I wouldn't say that Hopkins' style is the sole reason why they consistently produce results. I think the talent of their recruits, and more importantly their ability to bring in graduate students distinguishes themselves from the rest of the Centennial. Their style of play comes to back to bite them when they inevitably play a team who is on par with them in terms of footballing ability, but far more athletic. Their loss to Middlebury last year could have gone either way, and they put up a more traditional D3 fight in that game. I think if they developed a secondary playstyle similar to more high intensity D3 games they would more easily compete on the national stage and against Centennial teams that exploit Hopkins' stubbornness.

In regards to the national stage, I think last year more than ever showed the fragility of the NESCAC teams. WAC, St. Olaf, UMW all hit recruiting out of the park and played a convincing game without fear of the big names on a national stage. I believe it takes double the work and effort from smaller programs, but it does not mean it's not possible. Just a matter of striking the right balance of recruiting right and installing a system of play suitable to the players and the competition a team expects to face. 

Shocking fragility really from NESCAC teams in the last decade, no champions, no finalists. Oh wait...

Even Massey says only three New England Small Athletic Colleges make the current top five out of the rankings. 

Fragility in the sense that they are more beatable than most believe. Perhaps saying the NESCAC teams were fragile was hyperbole, and I will not deny the fact that the NESCAC is by far the best conference in D3 yet I don't believe they are invincible. Last two years has shown that. It goes without saying though that this year the best teams in the country, not only on paper, but based off the level they show are NESCAC squads. Additionally, I do believe there was a distinct shift from the pre to post covid era of D3 soccer, that is likely to normalize in the near future. NESCACS could win the next 25 national titles, or as we have seen thus far, some of the smaller programs step up and show that, while improbable, it is more than possible to win on the national stage. Still early days though...

It's okay D3tactico, just having some fun, it's the beauty of D3 really, there is no shortage of good teams across the 400 or so that make up the division.  I'd suggest it's a bookmaker's market, as forecasting results at the top end of the standings is genuinely tough.

Quote from: d3tactico on October 01, 2024, 11:29:05 PMI wouldn't say that Hopkins' style is the sole reason why they consistently produce results. I think the talent of their recruits, and more importantly their ability to bring in graduate students distinguishes themselves from the rest of the Centennial. Their style of play comes to back to bite them when they inevitably play a team who is on par with them in terms of footballing ability, but far more athletic. Their loss to Middlebury last year could have gone either way, and they put up a more traditional D3 fight in that game. I think if they developed a secondary playstyle similar to more high intensity D3 games they would more easily compete on the national stage and against Centennial teams that exploit Hopkins' stubbornness.

Great post summarizing the Cent. Conf, d3tactico!! 

Definitely Swat!  Hahaha. As to the F&M v. Swat game, imo F&M played much better than Swat and maybe they got lucky, but they definitely made their luck.  On the first goal, Swat was used to playing out of the back and F&M committed three to just out of the 18. The Swat back and GK fell asleep and F&M stepped to the ball. As to the winning goal, Swat was unfortunate with a hand ball in the box. Happens.  However, F&M was pushing the whole game with 3 or 4 excellent opportunities where they just couldn't finish to include hitting the crossbar as well as the Swat keeper cutting down the striker outside the 18 on a breakaway. IMO a DOGSO with a red card, but maybe it was to soon in the game. 22 shots with 8 on goal.

Typical as to F&M this year. FYI, their good striker has been injured and maybe played 3 or 4 games this year and only 70% of the time, but still has 3 goals. 

Lots of Cent. Conf. games to come. Big two games for many.

• Dickinson - should be able to get through Gettysburg and Haverford.
• McD - JHU and then F&M (2-0 in the conf. and has only allowed 2 goals the whole season)
• JHU - obviously McD and Swat which I think they should be able do well.
• F&M - Ursinus and McD - one might be hard, could be 4-0 in the conf. or just tying all the time 

By late Saturday a lot of things could be rearranged based on some of these games. Exciting times and only two games into it. Fortunate or unfortunate, 6 of 10 qualify for playoffs. Used to be 5 three years ago. So really what is important is the points.

Quote from: PaulNewman on October 01, 2024, 10:46:10 PMIn other words, Hopkins should (still?) be in the UAA....and also Tufts. 

As a fan of another very strong program that unfortunately has been limited to decent tourney runs, I get the pessisism that a title will always be just a bit out of reach.  I share that.  That said, St Olaf showed there is hope.  And Wash Coll, W&L, North Park, UMW, Centre (yeah, flippin Centre!), etc.

I don't think Hop was ever in the UAA for soccer. The school left UAA in 2000 and I know that when I was there and before that Hopkins competed in the old MAC in soccer and most other sports.

That said, they are a perfect fit for the UAA in many regards. I just don't think they want to spend the money on travel. Things have gotten MUCH better, but for a very long time, any sport other than Men's lacrosse was treated like an afterthought.

I've shared this before, but as one example: It wasn't until my junior year that the Head Coach for soccer was not also some form of lacrosse coach. It was seen as a way of getting the lax coaches more money or to justify their salary in the off-season.

Not ideal, to say the least.

Quote from: Hopkins92 on October 02, 2024, 10:00:58 AMI've shared this before, but as one example: It wasn't until my junior year that the Head Coach for soccer was not also some form of lacrosse coach. It was seen as a way of getting the lax coaches more money or to justify their salary in the off-season.

Yup, F&M's coach I think started as part time with very little resources on not a great field.

In the 80's in college, we had JV soccer which I played for one year and my coach was an old time baseball coach who was a real character. He had played minor league ball with a brief call up to the majors (cup of coffee as he regaled us with regularly). He knew nothing about soccer and we played on a field that was really was a meadow with rocks and crooked lines. The varsity coach was full time and also coached wrestling. However, we all have physed requirements to graduate so the coaches all "taught" badminton, squash, basketball, running, weightlifting and several other sports. Running was interesting as in the final was run the track for the whole period and I don't think we were timed. Also the coaches were eligible for tenure so many stayed their entire time at our college. That may still exist for the much older coaches. Recent years that is not an option I am guessing based on coaches moving on.

Back in those days when there wasn't this sports industrial complex. I don't think growing up my parents saw never more than 3 or 4 of my games and definitely none in college. Not uncommon. 

Weak start by UMW. Going down 1-0 to St Marys in the 1st 15 minutes

St Marys player gets second yellow with 6 minutes left in 1st half. 3 total YCs so far to SMC

Hopkins scores a great goal on a ball put in the air into the 6 yard box and flicked over the McDaniel GK to give them the 1-0 lead in the 14th minute and end McDaniel's 4 game shutout streak.

The McDaniel GK looked like he was going to break the cardinal rule of goalkeeping to catch the ball at its highest point and was going low (almost to his knees) to make a basket catch and didn't anticipate a forward cutting the ball out in the air before he got there.

Quote from: eaglesoccerdad on October 02, 2024, 04:14:43 PMSt Marys player gets second yellow with 6 minutes left in 1st half. 3 total YCs so far to SMC

SMC with 15 fouls in the 1H. Not sure the ref had a good handle on this game. Gave a YC to UMW striker for contact with the keeper at the end of the half when it appeared that the contact was with his own player.

Quote from: eaglesoccerdad on October 02, 2024, 03:50:57 PMWeak start by UMW. Going down 1-0 to St Marys in the 1st 15 minutes

Don't think they looked good this half.  Really rushed, and just trying to ram the ball through SMC's D.

SC.

Quote from: SimpleCoach on October 02, 2024, 04:47:23 PM

Quote from: eaglesoccerdad on October 02, 2024, 03:50:57 PMWeak start by UMW. Going down 1-0 to St Marys in the 1st 15 minutes

Don't think they looked good this half.  Really rushed, and just trying to ram the ball through SMC's D.

SC.

Schmugge with a banger to tie it up 1-1 13 mins into 2H

i agree SC. lots of really poor touches as well

Quote from: eaglesoccerdad on October 02, 2024, 04:54:22 PM

Quote from: SimpleCoach on October 02, 2024, 04:47:23 PM

Quote from: eaglesoccerdad on October 02, 2024, 03:50:57 PMWeak start by UMW. Going down 1-0 to St Marys in the 1st 15 minutes

Don't think they looked good this half.  Really rushed, and just trying to ram the ball through SMC's D.

SC.

Schmugge with a banger to tie it up 1-1 13 mins into 2H

i agree SC. lots of really poor touches as well

Castillo with a goal. UMW up 2-1

Quote from: Kuiper on October 02, 2024, 04:22:51 PMHopkins scores a great goal on a ball put in the air into the 6 yard box and flicked over the McDaniel GK to give them the 1-0 lead in the 14th minute and end McDaniel's 4 game shutout streak.

The McDaniel GK looked like he was going to break the cardinal rule of goalkeeping to catch the ball at its highest point and was going low (almost to his knees) to make a basket catch and didn't anticipate a forward cutting the ball out in the air before he got there.

Not a heckuva lot the keeper could've done on that one. Text book glancing header many yards separating the forward from the goalie.