Which team or individual had the most impressive performance in the quarterfinals?

Mark Dixon: For a team, I think you’re looking at Virginia, and I think everybody was really taken aback by [sophomore midfielder] Shamel Bratton. With his quickness and his shooting ability, you just can’t cover the guy. You’re going to need help, but the problem is, he’s so fast. He had that one move from goal-line extended against Hopkins where he faked outside and just face-dodged in, and his defender lunged two yards in the direction that Bratton had faked, and by the time he got to the front of the crease, there was no slide. I was also impressed with [sophomore goalkeeper Adam] Ghitelman making some saves, especially early when Hopkins was up 1-0 and controlling the faceoffs. They had an opportunity to score two or three more goals, but Ghitelman made some saves. But to me, Bratton was the one who stood out with his individual performance.

Which team or individual fell short of expectations?

MD: I think it’s really easy to say that [North Carolina sophomore attackman] Billy Bitter fell short of expectations, but how can you follow up an eight-goal game? That’s really difficult. So I don’t think he was as disappointing as some people might be led to believe. He still created a lot, drew a lot of attention, but [Duke sophomore defenseman] Mike Manley just did a great job against him. Maybe Princeton. A lot of people thought that Princeton was going to win against Cornell. They threw the ball away a lot, made a lot of turnovers, but you have to give a lot of credit to Cornell as well. They executed their game plan -- again -- almost to perfection. But a lot of people were saying that they couldn’t beat Princeton twice. So I think some folks were surprised -- not that Princeton lost but that Cornell was able to do the same thing they did to them back in April.

Of the four Tewaaraton Trophy finalists still playing in the tournament, which player among Syracuse senior midfielder Matt Abbott, Duke senior attackman Ned Crotty, Virginia senior attackman Danny Glading and Cornell senior midfielder Max Seibald has the edge to win the Player of the Year honor?

MD: I think when you look at it, it’s probably between Glading and Crotty. I think those are the two that probably have the inside track. But don’t count out Seibald because what he does and him being the sole captain for Cornell can’t be quantified on a stat sheet. Just the way he hustles and his leadership and other things like that. With that being said, I think right now, it’s between Crotty and Glading, and quite frankly, whoever has the better weekend between those two is probably going to walk away with it.

Which team will win the crown?

MD: I’m going with Virginia. I just think that way because of how they’re playing offensively right now. The defense has been good against Hopkins and Villanova, but they’re going to really be tested in the national championship game should they advance -- which I think they will. I just think they’ve got too much firepower for Cornell. I think Syracuse wins the other game. What’s amazing is that Syracuse is doing it again, and not a lot of people are talking about them. They’re quietly winning games and putting it together. But I’m looking at a Virginia-Syracuse final, and I just think Virginia is going to win.