The JMU women's soccer team qualified for the NCAA tournament today in a delayed announcement. ESPNews sponsored the event, but waited until 8:22 to announce the matchups when it was scheduled for 8:00-8:30.
Years ago, the NCAA sponsored the announcement and devoted a full half-hour show to it. Women's soccer is approaching the level of basketball at the collegiate level, so why would ESPN relegate the selection show to this level?
Madison plays Pennsylvania University at Morgantown, W.va., on Friday. The Dukes started out their season with a scrimmage at West Virginia and lost. In the first round of the NCAA tournament, don't expect a lackluster performance.
Monday, November 12, 2007
Sunday, November 11, 2007
Showdown Set for Nov. 24
With victories by Virginia and Virginia Tech Saturday, the stage is set for both teams' last regular season game in Charlottesville. The winner will play in the Atlantic Coast Conference championship game — it's that simple.
UVA has a bye in week 12, and the Hokies play against Miami at Lane Stadium. I was impressed by my experience at the Boston College game three weeks ago, and I expect Virginia Tech fans will show no mercy to a Hurricane squad that suffered a 48-0 loss to UVA in its last game at the historic Orange Bowl.
Virginia Tech's 40-21 rout of Florida State was not as staggering as the score suggests, but coach Beamer notched his first win against the Seminoles nonetheless. He is now 1-7 against Florida State.
I'm a bit confused though — with Virginia a half game ahead of the Hokies in the ACC Coastal Division and overall, why is VT four spots ahead of the Cavaliers in the BCS standings?
UVA has a bye in week 12, and the Hokies play against Miami at Lane Stadium. I was impressed by my experience at the Boston College game three weeks ago, and I expect Virginia Tech fans will show no mercy to a Hurricane squad that suffered a 48-0 loss to UVA in its last game at the historic Orange Bowl.
Virginia Tech's 40-21 rout of Florida State was not as staggering as the score suggests, but coach Beamer notched his first win against the Seminoles nonetheless. He is now 1-7 against Florida State.
I'm a bit confused though — with Virginia a half game ahead of the Hokies in the ACC Coastal Division and overall, why is VT four spots ahead of the Cavaliers in the BCS standings?
Friday, November 9, 2007
White Burns Louisville
The Big East has finally whittled its list of likely BCS contenders down to two.
West Virginia quarterback Pat White's 50-yard touchdown run with 1:36 left against Louisville gave the Mountaineers a 38-31 lead and their eighth win. WVU (8-1 overall, 3-1 in the Big East) now trails only Connecticut (8-1, 4-0), who is set to play at Cincinnati (7-2, 2-2) on Saturday.
Last year's Lou Groza award winner, Louisville kicker Art Carmody, tied the game with 3:05 left - but WVU's multifaceted attack struck right back. White exploited a seam in the Cardinal defense for the games' longest touchdown.
James Madison's option offense has often been compared to WVU's attack. The question is, will Madison be able to avoid the costly turnovers that have plagued them two games in a row when it travels to Willam & Mary?
West Virginia quarterback Pat White's 50-yard touchdown run with 1:36 left against Louisville gave the Mountaineers a 38-31 lead and their eighth win. WVU (8-1 overall, 3-1 in the Big East) now trails only Connecticut (8-1, 4-0), who is set to play at Cincinnati (7-2, 2-2) on Saturday.
Last year's Lou Groza award winner, Louisville kicker Art Carmody, tied the game with 3:05 left - but WVU's multifaceted attack struck right back. White exploited a seam in the Cardinal defense for the games' longest touchdown.
James Madison's option offense has often been compared to WVU's attack. The question is, will Madison be able to avoid the costly turnovers that have plagued them two games in a row when it travels to Willam & Mary?
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
Gettin' Back on the Ball
The official temperature was 45 degrees for JMU's first round Colonial Athletic Association tournament game against George Mason. It felt like it was cold enough for snow.
James Madison battled GMU for a 2-1 victory, and advanced to the semifinal round in Virginia Beach, Va. I stood on the sideline for the entire game, because the metal benches were absolutely freezing.
Coach Lombardo notched his 300th win thanks to goals by senior forward Annie Lowry and junior forward Megan Deaver. When asked to evaluate the team's performance, Lowry said "We're finally getting back on the ball, playing the offense we can," but also gave GMU senior goalkeeper Kasey Davenport credit for her seven saves.
Madison plays Hofstra on Friday in the CAA semifinals, and if it wins JMU would play the winner of VCU/ODU on Sunday. How would you evaluate their chances to win the conference tournament?
James Madison battled GMU for a 2-1 victory, and advanced to the semifinal round in Virginia Beach, Va. I stood on the sideline for the entire game, because the metal benches were absolutely freezing.
Coach Lombardo notched his 300th win thanks to goals by senior forward Annie Lowry and junior forward Megan Deaver. When asked to evaluate the team's performance, Lowry said "We're finally getting back on the ball, playing the offense we can," but also gave GMU senior goalkeeper Kasey Davenport credit for her seven saves.
Madison plays Hofstra on Friday in the CAA semifinals, and if it wins JMU would play the winner of VCU/ODU on Sunday. How would you evaluate their chances to win the conference tournament?
Monday, November 5, 2007
On the Edge
James Madison fell to No. 16 in The Sports Network's poll following a 37-34 loss at Delaware in Colonial Athletic Association play. The Dukes had two running backs with 171 yards rushing or better, and still lost to their CAA South Division rivals.
JMU entered the game in a three-way tie with Delaware and Richmond for the South Division lead, but fell to third place with a record of 6-3 overall, 4-2 in the conference. No. 9-ranked Richmond and No. 6-ranked Delaware are set for another showdown Saturday at Richmond; both teams are 5-1 in the CAA.
Madison travels to William and Mary on Saturday and will look for its fourth straight win in the series. With two games left, the Dukes must win both to gain playoff consideration. Only 16 teams make the playoffs — eight automatic bids and eight at-large bids. Will finishing 8-3 be enough to earn Madison a playoff game?
JMU entered the game in a three-way tie with Delaware and Richmond for the South Division lead, but fell to third place with a record of 6-3 overall, 4-2 in the conference. No. 9-ranked Richmond and No. 6-ranked Delaware are set for another showdown Saturday at Richmond; both teams are 5-1 in the CAA.
Madison travels to William and Mary on Saturday and will look for its fourth straight win in the series. With two games left, the Dukes must win both to gain playoff consideration. Only 16 teams make the playoffs — eight automatic bids and eight at-large bids. Will finishing 8-3 be enough to earn Madison a playoff game?
Saturday, November 3, 2007
Mikell Makes it Five
Virginia made history Saturday when it won 17-16 over Wake Forest, notching the Cavaliers' fifth win of the season by two points or less. Mikell Simpson's 1-yard rushing touchdown with 2:18 left in the game was enough to salvage a win against the Demon Deacons (6-2 overall, 4-2 in the Atlantic Coast Conference).
Columbia previously held the NCAA record with four such wins in 1971. The Lions finished 5-4-1 that year, which is referenced in this article.
Walking on Alderman Road before the game, there were scalpers offering tickets for 10 dollars. I'd say anyone who invested in those got their money's worth.
The Cavaliers (8-2 overall, 5-1 in the Atlantic Coast Conference) are now back in the Coastal Division lead, a half game ahead of Virginia Tech. If Virginia wins its season finale against the Hokies on Nov. 24, it will play in the ACC championship game. Will home-field advantage be enough to advance?
Columbia previously held the NCAA record with four such wins in 1971. The Lions finished 5-4-1 that year, which is referenced in this article.
Walking on Alderman Road before the game, there were scalpers offering tickets for 10 dollars. I'd say anyone who invested in those got their money's worth.
The Cavaliers (8-2 overall, 5-1 in the Atlantic Coast Conference) are now back in the Coastal Division lead, a half game ahead of Virginia Tech. If Virginia wins its season finale against the Hokies on Nov. 24, it will play in the ACC championship game. Will home-field advantage be enough to advance?
Thursday, November 1, 2007
Magic Marker Man
Quarterback Sean Glennon led Virginia Tech to a 27-3 bounce-back win at Georgia Tech on Thursday night, completing 22 of 32 passing attempts for 297 yards and two touchdowns. Glennon was one of four players who had their jersey stolen, but he shrugged it off and led the Hokies to their highest offensive output of the season.
With his name written on the back of a replacement jersey in magic marker, Glennon led Virginia Tech to 481 total yards, their highest total of the season.
Virginia Tech kicker Jud Dunleavy tricked the Yellow Jackets with an onside kick after the Hokies' first score, and they capitalized on the recovery. Glennon rushed for a two-yard score on that drive early in the second quarter, putting the Hokies ahead for good at 10-3.
The win improved Virginia Tech's road record to 14-1 in the Atlantic Coast Conference since beginning ACC play in 2004.
A classic example of Beamer Ball, but I have to ask: what happens if Georgia Tech makes that recovery?
With his name written on the back of a replacement jersey in magic marker, Glennon led Virginia Tech to 481 total yards, their highest total of the season.
Virginia Tech kicker Jud Dunleavy tricked the Yellow Jackets with an onside kick after the Hokies' first score, and they capitalized on the recovery. Glennon rushed for a two-yard score on that drive early in the second quarter, putting the Hokies ahead for good at 10-3.
The win improved Virginia Tech's road record to 14-1 in the Atlantic Coast Conference since beginning ACC play in 2004.
A classic example of Beamer Ball, but I have to ask: what happens if Georgia Tech makes that recovery?
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