That Other School in Amherst

PaulNewman · December 05, 2024, 08:30:06 AM

Courtesy of my son, I got a tip that UMass-Amherst is in the D1 Elite 8 about to face Denver in Denver, after upsetting the Virginia Cavaliers in the Sweet 16. I had noticed a week or two ago that UMass was doing well and had won a game or two in the NCAA tournament. The Minutemen historically have been worse than awful.

Of interest to some here, the UMass roster sports two D3 alums....graduate students Chris Giglio from Denison and Oliver Akintade from Calvin. Giglio started a handful of games and not sure if he suffered an injury later on, and Akintade has been a consistent starter and just played 90 minutes in the win over UVA.

PaulNewman · December 05, 2024, 08:36:37 AM

You just never know...on October 12 UMass lost to Davidson 4-2.

In the Sweet 16 match at UVA the Minutemen played only one sub for a grand total of 10 minutes, managing a 1-0 victory off of a Team Goal in the 72nd minute.

PaulNewman · December 05, 2024, 08:56:11 AM

There are some cool videos of the UMass run but I can't seem to access them.

Also wondering if there will be a joint parade if both Amherst clubs bring home nattys.

soccerlaxfan · December 05, 2024, 10:05:12 AM

Kyle Stenzel, starts for them in the midfield, also played at D3 Christopher Newport. Played 2 seasons for CNU after transferring in from Virginia Tech and then went to UMass for his last year of eligibility. Very cool to see them be so successful this season... here's to a final four run to continue their Cinderella story.

PaulNewman · December 05, 2024, 10:08:46 AM

Quote from: soccerlaxfan on December 05, 2024, 10:05:12 AMKyle Stenzel, starts for them in the midfield, also played at D3 Christopher Newport. Played 2 seasons for CNU after transferring in from Virginia Tech and then went to UMass for his last year of eligibility. Very cool to see them be so successful this season... here's to a final four run to continue their Cinderella story.

Thanks... there may be more D3 guys on the roster. I just heard about the first two.

For all the talk about D3s playing D1s in the regular season, I don't think I've ever seen even a whisper of UMass and Amherst playing or scrimmaging. Seems like a no-brainer. Should have a yearly derby at least on an exhibition basis.

Also curious how many of these D3 grad students just fall into a program's lap or whether graduating D3 studs has become another recruiting stream. 22-23 year old D3 AA types probably are fairly attractive.

PaulNewman · December 05, 2024, 10:32:25 AM

Last one I hope at least in this topic.

Small world. I either forgot or didn't know Fran O'Leary is the UMass head coach...same guy who had some stellar seasons at Kenyon in the 90s and then a long stint with success at Bowdoin followed by I think think Toronto FC.

Also, the CNU transfer hails from Staunton, VA next door to W&L....and he attended Robert E Lee High School!

maineman · December 05, 2024, 10:36:57 AM

You mean Hampshire College?

PaulNewman · December 05, 2024, 10:45:36 AM

Quote from: maineman on December 05, 2024, 10:36:57 AMYou mean Hampshire College?

Ummm...I don't think it's Hampshire College.

https://umassathletics.com/sports/mens-soccer/roster/coaches/fran-o-leary/2304

O'Leary actually has been at UMass for a while and has had more success than I knew about.

Freddyfud · December 05, 2024, 10:57:11 AM

Just going to leave this here in case PN anyone is interested:

https://helpstay.com/journal/sabbatical-abroad/

EnmoreCat · December 05, 2024, 11:02:31 AM

Just to complete the circle, in the WSOC team at UMass Amherst, an Australian, Hannah Peric, is graduating after a successful career there. Plus her father and I work at the same bank in Sydney.

PaulNewman · December 05, 2024, 11:03:03 AM

Quote from: Freddyfud on December 05, 2024, 10:57:11 AMJust going to leave this here in case PN anyone is interested:

https://helpstay.com/journal/sabbatical-abroad/

Lol, Freddy, you really want me out of here. I thought this was a pretty solid thread.

Freddyfud · December 05, 2024, 11:16:22 AM

Quote from: PaulNewman on December 05, 2024, 11:03:03 AM
Quote from: Freddyfud on December 05, 2024, 10:57:11 AMJust going to leave this here in case PN anyone is interested:

https://helpstay.com/journal/sabbatical-abroad/

Lol, Freddy, you really want me out of here. I thought this was a pretty solid thread.

No. I just want the return of funny PN...even for just one post...(please???)

PaulNewman · December 05, 2024, 11:18:56 AM

Quote from: Freddyfud on December 05, 2024, 11:16:22 AM
Quote from: PaulNewman on December 05, 2024, 11:03:03 AM
Quote from: Freddyfud on December 05, 2024, 10:57:11 AMJust going to leave this here in case PN anyone is interested:

https://helpstay.com/journal/sabbatical-abroad/

Lol, Freddy, you really want me out of here. I thought this was a pretty solid thread.
No. I just want the return of funny PN...even for just one post...(please???)

And now you're insulting me. Which post was not funny?

eaglesoccerdad · December 05, 2024, 02:07:23 PM

Kyle Stenzel also played for the USL2 Charlottesville Blues this past summer with a few of UVA and UMW players

MHBurnell · December 05, 2024, 06:27:24 PM

I know the JV teams from Amherst & UMass "scrimmaged" at least twice in the early '80s. Never on the schedule and NOT an "official" game because there wasn't a lot of love between the schools and little upside for UMass: risk of loss (low but statistically possible) or get injured in a "throw-away" game. Probably why the varsity teams didn't play (to my knowledge). But our JV schedule usually had 2-3 games against D-1 JVs a season.

Best luck to all final 4 teams-but Go Mammoths.