Let's see.  Middlebury weather for the weekend.  30's and snow Saturday, 20's and snow Sunday.  Way to go NCAA!!  Sure to get some great playoff Soccer in those conditions.

Thus far JHU has beaten everyone in front of them, so yeah they deserve it as much as the next I guess.  Having said that I don't think it's smooth sailing either.  Stevenson brought them to OT and both Allegheny and Carnegie could have beaten them but for a bounce here and a PK there.  I did not view the Messiah game so not sure there.  The coach has gone to a deep bench early and often (with the exception of Kronick who gets 90 minutes) and so far its worked out. 

JHU has devastating speed up top with the starting forwards and wings yet they stupidly forfeit that advantage with painfully slow, congested build-ups and no looks for through balls or some pops over the top.  If they ever figure this out their attacks would be lethal. 

Never a fan of this staff's limits tactically with respect to talent as documented here. 

Well here we are at the start of the 2013 season.  I have not chatted with anyone on the team this year yet, but I can promise the following based on many years of playing for this coach.  No matter how poorly or out of shape certain returning players are, they will start.  No matter how well or in shape certain returning players are, they will not start.  One or two freshman will be given starting nods even though they are undeserving because the coaches always seem to be enamored with freshman. 

JHU will be at or near the top of the centennial when all is said and done.  Once in the NCAA's they will bow out as they always have due to the things mentioned above and the fact that the coaches superstars aren't so super when they play good teams. 

Congrats to Messiah.  Well earned.

JHUFAN, as one JHU fan to another, you're out of line.  You are not the only person affected by Sandy on this board.  To use it as some sort of excuse to spew an expletive laced rant about an off the cuff remark is self serving.  And don't talk about being more "evolved" than the rest of us when you have 31 posts on this board!!!  Your case is weak on that point.

2xfaux has historically been more supportive of JHU soccer than most people associated with the program (such as myself).  Very seldom critical of JHU.  The humorous remark was meant as a tonic for those of us who are too wrapped up in the results and records. 

As to the "GAMES", its time to see the "top players" show up in the big games.  Hat tricks against weak teams...big deal!!  Show me something against good defensive teams.  Whats the deal with #17 and #4?  Why are they benched?  Are they hurt?

Perhaps.  But lets look (on paper)...  Besides beating up on overmatched league teams who has JHU beaten from say the top 30 D3 teams this season?  Tied Emory after blowing 2-0 lead, blown out by both Messiah and TCNJ.  I do not wish to denigrate other teams in their conference, but who have they played in the last two weeks (to sort things out) that has been playing top notch soccer?  And what happens when they face a stout back line within conference?  Centennial is down across the board this year.  Doubt anyone besides conference champ moves on to NCAAs.

It's no secret that I cannot stand the fact that Hopkins ONLY plays one style of soccer.  Constantly playing the ball backwards (possession) and massing forward nullifies the speed advantage of #3, #17,#21 and #13.  By the time the ball reaches the box there are 5-6 players on top of each other.  Are they not capable of trying more direct play with the defenders popping the ball over high set front line to allow use of the speed advantage.  Better yet, mix it up a little. 

To put it succinctly, I don't see the team going very far until they start playing as a team as opposed to a team of individuals. 

If you want more detail:  First thing I'd do is put an end to this "core four" nonsense.  A team is 11 players playing as one and playing to the open player regardless of who it is.  Second, I would tell my captains to look in the mirror and assess their own play before pointing fingers after a loss.  I can't believe a coach would let a talk like that happen immediately after a game before emotions calm down.  Third, I'd take advantage of the speed I have up top by playing them high and WIDE so they can run onto through balls and play into the center for 13 to finish.  I often see all the forwards on one side of the field which negates their speed advantage.  Fourth, I'd sub more frequently (particularly at midfield).  I understand there are injuries but fresh legs are better than dead legs regardless of talent.  Fifth, I'd consider a change at goalie.  Too many long range goals from being off her line and not nearly athletic enough to pull it off.  Fifth, while I like the runs the outside defenders make, they are being done too often and the team gets caught in a counter attack.  #23 from last year is not back there to cover up mistakes anymore.

When I played we didn't necessarily all hang out off the field but when we stepped on the field we were one!! 

I don't believe this JHU team will be your CC champ this season unless some things change.

There is blood in the water.  Centennial foes are circling. 

A couple of potential season ending injuries.  Tough break if so.

Yeah, sadly I pretty much knew the answer before I asked the question. 

Also, I looked at the box score re shots after you brought it my attention.  Stunned that forward and outside wings had 3 shots total in 110 minutes.  Only one of those shots was on goal. Don't think any of the starters were subbed out up front either.  Even back four defense had more shots and shots on net.  Looked like he subbed midfield the most, and 'surprise', two goals.  If you compare subs in UR game and Emory game its 8 vs 4 so I'm going to say at least 4 players didn't touch the field.  That excludes the goalies. 

In deference to Messiah I will move my posts off the joint thread going forward.

 "My" 1?   I was referring to the top striker position in the 4-5-"1" formation.  I am very familiar with ms. suter's game.

U refer to "one" person calling the shots.  Do u mean the head coach or the asst. guy that constantly jabbers on the sidelines?

I think the final against Emory was 2-2 with JHU squandering a 2 goal lead in the second half.  I think both JHU goals were from the midfield.  Looks like whoever is calling the shots is "playing" the first string into shape.  JHU subbed maybe three players in a 110 minute game.  Again, the decision making is baffling.  I look forward to seeing the box score on this game. 

I must state that my intention was not to single out any player in the examples above.  If you are on a team and called to go in you go in and play where you're told.  I think they did their best.  My critique was meant for the people making decisions. 

It was embarrassing to see players on the field walking and seeing fresh talented players on the bench.  I believe two other really good players are close to calling it a career pending this weekend.  It's tragic and hard to watch.

Alluding to above - Case in point # 1.  Coach subs player who had been out the entire 3 week preseason except for one practice day before Messiah game over player who earned her chance and had played well in both previous games.  Result: Player plays poorly AND benched player has decided not to put the rest of her soccer career in the hands of such decisions.  Very sad situation that kills credibility.