Wow, you've earned my respect. I just won the ballon dor.

Woahhh, a bit of criticism got the lads up in arms. Just because you watch soccer doesn't mean you know soccer. Nothing personal just an opinion.

Hopkins92 we can smell the pretentious tone in your posts. Hopkins should be and has the facilities and ability to be a D1 program, yet still struggle against  the likes of McDaniel.

Red over blue seems to the theme right now

Hopkins folks loveeeee to say how great their school and team is but the reality is that with they always underperform on a national scale. With the quality of their school and their reach as recruiters they should be at the level of schools like Tufts or U Chicago. No doubt they are a very strong program but they have never been able to establish themselves as a dominant powerhouse.

Well I'd be mad too if I had to watch Gettysburg play twice a week. Team can't win a game.

Quote from: justakidfromakron on October 15, 2024, 10:07:09 PM(last years 4-2 Dips victory).   

*4-3, although Dips were up 4-1 late in the second half.

Quote from: d3tactico on October 15, 2024, 04:18:37 PMF&M v Hopkins will have the same flavor to the game as it has for the past 10 years. F&M will look to capitalize on errors from Hopkins, and will be sure to target their goalie who looks shakey in possession. Hopkins will look to keep possession and work to build up their chances. As for a prediction, I am hesitant to pick one over the other as I see this game playing out as a draw. This game will resemble the old Liverpool vs Man City games when they were both battling for the title. A gegenpressing team vs a overly possession based team.

So you are comparing Dan Wagner to Klopp? Seems a bit disrespectful to me, Klopp hasn't been to NCAA's 10 years in a row. As for Dips v JHU I think your analysis is correct, high pressing counter attack v Guardiola esq. possession. What surprises me year after year is JHU's inability to adapt or change within this matchup specifically. Dips always come out with high pressing forwards and a conservative back 4 or 5 at times and JHU has not been able to effectively break them down through possession or even play through them at times. (last years 4-2 Dips victory). Considering the Dips have won the past 3 matchups you have to wonder if Appleby has ever considered a more direct stye of play to bypass and mitigate the Dips greatest strength, their high press. Maybe it's pride or maybe its belief in their system but on paper there is no doubt JHU has the talent and personnel to win this matchup. Should be a great matchup this weekend, especially if Horwitz is healthy. I predict 3-1 Dips win. 

Quote from: d3tactico on October 14, 2024, 05:09:39 PMUpdated Centennial Conference Playoff Predictions:

1st) F&M

The dips have come to play and their Centennial record thus far has been impressive. Their lopsided schedule has allowed them to gain momentum and establish a good run of form heading into their most important part of their season. Their most recent result against Muhlenburg was most impressive as they scored four in the first half and established a style of play. The dips play a brand of fluid counter-attacking soccer that relies on the individual brilliance of Koa Kaliebe, hold up play of striker Nathan Schlessinger, and most importantly a resilient defense. A couple of weeks ago I named them as an "at best 3rd place team", but it is hard to ignore their results. Their next games against JHU (A), Dickinson (H), GBurg (A), and WAC (H) can act as the ribbon to place atop of their season or the catalyst for their dismantling. Bear in mind they are still notably missing their All-American striker in Oscar Horowitz.

D3tactico I'd love to know your predictions for the JHU v F&M game. Also Im a bit surprised to see Dickinson over WAC in your predictions. I see it the other way around and think WAC is a more complete team then Dickinson. Also do we have any update on Horwitz's health. The D3 world awaits his return #dondeestaOH5 ??

Hot take for rest of conference play: Dips win out

Big Weekend in the Centennial Geezers.

Dickinson V Haverford.
An important game for Dickinson to get back on track after their perfect start. In the past two games Dickinson's D has looked extremely shaking, conceding 6 in those games. Good news for them however, Haverford's goal scoring threat is almost non existent, averaging 1 goal a game with a almost half of those coming against Centenary. Haverford usually manages a few ties against stronger Centennial opponents throughout the season, and is much better defensively at home. I expect a Dickinson win but would not be shocked to see Haverford salvage a tie.

Wash Coll v. Ursinus
I expect Wash to keep the momentum going in this one and roll over Ursinus. Wash had a slow start to the season which was most likely due to the significant amount of player turnover following their final 4 run last year. Meanwhile, I feel like Ursinus's record is heavily inflated and they are not as good of team as they would appear. I could see them losing their final 6 Centennial games. Wash's Kamua has been in form lately with a goal and assist last game and should be a nightmare for Ursinus to deal with.

Muhls v Gettysburg
I am not convinced by this Gettysburg team at all at this point in the season. Some bad losses and ties and barely squeaking by in their wins. I don't see them as a serious threat in the Centennial this year. Meanwhile the Muhls look very good with an attack that can score in bunches. I feel they are the most under rated Centennial team by far and not talked about enough on this forum. The Muhls just seem to know how to win games and with 5 players with 2 goals the goals can come from anywhere.

Swat v JHU
After a great start the shine seems to be wearing off Swats season. Two consecutive losses has really put the pressure on Swat to prove they're as good as their ranking suggested two weeks ago. Despite the two losses they played well in both games and could easily be 2-0 rather then 0-2 if the ball had bounced differently. However, it doesn't get any easier for them as Hopkins seems to be a machine this season. The theme with Hopkins has always been beautiful play but couldn't put away chances. This year seems different as they have scored two goals in half their games, with lots of chances being left on the field as well. Probably the best game of the weekend with the biggest implications on the conference and national rankings. It should be interesting to see the two similar styles matchup and see who controls the game. I predict a Hopkins win.

McDaniel v F&M
Should be a tune up game for the Dips before a gauntlet of a schedule for the remainder of the season. I think we are yet to see the best of the Dips as injuries and inability to control games have really slowed them down. This game is certainly a must win from the Dips perspective as they look to continue their positive performances in the Centennial and find their identity. The injury report would suggest Horowitz is still out. Get that boy a doctor. Meanwhile McDaniel is what we expected them to be, a low block, counter attacking team. Their system really frustrated both Wash and JHU but I expect this game to be much different as both Wash and JHU are possession based teams that try to break down a low block by passing them to death. If the Dips play fast and utilize their strengths by creating chaos I expect them to put McDaniel away with ease.

Dips win 2-1 in a scrappy game. First F&M goal was Swat's own doing. Swat responded with a nice goal but have to question the Dips backline being split open by one direct through ball although the Swat player finished nicely. Dips ultimately scored game winning goal after being awarded penalty from a Swat handball. Overall both teams had chances created from crosses in front of the face of goal but could not put them away. Big win for the dips, frustrating one for Swat.

Massive fixture day in the Centennial. Specifically, Dips at Swat. Have to feel that the Dips have their backs against the wall and need a result from this game. Also a great clash of styles with Swats possession based football vs Dips run and gun attack. Swat yet to really be tested and looked very good against Gettysburg and controlled most of the game. F&M really struggling in most areas of the field right now and still haven't found a rhythm or style that's working. Watching them really feels like Kaliebe vs the world. Have to think they start mixing up the rotation a bit to find a spark, especially if Horowitz remains sidelined with injury. Should be a good watch, expect the dips to be playing for their lives.

Does anyone know If with the rule change taking away overtime are they going to add extra time added by the ref on top of the 90 mins or any type of clock stoppage. If they just play the 90 minutes down to the buzzer and end the game then that's just like high school soccer. I personally hope they give the ref to ability to add additional minutes at the end of ninety, especially since they are trying to mirror European soccer.

Anyone have any CC 2022 pre season predictions?