Further to my previous post, I just realized that the story is several articles about UNM's last season. So these are the three links: Part 1: https://www.topdrawersoccer.com/col...w-mexicos-final-season:-the-decision_aid46594 Part 2: https://www.topdrawersoccer.com/college-soccer-articles/new-mexicos-final-season:-coco_aid46660 Part 3: https://www.topdrawersoccer.com/college-soccer-articles/new-mexicos-final-season:-40-balls_aid46702
And there are two other parts of this sad story about UNM Mens Soccer closure year. Big job by the author, Ryan Swanson an Associate Professor at the University of New Mexico, and thumbs up to TDS to publish it: Part 4: https://www.topdrawersoccer.com/college-soccer-articles/can-we-stay-if-we-call-it-fútbol_aid46714 Part 5: https://www.topdrawersoccer.com/college-soccer-articles/new-mexicos-final-season:-the-end_aid46721 The author's conclusion: "What then remains? A legacy of excellence, yes. The life lessons learned by former Lobos, of course. A warning about the future of DI men’s soccer, I think so. But mostly, I’ll remember the players. This was a group of young men who, thrust into a difficult situation, always kept competing. They did their work in the classroom. The made some mistakes on and off the field, sure, but they never stopped fighting. They remained connected. They found joy in the game of soccer. They kept things in perspective. And through it all, they did the state of New Mexico proud. They will be missed."
Crazy finish to a manic game. Tulsa keeper illegally handled ball, leading to a Creighton free kick on the 6-yard line. Highlights are unfortunately Creighton-centric, because Tulsa’s goal to level at 86’ was a thing of beauty. Creighton gives up 3 goals at home for the first time in 9 years, yet wins.
I've watched the play that the Tulsa keeper whiffed on multiple times. In retrospect the keeper made a good play by illegally handling the ball because if he hadn't, there was no way he would have kept the Creighton attacker from scoring and ending the game. At least with the indirect free kick, Tulsa had a chance. The kick that won the game for Creighton was incredible and, if I were betting on it, I would have said he wouldn't have made it. I included a tweet here with just the play: In case anyone is wondering, "why did Creighton have an indirect free kick from six yards out?" This is why ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/XwP6ZRbnJ8— Creighton Men’s Soccer (@creightonmsoc) September 25, 2019 Here's another of just the free kick: 🤯 YOU WILL NEVER SEE A GAME-WINNER LIKE THIS!#GoJays pic.twitter.com/WJO2xaegw0— Creighton Men’s Soccer (@creightonmsoc) September 25, 2019 Interestingly, if the NCAA rules governing soccer followed the IFAB laws, this play would have been allowed. Watch here from about 3:10 to 4:00: A good, but unusual, win for Creighton.
Yes, after the whiff it was a good play by the keeper because otherwise the ball was in the net. In these situations, do referees ever make the wall stay put until the ball is struck? Tulsa didn't, and a survey of similar situations on YouTube shows that the wall always moves before the ball is struck. In this situation, the Tulsa keeper is screened by his teammates and on the ground, unable to do anything. Some of the YouTube highlights show the keeper leading the charge out of the wall toward the striker, which would seem to be a more effective strategy.
Looked like the Creighton player smartly played the ball right after the referee instructed Tulsa back, causing a slight hesitation, and contributing to the keeper not beating his teammates off the line. Not one you see everyday. Thanks for sharing.