NCAA TOURNAMENT 2024

[PaulNewman]

The ref had a great position and that "foul" looks like it belongs in an acting class. Williams scored the goal and won the game. Messiah didn't do nearly enough to deserve a result today.

Also, why are the messiah players always winners in life? Are the Williams players losers in life then? Not sure what you're getting at bird man.

I can't speak for Falconer but for myself as a Messiah alum (track and field)...winning in sports is not the priority. Across the programs the coaches facilitate a culture that puts character development and growth in our faith above all else. I am a very different person as a result of my 4 years at Messiah and I credit that to the culture. I love competing but I had to learn that winning isn't everything.

If winning is everything then you can (but not always) get a culture that approves of the behavior seen above.

If that behavior/attitude persists...I have a hard time saying that person is winning at life regardless of what "success" might come their way

Culture that approves of the behavior?  What?  If a foul properly had been called, with yellow or without, no one would have thought twice about that play again.

So many life and faith lessons, and yet an awful lot of entitlement about winning comes with Messiah.  Not sure I've ever seen a totally clean pro-Messiah post accepting a loss in a genuinely gracious way...would have, should have, wanted to give full credit but somehow there's always a reason convenient enough or manufactured not to do so.  I do agree, though, that Messiah produces outstanding young men and women...and I was rooting hard for the Falcons today.

[Bucket]

Seems like a lot of sanctimony emanating from Messiah posters today.

Congrats on discovering that winning isn't everything. This is Division III. I haven't met a coach or player at this level who would disagree.

My take on "the play"—definitely looks like a foul, but it should be contextualized with how the official reffed the game. If he had been letting a lot go, I can see how he'd swallow his whistle here.

As far as the poster seeing red (literally calling for a red card) . . . lol. Chill, brother. And remember: winning isn't everything.

[PaulNewman]

OMG! 

The only silver lining is that no one with Wisc-Superior has ever heard of Amherst or has any clue where it is.  But they are about to find out.

[Kuiper]

Colorado College finally gets the equalizer in the 84th minute on a corner kick.  It was painful watching two teams known for possession trying to play frenetic pressure or park the bus when it was pretty clear they didn't have a ton of experience or comfort with either.

We'll see if CMS has the energy to keep it together.  Two games in two days at altitude is starting to show its effects.

[NEsoccerfan]

Announcers in the St. Olaf game mentioned that 3 of their players from last year transferred to D1. Anyone know who those were besides Morgan? I'd be interested to see how they fared this year playing up 2 divisions.

[Hopkins Walk-On]

JHU and W&L going to OT. As I expected, Hopkins looked much better in the second half. Still, the goal Hopkins scored was a bit of a fluke. Long ball that W&L keeper booted forward, only for it to hit off of his defender. Hopkins player managed to launch the rebound toward goal and it just snuck inside the post.

[PaulNewman]

Wonder if Denison and Kenyon will share the same bus...and hotel accommodations?  A very long bus ride to Fredricksburg, but under the 500 miles (if that is the cutoff).  Seven hours for Denison.  7.5 hours for Kenyon.  Can a school choose to fly on their own dime?  Kenyon doesn't have that kind of money but Denison does.  Or is there an outside chance it's New London?

[paclassic89]

OMG! 

The only silver lining is that no one with Wisc-Superior has ever heard of Amherst or has any clue where it is.  But they are about to find out.

UW-Superior starts 7 international players.  Very North-Park 'esque. 

[Kuiper]

END OF REGULATION:  CMS 1 - Colorado College 1

They go to OT.  Colorado College launched waves of attacks, outshooting CMS 24-8, but only 8 were on goal and most were way too rushed to be effective.  Question will be whether CMS has the gas to withstand OT.  CMS only used 5 subs, including the backup GK who came on with 14 minutes left and made two saves toward the end of the game (something to watch if this goes to PKs).  5 starters have played the full 90, including some of their primary offensive/creative weapons in Gomez and Otero.  Colorado College has 5 players who have played 90 as well, but it's basically their back line.  The trick for CC is figuring out how to get Curtis Hale forward without leaving the defense open to attack.  With CMS lacking much speed up top and the speed it does have being tired, it might be worth the risk.

UPDATE:  Going to 2OT.  CMS was the more dangerous side in the first OT, getting off a couple of shots and doing better keeping possession and using Colorado College's pressure against them.  CC's GK came up big on a couple of saves.

[futbolislife247365]

Announcers in the St. Olaf game mentioned that 3 of their players from last year transferred to D1. Anyone know who those were besides Morgan? I'd be interested to see how they fared this year playing up 2 divisions.

The french player went to Akron and I believe played/started significant minutes. The one with goggles went to UNC Charlotte (I think). Not sure of his minutes.

[SierraFD3soccer]

PK JHU W&L

[Kuiper]

FINAL:  CMS 2 - Colorado College 1 in 2OT

As I said, as Rafael Otero goes, so goes CMS.  He scores a beautiful golden goal after dancing his way through multiple defenders and picking out his spot past the outstretched GK.  Really impressive considering he played all 107 minutes after playing 90 minutes yesterday. 

[blooter442]

What is up with the Hopkins players run-ups? I get the idea of don't sell the angle, but it doesn't matter if they shank it.  ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

[paclassic89]

There's a reason why you rarely see pro players using the zero run up technique...

[blooter442]

IIRC they each to a man did no run-up. Never seen that before from an entire line of kickers. Is that coaching? (I cannot recall any of the previous JHU shootouts in the NCAA, but I know they lost to Tufts in 2017 Ro16.)