NCAA TOURNAMENT 2024

[SierraFD3soccer]

http://gspawn.com/

Ask for Rick.

For a hatchet??? Bet they have all kinds.

[Another Mom]

If anyone wants to join the W&L fan base before our game (and after the earlier one) pm me. We are meeting up near the field. I would post the location here, but I'm not sure if that's smart.

[Kuiper]

Although there isn't a ton of non-athletic department media coverage of the DIII men's soccer Final Four, I thought I would post what is out there and offer a few quotes that are interesting to help you get hyped up for the games

https://www.gazettenet.com/Amherst-College-men-s-soccer-travels-to-Las-Vegas-for-NCAA-Final-Four-58303816

After losing in overtime in last season's national championship game to St. Olaf and earning runner-up titles in 2021 and 2019, surely the Mammoths are motivated to avenge those performances and don the national crown, right?

"Believe it or not, no," Serpone said when asked if last season's defeat has inspired his team during this postseason run. "There's been no talk of that. We're just focused on the next game, the one in front of us. And that sounds like some sort of coach talk, but it's not. The only way to win single elimination tournaments is by focusing on what's in front of you. Climb the stair that's in front of you. And that's Middlebury."

"Being able to overcome the injuries and challenges, and to still be playing, I think that says more about the program than anything," Serpone said. "Some of these guys, it's their third Final Four, and they've been outstanding leaders. But they've also taken leadership lessons from guys in the past, and once the flywheel starts moving, as far as a positive culture, it's a pretty special thing. They're mentally tough, disciplined and physically tough. It's a group that cares a lot, and when you get a bunch of people that care a lot together in one place, whatever the goal is, it's a powerful thing."

I wouldn't have pegged Serpone as a gambler, but maybe he travels to Vegas semi-regularly for the shows?

Serpone may travel to Vegas semi-regularly with his wife, but almost all of the members of Amherst's team have never been. Perhaps their first trip to Sin City will be a memorable one.

"We have a pretty geographically eclectic team, guys are from all over the place, some international guys," Serpone said. "So it'll be cool, man. I think it'll be a special experience. All Final Fours are special. They do a good job making the site feel special. There's a banquet, the guys get to do community service, they get a bunch of swag – it's great."

https://thecollegevoice.org/2024/12/04/mens-soccer-nescac-championship-to-ncaa-final-four/

Silvester shared with TCV that "the regular season had ups and downs, teaching us the importance of never getting too high or too low. Throughout the tournament, we never got ahead of ourselves, and during the inevitable low points in games, we never let our focus slip." The Camels used the rollercoaster of the regular season and applied these lessons to their tournament play. Silvester added that "winning the first NESCAC championship for the men's soccer team has been a goal of ours since I was a freshman. We've come close a few times before, so achieving it this year felt even more special, especially considering how difficult our road to the final was." Spatz also noted the special feeling he felt after winning the NESCAC, coining it "indescribable." Spatz added that "it's always a nice feeling putting Conn on the map whenever it can be. People know who we are, but don't always give us the respect we deserve. Being the first men's team to win a NESCAC title is cool, but there will be more." The Camels were not finished after their success in the conference tournament, as their attention immediately shifted to the first round of the NCAA tournament.

These are behind a paywall, at least partially, but thought I would provide them as well in case you want to buy a day pass or subscribe to see your kid's name in a good old fashioned newspaper

https://www.theday.com/sports/20241203/conn-college-heading-to-final-four-hoping-for-another-title/

https://roanoke.com/sports/college/soccer/shabazz-says-synchronicity-key-for-w-l-mens-soccer-in-his-first-season/article_5d4d1620-b1b3-11ef-9f4b-8fc8e9d42180.html

https://www.soccerjournal.com/how-middlebury-returned-to-final-four-weekend-its-special/

The memories of a Final Four weekend tend to last a lifetime. Just ask Middlebury head coach Alex Elias, a senior midfielder on Middlebury's historic 2007 squad that won the program's only national title to date.

"What I remember most vividly is there were so many alums who came to support us, guys we had played with when we were first- and second-year players, guys we never played with but got to know over the years," Elias told New England Soccer Journal. "It drove home and reinforced the reasons we had all chosen Middlebury. It was so impactful to see that support from guys who guided us through it, who were there for the biggest matches on the biggest stages."

https://www.soccerjournal.com/connecticut-college-balances-style-and-steel-en-route-to-final-four/

When Connecticut College lost its regular-season finale against Wesleyan, falling to sixth in the NESCAC standings, head coach Reuben Burk started asking questions.

"We totally didn't show up," Burk told New England Soccer Journal. "There was a malaise over the team. We lost 3-1 and got counter-attacked several times.

"Then going into the NESCAC tournament, maybe we were naive to think this, but we were unsure about our future. How much damage did we actually have to do in the NESCAC tournament to get a bid in the NCAA Tournament? Fortunately, the team really came together and we had conversations about the reasons of why we can't be a highly successful team. It was, what barriers are stopping us? It was, what are the excuses if we can't get this done?"

https://www.soccerjournal.com/amherst-returns-to-final-four-weekend-it-will-never-get-old/

In the past five years, Amherst men's soccer has reached four Final Four weekends.

That's a massive accomplishment, one head coach Justin Serpone doesn't lose sight of or take for granted.

"Forget the Final Four -- making the NCAA Tournament is really hard to do and there are a lot of programs that don't ever get that chance," Serpone told New England Soccer Journal this week. "So winning a game in the NCAA Tournament, that's hard to do. Getting to a Sweet 16, then the Elite Eight and so on -- we are one thousand percent grateful for every minute we can extend our season. It will never get old.

"You can be a really good program and never get here. For this to be our fourth in five years, it feels like an embarrassment of riches."

[Kuiper]

By the way, for those still scratching their heads at the choice of Las Vegas for the championships, this article helps explain that soccer may be only one small piece of a larger strategy by UNLV and Las Vegas to get the NCAA to locate its championships in Vegas. 

https://unlvrebels.com/news/2024/10/2/general-las-vegas-unlv-awarded-four-ncaa-championship-events-for-2026-28-bid-cycle.aspx

They started in 2020 bidding for a bunch of regionals of revenue sports and championships of non-revenue sports (including soccer).  The fact that they hadn't had a championship located in Vegas since 1998 suggests the city and the school made a concerted effort.

This marks the second straight bid cycle that the destination has been selected to host NCAA Championship events. In 2020, the NCAA announced that Las Vegas and UNLV would serve as co-hosts for eight events, which took place from 2023-24 and will continue through the 2025-26 academic year, including the 2023 DI men's basketball regional, 2023 DI men's golf regional, 2023 national collegiate women's bowling championship, 2024 DI women's golf regional, 2024 DIII men's golf championships, 2024 DIII men's & women's soccer championships, 2025 DII women's golf championships and 2026 DII men's golf championships.

2023 marked the first time NCAA Championship events returned to Las Vegas since 1998 when both the Division I Men's and Women's Tennis Regionals were held at the Frank and Vicki Fertitta Tennis Complex on the UNLV campus. Previous NCAA Championships held in Las Vegas also include the 1996 and 1997 Division I Men's Tennis Regionals and the 1991 Division I Women's Basketball West Regional, which was held at the Thomas & Mack Center.

It's also fairly clear that with the NCAA opening up a comprehensive bid process for its championships, there is a bundling effect going on.  So, Vegas gets some events the first round and now gets more this second round, including more championship games. 

The NCAA announced Wednesday that it has awarded four championship events to Las Vegas and UNLV during the 2026-27 and 2027-28 seasons.

The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) and UNLV will serve as co-hosts for the following championships:

    2027 Division I Women's Basketball Regional - T-Mobile Arena
    2027 National Collegiate Men's Volleyball Championship - Orleans Arena
    2028 Division III Men's Golf Championships - Boulder Creek Golf Club
    2028 National Collegiate Men's Volleyball Championship - Orleans Arena

"We are incredibly proud to again partner with the NCAA and the LVCVA to bring these prestigious championship events to our city and university," said Erick Harper, UNLV Director of Athletics. "We have a long-standing tradition of hosting successful national events in Las Vegas and look forward to again providing exceptional experiences for student-athletes, fans and the community. We are excited to continue showcasing our world-class venues and hospitality as we welcome teams and their fans to our city."

This marks the fourth time in history that the NCAA conducted a comprehensive site selection process, putting most of its championships up for bid simultaneously. The Association chose over 240 host sites for preliminary and final rounds of predetermined championships across Divisions I, II and III, primarily for the 2026-27 and 2027-28 seasons. This cycle marked a shift from a four-year to a two-year site selection process

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[maineman]

I wonder if the officials selected for the game are from out west?  If so, they may have no idea of the NESCAC style of play.  Would they apt to "let em play" or would they be assessing fouls and cards at an exponential rate compared to what is tolerated in the New England.

[College Soccer Observer]

Referee for one semi is from Alabama and the other semi is from Illinois.  Ref for final is from California.

[Another Mom]

Referee for one semi is from Alabama and the other semi is from Illinois.  Ref for final is from California.

I am glad to hear this! (At least, I think :-) )

[Freddyfud]

The fact that they hadn't had a championship located in Vegas since 1998 suggests the city and the school made a concerted effort.

So the city went all in on...the Raiders???

[kevdog]

I wonder if the officials selected for the game are from out west?  If so, they may have no idea of the NESCAC style of play.  Would they apt to "let em play" or would they be assessing fouls and cards at an exponential rate compared to what is tolerated in the New England.

Then Amherst needs to adapt. Good teams do.

[Bucket]

Referee for one semi is from Alabama and the other semi is from Illinois.  Ref for final is from California.

They play soccer in Alabama?

I kid, I kid.

Midd hoopster Edward Witherington (Fairhope, Alabama) was a pretty good goalie at the scholastic level . . .

[PaulNewman]

As a partisan, would you rather your team reach the F4 3 out of 4 years or 4 out of 5 years OR win 1 national title?

[jknezek]

Referee for one semi is from Alabama and the other semi is from Illinois.  Ref for final is from California.

They play soccer in Alabama?

I kid, I kid.

Midd hoopster Edward Witherington (Fairhope, Alabama) was a pretty good goalie at the scholastic level . . .

There is some very, very good soccer played down here at the club level. Birmingham United, Alabama FC, some of the Mobile teams. There are some amazing soccer facilities here also. But yes, American Football still dominates and the SEC still refuses to have men's soccer as it would draw resources from other sports.

[jknezek]

As a partisan, would you rather your team reach the F4 3 out of 4 years or 4 out of 5 years OR win 1 national title?

You want the national title. Of course you do. But if you are a program that had never made a final four and you make 3 of 4 or so, it's an awfully good consolation prize. But at some point, you want to see that breakthrough because you never know when things are going to change for your program.

[SKUD]

Camera person forgot their glasses and has A.D.D.

[SKUD]

Camera person forgot their glasses and has A.D.D.

And the woman broadcasting is clueless and has a crush on overhyped miniature striker for the purple.