My (ongoing) College Admissions Story

Applying to College Admission Stories
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Taking a break from Kentucky’s March to your (and all) March Madness tourneys, I think you’ll get a real kick out of this “rejection letter.” http://www.mcsweeneys.net/articles/an-honest-college-rejection-letter

("The Admissions Committee once again sent candidates like you multiple enticing pamphlets encouraging you to apply, knowing full well we had no intention of accepting you.

“However, you will be pleased to know that you have contributed to our declining admissions rate, which has helped our university appear exclusive.”)

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@brucemag‌ what a gem!! LOL

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that was hilarious, brucemag!

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“Hello, and welcome to the opening game of the 2015 LBad Cup, sponsored by College Confidential. We’re happy to be here at High Point Solutions Stadium to see the hosts, the Rutgers Scarlet Knights, kick off the tournament against the Fairfield Stags. There is a huge buzz of anticipation around the stadium for the opener. Rutgers, as New Jersey’s state flagship, will want to make a very good impression in this tournament, and they believe that they can maybe go all the way. Fairfield, a Jesuit school of just about 3,000 undergrads in Connecticut, will also want to do well for themselves in this group to try and prove their rather high USNWR ranking in the region.”

The referee blows his whistle to start the competition…

“And we’re off!! Rutgers, in their familiar all-Scarlet uniform, kick this tournament off and are going from left to right. Fairfield, in black, are going right to left.”

Unsurprisingly, Rutgers went out of the gates and immediately imposed themselves on this game, and were unlucky not to score when a shot of theirs hit the post on eight minutes. They launched attack after attack and frightened the Stags. The Scarlet Knights finally got the opener they deserved on 26 minutes.

"Oh, well done from her! Nice cross from the left…AND IT’S IN!!! FIRST GOAL OF THE TOURNAMENT, RUTGERS OPEN THE SCORING!!! THE CROWD IS ELATED!! He had a beautiful header from such a teasing cross in, and you can’t say it was against the run of play, either. Rutgers 1, Fairfield 0."

Despite the fact that they only had 12% of the possession before that point, conceding the opener sprang Fairfield into life for some reason. They began attacking moves of their own with very smart passes, and were rewarded with an equalizer in the 44th minute from their captain.

"This is a very nice string of passes…great ball…EQUALIZES!!! JUST ONE MINUTE BEFORE HALFTIME, FAIRFIELD LEVEL IT THROUGH THEIR CAPTAIN!! The New Jerseyan scores against her home state’s flagship. She was on the receiving end of some great passes from her teammates, and we’re all square again. Rutgers 1, Fairfield 1."

Coming out of the break was more breathtaking action. Both teams were denied by the opposite goalkeeper on several occasions when their great attacks had warranted goals. There was also a period of a few minutes where both teams just battled for possession in the midfield, afraid that attacking would leave them vulnerable to mistakes. Then, less than 20 minutes before the end, a mistake would be made.

"Oh well, that is a rather poor clearance…they’re making headway into the area…SHE’S TAKEN DOWN IN THE BOX…THE REFEREE POINTS TO THE SPOT!! IT’S A PENALTY FOR RUTGERS!!"

Facing the favored end of a near-capacity crowd, the Rutgers captain stepped up to the plate. Everyone was nervous.

"Everyone is ready…the captain steps up to take it…AND HE SCORES!!! THE SCARLET KNIGHTS ARE BACK IN FRONT, AND THE FANS ARE GOING CRAZY!! THIS COULD BE THE WINNER THEY’VE BEEN LOOKING FOR! Rutgers 2, Fairfield 1."

The Stags then spent the last quarter of an hour searching for an equalizer, but were denied by the Rutgers keeper on four occasions. Ultimately, it finished 2-1 in favor of the hosts, a result that certainly brought smiles to the faces of all New Jerseyans.
FINAL SCORE: Rutgers 2-1 Fairfield.
GOALS: Rutgers 26’, 73’ (penalty); Fairfield 44’

The second game of Group A was the Massachusetts Minutemen taking on the Stony Brook Seawolves. Based on star rating, both teams seemed to be on an even keel. UMass have grown tremendously over the last twenty years as an institution, reducing their acceptance rate from >80% to just over 60%. Stony Brook are a more selective school and very solid in their own right, but don’t seem to be very well-known outside of the Tri-state; a positive result here could possibly go a long way in the group standings in the end, and advancement from this group would put the Seawolves on the national map (and would put the school on some more radars as well).

UMass in maroon, Stony Brook in gray. This game started much like the Rutgers-Fairfield match did, with one team having the lion’s share of possession. That team was UMass, and they were duly rewarded by opening the scoring on 16 minutes with a beautiful long-range shot.

"Well, doesn’t she have quite the audacity to take on a long-distance shot…AND IT’S IN THE BACK OF THE NET!!! EXCUSE ME FOR QUESTIONING HER, IT WAS A FANTASTIC STRIKE, AN ABSOLUTE FIRECRACKER!! AND UMASS TAKE A DESERVED EARLY LEAD!!! UMass 1, Stony Brook 0."

The Minutemen had many more chances where that came from, and were quite frankly unlucky to not add to their lead before the break. The second half continued with more of the same, with the same girl adding a second from the penalty spot after the Stony Brook keeper was sent off for intentionally tripping her strike partner in the box. The Seawolves had to send on another keeper to try and save the penalty.

"Now, the substitute goalie for Stony Brook has come on. UMass at the spot, can she double the lead…YES SHE CAN. The hometown kid went completely the wrong way; he dove to his left, the penalty went to his right. UMass 2, Stony Brook 0."

Stony Brook did eventually have some chances of their own, with a few of their shots zipping past the Minutemen keeper but also past the post. They would rue their misses in stoppage time.

"Good cross from the right…keeper’s out…HE MISSES THE BALL AND THERE’S AN OPEN NET…AND THE POOR GUY’S BEEN PUNISHED. Too easy for UMass, who have demolished a completely out of sync Stony Brook team. The Minutemen will have nothing but positives to take from this performance, while the Seawolves supporters are shocked to the brim with their team’s failure to show up."
FINAL SCORE: UMass 3-0 Stony Brook
GOALS: UMass 16’, 52’ (penalty), 90’

Group A standings

  1. UMass Minutemen 1-0-0, 3 GS, 0 GA, +3 GD, 3 Pts
  2. Rutgers Scarlet Knights 1-0-0, 2 GS, 1 GA, +1 GD, 3 Pts
  3. Fairfield Stags 0-0-1, 1 GS, 2 GA, -1 GD, 0 Pts
  4. Stony Brook Seawolves 0-0-1, 0 GS, 3 GA, -3 GD, 0 Pts

Group B opened in a different manner. The seeded team of the group, the Central Florida Knights opened their tournament at home in the imposing Orlando Citrus Bowl against a Binghamton Bearcats side out to try and finally erase their reputation of athletic mediocrity in this tournament. Central Florida can literally fit their entire student body in the stadium, but there were a small number of traveling Binghamton fans.

UCF in gold, Bing in green. The match started with nothing really of note besides UCF having three quarters of the possession. However, this did not stop Binghamton from taking an unlikely lead on 25 minutes.

That quieted the crescendo of noise from the home fans, who were absolutely stunned at halftime. UCF stormed out of the break frantically searching for an equalizer, and were frustrated when they hit the post several times in a three-minute span. Then, on 82 minutes, the equalizer finally came.

Then, just four minutes later, Binghamton had a corner that maybe should have been a goal kick to UCF. But the Bearcats certainly weren’t complaining when the header went in. That was how the game would end.

FINAL SCORE: UCF 1-2 Binghamton
Goals: UCF 82’; Binghamton 25’, 86’

The other game in the group featured the Arizona State Sun Devils versus the Rider Broncs, which ended 0-0.

Group B standings

  1. Binghamton Bearcats 1-0-0, 2 GS, 1 GA, +1 GD, 3 Pts
  2. Rider Broncs 0-1-0, 0 GS, 0 GA, 0 GD, 1 Pt
  3. Arizona State Sun Devils 0-1-0, 0 GS, 0 GA, 0 GD, 1 Pt
  4. Central Florida Knights 0-0-1, 1 GS, 2 GA, -1 GD, 0 Pts
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^Wait, how is that all decided?

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@MYOS1634‌ facts + my own opinion of the schools that are matched up against one another.

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okay :slight_smile: :slight_smile:
The narrative was so precise I wondered!!!

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The second day of the 2015 LBad Cup commenced on Saturday with two groups in action. First, in Group C, we had the Syracuse Orange in their famous Carrier Dome taking on the Fairleigh Dickinson Knights. The Orange are one of the most heralded teams at this year’s tournament, and are definitely among the favorites to take home the crown. The Knights, meanwhile, have one of the lowest graduation rates; any point they gain in this group would be reason to smile.

The game began with a flourish for Syracuse, who unsurprisingly dominated in front of a sellout crowd. They were in complete control throughout, control that was marked by striker Bobby J.'s opening goal on thirteen minutes. 'Cuse doubled their lead just six minutes later when midfielder Jimmy G. collected a fine pass from Courtney W. at the top of the eighteen-yard box before launching a neat right-footed curler into the top right-hand corner. Things went from bad to worse when FDU’s attacking midfielder Vickie T. was given her marching orders three minutes before the interval for a crunching challenge on Bobby.

Syracuse came out of the breaks once again in the second half, making the life of FDU goalkeeper Max P. very difficult. Bobby’s second goal extended the Orange’s lead to three in the 52nd, prompting even louder roars from the home fans and Otto the Orange. FDU tried to get one back with a couple of speculative efforts, none of which tested Syracuse keeper Jacob K. Substitute Shauna I. completed the rout in the 88th. All in all, an exciting and dominant performance from 'Cuse, who were rarely troubled on the night. FDU will now have to move on to the next game trying to avoid elimination while missing their star player through suspension.
FINAL SCORE: Syracuse 4-0 Fairleigh Dickinson
GOALS: Bobby J. 13’, 52’, Jimmy G. 19’, Shauna I. 88’

The second opener in the group featured the Clark Cougars in red squaring off against the TCNJ Lions in yellow. Clark, a tiny liberal arts school known for “changing lives”, will look to make as much of a splash in this tournament as they can. TCNJ, meanwhile, are known as one of New Jersey’s strongest schools, and are normally considered equal to Rutgers. Both these teams are out to prove that D3 sports teams aren’t exactly pushovers.

Both sides were even on possession for the entire match and both had their chances. The first half was dominated by the two keepers: Dylan M. for Clark and Danny H. for TCNJ. Both produced fine saves that frustrated their opponents and kept the game scoreless going into the dressing rooms. Clark finally broke the deadlock in the 76th minute when left midfielder Jordan J. headed it past Danny off of a corner. Dylan’s heroics further exasperated the Lions, and it looked like the Cougars were going to take home all three points until a dramatic Jim H. equalizer four minutes from time. Both teams gave good accounts of themselves, and a share of the spoils was considered fair in the end.
FINAL SCORE: Clark 1-1 TCNJ
GOALS: Jordan J. 76’ (Clark); Jim H. 86’ (TCNJ)

Group C standings

  1. Syracuse Orange 1-0-0, 4 GS, 0 GA, +4 GD, 3 Pts
  2. TCNJ Lions/Clark Cougars 0-1-0, 1 GS/GA, 0 GD, 1 Pt
  3. Fairleigh Dickinson Knights 0-0-1, 0 GS/4 GA, -4 GD, 0 Pts

Next, it was Group D’s turn to get the action going with the Penn State Nittany Lions in white at their ever-imposing Beaver Stadium hosting the Colorado Buffaloes in black. Penn State are another favorite to become the champions, seeing as they are the premier Northern flagship. The school tends to have everything a student would normally want as it is basically a small city in and of itself. Colorado are also large as well, and have begun to gain a stronger following among New Jerseyans in recent years.

Both sides played fantastic football throughout, and the game was very free-flowing and open. Both had equal amounts of chances to score, but it was PSU who broke the deadlock through right midfielder Jon F. eight minutes before halftime.

The second period was more of the same, and the Nittany Lions were unlucky not to double their lead when Buffalo goalie Alex K. drew a fine save from PSU striker Amy R.'s curling shot. Colorado then found an equalizer on 59 minutes through forward Lindsay P. Lindsay dribbled it past the defense on a great solo run before slotting it just under the outstretched arm of PSU keeper Jake Q.

The goal then enabled the visitors to find the winner seven minutes from time when midfielder Jack B. headed the ball past the keeper from a Mariah C. cross. The result dismayed the rowdy Penn State supporters while making the Boulder faithful grin from ear to ear.
FINAL SCORE: Penn State 1-2 Colorado
GOALS: Jon F. 37’ (Penn State); Lindsey P. 59’, Jack B. 83’ (both Colorado)

The second Group D premier featured the Michigan State Spartans in white against the Bentley Falcons in vertical black and blue stripes at Spartan Stadium. MSU, looking to stake their claim as to why they should be looked at as potential winners, face a Bentley side that is more than NINE TIMES smaller than them in terms of undergraduate size. Bentley is a business school though, and being minutes outside of Boston is sure to work to their advantage in this tournament.

Despite MSU’s dominance of early proceedings, they couldn’t ever seem to find the back of the net as Falcons keeper Brady N. made stop after stop. The Spartans were made to rue their misses when Bentley took a shock lead after half an hour. Defensive midfielder Ian J. collected a square pass from central mid David S. before smashing it past Charley H.. MSU players and fans alike went into the break stunned.

The second half was a continuation of the first. Michigan State once again had 85% of the possession, but failed to produce goals as Brady continued to deny them. Bentley made them pay once again in the 78th minute when David finished a great through ball from Shawn L. MSU had chances to reduce the deficit but were left hungry still after Brady remained a beast in goal. The die-hard Spartans supporters booed and hissed their team at the final whistle, an upset that is sure to annoy them for the remainder of their LBad Cup should they fail to get a result against Penn State in their next game. Bentley, meanwhile, walked away from the stadium with smug smiles on their faces, rightfully satisfied with their performance on the day.
FINAL SCORE: Michigan State 0-2 Bentley
GOALS: Ian J. 30’, Dave S. 78’

Group D standings

  1. Bentley Falcons 1-0-0, 2 GS/0 GA, +2 GD, 3 Pts
  2. Colorado Buffaloes 1-0-0, 2 GS/1 GA, +1 GD, 3 Pts
  3. Penn State Nittany Lions 0-0-1, 1 GS/2 GA, -1 GD, 0 Pts
  4. Michigan State Spartans 0-0-1, 0 GS/2 GA, -2 GD, 0 Pts

*DISCLAIMER: all player names are random. ANY resemblance or similarity to actual applicants, attendees, or current students of each school in this tournament is purely and entirely coincidental.

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I think you have a future career in fantasy sports fiction, LBad! lol…

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@1203southview‌ haha, thanks! :stuck_out_tongue:

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Ha ha this is why some of the elite LAC’s are test optional. This kind of humor and imagination can’t be quantified by filling in the bubbles with a no.2 pencil.

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@Twinmom2014‌ I would have submitted my test scores regardless :wink: :stuck_out_tongue: but thank you!! :slight_smile:

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The time expended and the immense detail in these commentaries is fantastic! As a soccer player, I must say…I approve. You’d make a wonderful writer!

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I agree :slight_smile:

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@TheDidactic‌ @MYOS1634‌ thank you both!! :slight_smile:

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Turns out that I’ve missed posts for the last two days, so I’ll post them both today.

Sunday was Day 3 of the 2015 LBad Cup with four more great games on the slate. First, we go to Group E, where the rather fancied Fordham Rams opened their odyssey in maroon against fellow Jesuits Loyola Maryland Greyhounds in gray at Yankee Stadium. Fordham come into the tournament having one of the strongest business schools as well as the allure of the Big Apple, but Loyola have some big-city lovers of their own in Baltimore. Loyola’s business school is very strong in its own right, as is the overall school at large. In this all-Jesuit matchup, to whom would the spoils go?

Fordham had a slight majority of both the possession and chances in the first half, several of which were unable to get past Loyola keeper Ronny X. Loyola also had chances from Jessica C. and Brianna M. saved by Rams netminder Sam O. Fordham had to wait till eleven minutes after the break for their breakthrough when Kevin E. unleashed a 25-yard screamer that flew past Ronny and sent the Yankee Stadium crowd delirious. Elena S. and David P. played a nice 1-2 give-and-go on 68 minutes, but were still unable to beat Sam, much to the dismay of the Loyola bench. Loyola were then punished for their finishing inabilities when Jamie Z. scored Fordham’s second to put the game away on 83 minutes. The Rams were the victorious Jesuits in this matchup, the result leaving the fans very pleased and even feeling maybe a little fortunate. Loyola, unable to finish their chances throughout, couldn’t help but have a lingering feeling about the small pitch size dogging them.
FINAL SCORE: Fordham 2-0 Loyola Maryland
GOALS: Kevin E. 56’, Jamie Z. 83’

The second Group E opener saw the Miami Ohio RedHawks start their tournament in red taking on the Stetson Hatters in white at the Yager Stadium in Oxford, Ohio. Miami Ohio are located in a rural area that’s known as one of the better college towns in America, have one of the top 25 undergrad business schools in the nation, and are also cited as having decent athletics in addition to a very attractive student body. Stetson, for a Florida school, are a bit lacking in those areas, and are also about as small as Clark. However, they make up for their shortcomings by having a beautiful (and pet-friendly) campus a mere 45 minutes from Orlando. Who would come out on top in this one?

Miami Ohio dominated the opening half’s proceedings. They controlled possession and played quick, smart passes to frustrate a seemingly timid Hatter side. The RedHawks kept probing and pressing before captain Madison Y. broke the deadlock virtually on the stroke of halftime. The creative attacking midfielder was the recipient of a brilliantly-weighted lofted through ball from left back Lauren O., split two defenders, and made no mistake when tucking past Regis S. in the bottom right hand corner.

The second half began with more of the same quick passes from Miami Ohio…until a pass was intercepted by Stetson’s Walter E. The right back played a fine pass that unexpectedly split the RedHawk defense apart, and striker Jesus A. toe-poked the ball past Miami Ohio’s Roger U. Suddenly, against the run of play, Stetson were level on 53 minutes. This surprise goal enabled the Hatters to venture out for the winner, which they got just under 20 minutes from time through a Zane S. off a JaQualla corner. The captain came forward from his position as a central defender to rise up for the corner. Miami Ohio fans were shocked to the brim, and were quite frankly disappointed with their team for managing to waste a winning position. But everyone was quick to tip their hats to Stetson for a great game.
FINAL SCORE: Miami Ohio 1-2 Stetson
GOALS: Madison Y. 45’ +1; Jesus A. 53’, Zane S. 71’

Group E standings

  1. Fordham Rams 1-0-0, 2 GS/0 GA, +2 GD, 3 Pts
  2. Stetson Hatters 1-0-0, 2 GS/1 GA, +1 GD, 3 Pts
  3. Miami Ohio RedHawks 0-0-1, 1 GS/2 GA, -1 GD, 0 Pts
  4. Loyola Maryland Greyhounds, 0-0-1, 0 GS/2 GA, -2 GD, 0 Pts

Group F was the next to kick off. We went to Heinz Field where the Pittsburgh Panthers in gold hosted the Florida State Seminoles in red. Pittsburgh are one of the favorites to make the Final Four, and have a great academic reputation in a revived city. Florida State have a large student body in the state capital, and are very solid academically as well as being great athletically. Both undergrad. business schools are actually ranked side-by-side according to BusinessWeek (84th and 85th). Who would take this one?

Both sides had a lot of chances in the opening half, but it was Pitt who struck first through Billy A. on 28 minutes when he received a cross from Mari G. FSU had very good chances during the half, the best of which was a Quinn T. save on Seminoles captain Andreia S.'s curler that was seemingly destined for Quinn’s top corner. The equalizer, however, was still begging.

The second half continued in the same fashion, with both sides having an even share of the ball. FSU constantly peppered Quinn’s goal, with notable chances from Kaleigh B. and Beth F. either just skimming or banging against the upright. Pitt then put the game away thirteen minutes from time when Francis G. comfortably tucked it in Naertinho’s bottom right corner. Pitt fans were delighted at the final whistle, their team deserved victors.
FINAL SCORE: Pittsburgh 2-0 FSU
GOALS: Billy A. 28’, Francis G. 77’

Group F’s second opener took us to North Carolina where the UNC Wilmington Seahawks in teal hosted the William Paterson Pioneers in orange. UNCW are a school near the beach, but a very strong beach school. It is a University that is constantly growing in national reputation and respect, and is especially strong in the areas of marine biology, film studies, communications, and business. William Paterson, meanwhile, are the weakest school in this competition; a D3 commuter school that’s rather poor academically and has even been known to admit students with D averages. That’s a whole lot to overcome if they want to avoid finishing dead last in the tournament.

Well, it’s not like UNCW did them any favors. The Seahawks went for the throat from the very first few seconds, with star striker Olivia C. embarrassing three defenders before rounding the keeper after just 28 seconds. Olivia scored a second in the tenth minute when she ripped a 30-yard screamer that flew past helpless Pioneer keeper Oswald. Attacking midfielder Brooke R. scored a third five minutes before the break, and UNCW went into the dressing rooms in complete control.

The second half was a continuation of the first, with UNCW stamping their authority on proceedings. The Seahawks played clever passes and demonstrated very impressive on-ball trickery. Olivia bagged her hattrick in the 75th after a fantastic cross from right midfielder Anna H. was met with a sumptuous volley. It was only then that the Pioneers actually attempted to attack, but none of their wild shots really made UNCW goalie Dyshon move at all. The final whistle sounded with the scoreline not really being a reflection of the dominance on display by Wilmington.
FINAL SCORE: UNCW 4-0 WPU
GOALS: Olivia C. 1’, 10’, 75’, Brooke R. 40’

Group F standings

  1. UNC Wilmington Seahawks 1-0-0, 4 GS/0 GA, +4 GD, 3 Pts
  2. Pittsburgh Panthers 1-0-0, 2 GS/0 GA, +2 GD, 3 Pts
  3. Florida State Seminoles 0-0-1, 0 GS/2 GA, -2 GD, 0 Pts
  4. William Paterson Pioneers 0-0-1, 0 GS/4 GA, -4 GD, 0 Pts
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love it!

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The last two groups of the LBad Cup got play underway on Monday. First, Group G began action with the **Northeastern Huskies
** in red facing the Butler Bulldogs in white. Northeastern are everyone’s pre-tournament favorites to go all the way, and they have certainly built up the academic pedigree in the last decade and a half to gain that title of favorites. The strength of D’Amore-McKim as well as their Boston location is something that will be hard for any team to beat. Butler are also located in a well-known metropolis and are one of the top schools in the Midwest. Their athletic programs, particularly basketball and soccer, have been a crucial part of the success of the entire university. Which dog would win out?

Northeastern had a slight majority of the possession and the chances in the first half. For the majority of the first quarter hour, both sides essentially traded goes at goal, most of which were saved by Northeastern keeper Vladimir or Butler keeper Jason M. However, it was Butler who took the lead on 19 minutes when midfielder Frank I. headed a cross from Tammy R. past Vladimir. Northeastern equalized three minutes before the break through striker Darko.

The second half was all Northeastern, and it was rather surprising that they only made it 2-1 in the 79th when Alexander F. scored from the spot. Butler had chances to equalize, but the Huskies killed the game off in stoppage time when substitute Louisa V. scored a sweaty goal. The final whistle brought relief to Northeastern fans who were very tense at halftime, while the Bulldogs lamented losing after being in a winning position for 23 minutes.
FINAL SCORE: Northeastern 3-1 Butler
GOALS: Darko 42’, Alexander F. 79’ (pen), Louisa V. 90’+2; Frank I. 19’

Group G’s second opener featured the Seton Hall Pirates in white versus the Monmouth Hawks in navy. Seton Hall have average athletics headed by decent basketball and soccer teams, but are also quite average academically. Monmouth, despite having a lower acceptance rate, is a slightly weaker school. With the two tough opponents ahead, both teams saw the other as their best chance to get points in this group.

Seton Hall dominated the first half in chances created and possession. However, it was Monmouth who raced into the lead on six minutes when right midfielder Brittany M. slammed the ball home past Pirates keeper Anthony M. Seton Hall had numerous chances to equalize, most notably when a right-footed Quincy E. shot cannoned off the crossbar and over. The Hawks took a surprising 2-0 lead in the 31st minute when striker Andrea R. blasted a 35-yarder past a bewildered Anthony, who assumed the ball was going over.

The second period began with the Pirates having a fire lit underneath them, and captain Yasmine pulled one back for them virtually right after the half began. The forward beat Monmouth goalie Chris A. at his near post from a seemingly impossible angle. Seton Hall continued to pepper Chris with shot after shot after shot, testing his resolve. They finally got their equalizer in the 82nd when an early Yasmine cross was headed down by Angelo R. and found its way to Pamela C., who gratefully drilled past Chris to put things back on level terms. Seton Hall had a winner unfairly disallowed four minutes later when the linesman wrongly judged Yasmine to be offside when she pokes the ball home. Both sides had headers that went off the post and zingers that were parried, but neither could find the crucial winner. Seton Hall do have the chance to eliminate Butler in the next match, while Monmouth will have to shore up their defense to prevent group favorites Northeastern from booking a place in the Sweet Sixteen.
FINAL SCORE: Seton Hall 2-2 Monmouth
GOALS: Yasmine 46’, Pamela C. 82’; Brittany M. 6’, Andrea R. 31’

Group G standings

  1. Northeastern Huskies 1-0-0, 3 GS/1 GA, +2 GD, 3 Pts
  2. Seton Hall Pirates/Monmouth Hawks 0-1-0, 2 GS/GA, 0 GD, 1 Pt
  3. Butler Bulldogs 0-0-1, 1 GS/3 GA, -2 GD, 0 Pts

Finally, Group H got play underway when the seeded Quinnipiac Bobcats kicked off against the Montclair State Redhawks. Quinnipiac are one of the nation’s up-and-coming schools, most recently ranked in the top six schools in the Northeast by USNWR. Their business school is also a quality accredited business school, and they are known for having a very scenic campus as well as an excellent ice hockey team that rivals with Yale. Montclair, meanwhile, are a public school with decent value, but aren’t very good academically and are also quite lacking in the athletics arena, being a D3 school and all. There is a reason that they come into this tournament as the “other” Redhawk school.

Quinnipiac kicked the game off in their yellow with Montclair in red. The Bobcats had the better of the opening exchanges, and were unlucky to not take the lead after 20 minutes when central midfielder Jill S. had a shot parried away with the faintest of touches by Montclair netminder Matt W. Despite all of Quinnipiac’s efforts, the New Jerseyans took a shock lead on 22 minutes when captain and striker Sam O. collected a pass from strike partner and brother Mike O. before nutmegging Bobcats keeper Matt G.

Quinnipiac continued to pile on the pressure in the second half. Bobcats captain Nick G. hit a free kick just past the post, and Bri V. and Christina M. both had consecutive attempts parried away by Matt W. As Montclair continued to successfully absorb and mount the pressure, their fans were prancing around in the stands, mocking their supposedly superior hosts. With barely two minutes remaining, they were on the brink of a HUGE win…and then Quinnipiac finally found their leveler. Substitute Alyssa V. was quickest to respond to a parried Nick G. shot, thumping in the rebound from eight yards. The goal brought massive relief to the Bobcats fans, who were incredibly thankful to Alyssa for helping them avoid an embarrassing upset. The Redhawk supporters, meanwhile, left with a bit of a sour taste in their mouths after all that smack talking.
FINAL SCORE: Quinnipiac 1-1 Montclair State
GOALS: Alyssa V 88’; Sam O. 22’

The final opener featured the Pace Setters taking on fellow New Yorkers Hofstra Pride in Manhattan. Pace were near the top of a few return on investment lists as recently as 2011, but have dropped off so much to the point that they are the least selective school at this tournament, even less so than Arizona State. Hofstra are decent academically but their biggest weakness is the fact that Hempstead is a crime-ridden area.

Pace, in blue, kicked off the game with Hofstra in yellow. The Pride basically controlled the game from the outset, but had many shots saved by Setters keeper Evan T. Hofstra continued trying to force the issue, with Lissy L. and Alexis S. coming closest. However, none of those opportunities became goals, and the match went into the break scoreless.

It was more of the same in half number two, with Pace absorbing everything that Hofstra was giving them. It took 70 minutes for the home side to finally have ONE shot - an effort from striker Peter B. that sailed into row XYZ. Hofstra continued prompting, pressing, probing for a goal, that looked like it finally came when Zander K. toe-poked it past Evan. However, the striker was unfortunately adjudged to be offside and the match ended scoreless.
FINAL SCORE: Pace 0-0 Hofstra

Group H standings

  1. Quinnipiac Bobcats/Montclair State Redhawks 0-1-0, 1 GS/GA, 0 GD, 1 Pt
  2. Pace Setters/Hofstra Pride 0-1-0,0 GS/GA, 0 GD, 0 Pts
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Whoops, accidentally put both Pace and Hofstra as having 0 points. They each have one point.

Goalscorers from the first games:
Rutgers 2-1 Fairfield
Zach S. 26’, Jeremie D. 73’ (pen); Audrey C. 44’

UMass 3-0 Stony Brook
Trish B. 16’, 52’ (pen), Hannah M. 90’

UCF 1-2 Binghamton
Monica W. 82’; Glenni R. 25’, Edmund O. 86’

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