I noticed that Santiago Fusilier received a red card in State's last game. Does that mean he has to sit out the NCAA game against ODU?
If the NCAA operated under the auspicies of USSF and FIFA, then yes. But then again, we all know how well the NCAA gets along with FIFA.
During the ACC final on TV, they said Kenny Bertz will miss Maryland's first NCAA Tourney game because he got tossed so I would assume Fusilier will have to sit as well. That said, how about frikkin' State in the NCAAs? Even K1v1n, who was bold in predicting State would be much improved this year, couldn't have forseen this much-maligned and mismanaged program turning things around so quickly that they'd go to laghing stocks to NCAA Tourney in one year. It really is one of the best stories in college soccer this year. And, with ODU now beset with injuries, advancing Friday doesn't sound out of the quesiton, either. Sure, they likely won't get past Maryland in the second round but both their prior games with the Terps this year were one-goal matches and the way Maryland struggles to score, a one-goal swing in the Pack's favor isn't impossible to imagine.
What does change in the post season is the number of accumulated cautions that a player can have before he's required to sit out a game. (the number changes from 5 to 8)
NCState - ODU A couple of issues here... First, the State player will indeed sit or State will forfeit if he plays. Ask a player on the ODU squad it happened to him. As to ODU, they lost 2 starting defenders in the last few games of the season. One had been named national player of the week and was the all conference defender selection. Tough to replace. However they put a "rookie" in his place and he turned in an "all tournement" preformance in the CAA post season. Not bad for a player that has never played the back line in his career. Remember also that ODU at one time had the best "goals against" average in the nation and they were not to shabby on the "goals scored" side either. If their offense can return to form against State, then with regained confidence I believe they have all the tools necessary to give Maryland fits. Do not forget this ODU squad played to a 1-1 draw in preseason against UNC, the also defeated Wake.. they indeed should not be counted out or overlooked... unless of course you want to be watching the next round instead of playing in it..
Indeed the entire CAA did well against ACC teams this year. W&M beat three ACC teams including NC State. ODU's losses came in league play. Unfortunately the CAA beat up on each other which might account for why only two received bids.
The William & Mary win over State was in the first week of the season. The one thing I've noticed about GT teams, even in their darkest years, was that they improved throughout the season. The State team entering the tournament is not the same one that W&M played in early September. I think that State can handle the loss of Fusilier. He received a red against UNC, and State still played well in their next game without him. The player that needs to come to the party is Bryant Salter. He's looked very tentative in his appearances after coming back from injury. He's had long enough to get his confidence back. He needs to show why he's on the field.
If State is so much better than when W+M beat them in the beginning of the season, how come they lost to Radford on November 1st. And how is it that a team that is 1-8-1 away from their home field gets an at-large bid?
Soccer is a funny game. Sometimes the best team doesn't win. I didn't see the Radford game so I won't make any excuses. I'd be surprised if State beats ODU, but then I was also surprised when they beat Clemson, Virginia, and tied UNC twice. And you're right, and I was wrong-- State is playing *much* worse now than they were the first week of September.
NC State will put the smack down on Old Dominion, then it will have its collective trousers around its ankles at Maryland.
6-1 with 3 minutes to go in match., finished 6-3. Back to laughing stock. Should never have been in as at-large team. 1-9-1 away from home this season. Bradley, Yale, Michigan State, George Mason, William and Mary or Hartwick would all have been better choices. 6 teams from the ACC. Give me a break. Seems like the selection committee makes one really bad choice a year and this was it. State did much better this year and really isn't a bad team, but they proved they were not deserving on a bid.
Of the teams you mentioned, only George Mason would have been a much better opponent. State was a good story, have come back from the depths of despair, now we'll see if they can take momentum to next year.
I see from the box score that Kyle Fragakis didn't play. He was injured right at the end of the UNC game of the ACC tourney. Kyle is a central defender, and the *one* player (except perhaps also Aaron King up top) that State could not afford to lose. This State team has been playing stellar defense and giving up next to nothing. Their defense has been keeping them in a lot games. With Fusilier sitting out the red card--State was a very different team up the middle for this game. State graduates only one starter. They're a young team. GT doesn't have too many holes to fill with next year's class.
No, they proved that they are better than Virginia and that they aren't as good when they have key injuries.
I trust nobody's opinion that has dave mathews' name on a big soccer forum. Did anyone get to go watch the game? If so, how did the Colorado connection play? I know that queeley finished one late, but I'm looking for more than just stats.
Queeley was moved from right marking back to central defender for this game and scored late in the game- I believe on a direct kick (not absolutely sure). Unfortunately King was a non-factor in this game (1 shot). I don't remember him causing anything to happen throughout. Bryant Salter was the most dangerous NC State attacker eventually drawing a PK on one his runs.
No worries, I don't trust people who can't spell out their insults correctly. What relative do you have on NC State's team anyway? Don't get me wrong I think they will be quality next year, but you sure suck their nuts hard all over this forum.
I do have some friends that play for ncstate, that is why I want them to do well and cheer for them. If you can't figure out who they are by the last post I submitted, that's your fault and if pulling for players/teams that you care about is sucking nuts, then I've got a mouthful. I misssssssssspelled the "artist's" name on pourpose, because it doesn't desserve any beter. I still haven't heard who you're backing, all I've heard you do is hate. dav matheus rulz.
I don't hate any teams I compete against, I just want to win. I hope you can understand that man, I'm really not trying to be an ass about all this. I also hope your friends do well. I pull for my friends at other schools and hope they have good games even when we're playing them. No worries mate.
I dig. Nothing personal at all. It just sucks for me because there isn't much colorado love to be had in the tournament now. One at wake forest and probably a couple more that I don't even know about. I'm hoping for quality matches from here on out.