Epic battles Falconer. In 1993 we (Etown) played Messiah three times in two weeks. If my memory serves me right (and it may not): won 1-0 in regular season, won conference final one week later 2-1 (DeSales coach George Crampton chips the keeper with 14 secs left in match), then Steve Mott broke our hearts in the mud in 3OT the following weekend (yes, that's right triple OT) to beat us 2-1 in the NCAA second round.

Thanks so much for doing this!

I should couch that statement that I don't rate Hopkins. I don't rate them as highly as others. They are all very good on the ball, but their back line is nowhere near as good as years past and susceptible to turnovers when pressed unlike years past when they would slice up opponents who pressed. They have very technical players but simply don't often get dangerous. It's a fascinating system of play however.

2-2 a fair result? Please. Mary Washington was dominant and unlucky. See the box score. I don't rate Hopkins like others and watched them live against Muhlenberg, who had the better of chances in that match and the Mules are still figuring things out. For 20 minutesat end of 1H they peppered JHU in the best stretch I've seen for a Mules team in the past four year against JHU (and that includes two CC title matches). I just don't understand the love for F&M and Hop on this board. Way over the top. UMW was 2-3 goals better last night. They are REALLY good.

Lots of Hopkins and F&M love on here @EasyGoer. Get used to it. Dips have three ties including 0-1-2 Lynchburg. Granted they may be here by the end of the year, not now. Hopkins 2-2 gets handled by Rowan, who lost to Salisbury, but still at 11? Centennial looks like it's gonna be a great race again this year. Swat and Dickinson off to great starts and Wash will figure things out. But we're commenting about it, right? So great discussion starter. Go Mules!

I concur. This is not the Prem and this makes it way more difficult for committee members to distinguish teams on the bubble. Golden goal victories are fantastic moments which can be memory makers, especially for some programs who will never sniff the tournament, etc. The most valid argument against is the extended time, especially for midweek matches with long bus rides. The wear and tear argument is bunk when the average D3 roster now has to exceed 30.

Muhlenberg

Illinois Wesleyan takes away an at-large bid tonight. Quite a comeback and quote a tourney run.

Also think Otterbein perhaps should be included in that bubble list?

Two more also in from Amherst/Tufts and Mary Wash/UWP.

Question for all those geeking out this weekend trying to figure out teams' chances who may have thoughts based on based selection experiences...how reliable do you all feel the Massey Ratings are in reflecting both team strength/standing and conference strength/standing as the committee evaluates teams and conferences?

This is fantastic as I sweat out my son's Mules chances. Thanks for the work!

@PaulNewman - explain the difference between Mules and Hop? How are they not on your bubble but Hop is?

With D3Soccer.com not operating, I'll miss "Conference Championship Central." I've seen mention of two fewer AQs this year with the merger of CSAC and United East. What is the other berth gone and how many total AQs are there this year?

Quote from: paclassic89 on October 12, 2023, 09:53:55 PM
Current RPI Top Ten

Region IV

1.  Montclair State .6369
2.  LVC .6222
3.  Stockton .6125
4.  Kean .6035
5.  Stevens .5934
6.  Rowan .5789
7.  Rutgers-Camden .5634
8.  FDU-Florham .5508
9.  PSU-Harrisburg .5493
10.PSU-Abington .5429

Region V

1.   Messiah .7111
2.   F&M .6681
3.   Widener .6219
4.   Johns Hopkins .6176
5.   Muhlenberg .6137
6.   Dickinson .6022
7.   Lycoming .5866
8.   Catholic .5858
9.   Drew .5735
10. Alvernia .5717

@paclassics89 - where are these posted?