Olaf, they executed very well when they were called on and managed to hold out what was a typical Amherst effort. Winning six games in a row is a phenomenal achievement and I bet they wish it was a bus trip back to Northfield as they would have a lot of fun

The first half was a see saw, both teams had their moments, but I felt it was even. When Amherst scored via a superb effort from one of the freshmen in the second half, who I think officially became a player today, by the way, for those with purple in their hearts,  it was a genuinely exciting moment. The Saints equalized a little easily for my liking, but they were one of the rare teams I have seen this season that could find a way behind the Amherst back four. The Amherst back four does scramble better than most, I hasten to add.

In Operating Thetan time, St Olaf managed a nice move, catching Amherst off guard and it was 2-1.  Credit to the Saints, they executed well when called on.  On another day, Amherst might have equalised, but it wasn't to be and St Olaf held on with a degree of comfort. I did think in particular, that their keeper was excellent, but in general, they had confidence in moving the ball up the field and are an attractive team to watch.

For Amherst, it's another tough last day of the season. Whilst the departing senior class has enjoyed two NESCAC triumphs, the experience of losing three finals isn't great for the soul and whilst i know the vast majority in here won't shed a tear for that, they definitely have my compassion. They are an awesome group of young men and I look forward to their future endeavours.

I have to confess that over the last few weeks I was wondering whether had we been aware of the presence of D3 Boards prior to EnmoreKitten's eventual commitment to Amherst, whether the final decision might have been different.  I concluded by thinking, imagine if that had been the case and there was, purely hypothetically (and not bearing any resemblance to any character real or fictional) posters named, Tom Cruise, St Alex Jones and TucketCarlson, providing their contributions and if they could have possibly changed our minds, based on their insight and opinion.  My conclusion was a definite no, as I couldn't truthfully say they have a proper understanding of the programme, but of course, it's only hypothetical, maybe they might.

Foul Count: Amherst 20 St Olaf 12

[Freddyfud]

3.  However, much like the Occidental game, there is a HS connection among a couple of players.  Amherst freshman defender Riley Priddy (the next generation of 6'4" defenders) went to boarding school at Shattuck-St. Mary's in Minnesota.  So did St. Olaf's sophomore MF Robi Buzakovic.  The two were teammates on Shattuck-St. Mary's team.

Son is playing against Shattuck-St. Mary's on Friday in Phoenix.  Please send a scouting report 

[irapthor]

Great game! All played well. Amherst kept St.Olaf below their goal average, but probably had too many injuries to win.

Once again we have to go to the too many games in such a short time. A day off not to sufficient for quality soccer. I don't know why the announcers were saying that over and over.

Though Amherst is 1-4 now, most of us would say they would trade places any time. Hey, they are ahead of the Buffalo Bills!

As to the keeper out of the box I agree that the ball has to be totally out. We are also watching it from above as opposed to being on the field and or too far away from the play. If the center do not see or the AR does not clearly see, no call just like the hand ball calls which would have affected the game much more.

Would you prefer not having a day off in between? I think it was a great move by the NCAA to give these players a chance to recover.

[Newenglander]

Great game! All played well. Amherst kept St.Olaf below their goal average, but probably had too many injuries to win.

Once again we have to go to the too many games in such a short time. A day off not to sufficient for quality soccer. I don't know why the announcers were saying that over and over.

Though Amherst is 1-4 now, most of us would say they would trade places any time. Hey, they are ahead of the Buffalo Bills!

As to the keeper out of the box I agree that the ball has to be totally out. We are also watching it from above as opposed to being on the field and or too far away from the play. If the center do not see or the AR does not clearly see, no call just like the hand ball calls which would have affected the game much more.

Would you prefer not having a day off in between? I think it was a great move by the NCAA to give these players a chance to recover.

I think they were saying one day is not long enough

[Kuiper]

3.  However, much like the Occidental game, there is a HS connection among a couple of players.  Amherst freshman defender Riley Priddy (the next generation of 6'4" defenders) went to boarding school at Shattuck-St. Mary's in Minnesota.  So did St. Olaf's sophomore MF Robi Buzakovic.  The two were teammates on Shattuck-St. Mary's team.

Son is playing against Shattuck-St. Mary's on Friday in Phoenix.  Please send a scouting report 

Last time I saw a Shattuck-St. Mary's team play in person was a U17 game at the MLS Next Fest in Indio last December.  SSM was tall and aggressive, but they were playing an LA team that was very strong at one touch passing, nifty turns on the move, and speed on the outside, which left SSM chasing most of the time and neutralized their size and aggressiveness.

[SierraFD3soccer]

Great game! All played well. Amherst kept St.Olaf below their goal average, but probably had too many injuries to win.

Once again we have to go to the too many games in such a short time. A day off not to sufficient for quality soccer. I don't know why the announcers were saying that over and over.

Though Amherst is 1-4 now, most of us would say they would trade places any time. Hey, they are ahead of the Buffalo Bills!

As to the keeper out of the box I agree that the ball has to be totally out. We are also watching it from above as opposed to being on the field and or too far away from the play. If the center do not see or the AR does not clearly see, no call just like the hand ball calls which would have affected the game much more.

Would you prefer not having a day off in between? I think it was a great move by the NCAA to give these players a chance to recover.

Nope more days. Too be an effective team, players have to have at least 72 hours recovery between matches and not play more than 3 matches over two weeks.  Soccer is not American football or lacrosse, but players still need more time too be their best. May be just a "too bad, so sad" situation, but you can't take it seriously and expect teams to be playing well.

You'll notice that D1 mens soccer have three days between semis and finals as well as 5 days between quarters and semis.  D1 womens have a similar schedule. They are non revenue sport as well. 

[Freddyfud]

3.  However, much like the Occidental game, there is a HS connection among a couple of players.  Amherst freshman defender Riley Priddy (the next generation of 6'4" defenders) went to boarding school at Shattuck-St. Mary's in Minnesota.  So did St. Olaf's sophomore MF Robi Buzakovic.  The two were teammates on Shattuck-St. Mary's team.

Son is playing against Shattuck-St. Mary's on Friday in Phoenix.  Please send a scouting report 

Last time I saw a Shattuck-St. Mary's team play in person was a U17 game at the MLS Next Fest in Indio last December.  SSM was tall and aggressive, but they were playing an LA team that was very strong at one touch passing, nifty turns on the move, and speed on the outside, which left SSM chasing most of the time and neutralized their size and aggressiveness.

Wait, are you sure you're not confusing SSM for an oft-mentioned NESCAC program on this board?

If I can ever figure out how this karma feature works I'll smash the $#&(! out of it for this  .  Jokes aside, I appreciate your insight on behalf of other parts of the country, especially the technical perspectives.  I agree there is a broader universe of quality U.S. soccer evolving.  Currently in the youth ranks So Cal and Texas are very highly respected.

Growing up playing lacrosse in Maryland the world was small and flat. The map corners were Hopkins, UNC, UMD, and UVA (OK not to offend the New Yorkers schools like Hofstra and Hobart were big too).  No one ever imagined programs like Notre Dame, Denver, Michigan, Utah and others out West would enter the scene.

Makes me wonder if Lewis and Clark and other American explorers are smiling from the heavens.  See you next year, when I believe there will likely be another surprise champion.

[irapthor]

Great game! All played well. Amherst kept St.Olaf below their goal average, but probably had too many injuries to win.

Once again we have to go to the too many games in such a short time. A day off not to sufficient for quality soccer. I don't know why the announcers were saying that over and over.

Though Amherst is 1-4 now, most of us would say they would trade places any time. Hey, they are ahead of the Buffalo Bills!

As to the keeper out of the box I agree that the ball has to be totally out. We are also watching it from above as opposed to being on the field and or too far away from the play. If the center do not see or the AR does not clearly see, no call just like the hand ball calls which would have affected the game much more.

Would you prefer not having a day off in between? I think it was a great move by the NCAA to give these players a chance to recover.

Nope more days. Too be an effective team, players have to have at least 72 hours recovery between matches and not play more than 3 matches over two weeks.  Soccer is not American football or lacrosse, but players still need more time too be their best. May be just a "too bad, so sad" situation, but you can't take it seriously and expect teams to be playing well.

You'll notice that D1 mens soccer have three days between semis and finals as well as 5 days between quarters and semis.  D1 womens have a similar schedule. They are non revenue sport as well.

It's just not in the cards at this level. Too expensive and too much missed class time. We are fortunate we don't have back to back days anymore.

[kevdog]

Great game! All played well. Amherst kept St.Olaf below their goal average, but probably had too many injuries to win.

Once again we have to go to the too many games in such a short time. A day off not to sufficient for quality soccer. I don't know why the announcers were saying that over and over.

Though Amherst is 1-4 now, most of us would say they would trade places any time. Hey, they are ahead of the Buffalo Bills!

As to the keeper out of the box I agree that the ball has to be totally out. We are also watching it from above as opposed to being on the field and or too far away from the play. If the center do not see or the AR does not clearly see, no call just like the hand ball calls which would have affected the game much more.

Would you prefer not having a day off in between? I think it was a great move by the NCAA to give these players a chance to recover.

Nope more days. Too be an effective team, players have to have at least 72 hours recovery between matches and not play more than 3 matches over two weeks.  Soccer is not American football or lacrosse, but players still need more time too be their best. May be just a "too bad, so sad" situation, but you can't take it seriously and expect teams to be playing well.

You'll notice that D1 mens soccer have three days between semis and finals as well as 5 days between quarters and semis.  D1 womens have a similar schedule. They are non revenue sport as well.

It's just not in the cards at this level. Too expensive and too much missed class time. We are fortunate we don't have back to back days anymore.

I remember those days. Play on Friday at 4 and then travel to another college and play at 11 or 12. Then travel home. It was grueling

[PaulNewman]

If counted correctly, 12 PK matches in tournament... including 5 in 1st round (and not including wild 1st round OT games like Babson vs Hopkins, Denison vs Conn College).  Very, very few blowouts with the vast majority of matches from 2nd round on being extremely tight.

This seems like a year where dominance and parity shared the table...in tension with vigorous debate but ultimately having to co-exist. Difficult to forecast, but at least near term may be more of the same.

[jknezek]

So next year the Final 4 is in Las Vegas. I'm going to go on record as saying I hate when the NCAA does this. Closest D3 school to Las Vegas? One of the SCIAC schools at 3.5 to 4 hours. I don't have a problem with moving it around the country, but I do have a problem moving it to areas that simply have no interest in D3. I get weather in late Nov/early Dec is an issue. Even Salem was not very nice weather-wise. But I just don't understand giving it to an area that forces just about everyone onto a plane. Salem may not be the easiest place to get to, but it's driving distance for most teams in the lower midwest, mid-atlantic, even parts of the northeast and south. The areas with overwhelming D3 support.

Sure Salem is far for St. Olaf and Colorado College, but you aren't choosing to play out toward them in December anyway. Las Vegas??? Uggh for everything except weather and, hopefully, facilities.

[soccerpapa]

Having finally watched a full Amherst game, along with some of the comments/sentiments expressed on this board a couple questions/comments:

1.  What is the draw for this program?  They do not play a good brand of soccer.  They play the type of soccer perpetuated at the youth level.  Big/aggressive kids that lack technical/tactical skills using size/aggression to win games.   (not saying the Amherst players aren't good players but the style of play does not showcase this if they are indeed technical/tactical)

2.  Their coach has multiple masters degrees in leadership yet his team lacks leadership as noted by antics, lack of self discipline/control. 

3.  Why do refs allow the players to get away with the repeated fouls?  One plater in natty had 2 hard fouls early on - easy yellow yet not given.  Refs could put an easy end to this behavior by controlling the game (and I am not just saying for this team - seems like refs are hesitant to give yellows in general this past year)