NCAA TOURNAMENT 2024

[blooter442]

Is it possible that the Hopkins style of play just doesn't work in the tournament? Their endless possession just doesnt seem to consistently create chances against teams that are solid defensively. Maybe they sometimes make a small run but I could never see them winning the 6/6 needed to win a tournament.

This reminds me of "why does Guardiola's City run the PL winning 6 of the last 7 but only win the CL once?" Controlled possession is usually a safer bet over the course of a league season, but it can be countered in knockout situations by the right tactics and/or a little bit of luck (e.g. Chelsea in the UCL final of 2021).

[Newenglander]

I may just be happy to not have to listen to The Tufts commentating - the excitement is one thing, but the level of bias I'm not sure I've heard on many other broadcasts

[Hopkins92]

Is it possible that the Hopkins style of play just doesn't work in the tournament? Their endless possession just doesnt seem to consistently create chances against teams that are solid defensively. Maybe they sometimes make a small run but I could never see them winning the 6/6 needed to win a tournament.

Your question is valid, but I would just point back to my earlier comments about this game... They really didn't play the classic "Hopkins Possession Style" because their best defender, Mikel Andersen, was out due to injury.

The style is fine, but kind of down the path you set us on, I'm not sure when the guns truly start firing that it's a good system. But, honestly, today isn't a very good evaluation. Firmly in "it is what is is" territory today.

[Bucket]

lol @ the Buffalo State goalkeeper (my MOTM) waving to the home support as he and his teammates ran by on their way to celebrate with their fans.

Seemed like a lot sh*t talking from that group of Tufts students and that place is generally a cauldron.

Two or three of the Buff St kickers make a point of shushing those fans. Pretty funny to watch.

A lot of masculinity flying around...including from Tufts players.  Not sure that's what you do with a bunch of kids from Buffalo.

Drive home safely and enjoy your off-season.

I think adults make too much of this, to be honest.

So much chirping in Midd-Vassar game between players on the field, benches, etc. And then the game ends. Players shake hands and hug and move on. So much less angst and teeth-gnashing than we see among fans or message boards.

[Hopkins Walk-On]

Is it possible that the Hopkins style of play just doesn't work in the tournament? Their endless possession just doesnt seem to consistently create chances against teams that are solid defensively. Maybe they sometimes make a small run but I could never see them winning the 6/6 needed to win a tournament.

Maybe. That has been a concern for Hopkins fans (or at least this one) for some time. This year's team seemed capable of playing a number of styles, however. As I noted earlier, they have demonstrated an ability to absorb a lot of pressure and then play more directly (Centennial Conference semi-final v. Dickinson). I thought they had the upper hand in the second half of today's game and in the two overtimes after nearly getting run off the field in the first half.

That said, they are never going to be volume shooters. They spend a lot of time and effort (maybe too much) trying to get good shots instead of ripping it from 20 yds on occasion. Jason Pan's game winner yesterday was a notable exception to the rule.

[Garden12]

Is it possible that the Hopkins style of play just doesn't work in the tournament? Their endless possession just doesnt seem to consistently create chances against teams that are solid defensively. Maybe they sometimes make a small run but I could never see them winning the 6/6 needed to win a tournament.

Maybe. That has been a concern for Hopkins fans (or at least this one) for some time. This year's team seemed capable of playing a number of styles, however. As I noted earlier, they have demonstrated an ability to absorb a lot of pressure and then play more directly (Centennial Conference semi-final v. Dickinson). I thought they had the upper hand in the second half of today's game and in the two overtimes after nearly getting run off the field in the first half.

That said, they are never going to be volume shooters. They spend a lot of time and effort (maybe too much) trying to get good shots instead of ripping it from 20 yds on occasion. Jason Pan's game winner yesterday was a notable exception to the rule.

Is it possible that the Hopkins style of play just doesn't work in the tournament? Their endless possession just doesnt seem to consistently create chances against teams that are solid defensively. Maybe they sometimes make a small run but I could never see them winning the 6/6 needed to win a tournament.

Maybe. That has been a concern for Hopkins fans (or at least this one) for some time. This year's team seemed capable of playing a number of styles, however. As I noted earlier, they have demonstrated an ability to absorb a lot of pressure and then play more directly (Centennial Conference semi-final v. Dickinson). I thought they had the upper hand in the second half of today's game and in the two overtimes after nearly getting run off the field in the first half.

That said, they are never going to be volume shooters. They spend a lot of time and effort (maybe too much) trying to get good shots instead of ripping it from 20 yds on occasion. Jason Pan's game winner yesterday was a notable exception to the rule.

Even having a slight upper hand they really didn't have any clear cut chances. The goal was a gift from W&L. Not having their best CB definitely played a role but who knows how much. And even if they won what were the odds of them getting through Williams.

[Parent]

I may just be happy to not have to listen to The Tufts commentating - the excitement is one thing, but the level of bias I'm not sure I've heard on many other broadcasts

Haha. Then you have never listened to that gaslighter from Middlebury

[PaulNewman]

lol @ the Buffalo State goalkeeper (my MOTM) waving to the home support as he and his teammates ran by on their way to celebrate with their fans.

Seemed like a lot sh*t talking from that group of Tufts students and that place is generally a cauldron.

Two or three of the Buff St kickers make a point of shushing those fans. Pretty funny to watch.

A lot of masculinity flying around...including from Tufts players.  Not sure that's what you do with a bunch of kids from Buffalo.

Drive home safely and enjoy your off-season.

I think adults make too much of this, to be honest.

So much chirping in Midd-Vassar game between players on the field, benches, etc. And then the game ends. Players shake hands and hug and move on. So much less angst and teeth-gnashing than we see among fans or message boards.

Would a review of your Amherst posts over the years support the above?

[Falconer]

PN says, [/quote]
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.
[/quote]
PN, I'm surprised to hear this from you, since we've both been here a long time. 

I have no idea where comments from past years are found, but if you can find them, you will see me giving unqualified congratulations to ONU last fall and to many other teams who've beaten the Falcons in past seasons, including in regular season games. Call that a little challenge. :-)

This season, for example, you will find me giving high praise to Dickinson for finally defeating the Falcons, after failing to get a single result in 40 previous contests. Indeed, a few more times I repeated my opinion that this year's version of the Red Devils is the best one I've ever seen. If that constitutes entitlement, then we apparently have different definitions of that word.

Likewise, I have often stated quite honestly what the Falcons' problems were early in the season. I said they weren't up to snuff and offered my analysis of the reasons--including a point about not having as much talent as they have had recently. Did that constitute entitlement? Or, simply a fair assessment of the facts?

And--going way back, but you and I both go that far back, before this board even existed. I said often in the previous decade that the Falcons didn't deserve the 2010 nattie, because there was a huge uncalled foul that gave the Falcons an undeserved game-tying goal in the last few seconds of regulation. They then won in OT. But, that season, Lynchburg was in my mind the true national champion. They got robbed. Was that more entitlement? Since I've said that repeatedly, it doesn't sound like entitlement simply to say that a huge uncalled foul cost the Falcons the game today. That's just a fact. Not entitlement.

[PaulNewman]

lol @ the Buffalo State goalkeeper (my MOTM) waving to the home support as he and his teammates ran by on their way to celebrate with their fans.

Seemed like a lot sh*t talking from that group of Tufts students and that place is generally a cauldron.

Two or three of the Buff St kickers make a point of shushing those fans. Pretty funny to watch.

A lot of masculinity flying around...including from Tufts players.  Not sure that's what you do with a bunch of kids from Buffalo.

Drive home safely and enjoy your off-season.

I think adults make too much of this, to be honest.

So much chirping in Midd-Vassar game between players on the field, benches, etc. And then the game ends. Players shake hands and hug and move on. So much less angst and teeth-gnashing than we see among fans or message boards.

Would a review of your Amherst posts over the years support the above?

[Hopkins92]

For the record, from a very neutral vantage, Messiah folks have been pretty objective and humble on this board. I've actually come to root for them, in large part because the supporters and fan base seem to be genuinely humble and straight-forward in their approach.

And I'm not trying to stir the pot, but there are some NESCAC folks on this board that have, over the years, not been all that endearing to the general populous. 

[PaulNewman]

PN says,

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.
[/quote]
PN, I'm surprised to hear this from you, since we've both been here a long time. 

I have no idea where comments from past years are found, but if you can find them, you will see me giving unqualified congratulations to ONU last fall and to many other teams who've beaten the Falcons in past seasons, including in regular season games. Call that a little challenge. :-)

This season, for example, you will find me giving high praise to Dickinson for finally defeating the Falcons, after failing to get a single result in 40 previous contests. Indeed, a few more times I repeated my opinion that this year's version of the Red Devils is the best one I've ever seen. If that constitutes entitlement, then we apparently have different definitions of that word.

Likewise, I have often stated quite honestly what the Falcons' problems were early in the season. I said they weren't up to snuff and offered my analysis of the reasons--including a point about not having as much talent as they have had recently. Did that constitute entitlement? Or, simply a fair assessment of the facts?

And--going way back, but you and I both go that far back, before this board even existed. I said often in the previous decade that the Falcons didn't deserve the 2010 nattie, because there was a huge uncalled foul that gave the Falcons an undeserved game-tying goal in the last few seconds of regulation. They then won in OT. But, that season, Lynchburg was in my mind the true national champion. They got robbed. Was that more entitlement? Since I've said that repeatedly, it doesn't sound like entitlement simply to say that a huge uncalled foul cost the Falcons the game today. That's just a fact. Not entitlement.


[/quote]

OK, I guess you're not a homer and don't feel entitled.  I've got no interest in doing research on your behalf.  Interesting that you picked out my post when others thought you were ridiculous for asking for a red.  Also interesting because I gave a lot of praise to Messiah, how they competed, and said I was rooting for them. And they didn't lose because of that one play, 80 yards from where the goal was scored.

[Falconer]

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.

Dustin,

I tried to reply to this about 20 minutes ago, before typing the reply to PN that you see above. For some reason my reply disappeared into cyberspace. So, let me try to reconstruct it.

I apologize for giving you the wrong impression. I certainly didn't mean to imply that the Williams players are "losers." I know I didn't say that, but I see why you might think I meant it anyway.

In fact, I added that as a final encouragement to the Falcon players, who must be feeling a bit down after the way the game ended on a bad non-call. I have several times in past seasons praised the Falcon players for their character and sportsmanship, using similar language. I don't recall if I did so earlier this year, but maybe I did somewhere. Anyway, it's well known here and elsewhere that Falcon opponents often credit them for class and sportsmanship, win or lose. The same can be said for many other D3 soccer teams; I only wish it could be said of every single one. As was pointed out above by a Falcon alum (in another sport), that's really the whole point of having IC sports at Messiah: to teach young men and women how to respond to what life throws at them. If character building weren't the heart and soul of athletics at Messiah, then Messiah would not sponsor any teams. That's really true. And, I am sure it's really true in many other places. (We're on the same page, Blooter.)

So, Dustin, no offense intended. If I had meant to offend, I'd have done so directly and without any ambiguity. A few times I have done that here and I don't regret those occasions, since I spoke the truth as I saw it. Still, I apologize for the lack of clarity in this instance.

[Falconer]

OK, I guess you're not a homer and don't feel entitled.  I've got no interest in doing research on your behalf.  Interesting that you picked out my post when others thought you were ridiculous for asking for a red.  Also interesting because I gave a lot of praise to Messiah, how they competed, and said I was rooting for them. And they didn't lose because of that one play, 80 yards from where the goal was scored.

PN, we both know I'm a homer--and so are you. 

Others with more objectivity have said my call for a red card was unwarranted. I accept their view as more objective than mine, though nearly everyone agrees that play should have been called back (which is the heart of the matter). Given that neither team had scored for more than 100 minutes, it seems reasonable to conclude that the Falcons did lose because of that one play. What should have happened, by nearly all accounts, is that Messiah should have had a free kick from a fairly dangerous place. We can't know what would have followed, but there's no reason to believe that Williams would then have marched down the field and scored after stealing the ball.

[Falconer]

For the record, from a very neutral vantage, Messiah folks have been pretty objective and humble on this board. I've actually come to root for them, in large part because the supporters and fan base seem to be genuinely humble and straight-forward in their approach.

Much obliged, Hopkins02. Please let me say this about you: you're always honest, objective, humble, and well informed in your comments.