As an LEC alum I can say that the past 3 years, Eastern has been a team I admired and enjoyed the way they played football. They are organized and have a nice rhythm to their soccer and are hard to break down defensively. I like eastern's chances in this opening round vs RPI. The game will be on turf and i think this plays into eastern's game as they like to link up with passes on the ground.  RPI is a very dangerous team, I think this one will be decided by a goal. If eastern can stay organized defensively and absorb RPI's attack and then spring a counter with max fantl they might be able to get a win here.  Just a side note, they beat keene 1-0 earlier this year (16-2) advantage in shots and 8-0 in corners...sounds like a pretty potent offense they have.

I agree with you studsup I know eastern is considered an underdog in this match but they have played some of the top programs in the nation this year and done well. I think losing to montclair st in OT by a lone goal is proof enough that they can hang and I think like you said this match will be decided by one goal. It could go either way but I am going to take eastern on this one whether it be a long shot or not.

Just a question I'm gonna throw out there...

Does Max Fantl earn All American Honors this season.  Team finished 20th in the NSCAA poll.  3rd in New England.  He made all conference all four years including rookie of the year as a freshmen, and offensive player of the year in both his Junior and Senior Seasons.  17 goals and 6 or 7 assists. 

What do we think... Could be all-americans two years in a row at ECSU.

I think fantl has made a legitimate argument for all american honors. I think if ECSU can make some noise in the tournament, Fantl will solidify his spot on the All American team. I know this is out of conference, but I'll throw it out there as well. I think Yuri Morriera at wheaton has made a legitimate case as well. his team was in the national poll all season and top the NE poll all season as well. 16 goals and 2 assists in the NEWMAC.

I'd like to support ECSU, but I'm having a hard time getting past the nasty challenge that put the PSU keeper out for a year with a shredded knee. The Doctor says it does not look like a sports injury, but an injury from a serious auto wreck.

Really? Cause the coach from plymouth called the coach from Eastern the next day after the game and specifically told him that the injury was not as serious as they had thought. Second of all, it was a wet field, break away opportunity and a chance to win the game for the conference championship. Do you think you would just stop and not go in for a challenge? 

That's what goalies do, they come off their lines to make saves, and sometimes they pay for it, and don't judge Eastern as a whole or a program based upon one foul in the entire game. Also, psu out fouled eastern 3 to 1 in that game, and we are talking about Fantl here gaining all american status which would bring more respect to the little east conference, and lets face, the little east isn't known as one of the more "quality" leagues in New England. It's more like, lets see how many yellow cards and fouls we can get in a single game. 

Im just aggravated at the fact that you would even talk about how an Eastern Player who didn't even commit the foul your talking about should not have your support in this situation. 

Maybe  your just bitter that Eastern ended PSU's Season? 

No, no bitterness here at he result. Just disappointed that a horrid touch turned into a 50-50 play that resulted in a horrendous injury.

This must be why they lost to Daniel Webster (who the hell is Daniel Webster) in pk's in ECAC's because of their back up keeper being in?

MISOCCERDAVE....I am honestly surprised to see you get caught up in such a little part of the game of soccer.  To call a players touch horrid is an insult at that, and this forum is not here to insult a player's skill or lack there of.

Are you also insinuating that the player intentionally had a horrid touch and then intentionally tried to hurt the plymouth state gk???

It is very disappointing that you are on this forum and are in turn a new england soccer fan, and a little east soccer fan, but the team representing both these groups does not have your support in the NCAA's, for they will need all the support they can get when facing a tough RPI team this saturday.

Aside from that, just a few facts for you.  Eastern finished last in the LEC in fouls committed.  They also finished last in yellow/red cards attained.  They also received the SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD.   Plymouth almost made the LEC tourney this year.  Leave it at that....kids play the game hard, but these players play to win as well...not to hurt anyone. 

I cannot wait to see the results this weekend.  G'luck to All new england schools, and EASTERN, Eastern, its a shame you guys won't get the support from everyone, but show them anyway.

That's rather harsh. I think you're reading far more into my comments than what I said. 

Eastern is an excellent team. They closed out the deal when they needed to. IIRC, they had 3 keepers in the LEC final, right? PSU did not get the job done when their season was on the line. They had a 2-1 lead on ECSU, and a 3-1 lead on Daniel Webster, and could not hold either one.

I have supported every LEC team post-season, and watched games online when I was able.

Hoping they do well this weekend and get to move on. It helps all of LEC.

tough loss for ECSU but going back to the topic of fantl being an all american, I think he is deserving for sure but like you said studsup it would have been an easier choice had he led his team abit further into the postseason. still though i would give him the all america nod or at the very least all new england honors.

It's too bad ECSU didn't go further as they are a quality side.  I do feel that most sides (not only in the LEC but New England-wide ) are down in quality this season, says alot for all of you who graduated last year, alot of excellent players.

Off topic but what do people think about henry's hand ball yesterday. Is his legacy tainted? I believe he is handling the situation quite well : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s7pbKT37QjY&feature=player_embedded   Feel bad for the Irish...but thats football right

Studsup, I am going to say no, his legacy is not tainted.

Any player who has ever played the game knows that you play until the whistle is blown, and you play to win every game.  I can honestly say i would never run to the ref after the play and say " I handed the ball." 

It is not Henry's fault the call was missed.  He played the game and ensured his team would be playing in the 2010 world cup. 

All these people who say he should have admitted the ball hit his hand on the field have obviosuly never played the game at a competitive level, because in the LEC, when i bumped someone off the ball so they couldn't get a clean shot, I never ran to the ref and said, "Hey, I probably fouled him on that one, give him a free kick right outside the box to make it fair."