Preview of North quarterfinal - Panthers/Warriors

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RedFromMI
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Joined: Sat Sep 08, 2018 7:42 pm

Preview of North quarterfinal - Panthers/Warriors

Post by RedFromMI »

# 2 seed Adelphi Panthers (16-2) hosting #6 seed Merrimack Warriors (14-3)

Merrimack had perhaps the most dominant first round game, so will prove formidable for the Panthers. Adelphi started the season strong, with wins over Tampa, St. Leo, LIU Post (a few days after their upset of Merrimack) included in the 12-0 record when they hosted Le Moyne (11-2 at the time) and fell by a pair 10-8. First half score was 8-1 Dolphins before a furious comeback tied the game with a bit under 10 minutes left in the game, but Le Moyne put up a pair of goals as Adelphi ran out of gas. Adelphi did not lose again until the NE10 finals where the Dolphins bested them once again by a pair of goals. Still, that earned them the #2 seed, as their only losses were to #1 seed Le Moyne. The April 20 game against Merrimack was especially notable - a 17-8 drubbing of the defending national champions (first and third Qs were 5-1 Panthers).

Computer ratings:

Adelphi: Fanlax - #4/#32 SOS, masseyratings.com (not updated with Wednesday's first round) - #3/#2 SOS, KRACH - #5, and if the game plays as the season so far, a 65.1% chance of winning...

Merrimack: Fanlax - #8/#15 SOS, masseyratings.com - #4/#3 SOS, KRACH - #7.

See the first round Mack/Hurst preview for the numbers for the Warriors. For Adelphi, O is #10 at 15.22 GPG, D is #5 at 8.28 GPG. Eight 10+ goal scorers, led by Nicolas Racalbuto (58, 11), Ian Kirby (43, 30) and John Arcidiacono (35, 6). Mark Andrejack takes most of the FOs, and wins at a 75.1% rate. Goalie Brendan McDougal gives up 8.28 GPG with a save % of 56.8.

Should be a battle that is much closer than the regular season game. Warriors had the best first round game - are they on a roll, or will they meet an unmoveable force in the Panthers? Will the fact that this is the last season competing in DII for Mack factor into this one? Should be one of the best games on tap for Saturday.
Pitt12
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Joined: Wed Aug 29, 2018 5:35 pm

Re: Preview of North quarterfinal - Panthers/Warriors

Post by Pitt12 »

Got to go with Mack here. Thanks Red for the great reviews.
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RedFromMI
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Re: Preview of North quarterfinal - Panthers/Warriors

Post by RedFromMI »

Warriors continue their national championship defense even from the #6 seed with a 14-12 victory over the homestanding Adelphi Panthers. Panthers started off well, getting to 4-1 before Merrimack stormed back to knot it at 4 by the end of the first quarter. Traded goals led to a halftime score of 7-7. But the Warriors added one more goal per quarter in the second half to make this a two goal victory. Next weekend - #1 North seed Le Moyne.

Nicholas Racalbuto scored 5 to set a single season record in goals for Adelphi in a losing effort. James Hall was (3, 1) for the Panthers.

Charlie Bertrand had a hat trick for the winning Merrimack squad. Christian Thomas was (3, 2) and Sean Black was (1, 4). Adelphi's keeper Brendan McDougal had 14 GA and 12 saves and the loss, while Nick Ponte had 12 GA and 8 saves in the win.
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