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Quote from: Mid-Atlantic Fan on August 29, 2017, 02:53:57 PM
Preseason Polls:

http://landmarkconference.org/sports/msoc/2017-18/releases/8282017msocpreseason

2017 Landmark Men's Soccer Preseason Poll
Rank   Institution  Points (First-Place Votes)
1.   Scranton   66 (5)
2.   Elizabethtown  62 (3)
3.   Drew   44
4.   Catholic   27
4.   Moravian   27
6.   Susquehanna   26
7.   Goucher   13
8.   Juniata   7


http://www.csacsports.com/news/2017/8/23/general-centenary-top-pick-in-mens-soccer-preseason-poll.aspx

2017 CSAC Men's Soccer Preseason Poll
School   Points (First-place votes)   
Centenary   96 (8)   
Cabrini   88 (1)   
Immaculata   74   
Neumann   71 (1)   
Keystone   65   
Marywood   43   
Gwynedd Mercy   38   
Cairn    36   
Rosemont   22   
Clarks Summit   17


http://www.gomacsports.com/news/2017/8/21/MSOC_0821175533.aspx

2017 MAC Freedom Men's Soccer Coaches' Preseason Poll   
Rank   Team   Points   (1st Place Votes)   
1   Eastern   44   (5)      
2   Misericordia   40   (3)      
3   Manhattanville   35         
4   King's   34         
5   DeSales   31         
6   FDU-Florham   20         
7   Wilkes   13         
8   Delaware Valley   7


http://www.gomacsports.com/news/2017/8/21/MSOC_0821174009.aspx

2017 MAC Commonwealth Men's Soccer Coaches' Preseason Poll      
Rank   Team   Points   (1st Place Votes)      
1   Messiah   64   (8)         
2   Lebanon Valley   53            
3   Lycoming   50            
4   Alvernia   39            
5   Arcadia   37            
6   Hood   32            
7   Stevenson   22            
8   Widener   19            
9   Albright   8


http://www.centennial.org/sports/msoc/2017-18/releases/Poll

2017 Centennial Conference Coaches' Preseason Poll
Rank   Team   Points   (1st Place Votes)
1- Haverford 78 points (6 first-place votes)
2- Franklin & Marshall 73 (2)
3- Johns Hopkins 67 (2)
4- Gettysburg 55
5- Dickinson 50
6- Swarthmore 37
7- Washington College 33
8- Muhlenberg 31
9- Ursinus 16
10- McDaniel 10

Quote from: NEPAFAN on August 29, 2017, 03:12:08 PM

Quote from: Mid-Atlantic Fan on August 29, 2017, 02:53:57 PM
Preseason Polls:

http://landmarkconference.org/sports/msoc/2017-18/releases/8282017msocpreseason

2017 Landmark Men's Soccer Preseason Poll
Rank   Institution  Points (First-Place Votes)
1.   Scranton   66 (5)
2.   Elizabethtown  62 (3)
3.   Drew   44
4.   Catholic   27
4.   Moravian   27
6.   Susquehanna   26
7.   Goucher   13
8.   Juniata   7


http://www.csacsports.com/news/2017/8/23/general-centenary-top-pick-in-mens-soccer-preseason-poll.aspx

2017 CSAC Men's Soccer Preseason Poll
School   Points (First-place votes)   
Centenary   96 (8)   
Cabrini   88 (1)   
Immaculata   74   
Neumann   71 (1)   
Keystone   65   
Marywood   43   
Gwynedd Mercy   38   
Cairn    36   
Rosemont   22   
Clarks Summit   17


http://www.gomacsports.com/news/2017/8/21/MSOC_0821175533.aspx

2017 MAC Freedom Men's Soccer Coaches' Preseason Poll   
Rank   Team   Points   (1st Place Votes)   
1   Eastern   44   (5)      
2   Misericordia   40   (3)      
3   Manhattanville   35         
4   King's   34         
5   DeSales   31         
6   FDU-Florham   20         
7   Wilkes   13         
8   Delaware Valley   7


http://www.gomacsports.com/news/2017/8/21/MSOC_0821174009.aspx

2017 MAC Commonwealth Men's Soccer Coaches' Preseason Poll      
Rank   Team   Points   (1st Place Votes)      
1   Messiah   64   (8)         
2   Lebanon Valley   53            
3   Lycoming   50            
4   Alvernia   39            
5   Arcadia   37            
6   Hood   32            
7   Stevenson   22            
8   Widener   19            
9   Albright   8


http://www.centennial.org/sports/msoc/2017-18/releases/Poll

2017 Centennial Conference Coaches' Preseason Poll
Rank   Team   Points   (1st Place Votes)
1- Haverford 78 points (6 first-place votes)
2- Franklin & Marshall 73 (2)
3- Johns Hopkins 67 (2)
4- Gettysburg 55
5- Dickinson 50
6- Swarthmore 37
7- Washington College 33
8- Muhlenberg 31
9- Ursinus 16
10- McDaniel 10

Dumb question but does this cover all the teams in the mid Atlantic?

Quote from: backyarddawg on September 02, 2017, 08:18:28 AM
Interesting day one results in the Mid-Atlantic.

Would have to say the three biggest winners were Lyco over RUC, Dickinson over William Paterson and Etown over Morrisville.  Those three results show Lyco & Dickinson might be back while Etown is a contender again.

F&M not worried about as it looked like they dominated the game and got unlucky.

Haverford 3-0 over Cabrini - saw the game and they are a shell of what they were the last two years.  They might be in for a long season.

Other good results:
Muhlenberg 2-1 over LVC
Messiah over 3-1 over Chapman
Eastern over Alvernia 3-1
Susquehanna over Ursinus 3-1

Quote from: backyarddawg on September 02, 2017, 08:18:28 AM
Interesting day one results in the Mid-Atlantic.

Would have to say the three biggest winners were Lyco over RUC, Dickinson over William Paterson and Etown over Morrisville.  Those three results show Lyco & Dickinson might be back while Etown is a contender again.

F&M not worried about as it looked like they dominated the game and got unlucky.

Haverford 3-0 over Cabrini - saw the game and they are a shell of what they were the last two years.  They might be in for a long season.

Other good results:
Muhlenberg 2-1 over LVC
Messiah over 3-1 over Chapman
Eastern over Alvernia 3-1
Susquehanna over Ursinus 3-1

Quote from: D3soccerwatcher on September 03, 2017, 02:23:20 AM

Quote from: backyarddawg on September 02, 2017, 08:18:28 AM
Interesting day one results in the Mid-Atlantic.

Would have to say the three biggest winners were Lyco over RUC, Dickinson over William Paterson and Etown over Morrisville.  Those three results show Lyco & Dickinson might be back while Etown is a contender again.

F&M not worried about as it looked like they dominated the game and got unlucky.

Haverford 3-0 over Cabrini - saw the game and they are a shell of what they were the last two years.  They might be in for a long season.

Other good results:
Muhlenberg 2-1 over LVC
Messiah over 3-1 over Chapman
Eastern over Alvernia 3-1
Susquehanna over Ursinus 3-1

Are you saying Haverford is a shell of what they were last year?  Can you please provide more color?

Quote from: backyarddawg on September 04, 2017, 04:23:00 PM

Quote from: D3soccerwatcher on September 03, 2017, 02:23:20 AM

Quote from: backyarddawg on September 02, 2017, 08:18:28 AM
Interesting day one results in the Mid-Atlantic.

Would have to say the three biggest winners were Lyco over RUC, Dickinson over William Paterson and Etown over Morrisville.  Those three results show Lyco & Dickinson might be back while Etown is a contender again.

F&M not worried about as it looked like they dominated the game and got unlucky.

Haverford 3-0 over Cabrini - saw the game and they are a shell of what they were the last two years.  They might be in for a long season.

Other good results:
Muhlenberg 2-1 over LVC
Messiah over 3-1 over Chapman
Eastern over Alvernia 3-1
Susquehanna over Ursinus 3-1

Are you saying Haverford is a shell of what they were last year?  Can you please provide more color?

Yes Haverford is going to struggle this year.

Quote from: paclassic89 on September 05, 2017, 11:33:19 AM
Haverford plays Messiah tomorrow so that result should provide some better insight.

Quote from: FelixCloudy on September 06, 2017, 07:14:58 PM
Fords beat Falcons 2-1.  Game moved to Rosemont due to weather.

Quote from: Falconer on September 06, 2017, 07:55:39 PM

Quote from: FelixCloudy on September 06, 2017, 07:14:58 PM
Fords beat Falcons 2-1.  Game moved to Rosemont due to weather.

Did anyone see this one? There was no streaming. From the box score, the Falcons had the better of it, but obviously just one number matters in the end. The sophomore who scored both Haverford goals was rookie of the year in his conference last year. I think he has four goals in two games already. Apparently a very dangerous guy who must be hard to mark.

Quote from: Mid-Atlantic Fan on September 06, 2017, 07:54:08 AM

Quote from: paclassic89 on September 05, 2017, 11:33:19 AM
Haverford plays Messiah tomorrow so that result should provide some better insight.

I will take Messiah in this one by a score of 2-0.

Some other games of interest today around the region feature Catholic vs Mary Wash, Fords vs Messiah as mentioned, Lycoming vs Susquehanna, Frostburg vs Hopkins, Manhattanville vs Vassar, Arcadia vs Ursinus, FDU-Florham vs Drew, Misericordia vs Leb Val, Kings vs Scranton, and Swat vs Widener.

Quote from: Mid-Atlantic Fan on September 07, 2017, 07:49:25 AM

Quote from: Mid-Atlantic Fan on September 06, 2017, 07:54:08 AM

Quote from: paclassic89 on September 05, 2017, 11:33:19 AM
Haverford plays Messiah tomorrow so that result should provide some better insight.

I will take Messiah in this one by a score of 2-0.

Some other games of interest today around the region feature Catholic vs Mary Wash, Fords vs Messiah as mentioned, Lycoming vs Susquehanna, Frostburg vs Hopkins, Manhattanville vs Vassar, Arcadia vs Ursinus, FDU-Florham vs Drew, Misericordia vs Leb Val, Kings vs Scranton, and Swat vs Widener.

Fords beat Messiah 2-1
Catholic and MW draw 0-0
Lyco beats Susqu. 5-0
Hopkins beats FSU 3-0
Manhattanville beats Vassar 2-1
Ursinus beats Arcadia 3-2
Drew spanks FDU 9-2
LVC beats Mis 2-0
Scranton beats Kings 2-1
Swat beats Widener 1-0

Big result of the day comes with the Fords edging out Messiah 2-1. I don't think you can say Messiah is overrated or that the Fords are a shell of last year. Teams are only 2-3 games in and still figuring things out. Additionally, both these teams are in the top 20 so on paper it was a toss up. I am sure both will have strong seasons once again.

Quote from: NEPAFAN on September 07, 2017, 08:27:14 AM
What do you make of the Drew Score? Miseri off to a slow start at 0-3. Unfortunately I was all set to watch the Kings-Scranton game but no video available.

Quote from: paclassic89 on September 07, 2017, 09:40:09 PM
yeah it seems like Misericordia is going to be weaker this year.  LVC's main issue from what I've seen so far is their midfield.  If they can get that sorted then I think they have a chance at cracking the top 25 again this season

Quote from: darad44 on September 08, 2017, 09:32:19 AM
LVC could crack the 25 again though.

Quote from: Sherlock Holmes on September 06, 2017, 11:07:24 PM

Quote from: Falconer on September 06, 2017, 07:55:39 PM

Quote from: FelixCloudy on September 06, 2017, 07:14:58 PM
Fords beat Falcons 2-1.  Game moved to Rosemont due to weather.

Did anyone see this one? There was no streaming. From the box score, the Falcons had the better of it, but obviously just one number matters in the end. The sophomore who scored both Haverford goals was rookie of the year in his conference last year. I think he has four goals in two games already. Apparently a very dangerous guy who must be hard to mark.

I was able to make it to this one. Messiah did seem to be on the front foot most of the game. Haverford definitely put together some dangerous chances, but the Falcons had more possession and opportunities. Both of Haverford's goals came from #7, Jannelli, and unfortunately for Messiah, they both involved defenders slipping/getting tripped. The first half goal was a great turn with the ball at the top of the box that caused his defender to slip and opened up a wide lane for a beautiful left-footed strike inside the far-post. His second looked virtually the same, but the space was a result of his marker getting tripped by a Fords player cutting through the play. Other than those two opportunities, the Fords only had one or two other good looks offensively. They actually seemed to do their best work defensively and in the midfield - it seemed they were stepping in front of passes constantly, and they recovered quickly on defense most of the way. Messiah finally started carving them up pretty good in the last 20-25 minutes, but outside of West's goal to pull them back within one, they just couldn't get that final touch to draw level. Several times the ball was bouncing around loose at the penalty spot and a Fords defender just managed to clear it away before a Falcon could get there.

All in all, it was frankly a pretty high-quality and well-played game from both sides, especially considering both come from grass fields (this was played on concrete-colored turf) and that it poured down rain at times. A win Haverford should be proud of, and nothing for the Falcons to hang their heads over - they both looked like top 15-quality talent. Speaking of which, just to add to the "Haverford-shell-of-themselves" discussion, I'd have to disagree with that as well. They are obviously going to miss their key losses - players like Corkery don't come around very often. But they have plenty of big bodies who also have great touch and skill with the ball. They might not be a team that possesses you to death or runs you into the ground, but they can string passes together in the buildup and get a goal in a blink. Both goals today came seemingly out of nowhere. They look dangerous enough to me, anyway.

Quote from: EB2319 on September 08, 2017, 12:16:40 PM
Montclair lost a ton of talent including 2 All-Americans. A trip to Grantham for Messiah's home opener is probably the last thing they need right now.  I'm sure Montclair would love to earn a point, but the reality is they are probably more interested in seeing how the team performs in that environment to gauge what they have this year. A 1-2 loss could certainly be a moral victory if such a thing exists.  League play starts next weekend and it's always a battle in the NJAC.

Quote from: Mid-Atlantic Fan on September 08, 2017, 03:08:30 PM
Some games to watch this weekend...

9/9
Lycoming @ Dickinson
Scranton @ Cortland
Etown @ Fords
Hopkins @ Manhattanville
Catholic @ Eastern
Montclair @ Messiah

9/10
Whitman @ Drew
Gordon @ Dickinson
Catholic @ Fords
F&M @ W&L
Etown @ Eastern
Gettysburg @ York

Quote from: rudy on September 10, 2017, 09:47:45 AM

Quote from: Mid-Atlantic Fan on September 08, 2017, 03:08:30 PM
Some games to watch this weekend...

9/9
Lycoming @ Dickinson
Scranton @ Cortland
Etown @ Fords
Hopkins @ Manhattanville
Catholic @ Eastern
Montclair @ Messiah

9/10
Whitman @ Drew
Gordon @ Dickinson
Catholic @ Fords
F&M @ W&L
Etown @ Eastern
Gettysburg @ York

Lyco over Dickinson 3-0. They continue a strong start to the season. Look to be poised to challenge Messiah again for the league title. Still early but clearly they are playing well.

Quote from: Mid-Atlantic Fan on September 11, 2017, 11:06:40 AM
If I had to do power rankings up to this point I think it would go something like this...

1. Fords (3-0-1)
2. Lyco (5-0-0)
3. Messiah (3-1-0)
4. Scranton (4-0-0)
5. Gettysburg (4-0-0)
6. Hopkins (4-0-0)
7. Dickinson (3-1-0)
8. F&M (2-1-1)
9. Eastern (3-1-0)
10. Muhles (2-0-1)
RV: Etown, LVC, Drew, Moravian, Catholic

This is based off records, wins, ties, losses etc not necessarily who I believe are the best or top teams in any given order. This is my best guess at what the regional rankings might look like for United Soccer Coaches poll (old NSCAA).

Quote from: NEPAFAN on September 13, 2017, 09:10:25 AM
Scranton is halfway through what I thought would be a difficult stretch:

Kings W
Cortland St W
Miseri W ( Miseri can't score, down year for them)
Lycoming on Saturday (likely L)
Haverford next week...will be happy with a T

Quote from: Falconer on September 08, 2017, 11:18:24 AM

Quote from: Sherlock Holmes on September 06, 2017, 11:07:24 PM

Quote from: Falconer on September 06, 2017, 07:55:39 PM

Quote from: FelixCloudy on September 06, 2017, 07:14:58 PM
Fords beat Falcons 2-1.  Game moved to Rosemont due to weather.

Did anyone see this one? There was no streaming. From the box score, the Falcons had the better of it, but obviously just one number matters in the end. The sophomore who scored both Haverford goals was rookie of the year in his conference last year. I think he has four goals in two games already. Apparently a very dangerous guy who must be hard to mark.

I was able to make it to this one. Messiah did seem to be on the front foot most of the game. Haverford definitely put together some dangerous chances, but the Falcons had more possession and opportunities. Both of Haverford's goals came from #7, Jannelli, and unfortunately for Messiah, they both involved defenders slipping/getting tripped. The first half goal was a great turn with the ball at the top of the box that caused his defender to slip and opened up a wide lane for a beautiful left-footed strike inside the far-post. His second looked virtually the same, but the space was a result of his marker getting tripped by a Fords player cutting through the play. Other than those two opportunities, the Fords only had one or two other good looks offensively. They actually seemed to do their best work defensively and in the midfield - it seemed they were stepping in front of passes constantly, and they recovered quickly on defense most of the way. Messiah finally started carving them up pretty good in the last 20-25 minutes, but outside of West's goal to pull them back within one, they just couldn't get that final touch to draw level. Several times the ball was bouncing around loose at the penalty spot and a Fords defender just managed to clear it away before a Falcon could get there.

All in all, it was frankly a pretty high-quality and well-played game from both sides, especially considering both come from grass fields (this was played on concrete-colored turf) and that it poured down rain at times. A win Haverford should be proud of, and nothing for the Falcons to hang their heads over - they both looked like top 15-quality talent. Speaking of which, just to add to the "Haverford-shell-of-themselves" discussion, I'd have to disagree with that as well. They are obviously going to miss their key losses - players like Corkery don't come around very often. But they have plenty of big bodies who also have great touch and skill with the ball. They might not be a team that possesses you to death or runs you into the ground, but they can string passes together in the buildup and get a goal in a blink. Both goals today came seemingly out of nowhere. They look dangerous enough to me, anyway.

Thank you for the eyewitness account, Sherlock. Wet artificial fields always cause problems for the Falcons, but usually more on the offensive end (by disrupting their one-touch passing attack) than the defensive end. From your description, it sounds as though there might have been a different result on a dry grass field. But, no doubt Jennelli is a load and he might well have scored at least one goal if his defenders didn't fall down.

Quote from: EB2319 on September 18, 2017, 10:55:55 AM
1    Lycoming - Defeated Medaille 2-0; Defeated #6 Scranton 3-1
2    Haverford - Defeated Stevens 1-0; Lost to #7 Hopkins 0-2
3    Messiah - Defeated #8 Dickinson 4-0; Defeated Rowan 3-2
4    F&M - Lost to E-Town 0-1; Defeated Muhlenberg 1-0
5    Gettysburg – Defeated York 4-0; Defeated Washington 3-0
6    Scranton – Defeated Misericordia 2-0; Lost to #1 Lycoming 1-3
7    Johns Hopkins - Defeated York 4-1; Defeated #2 Haverford 2-0
8    Dickinson - Lost to #3 Messiah 0-4; Tied Swarthmore 2-2
9    Eastern - Defeated Swarthmore 3-0; Defeated Centenary 2-1
10   Drew - Defeated Muhlenberg 6-0; Defeated Manhattanville 2-1

Games this week:
Lycoming - @ Frostburg; @ Case Western
Haverford - @ Scranton; vs. F&M
Messiah - @ York; vs. Misericordia
F&M - @ Rowan; @ Haverford
Gettysburg - vs. Lebanon Valley; vs. Hopkins
Scranton - vs. Haverford; vs. Moravian
Hopkins - vs. Neumann; @ Gettysburg
Dickinson - @ Mary Washington; vs. McDaniel
Eastern - vs. PS-Abington; vs. Cabrini
Drew - @ TCNJ; vs. E-Town

Quote from: Mid-Atlantic Fan on September 18, 2017, 02:39:36 PM
My best guess would be this...

Regional Rankings
1. Lyco
2. Messiah
3. JHU
4. Gettysburg
5. Fords
6. Scranton
7. F&M
8. Eastern
9. Drew
10. Dickinson
RV: Etown, LVC, Moravian

Quote from: darad44 on September 17, 2017, 12:41:18 PM
Has anyone seen a 35-0 shot number?   Wilkes took zero shots against LVC

Quote from: Shooter McGavin on September 20, 2017, 08:14:43 AM
Some fun games to watch in the region tonight

#3 Lycoming @ Frostburg
Neumann @ #7 Hopkins
#9 Mesisah @ York
#15 Haverford @ #18 Scranton
F&M @ #19 Rowan
Leb Val @ #20 Gettysburg
#23 Stockton @ Moravian
Dickinson @ Mary Wash
Etown @ Alvernia
PSU-Abington @ Eastern
Muhles @ DeSales
Kings @ Cabrini
Drew @ TCNJ
Catholic @ Randolph Macon

Quote from: Mid-Atlantic Fan on September 21, 2017, 07:30:14 AM
I believe Randolph Macon actually beat Catholic 1-0.

Quote from: Shooter McGavin on September 21, 2017, 10:12:30 AM
Very tough loss for Scranton. I thought it was an overall even game. Fords looked solid in possession while Scranton looked dangerous in the air and strong defensively. This one could have gone either way and a tough way for the Royals to lose in the closing seconds of the first overtime. Fords had the better of play during that overtime and it was a brilliant free kick by Janelli. Both teams will be ranked regionally and nationally, I would imagine, for the remainder of the season. Scranton needs to get back to there winning ways though after two tough home defeats in a row. Fords have a faltering F&M side next who are in an almost must win or die mode. 4 blemishes already for the Diplomats and they can't afford many more.

Quote from: EB2319 on September 20, 2017, 10:20:39 PM
Lycoming DA Frostberg 2-0; EB & Shooter
Hopkins DH Newuman 5-0; EB (exact) & Shooter
Messiah DA York 4-0; EB & Shooter
Haverford DA Scranton 1-0; Neither
Rowan DH F&M; 3-0 EB & Shooter
LVC DA Gettysburg 2-0; Shooter
Stockton DA Moravian 2-0; EB (exact)
Dickinson DA Mary Washington 1-0; Shooter (exact)
Etown DA Alvernia 3-2; EB
Eastern DH PS-A 2-0; Shooter
DeSales DH Muhlenberg 1-0; EB
Kings DA Cabrini 1-0; EB & Shooter (exact)
Drew DA TCNJ 2-1; EB (exact) & Shooter
Randolph Macon DH Catholic1-0; neither
Totals: EB 9/14 (3 exact); Shooter 9/14 (2exact)

Well done Shooter!

Quote from: EB2319 on September 23, 2017, 06:42:38 PM
Wow. Just wow! Drew 6-0 over ETown

Quote from: Mid-Atlantic Fan on September 24, 2017, 08:59:21 AM
I think the region will shape up close to this:

1. Hopkins (8-0-0)
2. Messiah (7-1-0)
3. Lycoming (8-1-0)
4. Haverford (6-1-1)
5. Drew (8-0-1)
6. Eastern (7-1-0)
7. Dickinson (5-2-1)
8. Moravian (6-1-1)
9. Lebanon Valley (5-1-1)
10. Gettysburg (5-2-0)

RV: Etown (5-3-0), Scranton (5-3-0), DeSales (7-1-0), Arcadia (6-1-1)

Hopkins being undefeated, only giving up 1 goal, and big wins over Fords and Getty gets them the jump to #1. Messiah's stagnant game vs winless Misericordia keeps them from jumping to #1. Lycoming falls only 2 spots as they drop a tough road game but have big wins over Rowan, Dickinson, and Scranton. Fords stay put at #4 having lost to Hopkins and another blemish vs Catholic. Drew jumps to #5 after a thumping of Etown but this was the first legit team they have played. Look for them to continue to rise as the wins keep coming. Eastern follows Drew at #6 with a nice 2 slot jump thanks to some woeful results from others around the region. #7 welcomes Dickinson back to the picture. Losses to Lycoming and Messiah are respectable but the draw vs Swat keeps them outside the top 6. #8 also welcomes maybe the biggest surprise in Moravian. A tie vs Montclair and loss to Stockton rebounded by an away win vs Scranton gets them into the top 10. #9 With a lack of SOS so far and dropped results vs struggling sides of Susquehanna and Muhles keeps LVC leveled at the 9 slot but a nice win vs Gettysburg helps the cause. Rounding out the top 10 is Gettysburg. A hot start followed by 2 straight losses drops them 5 spots but with plenty of big games ahead they can climb back up the ladder. On the outside looking in is Etown, Scranton, DeSales, and Arcadia. F&M is not even in the picture after dropping out of the top 10.

Quote from: rudy on September 24, 2017, 02:16:00 PM

Quote from: Mid-Atlantic Fan on September 24, 2017, 08:59:21 AM
I think the region will shape up close to this:

1. Hopkins (8-0-0)
2. Messiah (7-1-0)
3. Lycoming (8-1-0)
4. Haverford (6-1-1)
5. Drew (8-0-1)
6. Eastern (7-1-0)
7. Dickinson (5-2-1)
8. Moravian (6-1-1)
9. Lebanon Valley (5-1-1)
10. Gettysburg (5-2-0)

RV: Etown (5-3-0), Scranton (5-3-0), DeSales (7-1-0), Arcadia (6-1-1)

Hopkins being undefeated, only giving up 1 goal, and big wins over Fords and Getty gets them the jump to #1. Messiah's stagnant game vs winless Misericordia keeps them from jumping to #1. Lycoming falls only 2 spots as they drop a tough road game but have big wins over Rowan, Dickinson, and Scranton. Fords stay put at #4 having lost to Hopkins and another blemish vs Catholic. Drew jumps to #5 after a thumping of Etown but this was the first legit team they have played. Look for them to continue to rise as the wins keep coming. Eastern follows Drew at #6 with a nice 2 slot jump thanks to some woeful results from others around the region. #7 welcomes Dickinson back to the picture. Losses to Lycoming and Messiah are respectable but the draw vs Swat keeps them outside the top 6. #8 also welcomes maybe the biggest surprise in Moravian. A tie vs Montclair and loss to Stockton rebounded by an away win vs Scranton gets them into the top 10. #9 With a lack of SOS so far and dropped results vs struggling sides of Susquehanna and Muhles keeps LVC leveled at the 9 slot but a nice win vs Gettysburg helps the cause. Rounding out the top 10 is Gettysburg. A hot start followed by 2 straight losses drops them 5 spots but with plenty of big games ahead they can climb back up the ladder. On the outside looking in is Etown, Scranton, DeSales, and Arcadia. F&M is not even in the picture after dropping out of the top 10.

While Hopkins may deserve #1 I highly doubt they will move ahead of Messiah since Messiah won both games played. A win is a win. If they tied or lost then Hopkins would pass them.

Quote from: JHU Fan on September 24, 2017, 05:43:20 PM

Quote from: rudy on September 24, 2017, 02:16:00 PM

Quote from: Mid-Atlantic Fan on September 24, 2017, 08:59:21 AM
I think the region will shape up close to this:

1. Hopkins (8-0-0)
2. Messiah (7-1-0)
3. Lycoming (8-1-0)
4. Haverford (6-1-1)
5. Drew (8-0-1)
6. Eastern (7-1-0)
7. Dickinson (5-2-1)
8. Moravian (6-1-1)
9. Lebanon Valley (5-1-1)
10. Gettysburg (5-2-0)

RV: Etown (5-3-0), Scranton (5-3-0), DeSales (7-1-0), Arcadia (6-1-1)

Hopkins being undefeated, only giving up 1 goal, and big wins over Fords and Getty gets them the jump to #1. Messiah's stagnant game vs winless Misericordia keeps them from jumping to #1. Lycoming falls only 2 spots as they drop a tough road game but have big wins over Rowan, Dickinson, and Scranton. Fords stay put at #4 having lost to Hopkins and another blemish vs Catholic. Drew jumps to #5 after a thumping of Etown but this was the first legit team they have played. Look for them to continue to rise as the wins keep coming. Eastern follows Drew at #6 with a nice 2 slot jump thanks to some woeful results from others around the region. #7 welcomes Dickinson back to the picture. Losses to Lycoming and Messiah are respectable but the draw vs Swat keeps them outside the top 6. #8 also welcomes maybe the biggest surprise in Moravian. A tie vs Montclair and loss to Stockton rebounded by an away win vs Scranton gets them into the top 10. #9 With a lack of SOS so far and dropped results vs struggling sides of Susquehanna and Muhles keeps LVC leveled at the 9 slot but a nice win vs Gettysburg helps the cause. Rounding out the top 10 is Gettysburg. A hot start followed by 2 straight losses drops them 5 spots but with plenty of big games ahead they can climb back up the ladder. On the outside looking in is Etown, Scranton, DeSales, and Arcadia. F&M is not even in the picture after dropping out of the top 10.

While Hopkins may deserve #1 I highly doubt they will move ahead of Messiah since Messiah won both games played. A win is a win. If they tied or lost then Hopkins would pass them.

That might be true, but then 8-0 vs. one loss, and more favorable results against the only two common opponents to date (Haverford, York) would argue for JHU being #1 regardless.  However, history rather than logic will likely rule here.

Quote from: franklyspeaking on September 25, 2017, 08:59:21 AM
Rankings at this level go by results so they dont care about much more.  It also doesnt matter at this point who is 1 or who is 4, the season will play out and the rankings will reflect the results.

Quote from: EB2319 on September 25, 2017, 08:18:16 AM
Even though Messiah should have lost to Rowan (missed PK in OT), and they squeaked by Misericordia (despite outshooting them by 20+), they're still winning and therefore will likely stay on top.  We can end this discussion on 10/5 when Hopkins travels to Grantham.

Quote from: EB2319 on September 26, 2017, 02:23:17 PM
WEEK 3 REGIONAL RANKINGS
http://unitedsoccercoaches.org/web/Rankings/College_Rankings/NCAA_DIII_MEN/web/rankings/ncaa/diii_men.aspx

1    Messiah College
2    Johns Hopkins University
3    Lycoming College
4    Haverford College
5    Drew University
6    Eastern University
7    Gettysburg College
8    Lebanon Valley College
9    Dickinson College
10    University Of Scranton

Moravian still getting no love.

Quote from: Mid-Atlantic Fan on September 27, 2017, 01:52:43 PM
Games to Watch
Misericordia @ Lycoming
Hopkins @ Washington
Messiah @ Etown
Fords @ Muhles
Wilkes @ Scranton
Getty @ McDaniel
York @ LVC
Catholic @ Salisbury
Alvernia @ Kings
Dickinson @ F&M

Quote from: Falconer on September 28, 2017, 12:12:35 AM
Messiah went to Herr Field in Elizabethtown tonight with a singular mission: don't let Gilbert Waso beat you, which is exactly what he did on their previous visit two years ago. He almost did it again. Probably the most dangerous player in this region, Waso was often denied the ball and almost always double-teamed when he had it, but somehow despite being short of stature he rose above everyone else in front the goal and hit the crossbar late in the first half of what was at that point about a dead-even scoreless game. If his shot had gone in, Etown probably wins this one--but, it didn't. The Blue Jays finally did score on a very nice header off a free kick (on a call near the sideline that could have gone either way) mid-way into the second half to put the Falcons in a hole. Given how well the Jays had played defensively to that point, stepping into the passing lanes and fighting hard for space, I thought it was probably over. However, once again Colby Thomas (the most dangerous Falcon) rescued his teammates with a hard shot (most of his are like that) from outside the box on the left side, where he was assigned to play after coming back into the game with the other starters a few minutes earlier. (Etown's goal actually came against the second team, though one or two starting defenders were still on the field.)

I have to believe this still is the greatest rivalry in D3 soccer. Nothing against Amherst-Williams, OWU-Kenyon, or any other rivalry that merits mentioning. Almost always these games are barn burners, regardless of the record of either team, and they always play 'em before an overflow, very knowledgeable crowd, many of them standing the whole time. If you've never been there, make it a priority to do so at least once if you live anywhere in the region--or even if you don't.

Etown almost always brings their A+ game, especially at home, and if the Falcons don't do likewise they lose. Tonight both teams earned full A's on the defensive end--Messiah especially needed to prove they can do that, after some shaky play in a few earlier games. The offenses didn't look quite as good, but mostly b/c the pressure on both ends was intense and Etown knows exactly how to slow down or stop the Falcons' one-touch, build-from-the-back attack. Overall the Falcons created more dangerous opportunities, but the Etown keeper rose to the occasion multiple times and made no mistakes. He had no chance whatsoever on the GW, a truly brilliant combination that in my mind's eye ranks up there as one of the great all-time Falcon goals, perhaps even in the top ten. Nick West, who'd been held under wraps most of the evening, sent a high cross from the right wing that ended up squarely on the head of Kirby Robbins, whose shot was a perfectly placed rocket from in close.

It was really good to see the Falcons come from behind late in the game, just as they did against Rowan, and then to win it in OT. Those are the kinds of games that make men ready to go deep into the tournament. This team should. It's not quite as deep on either end as some previous teams, but there are no major weaknesses on the first team and the talented freshmen of two years ago (four of whom started regularly, something I hadn't seen in almost 20 years) are now seasoned veterans who know how to win. The keeper could be quicker, but he rarely makes mistakes (none tonight) and sophomore CB Cooper Robbins is playing up to the high potential everyone knew he had. As he grows in confidence, experience, and judgement I'd say that he has a good chance to be an AA, like his brother Carter, perhaps even this year. And, Colby Thomas is just Colby Thomas. He can always be counted on to create shots and put it hard on frame. I give him a game ball with another to Shay Quintin, the smallish, left-footed, cat-like outside back from Massachusetts who can beat most forwards one-on-one when he has the ball, as he did often tonight. I still don't know how he ever got out of New England, but I'm mighty glad he did.

Speaking of which, I recently heard from someone in the know that Messiah is getting another first-rate player from New England next year, indeed an all-New England MF with a really fast mile time. I've known about him for a while, but it was a toss-up whether he would go D1 or to Messiah. I'll keep his name out of this, but I'll offer a hint: he scored 2 goals in the final to help his team win their third straight state title. That should keep the many NESCAC fans here guessing.    ;D

Quote from: Flying Weasel on September 28, 2017, 10:51:06 AM
I wouldn't say E-town won the first half, but it certainly was closer to 50-50 in that while Messiah had a noticeable edge in possession, E-town was more effective in possession than they would be in the second half and were creating as much danger and chances as were the Falcons. 

Second half Messiah controlled the game even more than in the first half and E-town spent long stretches pinned back.  E-town's goal largely came against the run of play, and, in contrast to EB2319's assessment, I did think it had an effect on Messiah play for about 5 or so minutes with a little impatience and perhaps nervousness resulting in a lot of errant and/or ill-advised passes that turned-over possession. But the Falcons got through that stretch and then started pinning E-town back again, and had two golden 1-v-1's with the keeper that they couldn't put away (among some other good looks) before finally getting the equalizer.

Finishing and productive play from/use of a target man is an issue for the Falcons (a re-occurring issue over the past 10 years--Josh Wood's healthy seasons being the exceptions).  Defending corners kicks and FK's and crosses from the flanks seems to also be an issue for the Falcon defense.  Waso nearly opened the scoring in the first half when, despite being the shortest guy in a crowded box, got his head to a corner kick and put it off the crossbar.  And the Blue Jays' goal to open the scoring came from a FK from the flank.

Overall, the Falcons did a good job of keeping Waso in-check throughout, but there were the occasions when he was dangerous with his quickness and ball control in tight spaces.  Two years ago when Waso scored to give E-town the win, Messiah didn't seem prepared for him--the first time they had faced him--and he repeatedly created havoc for the Falcon defense in the first half (including scoring his goal), but Messiah made adjustments at halftime and Waso was largely a non-factor in the second half of that game.  Messiah did a good job on him from start to finish this time around (can't remember how well they played him last year at home).  I noticed that after E-town went up 1-0, Waso dropped back into more of an attacking midfield postion, and then when Messiah equalized he returned to the top of the Blue Jay attack again.

This year's Messiah squad can win the midfield battle and hold significant possession advantages like Messiah is known for, but there are question marks in the final 15 yards at both ends of the field. But they have another month to work on that and improve before the NCAA tournament. And with Hopkins at home next Thursday night, Lycoming away in conference play, and maybe even LVC in conference play, they still have some measuring stick games even if the conference slate overall isn't the most challenging.

Quote from: rudy on September 28, 2017, 07:31:31 AM
Messiah has been struggling to score 3 games in a row now. Plenty of shots but not enough to challenge the keeper. Seems like some adjustments are needed. They get nothing off corner kicks.. maybe play a short corner more often.

Quote from: Flying Weasel on September 28, 2017, 10:51:06 AM
I wouldn't say E-town won the first half, but it certainly was closer to 50-50 in that while Messiah had a noticeable edge in possession, E-town was more effective in possession than they would be in the second half and were creating as much danger and chances as were the Falcons. 

Second half Messiah controlled the game even more than in the first half and E-town spent long stretches pinned back.  E-town's goal largely came against the run of play, and, in contrast to EB2319's assessment, I did think it had an effect on Messiah play for about 5 or so minutes with a little impatience and perhaps nervousness resulting in a lot of errant and/or ill-advised passes that turned-over possession. But the Falcons got through that stretch and then started pinning E-town back again, and had two golden 1-v-1's with the keeper that they couldn't put away (among some other good looks) before finally getting the equalizer.

Finishing and productive play from/use of a target man is an issue for the Falcons (a re-occurring issue over the past 10 years--Josh Wood's healthy seasons being the exceptions).  Defending corners kicks and FK's and crosses from the flanks seems to also be an issue for the Falcon defense.  Waso nearly opened the scoring in the first half when, despite being the shortest guy in a crowded box, got his head to a corner kick and put it off the crossbar.  And the Blue Jays' goal to open the scoring came from a FK from the flank.

Overall, the Falcons did a good job of keeping Waso in-check throughout, but there were the occasions when he was dangerous with his quickness and ball control in tight spaces.  Two years ago when Waso scored to give E-town the win, Messiah didn't seem prepared for him--the first time they had faced him--and he repeatedly created havoc for the Falcon defense in the first half (including scoring his goal), but Messiah made adjustments at halftime and Waso was largely a non-factor in the second half of that game.  Messiah did a good job on him from start to finish this time around (can't remember how well they played him last year at home).  I noticed that after E-town went up 1-0, Waso dropped back into more of an attacking midfield postion, and then when Messiah equalized he returned to the top of the Blue Jay attack again.

This year's Messiah squad can win the midfield battle and hold significant possession advantages like Messiah is known for, but there are question marks in the final 15 yards at both ends of the field. But they have another month to work on that and improve before the NCAA tournament. And with Hopkins at home next Thursday night, Lycoming away in conference play, and maybe even LVC in conference play, they still have some measuring stick games even if the conference slate overall isn't the most challenging.

Quote from: rudy on September 28, 2017, 05:21:04 PM

Quote from: Flying Weasel on September 28, 2017, 10:51:06 AM
I wouldn't say E-town won the first half, but it certainly was closer to 50-50 in that while Messiah had a noticeable edge in possession, E-town was more effective in possession than they would be in the second half and were creating as much danger and chances as were the Falcons. 

Second half Messiah controlled the game even more than in the first half and E-town spent long stretches pinned back.  E-town's goal largely came against the run of play, and, in contrast to EB2319's assessment, I did think it had an effect on Messiah play for about 5 or so minutes with a little impatience and perhaps nervousness resulting in a lot of errant and/or ill-advised passes that turned-over possession. But the Falcons got through that stretch and then started pinning E-town back again, and had two golden 1-v-1's with the keeper that they couldn't put away (among some other good looks) before finally getting the equalizer.

Finishing and productive play from/use of a target man is an issue for the Falcons (a re-occurring issue over the past 10 years--Josh Wood's healthy seasons being the exceptions).  Defending corners kicks and FK's and crosses from the flanks seems to also be an issue for the Falcon defense.  Waso nearly opened the scoring in the first half when, despite being the shortest guy in a crowded box, got his head to a corner kick and put it off the crossbar.  And the Blue Jays' goal to open the scoring came from a FK from the flank.

Overall, the Falcons did a good job of keeping Waso in-check throughout, but there were the occasions when he was dangerous with his quickness and ball control in tight spaces.  Two years ago when Waso scored to give E-town the win, Messiah didn't seem prepared for him--the first time they had faced him--and he repeatedly created havoc for the Falcon defense in the first half (including scoring his goal), but Messiah made adjustments at halftime and Waso was largely a non-factor in the second half of that game.  Messiah did a good job on him from start to finish this time around (can't remember how well they played him last year at home).  I noticed that after E-town went up 1-0, Waso dropped back into more of an attacking midfield postion, and then when Messiah equalized he returned to the top of the Blue Jay attack again.

This year's Messiah squad can win the midfield battle and hold significant possession advantages like Messiah is known for, but there are question marks in the final 15 yards at both ends of the field. But they have another month to work on that and improve before the NCAA tournament. And with Hopkins at home next Thursday night, Lycoming away in conference play, and maybe even LVC in conference play, they still have some measuring stick games even if the conference slate overall isn't the most challenging.

FW..have you seen Hopkins play?  I watched them against Haverford online and they looked pretty impressive.  Two or three dangerous offensive players and solid all around.  That game will definitely be one to watch and a good measuring stick.

Quote from: sokermom on September 28, 2017, 08:04:52 PM

Quote from: rudy on September 28, 2017, 05:21:04 PM

FW..have you seen Hopkins play?  I watched them against Haverford online and they looked pretty impressive.  Two or three dangerous offensive players and solid all around.  That game will definitely be one to watch and a good measuring stick.

The JHU team can hang tight and even win against any top D1 program.  They are very fluid and have very good technical players.  The keeper is from Malaysia and is winning a lot of accolades.

Quote from: Shooter McGavin on September 29, 2017, 07:45:57 AM

Quote from: sokermom on September 28, 2017, 08:04:52 PM

Quote from: rudy on September 28, 2017, 05:21:04 PM

FW..have you seen Hopkins play?  I watched them against Haverford online and they looked pretty impressive.  Two or three dangerous offensive players and solid all around.  That game will definitely be one to watch and a good measuring stick.

The JHU team can hang tight and even win against any top D1 program.  They are very fluid and have very good technical players.  The keeper is from Malaysia and is winning a lot of accolades.

I wouldn't go as far as saying any "top" D1 team. I am sure they can hang with smaller mid-majors, as we have seen evidence of this in the recent past by other top D3 teams scrimmaging mid-major schools, but I highly doubt they would hang tight or beat Maryland, Indiana, Wake Forest, UNC, etc. Saying that less than 10 games into the D3 season is a stretch to put it nicely. If they go undefeated and win the National Championship then you have more of an argument, but until then I will take Maryland over Hopkins any day of the week. 

Quote from: Shooter McGavin on September 29, 2017, 07:45:57 AM

Quote from: sokermom on September 28, 2017, 08:04:52 PM

Quote from: rudy on September 28, 2017, 05:21:04 PM

FW..have you seen Hopkins play?  I watched them against Haverford online and they looked pretty impressive.  Two or three dangerous offensive players and solid all around.  That game will definitely be one to watch and a good measuring stick.

The JHU team can hang tight and even win against any top D1 program.  They are very fluid and have very good technical players.  The keeper is from Malaysia and is winning a lot of accolades.

I wouldn't go as far as saying any "top" D1 team. I am sure they can hang with smaller mid-majors, as we have seen evidence of this in the recent past by other top D3 teams scrimmaging mid-major schools, but I highly doubt they would hang tight or beat Maryland, Indiana, Wake Forest, UNC, etc. Saying that less than 10 games into the D3 season is a stretch to put it nicely. If they go undefeated and win the National Championship then you have more of an argument, but until then I will take Maryland over Hopkins any day of the week.

Quote from: Mid-Atlantic Fan on October 01, 2017, 03:56:56 PM
I would rank them like this...

1. Messiah
2. Hopkins
3. Lyco
4. Drew
5. Getty
6. LVC
7. Fords
8. Scranton
9. Dickinson
10. Eastern
--------------------
DeSales, Arcadia

Quote from: Falconer on October 01, 2017, 09:03:03 AM
I made it to the Messiah-Alvernia game last night. When the Falcons played the Crusaders (now known as the Golden Wolves) on the Crusaders' turf field a year ago, it went into double OT owing to great saves from the Alvernia keeper and a PK that tied it late in regulation: http://gomessiah.com/news/2016/10/5/mens-soccer-quintins-double-ot-winner-leads-messiah-to-road-win.aspx?path=msoc

The same keeper came up big last night on an early challenge, but the Falcons broke through later and went on to win 3-0. Here's my observations on the game within the game.

McCarty did some novel experimenting on the offensive end, trying several combinations on the wings and in the attacking MF, presumably in an effort to jump-start scoring. Although the Falcons have frequently been dangerous in recent games, scoring has been unusually low by Messiah standards. It's not a lack of experienced attackers: the main components have been there for multiple seasons. In the most interesting move, he shifted West from left to right, reinserted Alejos on the left wing, and put Thomas at MF on the right, near West. That proved an electric combination, giving Thomas more options to use his strength and speed, and it resulted in 3 assists for Colby, though at least one (if I recall correctly) came from his usual spot on the right wing. My guess is that McCarty will go back to that combination again, whether or not he starts the next few games that way.

Game balls to Colby and Kirby Robbins (who played the finisher role properly), with honorable mention to Nick West (for always being dangerous) and Shay Quintin (who made the greatest move of the night, a superb shake-and-bake in the box followed by a terrific cross that just missed resulting in another goal), who hasn't figured out yet that he's really an outside defender and doesn't belong down there.  :o  Of course Falcon fans have seen defenders suddenly morph into forwards before--guys like Jon Brubaker, JD Binger, and Jevon Gondwe--so maybe there's just something in the water.

Overall the Falcons looked awfully good. Their aggressive one-touch attack is running seamlessly right now, and finally the goals are coming. If they play this well the rest of this week, Hopkins is going to have their hands full Thursday night on a rare visit to Grantham. If the Blue Jays are as good as their record (and better than they were yesterday vs the Muhls, who aren't any better this year than Alvernia), it should be a good one. Looking forward to it.

Quote from: stillwatching on October 02, 2017, 10:25:57 AM

Quote from: Falconer on October 01, 2017, 09:03:03 AM
I made it to the Messiah-Alvernia game last night. When the Falcons played the Crusaders (now known as the Golden Wolves) on the Crusaders' turf field a year ago, it went into double OT owing to great saves from the Alvernia keeper and a PK that tied it late in regulation: http://gomessiah.com/news/2016/10/5/mens-soccer-quintins-double-ot-winner-leads-messiah-to-road-win.aspx?path=msoc

The same keeper came up big last night on an early challenge, but the Falcons broke through later and went on to win 3-0. Here's my observations on the game within the game.

McCarty did some novel experimenting on the offensive end, trying several combinations on the wings and in the attacking MF, presumably in an effort to jump-start scoring. Although the Falcons have frequently been dangerous in recent games, scoring has been unusually low by Messiah standards. It's not a lack of experienced attackers: the main components have been there for multiple seasons. In the most interesting move, he shifted West from left to right, reinserted Alejos on the left wing, and put Thomas at MF on the right, near West. That proved an electric combination, giving Thomas more options to use his strength and speed, and it resulted in 3 assists for Colby, though at least one (if I recall correctly) came from his usual spot on the right wing. My guess is that McCarty will go back to that combination again, whether or not he starts the next few games that way.

Game balls to Colby and Kirby Robbins (who played the finisher role properly), with honorable mention to Nick West (for always being dangerous) and Shay Quintin (who made the greatest move of the night, a superb shake-and-bake in the box followed by a terrific cross that just missed resulting in another goal), who hasn't figured out yet that he's really an outside defender and doesn't belong down there.  :o  Of course Falcon fans have seen defenders suddenly morph into forwards before--guys like Jon Brubaker, JD Binger, and Jevon Gondwe--so maybe there's just something in the water.

Overall the Falcons looked awfully good. Their aggressive one-touch attack is running seamlessly right now, and finally the goals are coming. If they play this well the rest of this week, Hopkins is going to have their hands full Thursday night on a rare visit to Grantham. If the Blue Jays are as good as their record (and better than they were yesterday vs the Muhls, who aren't any better this year than Alvernia), it should be a good one. Looking forward to it.

Shay is a great player, and even better kid.  My played with and against him for years during their club years.  You could legit put him anywhere on the field, with the exception of GK, and he's produce.  Although, we have seen him in net in meaningless summer tourneys, and he's fine back there as well. :-)

Quote from: Mid-Atlantic Fan on October 04, 2017, 11:41:32 AM
Mid-Atlantic - Poll 4 - October 3, 2017 (Results updated thru 10/3)
1. Messiah---def Albright 5-0
2. Hopkins---def Stevenson 3-0   
3. Lycoming---def #6 LVC 2-0
4. Drew---
5. Gettysburg---
6. Lebanon Valley---lost to #3 Lyco 2-0
7. Haverford---
8. Scranton---
9. Eastern---
10. Dickinson---def Misericordia 5-0
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Games to Watch (10/4)
Scranton @ Drew
Eastern @ Gettysburg
Fords @ Rutgers Camden
Goucher @ Catholic
William & Patterson @ DeSales
Moravian @ Etown

Other Results (10/3)
Stevens over F&M 1-0
Rowan over Muhles 3-2
Hood and Widener tie 1-1
Kings over Penn College 4-0
Cabrini over Keystone 2-0
Alvernia over Arcadia 1-0

Quote from: Falconer on October 02, 2017, 12:39:51 PM

Quote from: stillwatching on October 02, 2017, 10:25:57 AM

Quote from: Falconer on October 01, 2017, 09:03:03 AM
I made it to the Messiah-Alvernia game last night. When the Falcons played the Crusaders (now known as the Golden Wolves) on the Crusaders' turf field a year ago, it went into double OT owing to great saves from the Alvernia keeper and a PK that tied it late in regulation: http://gomessiah.com/news/2016/10/5/mens-soccer-quintins-double-ot-winner-leads-messiah-to-road-win.aspx?path=msoc

The same keeper came up big last night on an early challenge, but the Falcons broke through later and went on to win 3-0. Here's my observations on the game within the game.

McCarty did some novel experimenting on the offensive end, trying several combinations on the wings and in the attacking MF, presumably in an effort to jump-start scoring. Although the Falcons have frequently been dangerous in recent games, scoring has been unusually low by Messiah standards. It's not a lack of experienced attackers: the main components have been there for multiple seasons. In the most interesting move, he shifted West from left to right, reinserted Alejos on the left wing, and put Thomas at MF on the right, near West. That proved an electric combination, giving Thomas more options to use his strength and speed, and it resulted in 3 assists for Colby, though at least one (if I recall correctly) came from his usual spot on the right wing. My guess is that McCarty will go back to that combination again, whether or not he starts the next few games that way.

Game balls to Colby and Kirby Robbins (who played the finisher role properly), with honorable mention to Nick West (for always being dangerous) and Shay Quintin (who made the greatest move of the night, a superb shake-and-bake in the box followed by a terrific cross that just missed resulting in another goal), who hasn't figured out yet that he's really an outside defender and doesn't belong down there.  :o  Of course Falcon fans have seen defenders suddenly morph into forwards before--guys like Jon Brubaker, JD Binger, and Jevon Gondwe--so maybe there's just something in the water.

Overall the Falcons looked awfully good. Their aggressive one-touch attack is running seamlessly right now, and finally the goals are coming. If they play this well the rest of this week, Hopkins is going to have their hands full Thursday night on a rare visit to Grantham. If the Blue Jays are as good as their record (and better than they were yesterday vs the Muhls, who aren't any better this year than Alvernia), it should be a good one. Looking forward to it.

Shay is a great player, and even better kid.  My played with and against him for years during their club years.  You could legit put him anywhere on the field, with the exception of GK, and he's produce.  Although, we have seen him in net in meaningless summer tourneys, and he's fine back there as well. :-)

I much appreciate your affirmation of my enthusiasm about Shay, stillwatching. I know he didn't score a great deal for his HS team, but it was a truly great team (as you would know more than me) with other players who apparently fit better up front. Shay could indeed play anywhere. The fact that he's at left outside back is simply a result of circumstances at Messiah and nothing else as far as I can see. When he arrived on campus last fall, there was a crucial need for someone to fill that position, and at least three other returning players were very experienced at left wing, with other very experienced starters in MF.

There's been much discussion of Amherst here lately, so let me point out that two of Shay's teammates at Milton Academy play for Amherst. The big scorer for Milton accepted a scholarship to D1 Boston University. I see where Shay has a younger brother who also played for Milton: can you tell me whether he's also playing somewhere in college?

Quote from: Mid-Atlantic Fan on October 04, 2017, 11:41:32 AM
Mid-Atlantic - Poll 4 - October 3, 2017 (Results updated thru 10/3)
1. Messiah---def Albright 5-0
2. Hopkins---def Stevenson 3-0   
3. Lycoming---def #6 LVC 2-0
4. Drew---
5. Gettysburg---
6. Lebanon Valley---lost to #3 Lyco 2-0
7. Haverford---
8. Scranton---
9. Eastern---
10. Dickinson---def Misericordia 5-0
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Games to Watch (10/4)
Scranton @ Drew
Eastern @ Gettysburg
Fords @ Rutgers Camden
Goucher @ Catholic
William & Patterson @ DeSales
Moravian @ Etown

Other Results (10/3)
Stevens over F&M 1-0
Rowan over Muhles 3-2
Hood and Widener tie 1-1
Kings over Penn College 4-0
Cabrini over Keystone 2-0
Alvernia over Arcadia 1-0

Quote from: Mid-Atlantic Fan on October 05, 2017, 09:38:31 AM
As we start to move towards the last third of the season teams are starting to separate themselves for the good and for the bad. Little bit of a breakdown for what the regional rankings might start to look like over the next few weeks. SOS and RvR will play big factors in the actual rankings by the NCAA, but so far these are the teams I feel are competing to be ranked.

Comfortably Safe (So Far)
Hopkins (11-0-0) w/Messiah, F&M, & Dickinson left
Messiah (10-1-0) w/Hopkins, Lyco, & LVC left
Lyco (11-1-0) w/Messiah left

Quote from: Falconer on October 05, 2017, 01:26:31 PM

Quote from: Mid-Atlantic Fan on October 05, 2017, 09:38:31 AM
As we start to move towards the last third of the season teams are starting to separate themselves for the good and for the bad. Little bit of a breakdown for what the regional rankings might start to look like over the next few weeks. SOS and RvR will play big factors in the actual rankings by the NCAA, but so far these are the teams I feel are competing to be ranked.

Comfortably Safe (So Far)
Hopkins (11-0-0) w/Messiah, F&M, & Dickinson left
Messiah (10-1-0) w/Hopkins, Lyco, & LVC left
Lyco (11-1-0) w/Messiah left

I hope you're right, MAF, that Messiah and Lyco are both safe.

Back when Messiah and Etown were in the same conference, they would almost always end up playing twice, with the second game being the conference playoffs. (Sometimes they would both get a bid and end up playing a third time, but that wasn't common.) Some years they would split the two games, or one would end in a tie, whether or not followed by PKs as it would be in the conference tournament. But, if Messiah won them both (I don't remember the opposite result, but perhaps I'm forgetting such), Etown was definitely not safe for a bid. When Messiah lost twice to Lyco two years ago (when both games were in Williamsport), the Falcons failed to get a bid.

Obviously I am ignoring the whole "body of work" in this musing, and that obviously matters. (I agree e.g. that Messiah didn't deserve a bid in 2015.) However, I could still see scenarios in which bids this year were not given to BOTH of those teams. If Messiah beats Hopkins tonight I'll feel better about their chances, but they might still stumble badly enough not to get a bid if Lyco beats them twice.

And, that could happen. Lyco doesn't have anything to prove this year. They have a significant advantage playing at home. Their field hinders the Falcon's one-touch passing game, and they have shown the ability to beat or tie Messiah, even the very best Falcon teams, such as the NCAA championship team that failed to score in the 2013 conference title game, only to lose in PKS: http://www.gomessiah.com/news/2013/11/6/MSOC_1106133242.aspx?path=msoc.

Lyco almost always plays a very physical game, regardless of the opponent, so the officiating might be a factor. Much depends on whether the referee "lets them play," or calls the tighter game that normally favors the Falcons. Weather obviously a potential factor as well. I'd say right now, before the Messiah-Hopkins game result is known, that Lyco should probably be a slight favorite at their own place, perhaps 53-47 on the odds. I'd reverse it to 60-40 if it were in Grantham. Just one person's opinion. Soon we'll have facts instead.

Quote from: Falconer on October 05, 2017, 01:26:31 PM

Quote from: Mid-Atlantic Fan on October 05, 2017, 09:38:31 AM
As we start to move towards the last third of the season teams are starting to separate themselves for the good and for the bad. Little bit of a breakdown for what the regional rankings might start to look like over the next few weeks. SOS and RvR will play big factors in the actual rankings by the NCAA, but so far these are the teams I feel are competing to be ranked.

Comfortably Safe (So Far)
Hopkins (11-0-0) w/Messiah, F&M, & Dickinson left
Messiah (10-1-0) w/Hopkins, Lyco, & LVC left
Lyco (11-1-0) w/Messiah left

I hope you're right, MAF, that Messiah and Lyco are both safe.

Back when Messiah and Etown were in the same conference, they would almost always end up playing twice, with the second game being the conference playoffs. (Sometimes they would both get a bid and end up playing a third time, but that wasn't common.) Some years they would split the two games, or one would end in a tie, whether or not followed by PKs as it would be in the conference tournament. But, if Messiah won them both (I don't remember the opposite result, but perhaps I'm forgetting such), Etown was definitely not safe for a bid. When Messiah lost twice to Lyco two years ago (when both games were in Williamsport), the Falcons failed to get a bid.

Obviously I am ignoring the whole "body of work" in this musing, and that obviously matters. (I agree e.g. that Messiah didn't deserve a bid in 2015.) However, I could still see scenarios in which bids this year were not given to BOTH of those teams. If Messiah beats Hopkins tonight I'll feel better about their chances, but they might still stumble badly enough not to get a bid if Lyco beats them twice.

And, that could happen. Lyco doesn't have anything to prove this year. They have a significant advantage playing at home. Their field hinders the Falcon's one-touch passing game, and they have shown the ability to beat or tie Messiah, even the very best Falcon teams, such as the NCAA championship team that failed to score in the 2013 conference title game, only to lose in PKS: http://www.gomessiah.com/news/2013/11/6/MSOC_1106133242.aspx?path=msoc.

Lyco almost always plays a very physical game, regardless of the opponent, so the officiating might be a factor. Much depends on whether the referee "lets them play," or calls the tighter game that normally favors the Falcons. Weather obviously a potential factor as well. I'd say right now, before the Messiah-Hopkins game result is known, that Lyco should probably be a slight favorite at their own place, perhaps 53-47 on the odds. I'd reverse it to 60-40 if it were in Grantham. Just one person's opinion. Soon we'll have facts instead.

Quote from: paclassic89 on October 05, 2017, 01:35:43 PM
Having watched the Lyco vs LVC game, I predict that Messiah have about a 65% chance of winning.  LVC had a PK saved in their game against Lyco.  If that had gone in to tie it 1-1 then I think LVC probably would have taken the game.  They controlled possesion and only conceded a second goal once they began throwing bodies forward.  Lyco plays an extremely direct game and very rarely will try to play out of the back or even through the midfield.  If Messiah can control possession and slow the game down then they should dominate.

Quote from: Falconer on October 05, 2017, 09:25:17 PM
It's quite some time since I saw a game like the one tonight in Grantham. Hopkins brought their best game, as I frankly hoped they would, and so did Messiah. It was like watching a chess match the entire first half and most of the second. Neither team was conceding anything to their opponent, and both teams were sometimes very dangerous, but the defenses stepped up and usually prevented shots on goal. Both exhilarating and frustrating to watch. Messiah had the edge in the first half, but the Jays actually dominated the second half until about ten minutes remained, when the Falcons took over and didn't look back. Target Kirby Robbins bulled his way through the defense and made a great, tough shot, moving to his right but shooting hard back to his left.

Hopkins made a valiant effort to even it in the closing seconds, but if their keeper hadn't made two brilliant saves it would have finished 3-0.

I think I saw a Final Four match tonight. Both teams are that good right now. Honestly, I wouldn't budge the rankings one bit based on this result. Keep Hopkins #3 and Messiah #5, though move either one up if someone else stumbles.

Quote from: Mid-Atlantic Fan on October 05, 2017, 03:03:50 PM

Quote from: paclassic89 on October 05, 2017, 01:35:43 PM
Having watched the Lyco vs LVC game, I predict that Messiah have about a 65% chance of winning.  LVC had a PK saved in their game against Lyco.  If that had gone in to tie it 1-1 then I think LVC probably would have taken the game.  They controlled possesion and only conceded a second goal once they began throwing bodies forward.  Lyco plays an extremely direct game and very rarely will try to play out of the back or even through the midfield.  If Messiah can control possession and slow the game down then they should dominate.

I watched some of this game and was stat checking while I was watching others and I disagree with a portion of this. Saying Messiah has a 65% chance to win based off of watching Lycoming play one game vs a good opponent is a stretch. I agree with your assessment of the game and think the PK save was big but to say LVC wins that game if they make that PK is a guess. Also as Falconer stated above, Lycoming and Messiah have had some good battles since 2013 when they stunned the Falcons in Grantham. With the regular season game being at Lycoming I think the odds are better than 65/35 as you think. I'd say 54/46 in favor of the Falcons based from what I have seen of both teams this year. Also, with the way Messiah plays, they should want to speed up the game if anything, not slow it down. The quicker they can move the ball the better. Not sure why you would think slowing down the pace of play would benefit the Falcons.

Quote from: Falconer on October 05, 2017, 09:25:17 PM
It's quite some time since I saw a game like the one tonight in Grantham. Hopkins brought their best game, as I frankly hoped they would, and so did Messiah. It was like watching a chess match the entire first half and most of the second. Neither team was conceding anything to their opponent, and both teams were sometimes very dangerous, but the defenses stepped up and usually prevented shots on goal. Both exhilarating and frustrating to watch. Messiah had the edge in the first half, but the Jays actually dominated the second half until about ten minutes remained, when the Falcons took over and didn't look back. Target Kirby Robbins bulled his way through the defense and made a great, tough shot, moving to his right but shooting hard back to his left.

Hopkins made a valiant effort to even it in the closing seconds, but if their keeper hadn't made two brilliant saves it would have finished 3-0.

I think I saw a Final Four match tonight. Both teams are that good right now. Honestly, I wouldn't budge the rankings one bit based on this result. Keep Hopkins #3 and Messiah #5, though move either one up if someone else stumbles.

Quote from: PaulNewman on October 05, 2017, 09:53:20 PM

Quote from: Falconer on October 05, 2017, 09:25:17 PM
It's quite some time since I saw a game like the one tonight in Grantham. Hopkins brought their best game, as I frankly hoped they would, and so did Messiah. It was like watching a chess match the entire first half and most of the second. Neither team was conceding anything to their opponent, and both teams were sometimes very dangerous, but the defenses stepped up and usually prevented shots on goal. Both exhilarating and frustrating to watch. Messiah had the edge in the first half, but the Jays actually dominated the second half until about ten minutes remained, when the Falcons took over and didn't look back. Target Kirby Robbins bulled his way through the defense and made a great, tough shot, moving to his right but shooting hard back to his left.

Hopkins made a valiant effort to even it in the closing seconds, but if their keeper hadn't made two brilliant saves it would have finished 3-0.

I think I saw a Final Four match tonight. Both teams are that good right now. Honestly, I wouldn't budge the rankings one bit based on this result. Keep Hopkins #3 and Messiah #5, though move either one up if someone else stumbles.

Falconer, that is a fascinating post.  There are so many things going on, and they can't all be true.  You went to some lengths to praise JHU but concluded that they would have lost 3-0 IF GK hadn't made 2 saves.  Were the saves lucky or extra-ordinary?  Both teams had 3 saves.  So if JHU had had no saves out of 3 SOG then yes the score would have been 3-0.  But if JHU made 3 saves and Messiah had none then JHU would have won 3-0.  And you said JHU dominated much of the 2nd half and after Messiah scored tried valiantly to equalize.  Messiah didn't score until the 83rd minute.  And then you conclude that JHU should keep a higher ranking.  At any rate, it seems that your conclusion is that Messiah is one of if not the best team in the country.

Quote from: paclassic89 on October 05, 2017, 11:21:04 PM

Quote from: Mid-Atlantic Fan on October 05, 2017, 03:03:50 PM

Quote from: paclassic89 on October 05, 2017, 01:35:43 PM
Having watched the Lyco vs LVC game, I predict that Messiah have about a 65% chance of winning.  LVC had a PK saved in their game against Lyco.  If that had gone in to tie it 1-1 then I think LVC probably would have taken the game.  They controlled possesion and only conceded a second goal once they began throwing bodies forward.  Lyco plays an extremely direct game and very rarely will try to play out of the back or even through the midfield.  If Messiah can control possession and slow the game down then they should dominate.

I watched some of this game and was stat checking while I was watching others and I disagree with a portion of this. Saying Messiah has a 65% chance to win based off of watching Lycoming play one game vs a good opponent is a stretch. I agree with your assessment of the game and think the PK save was big but to say LVC wins that game if they make that PK is a guess. Also as Falconer stated above, Lycoming and Messiah have had some good battles since 2013 when they stunned the Falcons in Grantham. With the regular season game being at Lycoming I think the odds are better than 65/35 as you think. I'd say 54/46 in favor of the Falcons based from what I have seen of both teams this year. Also, with the way Messiah plays, they should want to speed up the game if anything, not slow it down. The quicker they can move the ball the better. Not sure why you would think slowing down the pace of play would benefit the Falcons.

Lyco wants a physical and sloppy game with possession changing hands frequently.  It suits their style better.  That's just a fact.  They will not fare well if Messiah dominates possession. Moving the ball quickly  while having possession has nothing to do with the actual pace of the game (see barca).  We can come back to these posts once Messiah wins.

Quote from: Mid-Atlantic Fan on October 05, 2017, 09:38:31 AM
As we start to move towards the last third of the season teams are starting to separate themselves for the good and for the bad. Little bit of a breakdown for what the regional rankings might start to look like over the next few weeks. SOS and RvR will play big factors in the actual rankings by the NCAA, but so far these are the teams I feel are competing to be ranked.

Comfortably Safe (So Far)
Hopkins (11-0-0) w/Messiah, F&M, & Dickinson left
Messiah (10-1-0) w/Hopkins, Lyco, & LVC left
Lyco (11-1-0) w/Messiah left

Safe (But on the Edge)
Drew (11-0-1) w/Haverford & Kean left
Gettysburg (8-2-0) w/Muhles, Dickinson, & F&M left

Work to Do (And Needs Some Help)
Leb Val (6-2-1) w/Messiah left
Dickinson (7-3-1) w/Scranton, Gettysburg, Fords, & Hopkins
Scranton (7-4-0) w/Dickinson left
Eastern (7-3-0) w/Stockton left
Fords (6-2-3) w/Drew & Dickinson left

Long-shots (Really Needs Help)
DeSales (9-1-1) w/Kings, Moravian, & Eastern left
Arcadia (7-2-1) w/Lyco, Messiah & LVC left

Done (No Chance unless they win the AQ)
Moravian (6-2-2)
Kings (7-3-1)
McDaniel (7-2-1)
Etown (5-5-1)
F&M (4-5-1)
Catholic (4-4-4)
Manhattanville (6-5-0)

Quote from: paclassic89 on October 05, 2017, 11:21:04 PM

Quote from: Mid-Atlantic Fan on October 05, 2017, 03:03:50 PM

Quote from: paclassic89 on October 05, 2017, 01:35:43 PM
Having watched the Lyco vs LVC game, I predict that Messiah have about a 65% chance of winning.  LVC had a PK saved in their game against Lyco.  If that had gone in to tie it 1-1 then I think LVC probably would have taken the game.  They controlled possesion and only conceded a second goal once they began throwing bodies forward.  Lyco plays an extremely direct game and very rarely will try to play out of the back or even through the midfield.  If Messiah can control possession and slow the game down then they should dominate.

I watched some of this game and was stat checking while I was watching others and I disagree with a portion of this. Saying Messiah has a 65% chance to win based off of watching Lycoming play one game vs a good opponent is a stretch. I agree with your assessment of the game and think the PK save was big but to say LVC wins that game if they make that PK is a guess. Also as Falconer stated above, Lycoming and Messiah have had some good battles since 2013 when they stunned the Falcons in Grantham. With the regular season game being at Lycoming I think the odds are better than 65/35 as you think. I'd say 54/46 in favor of the Falcons based from what I have seen of both teams this year. Also, with the way Messiah plays, they should want to speed up the game if anything, not slow it down. The quicker they can move the ball the better. Not sure why you would think slowing down the pace of play would benefit the Falcons.

Lyco wants a physical and sloppy game with possession changing hands frequently.  It suits their style better.  That's just a fact.  They will not fare well if Messiah dominates possession.  Moving the ball quickly  while having possession has nothing to do with the actual pace of the game (see barca).  We can come back to these posts once Messiah wins.

Quote from: Hopkins92 on October 06, 2017, 09:30:17 AM
And I'm not trying to be a jerk or call anyone out, I'm just saying that having actually watched the webcast, it was not a very complicated game. Hopkins did that thing they do in the back, Falcons chased it with a lone forward until Hop was in their offensive 1/3 and then the Falcons D tended to collapse. The thing that surprised me was that Messiah was just giving the ball right back to Hopkins for long stretches.

When the first string come on late, they started producing counters off of those TOs, which is what led to the goal and to the other danger moments late in the game. When they do that, they are scary good.

Hopkins needs to figure out what to do with all that possession against a packed in D. If I'm playing them, they can play around in the back all day long. Show me you can break down my D and I'll do more to pressure you. Until then, like someone said, it's a chess match. (It was driving the Messiah broadcast team nuts. :D)

Quote from: PaulNewman on October 06, 2017, 10:18:19 AM
Dave B, Falconer, rudy, et al...

I appreciate the further explanation and I will readily state that I did not watch any of the game.

I was reading Falconer's account, which was an excellent description of what sounded like a taut, tense, highly competitive affair that could have gone either way.  Then the sentence about could of or should of ended 3-0 came in, and that seemed contrary to the rest of the tone of the whole post (speaking of tone).  So, now reading the replies, sounds like this was a game that could have gone either way, and that JHU might have equalized very late with heavy pressure (and that in the context of JHU possibly equalizing Messiah could have scored again).  My only point is that the overall description sounded nothing like a 3-0 game and to throw out that the final result very well could have been 3-0 seemed to distort the rest of the description. 

P.S. And if JHU had scored in the 35 or so minutes that they dominated the 2nd half (according to the account), what then?  And then after saying the end result very well couldhave been 3-0, it's confusing to read that JHU should stay ahead of Messiah in the polls?  Why would JHU stay ahead in the polls?  Anyway, sorry, but seemed like natural questions to wonder about just reading the post.

Quote from: Hopkins92 on October 06, 2017, 09:24:15 AM
I watched most of the second half of the Hop-Messiah game. I know exactly what Falconer is saying. Hopkins dominated possession, though they didn't have a lot of true danger moments. Falcons scored on a brilliant individual effort, then Hopkins threw everything they had going forward. Falcons countered on them and See (hop gk) made some stand on your head saves. Not all that complicated if you'd watched the game.

=-=-=-==

Someone on this thread made a very astute observation in recent weeks: Messiah's starting 11 is top notch. When they throw in the subs.. hoo boy. Hopkins was absolutely killing them in the 70-80 minute block and really should've stepped on it to get a goal. The first string couldn't get back in the game and you could feel a goal was coming. Then the first string came on and about 3 minutes later, Falcons score.

Quote from: Dave B on October 06, 2017, 10:55:56 AM

Quote from: PaulNewman on October 06, 2017, 10:18:19 AM
Dave B, Falconer, rudy, et al...

I appreciate the further explanation and I will readily state that I did not watch any of the game.

I was reading Falconer's account, which was an excellent description of what sounded like a taut, tense, highly competitive affair that could have gone either way.  Then the sentence about could of or should of ended 3-0 came in, and that seemed contrary to the rest of the tone of the whole post (speaking of tone).  So, now reading the replies, sounds like this was a game that could have gone either way, and that JHU might have equalized very late with heavy pressure (and that in the context of JHU possibly equalizing Messiah could have scored again).  My only point is that the overall description sounded nothing like a 3-0 game and to throw out that the final result very well could have been 3-0 seemed to distort the rest of the description. 

P.S. And if JHU had scored in the 35 or so minutes that they dominated the 2nd half (according to the account), what then?  And then after saying the end result very well couldhave been 3-0, it's confusing to read that JHU should stay ahead of Messiah in the polls?  Why would JHU stay ahead in the polls?  Anyway, sorry, but seemed like natural questions to wonder about just reading the post.

My impression was that the 3-0 comment only referred to the 2 chances Messiah had late in the game when JHU was pressing to equalize, and the quality of the saves it took to keep the ball out of the net.  I don't think it was a reflection on the game as a whole.

Quote from: PaulNewman on October 06, 2017, 10:18:19 AM
Dave B, Falconer, rudy, et al...

I appreciate the further explanation and I will readily state that I did not watch any of the game.

I was reading Falconer's account, which was an excellent description of what sounded like a taut, tense, highly competitive affair that could have gone either way.  Then the sentence about could of or should of ended 3-0 came in, and that seemed contrary to the rest of the tone of the whole post (speaking of tone).  So, now reading the replies, sounds like this was a game that could have gone either way, and that JHU might have equalized very late with heavy pressure (and that in the context of JHU possibly equalizing Messiah could have scored again).  My only point is that the overall description sounded nothing like a 3-0 game and to throw out that the final result very well could have been 3-0 seemed to distort the rest of the description. 

P.S. And if JHU had scored in the 35 or so minutes that they dominated the 2nd half (according to the account), what then?  And then after saying the end result very well couldhave been 3-0, it's confusing to read that JHU should stay ahead of Messiah in the polls?  Why would JHU stay ahead in the polls?  Anyway, sorry, but seemed like natural questions to wonder about just reading the post.

Quote from: darad44 on October 04, 2017, 12:04:07 PM
What does the board think about Lycoming's game play?  High foul counts; 182 to date.  High yellow card count; 22.  They had 25 fouls and 2 yellow cards yesterday.  Vs Messiah who only has 69 fouls and 3 yellow cards.  Is that taught or just the type of player Lycoming recruits?

Quote from: PaulNewman on October 06, 2017, 10:18:19 AM
Dave B, Falconer, rudy, et al...

I appreciate the further explanation and I will readily state that I did not watch any of the game.

I was reading Falconer's account, which was an excellent description of what sounded like a taut, tense, highly competitive affair that could have gone either way.  Then the sentence about could of or should of ended 3-0 came in, and that seemed contrary to the rest of the tone of the whole post (speaking of tone).  So, now reading the replies, sounds like this was a game that could have gone either way, and that JHU might have equalized very late with heavy pressure (and that in the context of JHU possibly equalizing Messiah could have scored again).  My only point is that the overall description sounded nothing like a 3-0 game and to throw out that the final result very well could have been 3-0 seemed to distort the rest of the description. 

P.S. And if JHU had scored in the 35 or so minutes that they dominated the 2nd half (according to the account), what then?  And then after saying the end result very well couldhave been 3-0, it's confusing to read that JHU should stay ahead of Messiah in the polls?  Why would JHU stay ahead in the polls?  Anyway, sorry, but seemed like natural questions to wonder about just reading the post.

Quote from: Falconer on October 06, 2017, 01:39:46 PM

Quote from: PaulNewman on October 06, 2017, 10:18:19 AM
Dave B, Falconer, rudy, et al...

I appreciate the further explanation and I will readily state that I did not watch any of the game.

I was reading Falconer's account, which was an excellent description of what sounded like a taut, tense, highly competitive affair that could have gone either way.  Then the sentence about could of or should of ended 3-0 came in, and that seemed contrary to the rest of the tone of the whole post (speaking of tone).  So, now reading the replies, sounds like this was a game that could have gone either way, and that JHU might have equalized very late with heavy pressure (and that in the context of JHU possibly equalizing Messiah could have scored again).  My only point is that the overall description sounded nothing like a 3-0 game and to throw out that the final result very well could have been 3-0 seemed to distort the rest of the description. 

P.S. And if JHU had scored in the 35 or so minutes that they dominated the 2nd half (according to the account), what then?  And then after saying the end result very well couldhave been 3-0, it's confusing to read that JHU should stay ahead of Messiah in the polls?  Why would JHU stay ahead in the polls?  Anyway, sorry, but seemed like natural questions to wonder about just reading the post.

I understand why you questioned the sum total of my comments, PN. If you'd seen the game you would have probably agreed with my summary of the game, but I certainly could have said more and been less cryptic in my overall effect on someone who didn't see it.

Others have explained the puzzling points, except this part: yes, I think that Messiah and Hopkins are the two best teams I have seen this year. Emphasis on "I have seen." I have not seen Chicago or Calvin. I've seen streams involving Tufts and Amherst, but enough to think that neither of them is quite at the level of the Falcons or the Jays, but Tufts has proved that they can pull rabbits out of hats and win titles, so even if I'm right they can't be discounted come December. I watched maybe 10 minutes of a Chicago game and they were very impressive, but the opponent wasn't so it's hard to draw a conclusion. Calvin I saw last fall, and they lost relatively little (compared with Messiah, who lost the POY). Last fall I said they were the best team in D3, and I would not be quick to say something different this fall without seeing them.

In my book, the top four (in alphabet order) are Calvin, Chicago, Hopkins, and Messiah. The polls agree closely, if not exactly, with this opinion.

Lots of things could change my opinion, including especially major injuries to key players. For now, that's my Final Four.

Quote from: Dog Face on October 06, 2017, 02:31:17 PM
I only saw the 2nd half of the Messiah/JH game last night, but have read the comments here and understand it was a game of very different halves for whatever reason.  I'd agree that JH wasn't terribly dangerous in the final third, but for those of you who know the teams, do you really suppose it was Messiah's game plan to sit that deep in the 2nd half?  From what I saw, they weren't just giving JH half of the field, they weren't often giving them 2/3 before they put any pressure on the ball.  Maybe this was the period the reserves were playing, as the pressure was stepped up a bit as the half wore on (M had one guy somewhat harassing JH's two backs passing the ball laterally).  It just seems like an awfully risky strategy to cede much of the field to JH and bet on then not being able to generate anything in the final third (even by just lumping balls repeatedly into the box), and then plan on an unbelievable individual play to win the game for you (or maybe they were just playing for the tie, but after having the better of the play in the first half?).  JH cooperated, as they even wasted their opportunities on corners.

Quote from: Mid-Atlantic Fan on October 08, 2017, 10:18:17 AM
I think we will see some more shifting within the region after a week of up and down results.

1. Messiah (11-1-0)
2. Lycoming (12-1-0)
3. Hopkins (11-1-1)
4. Drew (12-0-1)
5. Gettysburg (9-2-0)
6. LVC (7-2-1)
T7. Fords (7-2-3)
T7. Dickinson (8-3-1)
9. Eastern (8-3-0)
10. Moravian (6-2-3)
------------------------------
Scranton (7-5-0)
DeSales (9-1-2)
Kings (8-3-1)

Quote from: rudy on October 08, 2017, 07:02:38 PM

Quote from: Mid-Atlantic Fan on October 08, 2017, 10:18:17 AM
I think we will see some more shifting within the region after a week of up and down results.

1. Messiah (11-1-0)
2. Lycoming (12-1-0)
3. Hopkins (11-1-1)
4. Drew (12-0-1)
5. Gettysburg (9-2-0)
6. LVC (7-2-1)
T7. Fords (7-2-3)
T7. Dickinson (8-3-1)
9. Eastern (8-3-0)
10. Moravian (6-2-3)
------------------------------
Scranton (7-5-0)
DeSales (9-1-2)
Kings (8-3-1)

I'm thinking Hopkins tie with swarthmore  may move Drew ahead of them

Quote from: futballfan20 on October 06, 2017, 12:19:57 PM

Quote from: darad44 on October 04, 2017, 12:04:07 PM
What does the board think about Lycoming's game play?  High foul counts; 182 to date.  High yellow card count; 22.  They had 25 fouls and 2 yellow cards yesterday.  Vs Messiah who only has 69 fouls and 3 yellow cards.  Is that taught or just the type of player Lycoming recruits?

I feel like this post was lost in the excitement of the JHU-Messiah game.  I am confused as to what this post post is trying to accomplish. This isn't the first time Lycoming's Foul count has been brought up as I know it was mentioned last year and probably the year before. Lycoming plays a high pressure defensive game which depending on how the Ref calls the game can result in high fouls.  As for the comparison to Messiah...they play two competently different styles of soccer so the stats on everything are going to be different probably fouls being the biggest difference since possessing the ball for 65% of the game means it is hard to foul.  We are a week and a half away from the game and it is exciting to read the debates on the outcome of the game.  However the foul counts of the two teams tells you little more than possibly one team plays more physical than the other.    As another poster so elegantly posted "Lycoming wants a physical sloppy game"  and Messiah wants possession.  Yet they both sit at 11-1 and 2-0 in conference.

Quote from: Mid-Atlantic Fan on October 08, 2017, 10:18:17 AM
I think we will see some more shifting within the region after a week of up and down results.

1. Messiah (11-1-0)
2. Lycoming (12-1-0)
3. Hopkins (11-1-1)
4. Drew (12-0-1)
5. Gettysburg (9-2-0)
6. LVC (7-2-1)
T7. Fords (7-2-3)
T7. Dickinson (8-3-1)
9. Eastern (8-3-0)
10. Moravian (6-2-3)
------------------------------
Scranton (7-5-0)
DeSales (9-1-2)
Kings (8-3-1)

Quote from: sokermom on October 10, 2017, 09:57:41 AM

Quote from: Mid-Atlantic Fan on October 08, 2017, 10:18:17 AM
I think we will see some more shifting within the region after a week of up and down results.

1. Messiah (11-1-0)
2. Lycoming (12-1-0)
3. Hopkins (11-1-1)
4. Drew (12-0-1)
5. Gettysburg (9-2-0)
6. LVC (7-2-1)
T7. Fords (7-2-3)
T7. Dickinson (8-3-1)
9. Eastern (8-3-0)
10. Moravian (6-2-3)
------------------------------
Scranton (7-5-0)
DeSales (9-1-2)
Kings (8-3-1)

Not sure why Scranton is in the mix.  They are 1-3 in conference play.

Quote from: Mid-Atlantic Fan on October 10, 2017, 02:35:15 PM

Quote from: sokermom on October 10, 2017, 09:57:41 AM

Quote from: Mid-Atlantic Fan on October 08, 2017, 10:18:17 AM
I think we will see some more shifting within the region after a week of up and down results.

1. Messiah (11-1-0)
2. Lycoming (12-1-0)
3. Hopkins (11-1-1)
4. Drew (12-0-1)
5. Gettysburg (9-2-0)
6. LVC (7-2-1)
T7. Fords (7-2-3)
T7. Dickinson (8-3-1)
9. Eastern (8-3-0)
10. Moravian (6-2-3)
------------------------------
Scranton (7-5-0)
DeSales (9-1-2)
Kings (8-3-1)

Not sure why Scranton is in the mix.  They are 1-3 in conference play.

Conference play doesn't reflect any outcome in terms of regional rankings. Overall record, win %, SOS, RvR, head to head, etc all factor into regional rankings which will be released next week. The current regional polls are opinions not necessarily based on all of those factors. I listed Scranton because they have played 5 ranked teams, beating 1 of them losing to 3 and the other to be played tonight. For comparison purposes, King's has played 1 ranked opponent in Scranton, which they lost. So a team with 4 blemishes like Kings vs a team with 5 blemishes and the head to head win like Scranton makes me want to put them ahead of Kings plus Scranton will have a much higher SOS, more ranked wins and more ranked opponents.

The same goes for DeSales. They have played 2 ranked opponents and are 0-1-1 vs them. Scranton is 1-3-0 vs the ranked opponents they have faced. Scranton will have a much higher SOS, more ranked opponents, more ranked wins etc. The 1-3 conference record means practically nothing in the sense of who should be slotted where. If it really boils down to something like that then it has to be such a tight decision but normally the above factors can eliminate ever getting to conference records.

Quote from: NEPAFAN on October 10, 2017, 08:57:46 PM
welp scranton got smoked 6-0. Time for me to start focusing on Basketball season.

Quote from: franklyspeaking on October 11, 2017, 07:23:57 AM
Other than the preseason rankings, what is it that is keeping Scranton in the conversation?  They have played enough games at this point for everyone to know that they are not the team people guessed they would be.   Being able to get back in the regional rankings?  Why even think that at this point.

Quote from: Mid-Atlantic Fan on October 11, 2017, 07:35:41 AM

Quote from: franklyspeaking on October 11, 2017, 07:23:57 AM
Other than the preseason rankings, what is it that is keeping Scranton in the conversation?  They have played enough games at this point for everyone to know that they are not the team people guessed they would be.   Being able to get back in the regional rankings?  Why even think that at this point.

Before last night's match they had a decent chance to be ranked if they didn't lose heading into conference playoffs. Drew was ranked last season with 8 blemishes (5 losses and 3 ties). Scranton has 6 right now and after the debacle last night I doubt they sniff the NCAA regional rankings unless they win out. 11-6-0 verse the schedule they play would give them a shot depending on what others around the region do. But getting to double digit wins is even a stretch of a thought right now.

Quote from: Mid-Atlantic Fan on October 11, 2017, 07:51:09 AM
Mid-Atlantic - Poll 5 - October 10, 2017   
1   Messiah
2   Lycoming
3   Drew---def #6 Fords 2-1
4   Hopkins
5   Gettysburg---def Susquehanna 1-0
6   Haverford---lost to #3 Drew 2-1
7   Leb Val
8   Dickinson---def Scranton 6-0
9   Eastern
10   DeSales

Quote from: Shooter McGavin on October 11, 2017, 11:26:26 AM

Quote from: Mid-Atlantic Fan on October 11, 2017, 07:51:09 AM
Mid-Atlantic - Poll 5 - October 10, 2017   
1   Messiah
2   Lycoming
3   Drew---def #6 Fords 2-1
4   Hopkins
5   Gettysburg---def Susquehanna 1-0
6   Haverford---lost to #3 Drew 2-1
7   Leb Val
8   Dickinson---def Scranton 6-0
9   Eastern
10   DeSales

That could be the result that leaves Haverford out of NCAA's (assuming they don't win the AQ). 6 blemishes with Dickinson still left (another potential blemish) plus conference playoffs. Only 15 goals in 13 games for the Fords. The result vs Messiah is a saving grace but it was early on when teams are trying to sort things out. I don't think it merits as much weight as we once thought but nonetheless still the best result for them. Will it save them though? Currently looking at 1-3-0 RvR, SOS will be above .600, but head to head losses vs Gettysburg, Hopkins, and now Drew make it almost impossible for them to jump any of those teams. Depending on the Dickinson result they could also be jumped by them as well with as much as a tie in that game.  Ties vs Catholic, Muhlenberg, and Rutgers-Camden don't help the cause either. I will be interested to see where they land in next week's first NCAA regional rankings which doesn't include RvR but I can only see a decline from there as each new ranking comes out.

Quote from: backyarddawg on October 16, 2017, 10:27:33 PM
I still think out of all these teams Haverford has had the toughest schedule.  On the National Perspective chat they are speaking of schedules and I would put the Fords up there with anyone especially since they played a majority of them on the road.  I know 8-3-3 isn't great but if they finish with three wins and get to 11-3-3 I would think they would be higher on this list.

@Cabrini
N vs Messiah
N vs Etown
@JHU
@Scranton
@Getty
@Muhls
@Camden
@Drew
@WAC
@Dickinson

Quote from: Flying Weasel on October 17, 2017, 07:17:56 AM

Quote from: backyarddawg on October 16, 2017, 10:27:33 PM
I still think out of all these teams Haverford has had the toughest schedule.  On the National Perspective chat they are speaking of schedules and I would put the Fords up there with anyone especially since they played a majority of them on the road.  I know 8-3-3 isn't great but if they finish with three wins and get to 11-3-3 I would think they would be higher on this list.

@Cabrini
N vs Messiah
N vs Etown
@JHU
@Scranton
@Getty
@Muhls
@Camden
@Drew
@WAC
@Dickinson

Looks like the Haverford coach took a page out of Serpone's book up at Amherst, scheduling as many non-conference games away as possible to boost the SOS ! ! !   Before this year, Haverford's SOS would have been especially high given all those away matches, but now that the home/away multiplier has been eliminated it won't be quite as high.

Quote from: Mid-Atlantic Fan on October 17, 2017, 08:01:36 AM
Games to Watch

Tuesday
Messiah at Lyco
Scranton at Elmira
Leb Val at Stevenson
Eastern at Kings

Wednesday
McDaniel at Hopkins
Drew at Kean
F&M at Gettysburg
Ursinus at Haverford
Muhlenberg at Dickinson

Quote from: Shooter McGavin on October 17, 2017, 08:53:27 AM

Quote from: Mid-Atlantic Fan on October 17, 2017, 08:01:36 AM
Games to Watch

Tuesday
Messiah at Lyco
Scranton at Elmira
Leb Val at Stevenson
Eastern at Kings

Wednesday
McDaniel at Hopkins
Drew at Kean
F&M at Gettysburg
Ursinus at Haverford
Muhlenberg at Dickinson

Messiah at Lycoming is definitely the game to watch this week and maybe this year. I will be tuning into this one!

Quote from: rudy on October 17, 2017, 09:44:57 AM
Predictions? Lyco home field is nice for them but as a Homer I'll go with Messiah 1-0 or maybe OT 2-1.

Quote from: Flying Weasel on October 17, 2017, 07:17:56 AM

Quote from: backyarddawg on October 16, 2017, 10:27:33 PM
I still think out of all these teams Haverford has had the toughest schedule.  On the National Perspective chat they are speaking of schedules and I would put the Fords up there with anyone especially since they played a majority of them on the road.  I know 8-3-3 isn't great but if they finish with three wins and get to 11-3-3 I would think they would be higher on this list.

@Cabrini
N vs Messiah
N vs Etown
@JHU
@Scranton
@Getty
@Muhls
@Camden
@Drew
@WAC
@Dickinson

Looks like the Haverford coach took a page out of Serpone's book up at Amherst, scheduling as many non-conference games away as possible to boost the SOS ! ! !   Before this year, Haverford's SOS would have been especially high given all those away matches, but now that the home/away multiplier has been eliminated it won't be quite as high.

Quote from: EB2319 on October 17, 2017, 10:44:51 AM

Quote from: rudy on October 17, 2017, 09:44:57 AM
Predictions? Lyco home field is nice for them but as a Homer I'll go with Messiah 1-0 or maybe OT 2-1.

I'll take Lyco 2-1 OT.  Messiah has been playing with fire, and they're bound to end up on the short end of the stick eventually.

Quote from: Falconer on October 17, 2017, 10:58:01 AM

Quote from: Flying Weasel on October 17, 2017, 07:17:56 AM

Quote from: backyarddawg on October 16, 2017, 10:27:33 PM
I still think out of all these teams Haverford has had the toughest schedule.  On the National Perspective chat they are speaking of schedules and I would put the Fords up there with anyone especially since they played a majority of them on the road.  I know 8-3-3 isn't great but if they finish with three wins and get to 11-3-3 I would think they would be higher on this list.

@Cabrini
N vs Messiah
N vs Etown
@JHU
@Scranton
@Getty
@Muhls
@Camden
@Drew
@WAC
@Dickinson

Looks like the Haverford coach took a page out of Serpone's book up at Amherst, scheduling as many non-conference games away as possible to boost the SOS ! ! !   Before this year, Haverford's SOS would have been especially high given all those away matches, but now that the home/away multiplier has been eliminated it won't be quite as high.

Basically right, though it's worth pointing out that the game with Messiah was scheduled as a home game for Haverford. It got moved 5 miles down the road to Cabrini College's Sprinturf field at the last minute, owing to heavy rain. The rest of the scheduling, of course, speaks for itself.

The Falcons had played the Fords twice in the past decade, winning each contest.

2102: 4-0 win at Haverford
2011: 1-0 win in heavy rain at Gettysburg (don't remember why the game was located there, but it might have been the weather since they have FieldTurf)

So, they haven't actually played Haverford at home since ... I don't know when, although I know there were two more contests (both also Falcon victories) at some point in the distant past.

Perhaps they will have the Fords at home next year? If so, I hope it doesn't rain too hard. Would be nice to see that game on real, dry grass. It never helps the Falcons to play in other conditions. Never.  :-X

Quote from: Flying Weasel on October 17, 2017, 11:16:06 AM

Quote from: Falconer on October 17, 2017, 10:58:01 AM

Quote from: Flying Weasel on October 17, 2017, 07:17:56 AM

Quote from: backyarddawg on October 16, 2017, 10:27:33 PM
I still think out of all these teams Haverford has had the toughest schedule.  On the National Perspective chat they are speaking of schedules and I would put the Fords up there with anyone especially since they played a majority of them on the road.  I know 8-3-3 isn't great but if they finish with three wins and get to 11-3-3 I would think they would be higher on this list.

@Cabrini
N vs Messiah
N vs Etown
@JHU
@Scranton
@Getty
@Muhls
@Camden
@Drew
@WAC
@Dickinson

Looks like the Haverford coach took a page out of Serpone's book up at Amherst, scheduling as many non-conference games away as possible to boost the SOS ! ! !   Before this year, Haverford's SOS would have been especially high given all those away matches, but now that the home/away multiplier has been eliminated it won't be quite as high.

Basically right, though it's worth pointing out that the game with Messiah was scheduled as a home game for Haverford. It got moved 5 miles down the road to Cabrini College's Sprinturf field at the last minute, owing to heavy rain. The rest of the scheduling, of course, speaks for itself.

The Falcons had played the Fords twice in the past decade, winning each contest.

2102: 4-0 win at Haverford
2011: 1-0 win in heavy rain at Gettysburg (don't remember why the game was located there, but it might have been the weather since they have FieldTurf)

So, they haven't actually played Haverford at home since ... I don't know when, although I know there were two more contests (both also Falcon victories) at some point in the distant past.

Perhaps they will have the Fords at home next year? If so, I hope it doesn't rain too hard. Would be nice to see that game on real, dry grass. It never helps the Falcons to play in other conditions. Never.  :-X

No idea what this discussion has to do with the history of the the Messiah-Haverford match-up, but you are right that the Messiah game was scheduled as a home game.  Now as I understand it, the game was played at Rosemont College--not Cabrini--due to rain.  But whether the Messiah game had been played at home or a neutral site doesn't change the number of away games scheduled which was the reason for joking that Haverford was trying to copy Amherst.

Quote from: Mid-Atlantic Fan on October 17, 2017, 07:55:31 AM

Quote from: Flying Weasel on October 17, 2017, 07:17:56 AM

Quote from: backyarddawg on October 16, 2017, 10:27:33 PM
I still think out of all these teams Haverford has had the toughest schedule.  On the National Perspective chat they are speaking of schedules and I would put the Fords up there with anyone especially since they played a majority of them on the road.  I know 8-3-3 isn't great but if they finish with three wins and get to 11-3-3 I would think they would be higher on this list.

@Cabrini
N vs Messiah
N vs Etown
@JHU
@Scranton
@Getty
@Muhls
@Camden
@Drew
@WAC
@Dickinson

Looks like the Haverford coach took a page out of Serpone's book up at Amherst, scheduling as many non-conference games away as possible to boost the SOS ! ! !   Before this year, Haverford's SOS would have been especially high given all those away matches, but now that the home/away multiplier has been eliminated it won't be quite as high.

Disappointing they got ride of the home/away multiplier. I think there is a true difference between road games and home games and to place them as equal doesn't make much sense to me. Does anyone know why they got rid of this multiplier?

Quote from: backyarddawg on October 17, 2017, 11:47:33 AM
According to college coaches I am friends with, the NCAA decided to do away with the multiplier after the new year so many coaches played away games which maybe they would not in the future.  The reason I heard is the multiplier was too different between home and away.

Quote from: Mid-Atlantic Fan on October 17, 2017, 07:55:31 AM

Quote from: Flying Weasel on October 17, 2017, 07:17:56 AM

Quote from: backyarddawg on October 16, 2017, 10:27:33 PM
I still think out of all these teams Haverford has had the toughest schedule.  On the National Perspective chat they are speaking of schedules and I would put the Fords up there with anyone especially since they played a majority of them on the road.  I know 8-3-3 isn't great but if they finish with three wins and get to 11-3-3 I would think they would be higher on this list.

@Cabrini
N vs Messiah
N vs Etown
@JHU
@Scranton
@Getty
@Muhls
@Camden
@Drew
@WAC
@Dickinson

Looks like the Haverford coach took a page out of Serpone's book up at Amherst, scheduling as many non-conference games away as possible to boost the SOS ! ! !   Before this year, Haverford's SOS would have been especially high given all those away matches, but now that the home/away multiplier has been eliminated it won't be quite as high.

Disappointing they got ride of the home/away multiplier. I think there is a true difference between road games and home games and to place them as equal doesn't make much sense to me. Does anyone know why they got rid of this multiplier?

Quote from: Shooter McGavin on October 17, 2017, 11:59:14 AM

Quote from: backyarddawg on October 17, 2017, 11:47:33 AM
According to college coaches I am friends with, the NCAA decided to do away with the multiplier after the new year so many coaches played away games which maybe they would not in the future.  The reason I heard is the multiplier was too different between home and away.

Quote from: Mid-Atlantic Fan on October 17, 2017, 07:55:31 AM

Quote from: Flying Weasel on October 17, 2017, 07:17:56 AM

Quote from: backyarddawg on October 16, 2017, 10:27:33 PM
I still think out of all these teams Haverford has had the toughest schedule.  On the National Perspective chat they are speaking of schedules and I would put the Fords up there with anyone especially since they played a majority of them on the road.  I know 8-3-3 isn't great but if they finish with three wins and get to 11-3-3 I would think they would be higher on this list.

@Cabrini
N vs Messiah
N vs Etown
@JHU
@Scranton
@Getty
@Muhls
@Camden
@Drew
@WAC
@Dickinson

Looks like the Haverford coach took a page out of Serpone's book up at Amherst, scheduling as many non-conference games away as possible to boost the SOS ! ! !   Before this year, Haverford's SOS would have been especially high given all those away matches, but now that the home/away multiplier has been eliminated it won't be quite as high.

Disappointing they got ride of the home/away multiplier. I think there is a true difference between road games and home games and to place them as equal doesn't make much sense to me. Does anyone know why they got rid of this multiplier?

You would think the logical thing to do would be to start that next season (2018) since teams have schedules done almost a year in advance.

Quote from: Mid-Atlantic Fan on October 17, 2017, 07:55:31 AM

Quote from: Flying Weasel on October 17, 2017, 07:17:56 AM

Quote from: backyarddawg on October 16, 2017, 10:27:33 PM
I still think out of all these teams Haverford has had the toughest schedule.  On the National Perspective chat they are speaking of schedules and I would put the Fords up there with anyone especially since they played a majority of them on the road.  I know 8-3-3 isn't great but if they finish with three wins and get to 11-3-3 I would think they would be higher on this list.

@Cabrini
N vs Messiah
N vs Etown
@JHU
@Scranton
@Getty
@Muhls
@Camden
@Drew
@WAC
@Dickinson

Looks like the Haverford coach took a page out of Serpone's book up at Amherst, scheduling as many non-conference games away as possible to boost the SOS ! ! !   Before this year, Haverford's SOS would have been especially high given all those away matches, but now that the home/away multiplier has been eliminated it won't be quite as high.

Disappointing they got ride of the home/away multiplier. I think there is a true difference between road games and home games and to place them as equal doesn't make much sense to me. Does anyone know why they got rid of this multiplier?

QuoteThe committee approved that the current strength of schedule multiplier be eliminated from the strength of schedule calculation, effective with the 2017 championship. Due to a revised calculation from the original method, the current strength of schedule multiplier is no longer achieving the intended effect as when the multiplier was implemented for the men in 2011.

Quote from: Shooter McGavin on October 17, 2017, 08:53:27 AM

Quote from: Mid-Atlantic Fan on October 17, 2017, 08:01:36 AM
Games to Watch

Tuesday
Messiah at Lyco
Scranton at Elmira
Leb Val at Stevenson
Eastern at Kings

Wednesday
McDaniel at Hopkins
Drew at Kean
F&M at Gettysburg
Ursinus at Haverford
Muhlenberg at Dickinson

Messiah at Lycoming is definitely the game to watch this week and maybe this year. I will be tuning into this one!

Quote from: Mr.Right on October 17, 2017, 01:47:44 PM

Quote from: Shooter McGavin on October 17, 2017, 08:53:27 AM

Quote from: Mid-Atlantic Fan on October 17, 2017, 08:01:36 AM
Games to Watch

Tuesday
Messiah at Lyco
Scranton at Elmira
Leb Val at Stevenson
Eastern at Kings

Wednesday
McDaniel at Hopkins
Drew at Kean
F&M at Gettysburg
Ursinus at Haverford
Muhlenberg at Dickinson

Messiah at Lycoming is definitely the game to watch this week and maybe this year. I will be tuning into this one!

I will be as well to get a sense of what Lycoming has as I have not seen them this year. I have seen Messiah about 3-4 times.

Quote from: Flying Weasel on October 17, 2017, 04:20:42 PM
Halftime: Messiah 1, Lycoming 0

Shots: Lycoming 2 : 5 Messiah

SOG: Lycoming 1 : 3 Messiah

Corners: Lycoming 0 : 0 Messiah

Fouls: Lycoming 9 : 3 Messiah

Quote from: rudy on October 17, 2017, 09:44:57 AM

Quote from: Shooter McGavin on October 17, 2017, 08:53:27 AM

Quote from: Mid-Atlantic Fan on October 17, 2017, 08:01:36 AM
Games to Watch

Tuesday
Messiah at Lyco
Scranton at Elmira
Leb Val at Stevenson
Eastern at Kings

Wednesday
McDaniel at Hopkins
Drew at Kean
F&M at Gettysburg
Ursinus at Haverford
Muhlenberg at Dickinson

Messiah at Lycoming is definitely the game to watch this week and maybe this year. I will be tuning into this one!

Predictions? Lyco home field is nice for them but as a Homer I'll go with Messiah 1-0 or maybe OT 2-1.

Quote from: Mr.Right on October 17, 2017, 05:24:49 PM
Final Score....Messiah 1-0 over Lycoming...Good game BUT that field does no one any favors..It obviously affected Messiah but besides long throws I think it doesn't help Lycoming as well...Their final pass just was not there in this game

Quote from: Mr.Right on October 17, 2017, 05:24:49 PM
Final Score....Messiah 1-0 over Lycoming...Good game BUT that field does no one any favors..It obviously affected Messiah but besides long throws I think it doesn't help Lycoming as well...Their final pass just was not there in this game

Quote from: Falconer on October 17, 2017, 06:22:51 PM

Quote from: Mr.Right on October 17, 2017, 05:24:49 PM
Final Score....Messiah 1-0 over Lycoming...Good game BUT that field does no one any favors..It obviously affected Messiah but besides long throws I think it doesn't help Lycoming as well...Their final pass just was not there in this game

Now you see, Mr Right, why I'm always nervous when the Falcons have to win in Williamsport in order to keep home field advantage for the conference playoffs. Lose there, and they are a good bet to lose again in the conference final. This year they would still get a bid in that scenario, but not necessarily in some other year. Lycoming started to become a serious threat in the conference not too many years ago, but ever since then they usually play Messiah dead even, or almost dead even, when the game is in their place.

That very narrow artificial surface just kills Messiah's offense. You saw it today. Lycoming knows how to use it to their advantage. They're very athletic, skilled, and well coached (except for a tendency to pick up needless fouls, which could really hurt them in the tournament where the officiating is usually pretty tight). They just try to create havoc, get the loose balls, and generate good shots off turnovers. They have the horses to do it, as you saw today. Not pretty soccer, not by a long shot, but very effective soccer against most teams.

Quote from: Flying Weasel on October 17, 2017, 07:28:24 PM
The smaller field helps Lyco close down and double team opponents much more quickly than you could do on a larger field and to do so without tiring as fast because it's less ground to cover.  On a larger field, playing that way, you won't be as effective and you'll tire.  So it's a dual effect that benefits Lyco at home.  Messiah certainly has had some squads during their reign as kings of D-III that would have been able to handle this better than the Messiah of the past few years.  Glad to see the Falcons get out of Williamsport with the win and kind of get that monkey off their backs.  For so long E-town was that rival that pushed Messiah to be at their best, than is was York and now Lycoming is that team.  Would love to have all three be Top 25 caliber teams each year.  It's always great to have more dates you circle on the calendar when the schedules come out.

Quote from: Mr.Right on October 17, 2017, 08:13:22 PM
I agree MId-Atlantic that Messiah matched Lyco's physicality very well. Not sure Messiah had more than 1 dangerous chance 2nd half except for Brandt's near miss

Quote from: Mid-Atlantic Fan on October 17, 2017, 07:40:55 PM
I agree with most of those assessments. Mr. Right I believe that shot was saved by the GK. Heck of a save. Messiah's lack of depth would be the big concern for Falcon fans. The starting 11 might be the best in the country but they looked tired in that second half and didn't sub more than 4 or 5 guys. Much different than years past where they would sub much more. I thought Messiah got away with 2 potential PK calls in the second half. Lycoming's forward had to be helped off the field after what looked like a foul in the box but no call came from it. The other was a potential handball that the entire team went nuts about on the field. Tough position for the official and although I don't think he did a bad job I don't think I would say he did a good job. The game was more physical than I anticipated from Messiah's perspective. They seemed up to the challenge and tackled harder than I have seen in the past. Not sure if that's good or bad but just an observation. Overall I thought it was a quality game and both sides are extremely talented.

Quote from: backyarddawg on October 18, 2017, 09:35:44 AM
Any thoughts on Regional rankings for the Mid-Atlantic?

1 - Messiah
2 - JHU
3 - Lyco
4 - Getty
5 - Drew
6 - Fords
7 - LVC
8 - Dickinson

Others:
Eastern, Kings, Scranton

Quote from: Mid-Atlantic Fan on October 18, 2017, 10:42:08 AM

Quote from: backyarddawg on October 18, 2017, 09:35:44 AM
Any thoughts on Regional rankings for the Mid-Atlantic?

1 - Messiah
2 - JHU
3 - Lyco
4 - Getty
5 - Drew
6 - Fords
7 - LVC
8 - Dickinson

Others:
Eastern, Kings, Scranton

I am thinking something like this...

1. Messiah
2. Lycoming
3. Hopkins
4. Drew
5. Gettysburg
6. Haverford
7. Dickinson
8. Leb Val
9. Eastern
10. ??? DeSales/Kings/Etown/Moravian/Scranton/F&M

Quote from: backyarddawg on October 18, 2017, 10:51:53 AM

Quote from: Mid-Atlantic Fan on October 18, 2017, 10:42:08 AM

Quote from: backyarddawg on October 18, 2017, 09:35:44 AM
Any thoughts on Regional rankings for the Mid-Atlantic?

1 - Messiah
2 - JHU
3 - Lyco
4 - Getty
5 - Drew
6 - Fords
7 - LVC
8 - Dickinson

Others:
Eastern, Kings, Scranton

I am thinking something like this...

1. Messiah
2. Lycoming
3. Hopkins
4. Drew
5. Gettysburg
6. Haverford
7. Dickinson
8. Leb Val
9. Eastern
10. ??? DeSales/Kings/Etown/Moravian/Scranton/F&M

I believe these rankings are based on W% and SOS correct?

Quote from: Shooter McGavin on October 18, 2017, 11:18:41 AM
SOS and RvR are looked at almost equally. But for the first one there are no RvR so SOS will have more of an emphasis along with win% and head to head if I had to guess.

Quote from: Mr.Right on October 18, 2017, 01:38:09 PM
Giving Messiah their only loss will be big IMO. Alone it would not get them in but if they could get 3 wins v Ranked it would push them over the line.

Quote from: Mid-Atlantic Fan on October 18, 2017, 01:49:37 PM

Quote from: Mr.Right on October 18, 2017, 01:38:09 PM
Giving Messiah their only loss will be big IMO. Alone it would not get them in but if they could get 3 wins v Ranked it would push them over the line.

I think it will depend on the others ahead of them and their SOS/RvR as well. The win vs Messiah is massive to keep them alive but they already have 6 blemishes. Assuming they don't win the Centennial Championship that adds another blemish putting them at 7. That doesn't even include the 3 remaining games which aren't going to be easy for them. Losses to Drew, Gettysburg and Hopkins all will make it difficult to jump those teams with the head to head factor. Then the 3 poor ties on top of that hurt too. Right now if I am guessing correctly they will be 1-3-0 RvR for the 2nd rankings and a toss up for what happens with Dickinson is a ranked result one way or the other. That's not good enough to jump those other teams that have the head to head, better winning %, similar SOS and possibly better or similar RvR.

Quote from: Mr.Right on October 18, 2017, 02:03:26 PM

Quote from: Mid-Atlantic Fan on October 18, 2017, 01:49:37 PM

Quote from: Mr.Right on October 18, 2017, 01:38:09 PM
Giving Messiah their only loss will be big IMO. Alone it would not get them in but if they could get 3 wins v Ranked it would push them over the line.

I think it will depend on the others ahead of them and their SOS/RvR as well. The win vs Messiah is massive to keep them alive but they already have 6 blemishes. Assuming they don't win the Centennial Championship that adds another blemish putting them at 7. That doesn't even include the 3 remaining games which aren't going to be easy for them. Losses to Drew, Gettysburg and Hopkins all will make it difficult to jump those teams with the head to head factor. Then the 3 poor ties on top of that hurt too. Right now if I am guessing correctly they will be 1-3-0 RvR for the 2nd rankings and a toss up for what happens with Dickinson is a ranked result one way or the other. That's not good enough to jump those other teams that have the head to head, better winning %, similar SOS and possibly better or similar RvR.

Oh i was being lazy and did not check their record. Had no idea they already have 6 losses. Yea they would have to win out and draw in the Centennial Championship game by PK's to have a shot I guess.

Quote from: Mr.Right on October 18, 2017, 06:43:32 PM
So how did Eastern get ranked with a sub .500 SOS? Has that been eliminated?

Quote from: Flying Weasel on October 18, 2017, 05:00:32 PM
MID-ATLANTIC REGIONAL RANKINGS
http://www.d3soccer.com/rankings/2017/Men/regional-rankings-1 (http://www.d3soccer.com/rankings/2017/Men/regional-rankings-1) / http://www.ncaa.com/rankings/soccer-men/d3 (http://www.ncaa.com/rankings/soccer-men/d3)

Rank   School   Division III   Overall    SOS
1.   Messiah   13-1-0   13-1-0   0.606
2.   Johns Hopkins   11-1-2   11-1-2   0.560
3.   Gettysburg   11-2-0   11-2-0   0.580
4.   Lycoming   14-1-0   14-1-0   0.542
5.   Haverford   8-3-3   8-3-3   0.621
6.   Dickinson   9-4-1   9-4-1   0.589
7.   Drew   14-0-1   14-0-1   0.515
8.   Lebanon Valley   9-2-1   9-2-1   0.522
9.   Elizabethtown   8-5-1   8-5-1   0.602
10.   Eastern   10-3-0   10-3-0   0.497 

Data Sheets: http://www.d3soccer.com/rankings/2017/men/Data_10-18/Mid-Atlantic_Men_Data_10-18-17.pdf (http://www.d3soccer.com/rankings/2017/men/Data_10-18/Mid-Atlantic_Men_Data_10-18-17.pdf) / http://web1.ncaa.org/champsel_new/exec/staticpdfrank?doWhat=publicrankingsRedirect&sportCode=MSO&region=15&division=3 (http://web1.ncaa.org/champsel_new/exec/staticpdfrank?doWhat=publicrankingsRedirect&sportCode=MSO&region=15&division=3)

Quote from: rudy on October 18, 2017, 08:35:44 PM

Quote from: Flying Weasel on October 18, 2017, 05:00:32 PM
MID-ATLANTIC REGIONAL RANKINGS
http://www.d3soccer.com/rankings/2017/Men/regional-rankings-1 (http://www.d3soccer.com/rankings/2017/Men/regional-rankings-1) / http://www.ncaa.com/rankings/soccer-men/d3 (http://www.ncaa.com/rankings/soccer-men/d3)

Rank   School   Division III   Overall    SOS
1.   Messiah   13-1-0   13-1-0   0.606
2.   Johns Hopkins   11-1-2   11-1-2   0.560
3.   Gettysburg   11-2-0   11-2-0   0.580
4.   Lycoming   14-1-0   14-1-0   0.542
5.   Haverford   8-3-3   8-3-3   0.621
6.   Dickinson   9-4-1   9-4-1   0.589
7.   Drew   14-0-1   14-0-1   0.515
8.   Lebanon Valley   9-2-1   9-2-1   0.522
9.   Elizabethtown   8-5-1   8-5-1   0.602
10.   Eastern   10-3-0   10-3-0   0.497 

Data Sheets: http://www.d3soccer.com/rankings/2017/men/Data_10-18/Mid-Atlantic_Men_Data_10-18-17.pdf (http://www.d3soccer.com/rankings/2017/men/Data_10-18/Mid-Atlantic_Men_Data_10-18-17.pdf) / http://web1.ncaa.org/champsel_new/exec/staticpdfrank?doWhat=publicrankingsRedirect&sportCode=MSO&region=15&division=3 (http://web1.ncaa.org/champsel_new/exec/staticpdfrank?doWhat=publicrankingsRedirect&sportCode=MSO&region=15&division=3)

So the SOS you show here is only for conference SOS according to the data sheets right?  I assume out of conference SOS (also in Data) is considered as well in the ranking?  Eastern has a .573 out of conf SOS. Maybe that boosts them

Quote from: Flying Weasel on October 19, 2017, 08:30:13 AM
And with Messiah hosting LVC and Dickinson hosting Haverford on Saturday, the RvR for those four teams will change for next week's rankings.  Messiah could have a 7-1-0 RvR.  They could very well lose a win or two by selection Monday depending if some teams would drop out of the rankings, but--stating the obvious--Messiah is a Pool C lock with that SOS and probably assured of 5 wins vs. ranked teams even if they would lose to LVC Saturday and lose in the Commonwealth playoffs.

Quote from: Mid-Atlantic Fan on October 20, 2017, 08:15:19 AM
Games to Watch
Lycoming at Stevenson (Friday)
Leb Val at Messiah
Hopkins at Ursinus
Drew at Catholic
Gettysburg at Swat
Eastern at Wilkes
DeSales at Kings
Scranton at Goucher
Haverford at Dickinson
Susquehanna at Etown
F&M at Washington

Quote from: Falconer on October 21, 2017, 08:35:14 PM
Messiah gets a golden goal in 2 OT to beat LVC, 2-1. All things considered, it's good to have two very tough conference opponents (Lycoming of course is the other) in the wake of Etown leaving the conference a few years ago. LVC had multiple chances to win this one, just as Messiah had multiple chances for more goals only to be skunked by Cam Avery, LVC's excellent keeper. Conner Bell for the Falcons also saved their bacon more than once. A back and forth game, though Messiah did have the bulk of possession.

Kirby Robbins got both goals, and both were highly skilled shots with his left foot. He has emerged as the missing Falcon finisher at just the right point in the season. He gets the game ball, with honorable mention to keeper Bell and both outside backs, Quintin and Bender. The defense definitely looked shakier tonight than in some other recent games, but that's partly owing to the greatly improved attack that LVC now has. They can be relied upon to score goals against excellent teams. This year they had 2 vs Gettysburg, 1 vs Messiah, and almost 1 (a missed PK) vs Lycoming. Can't figure out how they lost to a not very good Muhlenberg side to open the season. If that one went the other way, their only losses would be to Lycoming and Messiah. Rowan can say the same thing, but I don't really think they are nearly as good as Rowan. Will be interesting to see how they do in the conference tourney, now less than two weeks away.

A huge crowd for homecoming in Grantham, upwards of 3000 for sure. Earlier today I saw attendance figures for 2015 NCAA soccer in all 3 divisions. Messiah obviously led D3 by almost a 2-1 margin, but they also would have led D2 in attendance. In D1 they would have finished 15th in average attendance, right behind UVA.

Quote from: redsoccer06 on October 23, 2017, 11:38:59 AM

Quote from: Falconer on October 21, 2017, 08:35:14 PM
Messiah gets a golden goal in 2 OT to beat LVC, 2-1. All things considered, it's good to have two very tough conference opponents (Lycoming of course is the other) in the wake of Etown leaving the conference a few years ago. LVC had multiple chances to win this one, just as Messiah had multiple chances for more goals only to be skunked by Cam Avery, LVC's excellent keeper. Conner Bell for the Falcons also saved their bacon more than once. A back and forth game, though Messiah did have the bulk of possession.

Kirby Robbins got both goals, and both were highly skilled shots with his left foot. He has emerged as the missing Falcon finisher at just the right point in the season. He gets the game ball, with honorable mention to keeper Bell and both outside backs, Quintin and Bender. The defense definitely looked shakier tonight than in some other recent games, but that's partly owing to the greatly improved attack that LVC now has. They can be relied upon to score goals against excellent teams. This year they had 2 vs Gettysburg, 1 vs Messiah, and almost 1 (a missed PK) vs Lycoming. Can't figure out how they lost to a not very good Muhlenberg side to open the season. If that one went the other way, their only losses would be to Lycoming and Messiah. Rowan can say the same thing, but I don't really think they are nearly as good as Rowan. Will be interesting to see how they do in the conference tourney, now less than two weeks away.

A huge crowd for homecoming in Grantham, upwards of 3000 for sure. Earlier today I saw attendance figures for 2015 NCAA soccer in all 3 divisions. Messiah obviously led D3 by almost a 2-1 margin, but they also would have led D2 in attendance. In D1 they would have finished 15th in average attendance, right behind UVA.

Messiah definitely isn't the offense juggernaut that they were in the past. In 2013, they had SEVEN different players finish the season with 15+ points. This year, they have three, and have a chance for four at best by season's end. They're also not getting help from their second group. I haven't had a chance to watch Messiah much this year... Are they subbing less or is their second group just not getting it done?

Quote from: PaulNewman on October 23, 2017, 11:40:59 AM
Falconer, could you post the top 5-10 for attendance in D3?  I'm curious to see who comes after Messiah.  I would assume OWU is up there, and probably historically Wheaton (Ill), maybe Trinity (TX), maybe Loras, probably CNU, maybe a Roanoke and/or Lynchburg, maybe a Centennial school.  SLU?  Calvin?  Hope?

Quote from: PaulNewman on October 23, 2017, 11:40:59 AM
Falconer, could you post the top 5-10 for attendance in D3?  I'm curious to see who comes after Messiah.  I would assume OWU is up there, and probably historically Wheaton (Ill), maybe Trinity (TX), maybe Loras, probably CNU, maybe a Roanoke and/or Lynchburg, maybe a Centennial school.  SLU?  Calvin?  Hope?

Quote from: Flying Weasel on October 23, 2017, 12:47:46 PM
However, keep in mind that these numbers are all self-reported and who knows how often they come form a true count versus an estimate since regular season games often are free.  And how accurate those estimates are probably varies considerably.

If you look at the single-game attendance highs which are primarily Messiah's, I honestly have no idea how Messiah reports attendances so precisely since the games are free until conference and NCAA tournament games.  I would think rounding to the nearest 100 would be the best you could really do most nights.

Quote from: rudy on October 23, 2017, 12:17:30 PM

Quote from: redsoccer06 on October 23, 2017, 11:38:59 AM

Quote from: Falconer on October 21, 2017, 08:35:14 PM
Messiah gets a golden goal in 2 OT to beat LVC, 2-1. All things considered, it's good to have two very tough conference opponents (Lycoming of course is the other) in the wake of Etown leaving the conference a few years ago. LVC had multiple chances to win this one, just as Messiah had multiple chances for more goals only to be skunked by Cam Avery, LVC's excellent keeper. Conner Bell for the Falcons also saved their bacon more than once. A back and forth game, though Messiah did have the bulk of possession.

Kirby Robbins got both goals, and both were highly skilled shots with his left foot. He has emerged as the missing Falcon finisher at just the right point in the season. He gets the game ball, with honorable mention to keeper Bell and both outside backs, Quintin and Bender. The defense definitely looked shakier tonight than in some other recent games, but that's partly owing to the greatly improved attack that LVC now has. They can be relied upon to score goals against excellent teams. This year they had 2 vs Gettysburg, 1 vs Messiah, and almost 1 (a missed PK) vs Lycoming. Can't figure out how they lost to a not very good Muhlenberg side to open the season. If that one went the other way, their only losses would be to Lycoming and Messiah. Rowan can say the same thing, but I don't really think they are nearly as good as Rowan. Will be interesting to see how they do in the conference tourney, now less than two weeks away.

A huge crowd for homecoming in Grantham, upwards of 3000 for sure. Earlier today I saw attendance figures for 2015 NCAA soccer in all 3 divisions. Messiah obviously led D3 by almost a 2-1 margin, but they also would have led D2 in attendance. In D1 they would have finished 15th in average attendance, right behind UVA.

Messiah definitely isn't the offense juggernaut that they were in the past. In 2013, they had SEVEN different players finish the season with 15+ points. This year, they have three, and have a chance for four at best by season's end. They're also not getting help from their second group. I haven't had a chance to watch Messiah much this year... Are they subbing less or is their second group just not getting it done?

The second line has a soph that can definitely score but maybe not getting as much time as he could. Hastletine has 2 goals in limited action. Last year I think he had 4 goals. He definitely is a scorer. On goal on a header and the other off his foot. I expect next year with graduation he may get opportunity.  Plaza can also score but has not shot much this year

Quote from: Flying Weasel on October 23, 2017, 01:06:56 PM
And who knows which schools don't even bother to report attendance.  If my memory serves me, in the early 2000's Messiah wasn't reporting attendance and so even though they surely were near the top in attendance, the record books didn't reflect that.  Now, 15 or so year later, Messiah reports attendances to the person (how, I have no idea).  Anyway, maybe even now there are some schools that draw very well, but don't report their attendances.

Quote from: Flying Weasel on October 24, 2017, 12:34:17 PM
How are you updating the SOS?  A heck of a lot of number crunching goes into the OOWP portion of the SOS.


Forget that.  I see that you did not update the SOS's either.  The "(thru 10/23)" after "SOS" threw me.

Quote from: Shooter McGavin on October 24, 2017, 04:20:37 PM
Don't know all of the RvR and we will find out tomorrow but based on knowing some of those numbers, the SOS from last week and this week's results I think there will be some shifting in the rankings. I will give it my best guess.

1. Messiah (that was easy)
2. Hopkins
3. Lyco
4. Gettysburg
5. Dickinson
6. Haverford
7. Drew
8. LVC
9. F&M
10. Etown

Quote from: EB2319 on October 25, 2017, 08:57:17 AM
You're probably pretty close, but I would certainly not want to play Drew - I don't care what their SOS is.

Quote from: PaulNewman on October 25, 2017, 09:24:29 AM
Is F&M a dangerous sleeper team if they can find a way to get into the tournament....AQ or otherwise?  Didn't look but assume their SoS is good.

Quote from: Flying Weasel on October 25, 2017, 11:02:46 AM

It's going to help them that the Mid-Atlantic has the extra spot this year (10 versus 9 in previous years), as that could help them have one more opponent that they beat in the rankings.  The change in the RvR criteria to include both the 4th/Final rankings and the 3rd Weekly rankings could also help them hold onto an extra win vs. ranked if two of the teams they beat would swap in and out from the 3rd to the 4th/Final ranking. Actually, that could help them hold onto both a Mid-Atlantic win versus ranked as well as Stevens in the East region.

Quote from: Falconer on October 25, 2017, 08:57:23 PM
Falcons win 1-0 on a brilliant breakaway goal by Nick West with no time left in regulation. The official assist (singular) goes to Kirby Robbins, but there should have been a second to Brit Haseltine for his perfect through pass to Robbins from the defensive third. The goal ended a very frustrating evening for Messiah, in which Hood's keeper and back line saved several good SOG including a great one saved off the line. Hood threatened a few times in the first half, almost never in the second half, but still were in it with under a minute left. Congratulations to them for a hard-played, well-organized defensive effort at home.

Quote from: Flying Weasel on October 25, 2017, 05:16:06 PM
MID-ATLANTIC REGION - NCAA REGIONAL RANKINGS - October 25, 2017

Rank	School	. Div. III . Record	. Div. III . SOS	. R-v-R .	. Non-Conf. . SOS	. Overall . Record	. Prev. . Rank
1.	Messiah	15-1-0	0.618	7-1-0	0.652	15-1-0	1
2.	Lycoming	15-2-0	0.552	3-1-0	0.553	15-2-0	4
3.	Gettysburg	12-3-0	0.563	3-2-0	0.554	12-3-0	3
4.	Johns Hopkins	13-1-2	0.535	3-1-0	0.549	13-1-2	2
5.	Dickinson	10-4-2	0.577	3-3-0	0.644	10-4-2	6
6.	Drew	16-0-1	0.528	2-0-0	0.548	16-0-1	7
7.	Haverford	9-4-3	0.607	3-4-0	0.652	9-4-3	5
8.	Lebanon Valley	10-3-1	0.538	1-2-0	0.525	10-3-1	8
9.	Scranton	10-6-0	0.555	2-4-0	0.566	10-6-0	--
10.	Elizabethtown	9-5-1	0.595	1-3-0	0.622	9-5-1	9

Quote from: Mid-Atlantic Fan on October 26, 2017, 09:24:19 AM

Quote from: Flying Weasel on October 25, 2017, 05:16:06 PM
MID-ATLANTIC REGION - NCAA REGIONAL RANKINGS - October 25, 2017

Rank	School	. Div. III . Record	. Div. III . SOS	. R-v-R .	. Non-Conf. . SOS	. Overall . Record	. Prev. . Rank
1.	Messiah	15-1-0	0.618	7-1-0	0.652	15-1-0	1
2.	Lycoming	15-2-0	0.552	3-1-0	0.553	15-2-0	4
3.	Gettysburg	12-3-0	0.563	3-2-0	0.554	12-3-0	3
4.	Johns Hopkins	13-1-2	0.535	3-1-0	0.549	13-1-2	2
5.	Dickinson	10-4-2	0.577	3-3-0	0.644	10-4-2	6
6.	Drew	16-0-1	0.528	2-0-0	0.548	16-0-1	7
7.	Haverford	9-4-3	0.607	3-4-0	0.652	9-4-3	5
8.	Lebanon Valley	10-3-1	0.538	1-2-0	0.525	10-3-1	8
9.	Scranton	10-6-0	0.555	2-4-0	0.566	10-6-0	--
10.	Elizabethtown	9-5-1	0.595	1-3-0	0.622	9-5-1	9

I am a little perplexed by Gettysburg being ahead of Hopkins given the head to head win for Hopkins which was @Gettysburg btw, better record/winning %, more overall wins, less losses, and better RvR. All of that cannot be outweighed by a lower SOS. I think the committee got that one wrong but other than that the region looks like it should. Hopkins will certainly pass Gettysburg in the next rankings after Gettysburg's blunder to Catholic.

Quote from: Hopkins92 on October 26, 2017, 09:59:55 AM

Quote from: Mid-Atlantic Fan on October 26, 2017, 09:24:19 AM

Quote from: Flying Weasel on October 25, 2017, 05:16:06 PM
MID-ATLANTIC REGION - NCAA REGIONAL RANKINGS - October 25, 2017

Rank	School	. Div. III . Record	. Div. III . SOS	. R-v-R .	. Non-Conf. . SOS	. Overall . Record	. Prev. . Rank
1.	Messiah	15-1-0	0.618	7-1-0	0.652	15-1-0	1
2.	Lycoming	15-2-0	0.552	3-1-0	0.553	15-2-0	4
3.	Gettysburg	12-3-0	0.563	3-2-0	0.554	12-3-0	3
4.	Johns Hopkins	13-1-2	0.535	3-1-0	0.549	13-1-2	2
5.	Dickinson	10-4-2	0.577	3-3-0	0.644	10-4-2	6
6.	Drew	16-0-1	0.528	2-0-0	0.548	16-0-1	7
7.	Haverford	9-4-3	0.607	3-4-0	0.652	9-4-3	5
8.	Lebanon Valley	10-3-1	0.538	1-2-0	0.525	10-3-1	8
9.	Scranton	10-6-0	0.555	2-4-0	0.566	10-6-0	--
10.	Elizabethtown	9-5-1	0.595	1-3-0	0.622	9-5-1	9

I am a little perplexed by Gettysburg being ahead of Hopkins given the head to head win for Hopkins which was @Gettysburg btw, better record/winning %, more overall wins, less losses, and better RvR. All of that cannot be outweighed by a lower SOS. I think the committee got that one wrong but other than that the region looks like it should. Hopkins will certainly pass Gettysburg in the next rankings after Gettysburg's blunder to Catholic.

Yeah, I know there's a lag, but it sure seems odd for a team to drop 2 spots. That said, their October run had a tough loss @ Messiah, and then 2 ties at home (Muhlenberg, Swat.)

Quote from: EB2319 on October 26, 2017, 09:03:08 AM
Yet again, Messiah wins by the skin of their teeth.  I don't know if all these games are making them a battle-hardened team poised to win it all, or if fate will finally catch up and they get blown out in the second round.  I honestly wouldn't be surprised with either result.

Quote from: rudy on October 26, 2017, 01:48:08 PM

Quote from: EB2319 on October 26, 2017, 09:03:08 AM
Yet again, Messiah wins by the skin of their teeth.  I don't know if all these games are making them a battle-hardened team poised to win it all, or if fate will finally catch up and they get blown out in the second round.  I honestly wouldn't be surprised with either result.

Blown out no...but could drop a game by  a goal. Certainly have pulled out a few games this year with a timely goal. They need Plaza back and healthy.

Quote from: Mid-Atlantic Fan on October 26, 2017, 06:13:30 PM

Quote from: rudy on October 26, 2017, 01:48:08 PM

Quote from: EB2319 on October 26, 2017, 09:03:08 AM
Yet again, Messiah wins by the skin of their teeth.  I don't know if all these games are making them a battle-hardened team poised to win it all, or if fate will finally catch up and they get blown out in the second round.  I honestly wouldn't be surprised with either result.

Blown out no...but could drop a game by  a goal. Certainly have pulled out a few games this year with a timely goal. They need Plaza back and healthy.

What is Plaza's injury status? Do we even know what he injured? They look a little lost without him in the past few games.

Quote from: Hopkins92 on October 26, 2017, 09:59:55 AM

Quote from: Mid-Atlantic Fan on October 26, 2017, 09:24:19 AM

Quote from: Flying Weasel on October 25, 2017, 05:16:06 PM
MID-ATLANTIC REGION - NCAA REGIONAL RANKINGS - October 25, 2017

Rank	School	. Div. III . Record	. Div. III . SOS	. R-v-R .	. Non-Conf. . SOS	. Overall . Record	. Prev. . Rank
1.	Messiah	15-1-0	0.618	7-1-0	0.652	15-1-0	1
2.	Lycoming	15-2-0	0.552	3-1-0	0.553	15-2-0	4
3.	Gettysburg	12-3-0	0.563	3-2-0	0.554	12-3-0	3
4.	Johns Hopkins	13-1-2	0.535	3-1-0	0.549	13-1-2	2
5.	Dickinson	10-4-2	0.577	3-3-0	0.644	10-4-2	6
6.	Drew	16-0-1	0.528	2-0-0	0.548	16-0-1	7
7.	Haverford	9-4-3	0.607	3-4-0	0.652	9-4-3	5
8.	Lebanon Valley	10-3-1	0.538	1-2-0	0.525	10-3-1	8
9.	Scranton	10-6-0	0.555	2-4-0	0.566	10-6-0	--
10.	Elizabethtown	9-5-1	0.595	1-3-0	0.622	9-5-1	9

I am a little perplexed by Gettysburg being ahead of Hopkins given the head to head win for Hopkins which was @Gettysburg btw, better record/winning %, more overall wins, less losses, and better RvR. All of that cannot be outweighed by a lower SOS. I think the committee got that one wrong but other than that the region looks like it should. Hopkins will certainly pass Gettysburg in the next rankings after Gettysburg's blunder to Catholic.

Yeah, I know there's a lag, but it sure seems odd for a team to drop 2 spots. That said, their October run had a tough loss @ Messiah, and then 2 ties at home (Muhlenberg, Swat.)

Quote from: Mid-Atlantic Fan on October 29, 2017, 10:22:02 AM
Conference Playoffs Edition

CENTENNIAL Men
First Round - Wed., Nov. 1 (at higher seed)
#5 Dickinson at #4 Haverford, TBA

Semifinals - Sat., Nov. 4 (at #1 Johns Hopkins)
#4/#5 winner at #1 Johns Hopkins, TBA
#3 Gettysburg vs. #2 Franklin and Marshall, TBA

Final - Sun., Nov. 5 (at #1 Johns Hopkins)
Semifinal winners, TBA
Champion / AQ:

Quote from: Ommadawn on October 31, 2017, 02:56:49 AM
It looks like the namesake of our mid-Atlantic pal had a rough day (probably driven to drink due to a struggle of whether to pick Messiah or Calvin as the winner of the D3 tournament):

https://www.cbssports.com/golf/news/actor-who-played-shooter-mcgavin-arrested-for-dui-plays-happy-gilmore-card/

Quote from: blooter442 on October 31, 2017, 04:37:15 PM
Wow. So, uh, Dickinson throttles Haverford 5-0. The Fords lost in OT in Carlisle two weeks ago, but I figured the home rematch would be much more competitive.

Quote from: Flying Weasel on October 31, 2017, 05:03:17 PM
Same starting GK as the whole season.  Is Dickinson playing that well at the moment, or is Haverford that poor at the moment?

Any one have any insight or ideas as to why Haverford wasn't able to live up to expectations this season?  Is it simply a matter of having graduated their best players that helped elevate the program back into national prominence?  Did they lose some critical players to injury?  Did they have an Achilles heel that they just couldn't compensate for?  Or is it not so much that they dropped off so much, but that Hopkins, Drew, and Gettysburg improved significantly and Dickinson bounced back from an off year turning 3 or 4 games they would have won the past couple years into losses this year?

Quote from: Shooter McGavin on November 01, 2017, 08:18:20 AM

Quote from: Flying Weasel on October 31, 2017, 05:03:17 PM
Same starting GK as the whole season.  Is Dickinson playing that well at the moment, or is Haverford that poor at the moment?

Any one have any insight or ideas as to why Haverford wasn't able to live up to expectations this season?  Is it simply a matter of having graduated their best players that helped elevate the program back into national prominence?  Did they lose some critical players to injury?  Did they have an Achilles heel that they just couldn't compensate for?  Or is it not so much that they dropped off so much, but that Hopkins, Drew, and Gettysburg improved significantly and Dickinson bounced back from an off year turning 3 or 4 games they would have won the past couple years into losses this year?

They seemed to lack a goal scorer. The Janelli kid is fantastic but after him they didn't really have offensive firepower. Also, the commentary for yesterday said they lost 2 starting CB's to injury earlier in the year. I am sure that had to hurt at the time but they trended the wrong way down the stretch. Other than the lack of goals and graduating a nice class I am not sure what the issue was for them this season. All in all it wasn't a bad season but just not what we have come to expect from the Fords as of late.

Quote from: Mid-Atlantic Fan on November 02, 2017, 08:05:09 AM
In the end we all get the rematch that everyone has been waiting and hoping for! On Saturday, Messiah will host Lycoming in what will certainly be a hotly contested match. I am interested to see how the Warriors will play on Messiah's grass although they have already won in Grantham in the past, but that has to be advantage to the Falcons. I anticipate another well played game and this will be great preparation for both teams before entering the NCAA tournament.

Quote from: Falconer on November 02, 2017, 10:34:39 AM

Quote from: Mid-Atlantic Fan on November 02, 2017, 08:05:09 AM
In the end we all get the rematch that everyone has been waiting and hoping for! On Saturday, Messiah will host Lycoming in what will certainly be a hotly contested match. I am interested to see how the Warriors will play on Messiah's grass although they have already won in Grantham in the past, but that has to be advantage to the Falcons. I anticipate another well played game and this will be great preparation for both teams before entering the NCAA tournament.

As I said a few weeks ago, Lycoming has nothing to prove, and this year might be their best team ever--I'll let their fans sort that out if they wish. They certainly have a decent chance to win the automatic bid on Saturday. They beat Messiah twice in 2015, denying the Falcons an NCAA bid for the first time this century. But, both of those games were in Williamsport, and the Falcons were very, very young--it was the youngest Falcon team this century, with (at one point or another) as many as five freshman starters and usually four. Those guys are now juniors, and the seniors on this squad are better than the seniors from 2015. (I'm just doing an eyeball comparison, not dissing the very fine young men from the 2015 class.) Lycoming also won the 2013 AQ in Grantham, against one of the greatest Falcon teams ever (in my opinion, either the second or third greatest). But, that game was a scoreless tie decided 5-4 in PKs, not a victory for Lycoming. So, I can't recall Lycoming ever winning in Grantham. I'm sure someone will provide chapter and verse if I my memory has failed--not that I would be too surprised about that.

I too expect a really good game that will prepare both teams well for the tournament. Messiah will get a high seed unless they lose big, which no one expects. Lycoming is also a lock, and if they win they should also have a high seed. That's very unusual in Commonwealth history, actually, and speaks awfully well for the conference and also for the future of Falcon soccer. It's always good to have dangerous opponents in your conference. We probably all agree on that.

I know I don't do predictions, but this time I will. 2-1 Falcons in regulation.

Quote from: Falconer on November 02, 2017, 10:34:39 AM

Quote from: Mid-Atlantic Fan on November 02, 2017, 08:05:09 AM
In the end we all get the rematch that everyone has been waiting and hoping for! On Saturday, Messiah will host Lycoming in what will certainly be a hotly contested match. I am interested to see how the Warriors will play on Messiah's grass although they have already won in Grantham in the past, but that has to be advantage to the Falcons. I anticipate another well played game and this will be great preparation for both teams before entering the NCAA tournament.

As I said a few weeks ago, Lycoming has nothing to prove, and this year might be their best team ever--I'll let their fans sort that out if they wish. They certainly have a decent chance to win the automatic bid on Saturday. They beat Messiah twice in 2015, denying the Falcons an NCAA bid for the first time this century. But, both of those games were in Williamsport, and the Falcons were very, very young--it was the youngest Falcon team this century, with (at one point or another) as many as five freshman starters and usually four. Those guys are now juniors, and the seniors on this squad are better than the seniors from 2015. (I'm just doing an eyeball comparison, not dissing the very fine young men from the 2015 class.) Lycoming also won the 2013 AQ in Grantham, against one of the greatest Falcon teams ever (in my opinion, either the second or third greatest). But, that game was a scoreless tie decided 5-4 in PKs, not a victory for Lycoming. So, I can't recall Lycoming ever winning in Grantham. I'm sure someone will provide chapter and verse if I my memory has failed--not that I would be too surprised about that.

I too expect a really good game that will prepare both teams well for the tournament. Messiah will get a high seed unless they lose big, which no one expects. Lycoming is also a lock, and if they win they should also have a high seed. That's very unusual in Commonwealth history, actually, and speaks awfully well for the conference and also for the future of Falcon soccer. It's always good to have dangerous opponents in your conference. We probably all agree on that.

I know I don't do predictions, but this time I will. 2-1 Falcons in regulation.

Quote from: RetiredWarrior on November 02, 2017, 11:27:21 AM
Hi all, I’m usually just a content bystander to these posts, but I thought I’d add my two cents for this game… This is most certainly one of the best teams that Lycoming has seen in a while, and it has been building for the past 5 years. Let's not forget that 5 years ago Lycoming was picked to finish 9th in the CONFERENCE and now they are considered the main rival within the conference! And while you are right that the semi-final game against Messiah in 2013 wasn't a "W" in the official stats, they did eliminate Messiah from the conference title contention and end a 7-year run (I believe) of conference titles. Counting that as a “W” for the purpose of this post, the head to head since 2013 is Messiah: 4 and Lycoming: 3 wins.

While Lycoming does get a chance to play Messiah every year at least once, I’d be interested to know if there is any team in the country that has come close to that kind of record against the Falcons over that span.

Quote from: blooter442 on November 03, 2017, 11:27:00 AM
Even as someone who hasn't paid attention to the Mid-Atlantic Region for that long (although I am becoming more familiar by the year), it's been really fun to watch Lycoming emerge in the past few years. The 2013 semi-final win over Messiah (I agree with Shooter -- I call it a win) made me take note, but then getting to the Sweet 16 two years later I think really augmented the Warriors' rise as a legit program.

Kind of reminded me of when Randolph got to the Sweet 16 back in 2011 seemingly out of nowhere on the back of Corey Sindle, who is now an assistant at Wheaton (MA). The WildCats haven't attained that level since, but I think it's cool to see teams go on a surprise run, and even better if they can attain similar levels year-in, year-out, as Lycoming is starting to do.

Quote from: Falconer on November 03, 2017, 01:28:51 PM
Be careful what you wish for, blooter, or one of these days (perhaps very soon, who knows) you'll see Lycoming manhandle Amherst or Tufts or some other NESCAC team in the tournament. Now, when it comes to Amherst, maybe that would just be a few chickens coming home to roost.  ;D

Nah, I didn't say that. Strike that.

Quote from: RetiredWarrior on November 02, 2017, 11:27:21 AM

Quote from: Falconer on November 02, 2017, 10:34:39 AM

Quote from: Mid-Atlantic Fan on November 02, 2017, 08:05:09 AM
In the end we all get the rematch that everyone has been waiting and hoping for! On Saturday, Messiah will host Lycoming in what will certainly be a hotly contested match. I am interested to see how the Warriors will play on Messiah's grass although they have already won in Grantham in the past, but that has to be advantage to the Falcons. I anticipate another well played game and this will be great preparation for both teams before entering the NCAA tournament.

As I said a few weeks ago, Lycoming has nothing to prove, and this year might be their best team ever--I'll let their fans sort that out if they wish. They certainly have a decent chance to win the automatic bid on Saturday. They beat Messiah twice in 2015, denying the Falcons an NCAA bid for the first time this century. But, both of those games were in Williamsport, and the Falcons were very, very young--it was the youngest Falcon team this century, with (at one point or another) as many as five freshman starters and usually four. Those guys are now juniors, and the seniors on this squad are better than the seniors from 2015. (I'm just doing an eyeball comparison, not dissing the very fine young men from the 2015 class.) Lycoming also won the 2013 AQ in Grantham, against one of the greatest Falcon teams ever (in my opinion, either the second or third greatest). But, that game was a scoreless tie decided 5-4 in PKs, not a victory for Lycoming. So, I can't recall Lycoming ever winning in Grantham. I'm sure someone will provide chapter and verse if I my memory has failed--not that I would be too surprised about that.

I too expect a really good game that will prepare both teams well for the tournament. Messiah will get a high seed unless they lose big, which no one expects. Lycoming is also a lock, and if they win they should also have a high seed. That's very unusual in Commonwealth history, actually, and speaks awfully well for the conference and also for the future of Falcon soccer. It's always good to have dangerous opponents in your conference. We probably all agree on that.

I know I don't do predictions, but this time I will. 2-1 Falcons in regulation.

Hi all, I'm usually just a content bystander to these posts, but I thought I'd add my two cents for this game... This is most certainly one of the best teams that Lycoming has seen in a while, and it has been building for the past 5 years. Let's not forget that 5 years ago Lycoming was picked to finish 9th in the CONFERENCE and now they are considered the main rival within the conference! And while you are right that the semi-final game against Messiah in 2013 wasn't a "W" in the official stats, they did eliminate Messiah from the conference title contention and end a 7-year run (I believe) of conference titles. Counting that as a "W" for the purpose of this post, the head to head since 2013 is Messiah: 4 and Lycoming: 3 wins.

While Lycoming does get a chance to play Messiah every year at least once, I'd be interested to know if there is any team in the country that has come close to that kind of record against the Falcons over that span.

On the semi-final game, I think Mid-Atlantic Fans analysis was pretty much spot on. The Warriors came out flying and didn't take their foot off the pedal even slightly until it was already 4-0 going into half. It reminded me of the game that they played against Leb Val back in 2014 when they beat Leb Val 4-0 in Williamsport. It was an all-around "Lycoming Soccer" game. While a lot of the fans out there don't appreciate the way that Lycoming plays, and I will defer to say that everyone has their own right to that opinion, it is hard to argue with their body of work.
Since Coach Gibboney has taken the reigns in 2013 the Warriors have done this (including this year thus far):
Overall Record: 70-21-13,
4/5 Conference Championship Games, 2 MACC Titles (2013,2015), 2 NCAA appearances (2013,2015), Best NCAA: Sweet 16 (loss to eventual champion-Amherst)

Looking forward to the Championship game... WOW! I can't wait to watch this game. I do give a slight edge considering it is at Messiah, but I don't think it will tip the scales too much. I think this match up might be a foreshadow to a potential Sweet 16/ Elite 8 match-up as well. I see this game going to overtime, and for the sake of the viewers I hope it does! I think it is going to be 2-2 going into overtime... although I don't want to make a prediction past that! Thanks for letting me join in on the convo!

Quote from: RetiredWarrior on November 04, 2017, 11:16:12 AM
You are correct D3soccerwatcher. I intended to include this years result with out actually doing it. In regards to the 2013 stats, you are right, Messiah did dominate Lycoming on the stat sheet. But at the end of the day Lycoming raised a conference banner and Messiah didn't. I already know someone will come back with, but they won the National Championship. And that is true too and I do not disagree with their dominance. It was arguably the best Messiah team of all time, or atleast contained the best class.

My point being, in the playoffs it doesn't matter what the stats are, all that matters is who moves on and who ends their season. Thankfully for the enjoyment of the NCAA tournament both of these teams should still be playing regardless of tonights result. But for both of these teams this has to feel like a late round tournament game.

I already can't wait for the game to start! It is a chance for Lycoming to right the ship after an unfortunate detour last year and show the country that they are legit. And for Messiah this is a real strain on their dominance within the Mid-Atlantic and even within the conference. I think both teams will have a little bit extra in the tank tonight with what is at stake of the legacies of these programs. 56 years Lycoming went with out a conference title and now 2/4 since Gibboney signed on. And for Messiah the 7 year stretch on conference titles was interrupted by Lycoming back in 2013 and they are the only teams to have won since, can Messiah put themselves firmly back in the drivers seat of the league.... oh I am so excited!

Quote from: rudy on November 04, 2017, 09:43:22 PM

Quote from: RetiredWarrior on November 04, 2017, 11:16:12 AM
You are correct D3soccerwatcher. I intended to include this years result with out actually doing it. In regards to the 2013 stats, you are right, Messiah did dominate Lycoming on the stat sheet. But at the end of the day Lycoming raised a conference banner and Messiah didn't. I already know someone will come back with, but they won the National Championship. And that is true too and I do not disagree with their dominance. It was arguably the best Messiah team of all time, or atleast contained the best class.

My point being, in the playoffs it doesn't matter what the stats are, all that matters is who moves on and who ends their season. Thankfully for the enjoyment of the NCAA tournament both of these teams should still be playing regardless of tonights result. But for both of these teams this has to feel like a late round tournament game.

I already can't wait for the game to start! It is a chance for Lycoming to right the ship after an unfortunate detour last year and show the country that they are legit. And for Messiah this is a real strain on their dominance within the Mid-Atlantic and even within the conference. I think both teams will have a little bit extra in the tank tonight with what is at stake of the legacies of these programs. 56 years Lycoming went with out a conference title and now 2/4 since Gibboney signed on. And for Messiah the 7 year stretch on conference titles was interrupted by Lycoming back in 2013 and they are the only teams to have won since, can Messiah put themselves firmly back in the drivers seat of the league.... oh I am so excited!

A couple early corner kick goals by Lyco and Messiah could not recover. The rain is a mess as the game got later. Messiah pulls one back but too little too late. Ref allowed rather physical play. Some blatant no calls. But we know they commit a ton of fouls..have to play through it. These 2 teams may possibly meet again in NCAA. I'd say this rivalry may stick for a few years...alternating MAC champions last 5 years..

Quote from: Falconer on November 04, 2017, 10:03:04 PM

Quote from: rudy on November 04, 2017, 09:43:22 PM

Quote from: RetiredWarrior on November 04, 2017, 11:16:12 AM
You are correct D3soccerwatcher. I intended to include this years result with out actually doing it. In regards to the 2013 stats, you are right, Messiah did dominate Lycoming on the stat sheet. But at the end of the day Lycoming raised a conference banner and Messiah didn't. I already know someone will come back with, but they won the National Championship. And that is true too and I do not disagree with their dominance. It was arguably the best Messiah team of all time, or atleast contained the best class.

My point being, in the playoffs it doesn't matter what the stats are, all that matters is who moves on and who ends their season. Thankfully for the enjoyment of the NCAA tournament both of these teams should still be playing regardless of tonights result. But for both of these teams this has to feel like a late round tournament game.

I already can't wait for the game to start! It is a chance for Lycoming to right the ship after an unfortunate detour last year and show the country that they are legit. And for Messiah this is a real strain on their dominance within the Mid-Atlantic and even within the conference. I think both teams will have a little bit extra in the tank tonight with what is at stake of the legacies of these programs. 56 years Lycoming went with out a conference title and now 2/4 since Gibboney signed on. And for Messiah the 7 year stretch on conference titles was interrupted by Lycoming back in 2013 and they are the only teams to have won since, can Messiah put themselves firmly back in the drivers seat of the league.... oh I am so excited!

A couple early corner kick goals by Lyco and Messiah could not recover. The rain is a mess as the game got later. Messiah pulls one back but too little too late. Ref allowed rather physical play. Some blatant no calls. But we know they commit a ton of fouls..have to play through it. These 2 teams may possibly meet again in NCAA. I'd say this rivalry may stick for a few years...alternating MAC champions last 5 years..

As you say, Rudy, ref allowed physical play. That is a paradigm of understatement. The downpour didn't help, but both teams had to deal with that. IMO the second goal was a direct result of the water--Connor Bell couldn't cleanly get his hands on the ball, it went over the end line, and the Cougars scored on the corner. You have to live with that and credit Lyco for the score.

I knew in the first two minutes that this was going to be a tough night, when the official ignored deliberate fouling twice, right in front of his eyes, and remained consistent in swallowing his whistle all game long. IMO he should have pulled his card seven times, once on Messiah, but he found it just once--or, was there a card for complaining by Lyco somewhere in there during the heaviest downpour when nothing could be seen clearly from the stands? I have seen worse officiating many times, but never before in a game of this significance. It's tough to play against twelve men...

If that sounds like a rant, it is. I will leave it to more objective eyes to gauge it's accuracy. I was really looking forward to a great game (regardless of the score) tonight. Competent officiating might have given us one, despite the rain.

Quote from: Falconer on November 04, 2017, 10:03:04 PM

Quote from: rudy on November 04, 2017, 09:43:22 PM

Quote from: RetiredWarrior on November 04, 2017, 11:16:12 AM
You are correct D3soccerwatcher. I intended to include this years result with out actually doing it. In regards to the 2013 stats, you are right, Messiah did dominate Lycoming on the stat sheet. But at the end of the day Lycoming raised a conference banner and Messiah didn't. I already know someone will come back with, but they won the National Championship. And that is true too and I do not disagree with their dominance. It was arguably the best Messiah team of all time, or atleast contained the best class.

My point being, in the playoffs it doesn't matter what the stats are, all that matters is who moves on and who ends their season. Thankfully for the enjoyment of the NCAA tournament both of these teams should still be playing regardless of tonights result. But for both of these teams this has to feel like a late round tournament game.

I already can't wait for the game to start! It is a chance for Lycoming to right the ship after an unfortunate detour last year and show the country that they are legit. And for Messiah this is a real strain on their dominance within the Mid-Atlantic and even within the conference. I think both teams will have a little bit extra in the tank tonight with what is at stake of the legacies of these programs. 56 years Lycoming went with out a conference title and now 2/4 since Gibboney signed on. And for Messiah the 7 year stretch on conference titles was interrupted by Lycoming back in 2013 and they are the only teams to have won since, can Messiah put themselves firmly back in the drivers seat of the league.... oh I am so excited!

A couple early corner kick goals by Lyco and Messiah could not recover. The rain is a mess as the game got later. Messiah pulls one back but too little too late. Ref allowed rather physical play. Some blatant no calls. But we know they commit a ton of fouls..have to play through it. These 2 teams may possibly meet again in NCAA. I'd say this rivalry may stick for a few years...alternating MAC champions last 5 years..

As you say, Rudy, ref allowed physical play. That is a paradigm of understatement. The downpour didn't help, but both teams had to deal with that. IMO the second goal was a direct result of the water--Connor Bell couldn't cleanly get his hands on the ball, it went over the end line, and the Cougars scored on the corner. You have to live with that and credit Lyco for the score.

I knew in the first two minutes that this was going to be a tough night, when the official ignored deliberate fouling twice, right in front of his eyes, and remained consistent in swallowing his whistle all game long. IMO he should have pulled his card seven times, once on Messiah, but he found it just once--or, was there a card for complaining by Lyco somewhere in there during the heaviest downpour when nothing could be seen clearly from the stands? I have seen worse officiating many times, but never before in a game of this significance. It's tough to play against twelve men...

If that sounds like a rant, it is. I will leave it to more objective eyes to gauge it's accuracy. I was really looking forward to a great game (regardless of the score) tonight. Competent officiating might have given us one, despite the rain.

Quote from: Mid-Atlantic Fan on November 06, 2017, 08:25:34 AM
Same post as I have in the National Thread.

Ah Selection Monday is upon us! Maybe the only good Monday of the year  ;D

Now that tensions have died down and I was able to digest the gravity of the game let me add my opinion on to what we witnessed Saturday night in Grantham. Unbelievable game by two of the very best in the nation. That was as good as any Division 1 soccer game I have watched this year. The Warriors came out flying with intensity that Messiah could not match and it showed with 2 goals in less than 20 minutes. The stat line favored the Warriors through the first 25 minutes, out-shooting Messiah 8-2 and gaining 2-0 advantage on the scoreboard! When was the last time that happened to a Messiah team let alone on their home surface. For the last 15 minutes Messiah finally started to settle in but this may be because of the mass subbing that the Warriors were able to do towards the end of the half. Once again Lycoming's depth was a big advantage over Messiah's small bench.

Onto the second half! Messiah came out gunning as expected and started to push for that first and pivotal goal, but Lycoming answered every charge they threw at them. The 2 CB's for Lycoming were incredible and I don't know if I have seen a duo that good in the back this year. The first time around they were clearly solid players and defenders but they stood out to me during this game. With that being said, the GK for Lycoming also made some crucial saves in the second half after not being challenged once in the first half. I recall him making multiple diving saves as the pressure mounted and he gobbled up everything that came his way. In the 88th minute the Falcons finally got on the board and gave us all an exciting final 2 minutes of the game, but Lycoming closed it out and stood victorious while earning the AQ.

WHAT A GAME!!!!

I see many different posts about the officiating and weather. Keep in mind both teams had to play in the same conditions with the same officials. I actually thought the official did a nice job in the sense that he was consistent. Someone in this thread earlier stated that if he or she calls X a foul and not Y in the first 15 minutes then you know how the game is going to be called and have to adapt to that. Messiah did not adapt well to that style of officiating, which was letting the teams play. I thought he did a good job with keeping the flow of the game going which should have actually benefited the Falcons offense. As for the rain it clearly affected Messiah and not in a good way. But they were not the only team playing on a slick muddy surface so it's hard to blame anything on the rain.

Why did Messiah not throw numbers forward more towards the end of the game? I am sure they were concerned with Lycoming's ability to counter but they were down 2 goals!!! At that point, in my opinion, it's all or nothing. I was disappointed to see Messiah's lack of urgency down the stretch to get back in this game. Or was it Lycoming's ability to shut down the Messiah offense that it just seems like they weren't urgent enough? Regardless, the goal in the final 2 minutes was simply a consolation. All in all Lycoming out played Messiah for 90 minutes and thoroughly earned this victory. I thought it was a magnificent match that had a little bit of everything for the spectators. I would have to say this was the best game I have watched so far this season. And lastly, I feel that both of these teams have the chance to go far in the NCAA tournament. For the sake of the region, I hope one of them wins it all!  :)

Quote from: Hopkins92 on November 06, 2017, 09:36:10 AM
Ah, D3 soccer, where your starting, record-breaking goalie misses the first half due to a job interview.* I only caught the end of OT of the Hopkins - Dickinson game, but according to a Facebook post, See (Hopkins senior goalie) couldn't make the start and they had to put a Freshman in the net. Gave up a soft goal. See played out the rest of the game.

That said, Dickinson seemed to be playing very well at the end and Hopkins mustered little (again, just talking about the very end.)

Quote from: Mid-Atlantic Fan on November 06, 2017, 08:25:34 AM
Same post as I have in the National Thread.

Ah Selection Monday is upon us! Maybe the only good Monday of the year  ;D

Now that tensions have died down and I was able to digest the gravity of the game let me add my opinion on to what we witnessed Saturday night in Grantham. Unbelievable game by two of the very best in the nation. That was as good as any Division 1 soccer game I have watched this year. The Warriors came out flying with intensity that Messiah could not match and it showed with 2 goals in less than 20 minutes. The stat line favored the Warriors through the first 25 minutes, out-shooting Messiah 8-2 and gaining 2-0 advantage on the scoreboard! When was the last time that happened to a Messiah team let alone on their home surface. For the last 15 minutes Messiah finally started to settle in but this may be because of the mass subbing that the Warriors were able to do towards the end of the half. Once again Lycoming's depth was a big advantage over Messiah's small bench.

Onto the second half! Messiah came out gunning as expected and started to push for that first and pivotal goal, but Lycoming answered every charge they threw at them. The 2 CB's for Lycoming were incredible and I don't know if I have seen a duo that good in the back this year. The first time around they were clearly solid players and defenders but they stood out to me during this game. With that being said, the GK for Lycoming also made some crucial saves in the second half after not being challenged once in the first half. I recall him making multiple diving saves as the pressure mounted and he gobbled up everything that came his way. In the 88th minute the Falcons finally got on the board and gave us all an exciting final 2 minutes of the game, but Lycoming closed it out and stood victorious while earning the AQ.

WHAT A GAME!!!!

I see many different posts about the officiating and weather. Keep in mind both teams had to play in the same conditions with the same officials. I actually thought the official did a nice job in the sense that he was consistent. Someone in this thread earlier stated that if he or she calls X a foul and not Y in the first 15 minutes then you know how the game is going to be called and have to adapt to that. Messiah did not adapt well to that style of officiating, which was letting the teams play. I thought he did a good job with keeping the flow of the game going which should have actually benefited the Falcons offense. As for the rain it clearly affected Messiah and not in a good way. But they were not the only team playing on a slick muddy surface so it's hard to blame anything on the rain.

Why did Messiah not throw numbers forward more towards the end of the game? I am sure they were concerned with Lycoming's ability to counter but they were down 2 goals!!! At that point, in my opinion, it's all or nothing. I was disappointed to see Messiah's lack of urgency down the stretch to get back in this game. Or was it Lycoming's ability to shut down the Messiah offense that it just seems like they weren't urgent enough? Regardless, the goal in the final 2 minutes was simply a consolation. All in all Lycoming out played Messiah for 90 minutes and thoroughly earned this victory. I thought it was a magnificent match that had a little bit of everything for the spectators. I would have to say this was the best game I have watched so far this season. And lastly, I feel that both of these teams have the chance to go far in the NCAA tournament. For the sake of the region, I hope one of them wins it all!  :)

Quote from: 2xfaux on November 06, 2017, 10:58:40 AM
Unfortunately I have no idea how to quote someone and am too old and lazy to figure it out but Dave B's thought that Lycoming would host seems very unlikely to me because of the size of their field and the lack of seating for fans.  We shall see and it is a shame because I think they have earned it.  Perhaps, the success of the men's team will lead to some improvements in their soccer facilities.   

Quote from: rudy on November 06, 2017, 10:35:12 AM

Quote from: Mid-Atlantic Fan on November 06, 2017, 08:25:34 AM
Same post as I have in the National Thread.

Ah Selection Monday is upon us! Maybe the only good Monday of the year  ;D

Now that tensions have died down and I was able to digest the gravity of the game let me add my opinion on to what we witnessed Saturday night in Grantham. Unbelievable game by two of the very best in the nation. That was as good as any Division 1 soccer game I have watched this year. The Warriors came out flying with intensity that Messiah could not match and it showed with 2 goals in less than 20 minutes. The stat line favored the Warriors through the first 25 minutes, out-shooting Messiah 8-2 and gaining 2-0 advantage on the scoreboard! When was the last time that happened to a Messiah team let alone on their home surface. For the last 15 minutes Messiah finally started to settle in but this may be because of the mass subbing that the Warriors were able to do towards the end of the half. Once again Lycoming's depth was a big advantage over Messiah's small bench.

Onto the second half! Messiah came out gunning as expected and started to push for that first and pivotal goal, but Lycoming answered every charge they threw at them. The 2 CB's for Lycoming were incredible and I don't know if I have seen a duo that good in the back this year. The first time around they were clearly solid players and defenders but they stood out to me during this game. With that being said, the GK for Lycoming also made some crucial saves in the second half after not being challenged once in the first half. I recall him making multiple diving saves as the pressure mounted and he gobbled up everything that came his way. In the 88th minute the Falcons finally got on the board and gave us all an exciting final 2 minutes of the game, but Lycoming closed it out and stood victorious while earning the AQ.

WHAT A GAME!!!!

I see many different posts about the officiating and weather. Keep in mind both teams had to play in the same conditions with the same officials. I actually thought the official did a nice job in the sense that he was consistent. Someone in this thread earlier stated that if he or she calls X a foul and not Y in the first 15 minutes then you know how the game is going to be called and have to adapt to that. Messiah did not adapt well to that style of officiating, which was letting the teams play. I thought he did a good job with keeping the flow of the game going which should have actually benefited the Falcons offense. As for the rain it clearly affected Messiah and not in a good way. But they were not the only team playing on a slick muddy surface so it's hard to blame anything on the rain.

Why did Messiah not throw numbers forward more towards the end of the game? I am sure they were concerned with Lycoming's ability to counter but they were down 2 goals!!! At that point, in my opinion, it's all or nothing. I was disappointed to see Messiah's lack of urgency down the stretch to get back in this game. Or was it Lycoming's ability to shut down the Messiah offense that it just seems like they weren't urgent enough? Regardless, the goal in the final 2 minutes was simply a consolation. All in all Lycoming out played Messiah for 90 minutes and thoroughly earned this victory. I thought it was a magnificent match that had a little bit of everything for the spectators. I would have to say this was the best game I have watched so far this season. And lastly, I feel that both of these teams have the chance to go far in the NCAA tournament. For the sake of the region, I hope one of them wins it all!  :)

"All in all Lycoming out played Messiah for 90 minutes"
Don't agree with this..but everyone is entitled to their opinion!  Certainly 2 corner kick goals in first 20 minutes put Messiah in a difficult hole.  Lyco outplayed Messiah in first half. First goal was a terrific header from Tueno. He was the  difference maker in this game on both sides of the field.  Messiah hopefully will do better putting a body on players on corners in the tournament.   Second goal I could not really see what happened. Well taken corner but did not see how the ball got in the net.

Second half Messiah outplayed Lyco..even stats show that (12 shots to 2 in 2nd half in favor of Messiah).   Messiah did make adjustments coming out for second half.  Of course Lyco adjusted their style up 2 goals but I don't think that was the only reason Messiah had many more shots and better control of possession.  The puddles on the field though were certainly not helping.   

Players/coaches on both sides getting to know each other with this rivalry and I think it's great to have a rivalry like this.  It makes games so much more interesting and exciting.   Look forward to potential re-match in the tournament.

Quote from: Dave B on November 06, 2017, 11:44:57 AM
I had said earlier that Messiah has had trouble defending set pieces this year.  What I didn't say is the Lycoming is very good (offensively) on their set pieces.  CB Sainclair Tueno, who scored on the first corner, is Lycoming's leading scorer.  How often do you see that?

Quote from: Dave B on November 06, 2017, 11:11:49 AM

Quote from: 2xfaux on November 06, 2017, 10:58:40 AM
Unfortunately I have no idea how to quote someone and am too old and lazy to figure it out but Dave B's thought that Lycoming would host seems very unlikely to me because of the size of their field and the lack of seating for fans.  We shall see and it is a shame because I think they have earned it.  Perhaps, the success of the men's team will lead to some improvements in their soccer facilities.   

FYI- there is a Quote button on the upper right of each post.

Lycoming hosted in 2015, so there is precedent, even though you are right about their need to upgrade their facilities.  However, they are very "land-locked" at the present time.

Quote from: 2xfaux on November 06, 2017, 12:06:51 PM

Quote from: Dave B on November 06, 2017, 11:11:49 AM

Quote from: 2xfaux on November 06, 2017, 10:58:40 AM
Unfortunately I have no idea how to quote someone and am too old and lazy to figure it out but Dave B's thought that Lycoming would host seems very unlikely to me because of the size of their field and the lack of seating for fans.  We shall see and it is a shame because I think they have earned it.  Perhaps, the success of the men's team will lead to some improvements in their soccer facilities.   

FYI- there is a Quote button on the upper right of each post.

Lycoming hosted in 2015, so there is precedent, even though you are right about their need to upgrade their facilities.  However, they are very "land-locked" at the present time.

Who knew?  Thanks.

Quote from: RetiredWarrior on November 06, 2017, 01:30:11 PM

Quote from: 2xfaux on November 06, 2017, 12:06:51 PM

Quote from: Dave B on November 06, 2017, 11:11:49 AM

Quote from: 2xfaux on November 06, 2017, 10:58:40 AM
Unfortunately I have no idea how to quote someone and am too old and lazy to figure it out but Dave B's thought that Lycoming would host seems very unlikely to me because of the size of their field and the lack of seating for fans.  We shall see and it is a shame because I think they have earned it.  Perhaps, the success of the men's team will lead to some improvements in their soccer facilities.   

FYI- there is a Quote button on the upper right of each post.

Lycoming hosted in 2015, so there is precedent, even though you are right about their need to upgrade their facilities.  However, they are very "land-locked" at the present time.

Who knew?  Thanks.

Like everyone said, they hosted in 2015. And it was a very good atmosphere and well run host site, IMO, given the restrictions. My insight into the facilities is on par with Dave B. The field is surrounded by single family homes, and they haven't even been able to put up lights on the football field, much less the soccer field because of the resistance from the community. It is actually very sad, because it should be a school that continues develop an amazing soccer culture, new facilities would only speed up that process IMO.

On a side note, I'm interested in everyone's thoughts on the top 10 as of now. We should have more clarity here in a few minutes, but the results from the weekend seem like there could be a bit more shifting than normal at this time of year.

Quote from: Mid-Atlantic Fan on November 07, 2017, 08:31:24 AM
9 teams will be representing the region this year.

First Round Match-ups
Lynchburg vs PSU-Abington
Dickinson vs Emory
Rowan vs Cabrini
Hopkins vs DeSales
Lycoming vs Lehman
F&M vs Drew
Messiah vs Castleton


I expect Abington and Cabrini to bow out in the first rounds as well as DeSales although I think they will give Hopkins a little bit more of a push than Abington and Cabrini will give Lynchburg and Rowan. Hopkins, Lycoming, and Messiah should all advance out of the first round with relative ease, but it is the NCAA tournament and anything can happen. This leaves a couple toss-ups between Dickinson/Emory and F&M/Drew. I anticipate both of these games to be highly contested and entertaining games to watch. Keep in mind that F&M made an Elite 8 run last year before getting ousted by Calvin. A slow start to the season for them after losing their All-American forward, but they have recovered nicely and been hot going into the tournament. They get matched with Drew who may be the hottest team in the country right now and are boasting an undefeated record, 1 of only 3 remaining unbeaten teams. As for Dickinson and Emory we might as well flip a coin. But I will be a little bias here and favor the red Devils in a 2-1 OT win.

Quote from: Mid-Atlantic Fan on November 07, 2017, 08:31:24 AM
9 teams will be representing the region this year.

First Round Match-ups
Lynchburg vs PSU-Abington
Dickinson vs Emory
Rowan vs Cabrini
Hopkins vs DeSales
Lycoming vs Lehman
F&M vs Drew
Messiah vs Castleton


I expect Abington and Cabrini to bow out in the first rounds as well as DeSales although I think they will give Hopkins a little bit more of a push than Abington and Cabrini will give Lynchburg and Rowan. Hopkins, Lycoming, and Messiah should all advance out of the first round with relative ease, but it is the NCAA tournament and anything can happen. This leaves a couple toss-ups between Dickinson/Emory and F&M/Drew. I anticipate both of these games to be highly contested and entertaining games to watch. Keep in mind that F&M made an Elite 8 run last year before getting ousted by Calvin. A slow start to the season for them after losing their All-American forward, but they have recovered nicely and been hot going into the tournament. They get matched with Drew who may be the hottest team in the country right now and are boasting an undefeated record, 1 of only 3 remaining unbeaten teams. As for Dickinson and Emory we might as well flip a coin. But I will be a little bias here and favor the red Devils in a 2-1 OT win.