Quote from: Footy on November 23, 2025, 01:51:39 PM

Quote from: Footy on November 23, 2025, 01:48:26 PMI posted this on the tournament feed - should have posted here.  And yes, I very much stand by my earlier and current takes.


Tufts reminds us once again that Messiah wasn't ever at a national contender level.  Soft opening weekend draw - regardless what one might think or argue based on opponents records. They should have seen a nescac caliber team opening weekend with that record.  Opened with a touch of luck - then got drug

Messiah ain't, and won't be what it ever was. The game has moved on - they haven't. 

Quote from: Falconer on November 14, 2025, 02:41:49 PM

Quote from: Footy on September 20, 2025, 12:55:24 PMThe magic  of Dave Brandt is gone, and McCarty has simply been running his playbook for years. The problem is that this playbook was largely succesful because Messiah simply out recruited everyone.  With the parity increasing in D3 soccer, McCarty is showing his weakness as a coach, and his inability to adapt.  Messiah has always been predictable, but in the past, it didn't matter, as their personnel was simply better. Not the case anymore.  They should still be able to handle a very non competitive Mac Commonwealth, but I think the national power is fading.....They only lost 3-4 starters from last season, and haven't seen to be able to adjust. The freshman seem to have potential- but McCarty is going to need to show an ability to field a team based on talent and his opponent verses running the only game plan he seems to know.

This insightful commentary pretty much sums it up. ....

WHAT? You can't be serious. You're telling me now that Messiah beat Hobart in Geneva, in a tournament game? And outplayed them? Should've been 3-0? Check your information again, please. Everyone knows that McCarty is a one-trick-pony who can't adjust his tactics when his teams are no longer more talented than everyone else. And, they just aren't very talented any more, are they? Footy is right: They're actually lackluster teams that will never win big games anymore.

I look forward to more wisdom from this learned observer.
 

And as a typical Messiah faithful fan - I love your summary of the past - exactly where this program lives. 

And what program do you support again? If it isn't Tufts (from a historical basis) then you are essentially taking blatant shots from a direct outsiders perspective? Maybe grow up before you start coming after a program that you probably were never good enough to be involved in anyways

Thanks

Quote from: Mr_November on November 24, 2025, 08:22:25 AM

Quote from: Footy on November 22, 2025, 01:48:33 PMTufts reminds us once again that Messiah wasn't ever at a national contender level.  Soft opening weekend draw - regardless what one might think or argue based on opponents records. They should have seen a nescac caliber team opening weekend with that record.  Opened with a touch of luck - then got drug. 

*checks user's 17 posts on the boards*

*notes all post denote a negative slant toward Messiah except for 1 post*

*lifts eyebrows*

Disgruntled Messiah fan/alum, or just a program downer?

Hah! Probably just an oddity with an askew personal vendetta. Besides the point--Tufts is a quality side, but Trinity even more so?--anyone with any insight into that game. Unbelievable result from the tigers

Does anyone know whether it was a foul or an offside call in the build up to the Messiah goal? If offsides—that makes sense. If a foul—then the center can't rely on his AR to call that back correct?

Quote from: Footy on October 09, 2025, 10:26:24 AM

Quote from: Footy on October 09, 2025, 10:20:50 AM

Quote from: D3SoccerTalker on October 09, 2025, 10:04:06 AM

Quote from: Footy on October 09, 2025, 09:42:32 AMFor a team like Messiah - championships have been the expectation, and as stated, even though the record was not typical last year, they still won conference, and made it just as far in the NCAA as the better record team in 2023.....This year is by far a greater outlier.  Saying that, and further to some comments made earlier - things have shifted.  Not only is this team not winning championships, I don't think they are  built to win them anymore. They need change - D3 aint what it used to be , the parity is so much greater -and you simply aren't going to be able to muscle the competition with the same play book every year.  While I know that any school would take McCarty's record and success - the point is that he hasn't had to adapt, is literally running his predecessors playbook - and we are seeing the evidence of adapt or die.  He has great talent on his team - so at a certain point you have to question the person doing the X's and O's. Waning success like this will also hurt future recruitment.....and I am not sure if you have heard about McCarty, but he isn't the most warm, fuzzy, affable guy.  We are the best - so don't call us, we will call you isn't going to hunt anymore with recruits......

I think the attacks on record and overall performance of the team thus far is fair and obviously valid, but the blatant and irreverent attacks on someone's personal character is a little bland and personally below what the majority of us are concerned with on this board.

Thank you for the contributions, but I believe your comments would be better suited for a different/less formal discussion board.


Thanks

Not at all an attack on character....far from it - just an observation on approach and affect.  Appreciate the feedback - but simply addressing the wholisic situation.  And a "less formal" board - not sure this one caries the Market on formality or decorum.  But again, appreciate the feedback....

Blatant, Irreverent?  Sorry had to come back to that.  Not Warm, Fuzzy, or affable.....I woudldant call that irreverent or blatant.  Style and approach  - NOT character.  Affable - "easy to talk to" in the event we weren't clear on that discriptor.  I haven't called him a bad person. I didnt call him unethical, or immoral.....I simply represented that he reserved, not overly warm, not the most forward communicator.....he hasn't had to be - players have flocked to play there.....this , just like the style of play needs adjustment

Hey...fair enough. Appreciate the description and happy to make amends.

Now back to the "footy"

Thanks

Quote from: Footy on October 09, 2025, 09:42:32 AMFor a team like Messiah - championships have been the expectation, and as stated, even though the record was not typical last year, they still won conference, and made it just as far in the NCAA as the better record team in 2023.....This year is by far a greater outlier.  Saying that, and further to some comments made earlier - things have shifted.  Not only is this team not winning championships, I don't think they are  built to win them anymore. They need change - D3 aint what it used to be , the parity is so much greater -and you simply aren't going to be able to muscle the competition with the same play book every year.  While I know that any school would take McCarty's record and success - the point is that he hasn't had to adapt, is literally running his predecessors playbook - and we are seeing the evidence of adapt or die.  He has great talent on his team - so at a certain point you have to question the person doing the X's and O's. Waning success like this will also hurt future recruitment.....and I am not sure if you have heard about McCarty, but he isn't the most warm, fuzzy, affable guy.  We are the best - so don't call us, we will call you isn't going to hunt anymore with recruits......

I think the attacks on record and overall performance of the team thus far is fair and obviously valid, but the blatant and irreverent attacks on someone's personal character is a little bland and personally below what the majority of us are concerned with on this board.

Thank you for the contributions, but I believe your comments would be better suited for a different/less formal discussion board.


Thanks

Quote from: Mr_November on September 25, 2025, 10:55:04 AMRetiredWarrior had me reflecting upon some of those elite Lycoming teams in the prime days of Nate Gibboney. Their run in 2017 was quite something. They beat Messiah (at Messiah) in the MAC Commonwealth Championship and then went on to win their first round NCAA match against Lehmann, 2-1.

Lycoming then lost in the second round of the NCAAs to #12 ranked Drew (who were 21-0-1 that season) off a direct free kick in the 74th minute. Shots were 10-3 in favor of Lyco in the first half, and 12-4 in favor of Drew in the second half. Seems to have been a real battle, as there were 5 yellow cards, 2 red cards, 20 fouls for Drew, 23 fouls for Lyco. Lyco finished that season with a program record 19 wins.

Yes—absolutely. Initial post was not meant to be a dig at all—just a silly side comment from the initial post regarding Messiah and the interesting comments from that section.

Utmost respect for Gibboney and his Lyco days—and current days as he has really turned York around almost immediately and made them a force—almost nationally at this point.

Just wanted to clear the air about some odd Messiah comments with some comedic relief...now back to the main content

Thanks

Quote from: Footy on September 22, 2025, 10:37:08 AMFurther to the reality that is unfolding with Messiah - Id offer more evidence related to the inability to adapt, and McCarty's inability to coach - which is the lack of improvement and impact with key talent.  Matt McDonald took the country by storm his senior season and won NPOY - he was a unique and very gifted talent - and as a result of his monstrous season - all eyes were on him and Messiah when he came back for his 5th season.  However, his 5th year was a shadow of the year prior - and I would argue was based on him being a known entity that others adjusted to.  He was man marked and doubled the entire season - and instead of adjusting the shape and scheme to support McDonald - Messiah and Coach McCarty rolled out the only play book he knew - and the results were predictable.  Dave Brandt has shown his ability to be successful at different programs and levels - including putting Bucknell on the map.....and he did this by adapting, by recruiting , and showing that he is a coach.  McCarty continues to show that he operates like the head coach in "The Waterboy" - if it isn't in his "stolen" playbook - he doesn't  have a great means to create or deliver.  Poor results will affect recruiting, and his other tired play book of " Dont call us, we will call you" will be negatively affected as well.  Now, they clearly still have great talent, and this is greatly helped with a very weak conference - which should always give them an AQ path each year...however - much needs to change - or I think the current state may just be the future state.  Its been a great run.....

This does seem to be a post from a fairly spiteful Lycoming college fan/player from 2017 I presume? If so--the comments from here on out should be considered null and void.

In other news/along similar lines--York coach/former Lyco Head has developed a very competitive/no holds bar team at York--similar to what he did at Lycoming. So should be a fairly competitive MAC C final no matter what


Thanks

Unreported—but supposedly Messiah takes down Mt. Saint Mary's (D1) 2-0 @ Mount.

Not sure about the quality of the game and Mount not necessarily the most successful D1 program, but a seemingly good result for Messiah exiting the spring.

Wickedly poor call—-fire the ref

Quote from: Freddyfud on November 06, 2024, 03:59:53 PM

Quote from: Hopkins92 on November 06, 2024, 12:33:51 PMYeah, and kind of to your point, I have a very loose theory that Messiah's relatively weak conference does them no favors when it comes to the NCAAs.

But given how they started, the last 10 games should remind upcoming opponents not to take them lightly.

I watched a few on their games early in the season with a couple of good wins and then some during the rough stretch.  Frankly I was surprised watching their loss at Rowan--was expecting a much tougher match despite the close result.  It seemed something had changed dramatically, and I read on these boards about backline injuries.  In any event I also noticed their more recent success but only by looking at the W/L record and not watching the games.  Maybe their conference strength has something to do with it, but I can't help but wonder if they made any adjustments?  Or if some players returned as fit?   

Probably a younger group than years past--more freshmen players added into the starting mix following the graduation of a big and highly talented class last year.

Moved 5th year--Jarec Morlote to CB recently which seems to have greatly helped with possession and keeping the ball in the opponents half

Hood at home is a surprisingly/oddly tough place to play. Messiah had to dig out a 1-0 win there back in 2017 (National Championship year).

Besides the point--MAC Commonwealth has become a lot more competitive/fun to watch in recent years as it is no longer simply a Messiah/Lyco or Messiah/York dual.

More teams to compete=more fun

You know, as much as I dislike the "rah, rah, rah" mentality featured in F&M/NESCAC culture, it is effective at times. Now for longevity of play/success, that is where I would call into question, but thinking that these squads do not have one-off success years is no question. Amherst, Tufts, Williams have been brilliant and nightmares to play against in past years. Style/aesthetic of play aside, it works and can get results, but this style of play will unfortunately cause you to have some killer dropped results in conference. It is a give and take obviously.

Quote from: camosfan on October 23, 2022, 07:55:31 PM
I think D3SoccerTalker responding to you is implying that Messiah would go through Nescac,did I get him wrong? I do have a son currently at Tufts.

No, just merely showing the difficulty of going through the NESCAC completely unblemished (sans ties and what not.) I do think Messiah could, I do think Chicago could, Kenyon, Tufts, Amherst. I just think the likelihood is low given the competitiveness and style of the conference.

Quote from: PaulNewman on October 23, 2022, 07:09:32 PM
Btw, Messiah would not go through the NESCAC unblemished either.  That has no necessary correlation with whether Chicago and Messiah (in either order) are the two best teams in the country.

Last time such a feat was accomplished, 2005 Williams

NESCAC/UAA are two totally different/almost equally exciting conferences. The typical playing style of the NESCAC schools lends itself to closer games as lower end teams do not have a problem with booting the ball down the field and staying compact in order to keep games competitive with the upper end teams. Likewise, schools such as Carnegie Mellon are going to have years in which they severely struggle in the UAA based on the fact that they will try and possess and go toe-to-toe with teams that are more talented than themselves.

Overall, fun games, good teams.