Quote from: Soccergeek on October 19, 2014, 04:00:28 PMQuote from: Flying Weasel on October 18, 2014, 09:41:01 PM
I really think a case could be made for Calvin being as good an option for No. 2 as anyone. I think the D3soccer.com voters have underrated them because of the two early losses. This week would be a perfect opportunity for the voters to bump Calvin up to the middle of the Top 10 given the teams above them that have tied and/or lost this week, but somehow I think No. 8 would be as far as they'll jump from their current No. 12.
I have to agree with you, Flying Weasel. I have seen a number of the top teams in the Midwest play this season, including Wheaton, Chicago, Elmhurst, OWU and Hope, and Calvin is clearly the cream of the crop. Their only two losses came in the first week of the season to Wheaton on the road (the one-goal difference coming on questionable PK call) and home to North Central, whom they dominated (24-8 shots, 8-0 corner kicks). They also have a win over OWU in a game they dominated and are led by an All American forward who is rumored to be getting strong looks from a number of MLS teams. The Knights are riding a 12-game winning streak, but have clearly been underrated all season. They are poised to make a deep run in the tournament come November.
I too have been fortunate enough to see these quality teams compete this year and, call me crazy, but I can see Hope and Calvin making deep runs into this years tournament, just like 2011. Calvin has taken both conference games, but it's very difficult to beat a team 3 times in a season, especially a hungry side like Hope. I can see Hope snagging the AQ in the tournament and Calvin taking an at-large.