NCAA TOURNAMENT 2024

[NEsoccerfan]

Cross-posted from the Women's Soccer thread (which doesn't get many views)

NCAA Women's Championship game 2024

Wash U 3 - William Smith 0

William Smith did an admirable job holding Wash U off the scoreboard, but it always seemed a matter of time.  Wash U was just too strong, too technical, and too athletic for William Smith.  Once the dam broke, Wash U piled it on for a scoreline that makes it seem like total domination, even though really the 2nd and 3rd goals were scored a little over a minute apart with about 15 minutes to go.  Still, Wash U. could have done even more damage with a few crossbars and posts (and non-calls on a trip in the box) helping out William Smith.  William Smith almost got one back with a free kick that snuck past the wall and was kept out by a full stretch dive from the Wash U GK, but by that point it would have only been a consolation goal.  A VAR check in the 89th minute changed a yellow to a straight red and gave William Smith an advantage for the last 90 seconds, but they weren't able to capitalize.

I'm curious to hear from you all if there's a like-for-like comparison on the men's side for this, but WashU's leading goal-scorer and point-getter is Freshman Olivia Clemons (21G, 6A, 48P). She did not start a single game all year, was 11th on the team in minutes played (972 compared to nearly 2X the number of other starters), and did not make it to any of the AA teams.

[PaulNewman]

Keagan Harder for Midd?

[Rcjh2245]

Cross-posted from the Women's Soccer thread (which doesn't get many views)

NCAA Women's Championship game 2024

Wash U 3 - William Smith 0

William Smith did an admirable job holding Wash U off the scoreboard, but it always seemed a matter of time.  Wash U was just too strong, too technical, and too athletic for William Smith.  Once the dam broke, Wash U piled it on for a scoreline that makes it seem like total domination, even though really the 2nd and 3rd goals were scored a little over a minute apart with about 15 minutes to go.  Still, Wash U. could have done even more damage with a few crossbars and posts (and non-calls on a trip in the box) helping out William Smith.  William Smith almost got one back with a free kick that snuck past the wall and was kept out by a full stretch dive from the Wash U GK, but by that point it would have only been a consolation goal.  A VAR check in the 89th minute changed a yellow to a straight red and gave William Smith an advantage for the last 90 seconds, but they weren't able to capitalize.

I'm curious to hear from you all if there's a like-for-like comparison on the men's side for this, but WashU's leading goal-scorer and point-getter is Freshman Olivia Clemons (21G, 6A, 48P). She did not start a single game all year, was 11th on the team in minutes played (972 compared to nearly 2X the number of other starters), and did not make it to any of the AA teams.

Alem Duratovic as a sophomore with Kenyon scored 18 goals, 2 assists as a bench player; 0 starts. Not even conference recognition that year (2022), let alone all-region or AA. Assume there's countless similar stories. What a great season for her though as a freshman. Amazing.

[PaulNewman]

Freddy, I'm hoping this will cap off my 2024 campaign...

As I see the only other Kenyon supporter on the board referencing Duratovic it occurs to me that I'm pretty sure his name has not been mentioned once all season by anyone other than the "Another Mom of Gambier" and yours truly.  Duratovic began the season as a strong candidate for AA honors as one of the top strikers in D3. His season, and to some extent, Kenyon's season, were derailed by a nasty hamstring injury, decreasing the Owls' chances and preventing Alem from reaching the tippy top of all time Kenyon scorers which he was well on pace to achieve. No mentions. Then he wasn't supposed to play against Hamilton but with his team down 2-1 he goes in with about 15-20 minutes left, scores a dramatic  goal, and then bangs in a PK in PK shootout. No mention. The next week against Conn he sits until deep into the 2nd half and with the taut affair tied at 1-1 he trots on and proceeds to score another goal on the impenetrable Silvester, putting the Owls up 2-1 with about 12-13 min to go. Unfortunately he suffers a re-injury on the goal and never returns for the balance of regular time and the OTs. A couple of minutes after Duratovic put Kenyon back in front, a free kick intended for an assist from 45 yards out by Jaran drops into the right corner of the goal untouched. 2-2, PKs, and an abrupt exit instead of an advance. Again, no mention of Duratovic, and no mentions of Kenyon's misfortune with not having a healthy Duratovic.  And yes, I know other major contenders also had to cope with major personnel losses, but we're talking about one of the lethal weapons in D3, who in two stints of very limited minutes with everyone knowing who he was when he came on scored two critical goals after not playing a minute for five weeks and barely playing before that.

At any rate, and in the context of ongoing discussion and complaints about who gets enough attention and who doesn't, and from whom, it occurs to me that the vast majority of posters, including the ones who wonder out loud about why other posters aren't talking about their beloved teams, have virtually no interest in other programs.  And I don't mean perfunctory nods of respect for your most recent opponent.  It's... interesting...and I suppose understandably telling. Turns out most of us care only about our own backyards, and mentions of competitors usually are merely appendages of narratives to reflect attention back on "the home team."

There are notably a few exceptions, like the two primary Hopkins posters, Sierra, a few of the LL folks, a couple of the Texas crew etc and then there are the few commentators who either have no obvious favorite teams or if they do are more successful at keeping that info under wraps...like Kuiper, Ejay, etc...and of course the great, indefatigable SC.

Oddly enough, we'd be better off if every major program (let's say top 50-75) each had a minimum of 5 steady posters with of course NESCAC schools getting a minimum of 15 (success algorithm). More overall content and passionate engagement but with less of an overly personalized slant. Folks usually object when I make these points, and imo oddly defend the board writ large almost like one would defend a family member or your favorite player.

[SKUD]

PN disagree with your take. The great value of this forum is to learn about other leagues and teams.

[PaulNewman]

PN disagree with your take. The great value of this forum is to learn about other leagues and teams.

Which teams did you enjoy talking about this year?

And if you find the board valuable in the way you say, wouldn't you like even more and from a larger pool of interested and diverse posters?

By the way, what take? Or what part of my take did you disagree with specifically? I didn't say the board had no value or that you can't learn anything. Just saying could be more and better.

[Freddyfud]

Freddy, I'm hoping this will cap off my 2024 campaign...

Aaannnnnnd you jinxed yourself. 

[jknezek]

D3 is 415 or so soccer teams. When I was running the fan poll and helping with the d3soccer.com poll I kept track of about 100 teams or so. It wasn't that much fun. Felt more like a job.

Honestly, I've tried to get more W&L posters over the years in almost all the boards. It never seems to happen. So happy to have had Another Mom for the last few years. Wish we had football posters. It's better to discuss the teams with others of shared interest, even when that interest is limited.

But bulletin boards are a dying medium. I think if we were to ask Pat Coleman, the owner of this little corner of the internet, he'd tell you the glory days are 10-15 years in the past. Maybe more.

And I really don't expect that trajectory to change, sadly. I'm happy there is a place I can go to discuss this niche little obsession and thankful for the posters we have, but I expect at some point this little spot will become uneconomical and go the way of d3soccer.com. Until then, thanks to all of the posters who keep it active.

Even the occasional trolls. Eyeballs are eyeballs, and this place needs every one it can get.

[PaulNewman]

Freddy, I'm hoping this will cap off my 2024 campaign...

Aaannnnnnd you jinxed yourself. 

Lol...true confessions..I'm probably not gonna stop posting, much to everyone's delight...at least until I get fully hooked on another oddball obsession.

[Little Giant 89]

D3 is 415 or so soccer teams. When I was running the fan poll and helping with the d3soccer.com poll I kept track of about 100 teams or so. It wasn't that much fun. Felt more like a job.

Honestly, I've tried to get more W&L posters over the years in almost all the boards. It never seems to happen. So happy to have had Another Mom for the last few years. Wish we had football posters. It's better to discuss the teams with others of shared interest, even when that interest is limited.

But bulletin boards are a dying medium. I think if we were to ask Pat Coleman, the owner of this little corner of the internet, he'd tell you the glory days are 10-15 years in the past. Maybe more.

And I really don't expect that trajectory to change, sadly. I'm happy there is a place I can go to discuss this niche little obsession and thankful for the posters we have, but I expect at some point this little spot will become uneconomical and go the way of d3soccer.com. Until then, thanks to all of the posters who keep it active.

Even the occasional trolls. Eyeballs are eyeballs, and this place needs every one it can get.

Maybe we just start posting Tik-Tok videos (all the cool kids are doing it) of our takes on D-3 Teams.

[SKUD]

Justifying my participation to PN wow what is wrong with me.

1. reading about anything Kuiper discussed as I knew nothing about the western teams. Reading about teams like JHU, W&L, Mid, Conn, Amherst from sources much closer to those programs.  I am sure I am missing others.

2. love SCs interviews to learn more about other team's coaches and their programs

PN Have a great off season, don't let all the sociopaths that you work with daily change you.  Oops too late .

[PaulNewman]

Skud, let's be honest. You really didn't understand my post.

Nothing you wrote is in conflict with what I wrote. I actually individually referenced Kuiper, SC, and some others.

You've been a great addition. Seriously...despite or maybe because of you impressing as such a live wire ready to pounce. Clearly interested, willing to rattle some cages with responses that are sometimes abrupt, impulsive, and not well thought out.. with a touch of bullying. But you hang in there and ultimately (usually) end up being quite fair and giving folks like me who you may disagree with more chances for redemption. Still struggling with my envy towards your bromance with the 'Cat so please read my comments in that context.

[Another Mom]

I think the problem is, we all only have so much bandwidth. While I enjoy reading about other teams and conferences, I don't have the time or enough interest to watch teams other than W&L. And if I haven't watched them, I don't feel like I can comment knowledgeably.

I expect you'll still have me around next season, as I plan to keep watching W&L games.

[NEsoccerfan]

Cross-posted from the Women's Soccer thread (which doesn't get many views)

NCAA Women's Championship game 2024

Wash U 3 - William Smith 0

William Smith did an admirable job holding Wash U off the scoreboard, but it always seemed a matter of time.  Wash U was just too strong, too technical, and too athletic for William Smith.  Once the dam broke, Wash U piled it on for a scoreline that makes it seem like total domination, even though really the 2nd and 3rd goals were scored a little over a minute apart with about 15 minutes to go.  Still, Wash U. could have done even more damage with a few crossbars and posts (and non-calls on a trip in the box) helping out William Smith.  William Smith almost got one back with a free kick that snuck past the wall and was kept out by a full stretch dive from the Wash U GK, but by that point it would have only been a consolation goal.  A VAR check in the 89th minute changed a yellow to a straight red and gave William Smith an advantage for the last 90 seconds, but they weren't able to capitalize.

I'm curious to hear from you all if there's a like-for-like comparison on the men's side for this, but WashU's leading goal-scorer and point-getter is Freshman Olivia Clemons (21G, 6A, 48P). She did not start a single game all year, was 11th on the team in minutes played (972 compared to nearly 2X the number of other starters), and did not make it to any of the AA teams.

Alem Duratovic as a sophomore with Kenyon scored 18 goals, 2 assists as a bench player; 0 starts. Not even conference recognition, let alone all-region or AA. Assume there's countless similar stories. What a great season for her though as a freshman. Amazing.

Great example. To give her and her team even more credit: she drew the penalty for the first goal in the final and scored the second goal. After losing in the championship last year. Wash-U completes an undefeated season, letting in only 7 goals all year. They were particularly dominant in the tournament, outscoring their opponents 15-1 and winning the semi and final each by a score line of 3-0. An incredible season for those women.

[SKUD]

PN, appreciate you somewhat understanding me, maybe my humor is missed or just not funny.

I don't think I misunderstood you & I was not referenced in your exceptions. This is what I read and responded to;

"it occurs to me that the vast majority of posters, including the ones who wonder out loud about why other posters aren't talking about their beloved teams, have virtually no interest in other programs."

"Turns out most of us care only about our own backyards, and mentions of competitors usually are merely appendages of narratives to reflect attention back on "the home team."

Maybe this was you projecting.


As far as my friendship with BigCat, he humanized the hated enemy and we enjoyed a beverage and a common appreciation for our sons and a great game.  The fact I was able to be happy for he and his son is something I could not have done before meeting him and gave me a better appreciation for all opponents, (except Tufts. )

Although I am not sure Enmore enjoyed the coffee stout as much as I did.