Men's Sectional Previews: East

By Christan Shirk

Third Round - Saturday, Nov. 17

Quarterfinals - Sunday, Nov. 18

Sectional Final, 1:30 pm ET

How they reached the Sweet 16

Messiah: Commonwealth Automatic Berth (AQ) | 1st Rnd: bye | 2nd Rnd: W3-0 Emory (H)

York (Pa.): CAC Automatic Berth (AQ) | 1st Rnd: W1-0 St. Joseph's (L.I.) (H) | 2nd Rnd: T0-0(2ot-pks) Rutgers-Camden (H)

Stevens: Empire 8 Automatic Berth (AQ) | 1st Rnd: W2-0 Methodist (N) | 2nd Rnd: W3-0 Haverford (N)

Scranton: Pool C at-large berth | 1st Rnd: W6-0 Elms (N) | 2nd Rnd: W2-1(ot) Colorado Col. (N)

2012 Statistical Overview

Messiah: 20-0-1 (.976) | 3.39 GSA, 0.29 GAA (+3.10) | Avg. D-III OWP: .565 | Last Ten: 10-0-0

York (Pa.): 18-2-3 (.848) | 2.38 GSA, 0.58 GAA (+1.79) | Avg. D-III OWP: .548 | Last Ten: 8-0-2

Stevens: 18-2-1 (.881) | 2.50 GSA, 0.39 GAA (+2.10) | Avg. D-III OWP: .565 | Last Ten: 9-0-1

Scranton: 16-2-2 (.850) | 2.15 GSA, 0.73 GAA (+1.42) | Avg. D-III OWP: .549 | Last Ten: 7-2-1

Seniors' 4-year Record (through Nov. 11)

Messiah: 85-3-2 (.956) overall | NCAA's ('09-'10-'11-'12): 11-1-0, Sweet 16 - '12, Champion - '09-'10

York (Pa.): 62-14-14 (.767) overall | NCAA's ('09-'10-'11-'12): 3-2-2, Sweet 16 - '09,'12

Stevens: 68-10-7 (.841) overall | NCAA's ('09-'10-'11-'12): 7-2-2, Sweet 16 - '09,'12, Elite 8 - '11

Scranton: 41-26-8 (.600) overall | NCAA's ('12): 2-0-0, Sweet 16 - '12

Tournament Experience

With Messiah's shock exit at the hands of Neumann in the second round last year, they don't hold such an experience advantage as they often do. In fact one could say that Stevens carries as much relevant experience into the weekend having reached the Elite 8 last year. York's seniors were only freshman when they last played at this stage, with short one-game disappointments the last two years. That's still more NCAA experience than Scranton whose previous tournament appearance was 1993.

Tournament Re-Matches

The only re-match of a regular season game is York versus Messiah, and it could be a great one. The rivals took a scoreless stalemate into double overtime before the Falcons scored to the frenzied delight of the home fans. The rematch will be on York's field.

Why they will advance to the Final Four

Messiah: They are Messiah. It's what they do! Do you think this group of players wants to be the first since the 1990's to miss back-to-back Final Fours? But seriously, they are the deepest team and noone can match their quality player-for-player down through the reserves: if at first they don't beat you, they will wear you down.

York (Pa.): York knows Messiah very well and Coach Ludwig has had more success against Messiah then anyone else in the past 10 years. They are as likely to knock off Messiah as anyone and the momentum that would give them would lift them over all takers the next day, especially playing in front of their own fans with a chance to finally reach the Final Four that eluded some pretty great York teams that have gone before them.

Stevens: The Ducks have the most efficient attack in the sectional and of the four teams might be playing the best defense over the past month having posted nine straight shutouts. Add to that a potentially easier sectional semifinal while local rivals Messiah and York drain themselves emotionally as well as physically, and you have the recipe for Stevens reaching the Final Four.

Scranton: Let's face it, the Royals are underdogs, but that has its advantages. They can simpy play to win without the pressure of also living up to some standard or expectation. They are accustomed to playing close games and can use the effort and hard work that turned a sub-.500 team a year ago into a Sweet 16 team to frustrate their favored opponents.

Comments or feedback for the author?  Email Christan Shirk.