Quote from: Hopkins92 on October 02, 2024, 05:00:05 PM

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.

Oh, I wasn't blaming him for the goal.  It was hard to anticipate the ball being delivered from that part of the field with pace, which is why he was late coming off his line.  I'm sure his GK coach will tell him it's better to stay near your line and hope he puts it in your bubble, but I was just pointing it out because it was odd seeing him end on his knees for a ball headed into the top of the goal.  There was very little chance that going for the late, low catch, was going to be successful.

The Falcons' woes continue.  Held to a draw away at Lycoming.  Outshot 11 to 4.   This drops them to 4-5-1 on the season

Cent. Conf. had some surprises some big, some not.

WC 3-2 over Swat.  Swat got 2 in the first and it looked like maybe WC's season as to Cent. Conf might be fading fast. Two Pks and a nice goal pulled it out them out though. Swat might be fading with 2 loses in row after going 7-0-1 and now has JHU on Saturday.

Dickinson pulled it out 4-3 with Gettysburg playing hard. Dickinson has given up 7 goals in two games now. Not great.

JHU definitely generated enough offense to win, but you might say that, like F&M, still are struggling with finishing. Left them vulnerable as McD could have tied, but had a bad PK attempt. Otherwise, JHU beat up McD but only one goal to show.

F&M won 2-0 so they are not joining Babson and are 5-0-5. 25 shots of which 14 were on goal plus hitting the crossbar again. Ursinus' GK had a career day with 12 saves. However, quietly, F&M has only allowed 5 goals over 10 games with 6 shutouts. Maybe not thrilling, but defense keeps teams in there and F&M is pretty good example.

1/3 of the Cent. Conf. over with 7 teams having 3 or more points.

Quote from: Hopkins92 on October 02, 2024, 10:00:58 AMIt 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.

On the other hand, it means that I can brag that Bill Tierney, generally regarded as the greatest lacrosse coach of all time, was my soccer coach freshman year.

Quote from: Hopkins Walk-On on October 02, 2024, 10:08:23 PM

Quote from: Hopkins92 on October 02, 2024, 10:00:58 AMIt 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.

On the other hand, it means that I can brag that Bill Tierney, generally regarded as the greatest lacrosse coach of all time, was my soccer coach freshman year.

Played with a lot of lacrosse players. Back in the day you could actually deck players and the guys who played both were very good at this. Just soccer back in the day. Wasn't much discussion of the "Beautiful Game" then.

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.

Thanks justakidfromakron (I say OH you say ...) great preview!

The first two, unfortunately for Haverford and Ursinus, are pretty much locks. However, I will never sleep on Ursinus as they usually have one or two upsets a season in Cent. Conf. See JHU 2021 and 2023 among others. The 2023 win against JHU was their only conf. win. The Dickinson v. Haverford - Fords' crappy field may play a factor. Definitely the worst field in the CC now by far. Could be an equalizer.

Gettysburg has been an enigma over a few years. Strong somedays, but not so much others. Not saying that they will beat the Muhls, but could be competitive and GC is playing at home.

Swat - pretty much a season decider for them. Against WC, they lost a 2 goal lead to go down 3-2 after WC being awarded 2 pks. That had to be tough. They definitely played better there than against F&M. So two games in a row where PKs were the deciding factor. They will be either 2-2 in Cent. Conf or drop to 1-3. Huge game for them. 

As to F&M, lots at stake. I have said that they have not been working on all cylinders most of the year and injuries have been a factor. However, they have proven that a deep bench (next man up mentality) is one of their strengths. 21 players have 100 mins or more. Last game they had at least 3 reg. starters that they could not play as well losing their main back in the first half. They still had 25 shots with 14 on goal.

Plus playing decent defense has been key in their struggles to finish.  Notice I did not say score, because they have had so many opportunities 180 shots with 75 on goal while their opponents 101 shots and only 41 on goal. Opponents have made 57 saves over 10 games (so quick maths - been watching a lot of BritBox) 5.7 per game. That is a lot of saves. If F&M opponents were a team, they would have only 2 fewer saves than Ursinus this season. 

One other thing that has been true imo all season (and is not mentioned much is any time) is that when Koa Kaliebe touches the ball something good happens. Having seen him for 4 years, he's one of those players that you quietly say "what is he going to do now" every time. Also imo, he is the or the very least one of 2 or 3 players in Cent. Conf. who is incredibly fast and dynamic on and off the ball. Not discussed often, but I am sure that every coach concentrates on him before each game.

As to Oscar Horwitz, he was often injured two years ago, and, generally, was only available 50-60% of the season. He scored a decent amount of goals that year as well. However, strong defense and bench got them through the 2022 season to win the reg. season CC and losing in pks in the 2nd round of the NCAAs against Cortland. 2022 - 11 goals allowed over 17 regular season games. This year 5 goals over 10 games so far.

While a down year relatively speaking wouldn't have been unexpected for Messiah, it's unfathomable that Messiah has a losing record entering conference play. Sure, they lost a 5th-year Sr. center back Ben Vollmer for the season in Game 1 and have largely been without Sr. striker Stefan Leitzel (limited minutes in three recent games). So it shows that they have been missing who were probably expected to be their best players on the front and back lines, but Messiah has a strong, deep squad that would have been expected to cope with those losses a bit better than they have.

Hopefully tonight's Homecoming Game against Eastern breaks the Falcons skid which has been about as bad as it has ever gotten for Messiah since the 1960's when the program was just getting started.  This year marks the first sub-.500 record at end of September since 1976 when they were 1-2-0. The only other losing records entering October came in 1967, 1968 and 1969, the first three years of the men's soccer program when they went a combined 3-27-1. Likewise it's their first losing record after 10 games since 1976 and before that the three seasons in the 1960's.

Their current 4-game winless streak is just the third such occurrence since the 1960's; the other two: 1996 (0-3-1 in mid- to late-October) and 1973 (0-3-1 to start the season).  If they don't beat Eastern in the Homecoming Game tonight it would be the longest winless streak since 1969.

The conference slate should help them pick up some wins, but few, if any, games can now be considered gimmes, and York, Alvernia and Widener in particular could add to the Falcons' woes.

Worst Septembers (min. 6 games played)
1. 2024 - 4-5-0 (.444), 12 pts. (1.3 pts/gm)
2. 2015 - 5-3-1 (.611), 16 pts. (1.8 pts/gm)
3. 2003 - 5-2-2 (.667), 17 pts. (1.9 pts/gm)
4. 1982 - 4-1-3 (.688), 15 pts. (1.9 pts/gm)
5. 1987 - 6-3-0 (.667), 18 pts. (2.0 pts/gm)
6. 2019 - 6-2-2 (.700), 20 pts. (2.0 pts/gm)
7. 1993 - 6-2-1 (.722), 19 pts. (2.1 pts/gm)
8. 2000 - 7-2-1 (.750), 22 pts. (2.2 pts/gm)
9. 1981 - 4-1-1 (.750), 13 pts. (2.2 pts/gm)
10. 2016 - 6-0-3 (.833), 21 pts. (2.3 pts/gm)

Worst first 10 games
1. 1969 - 0-10-0 (.000), 0 pts. (0 pts/gm)
2. 1968 - 0-9-1 (.050), 1 pts. (0.1 pts/gm)
3. 1967 - 1-8-0 (.125), 3 pts. (0.3 pts/gm)
4. 1976 - 4-6-0 (.400), 12 pts. (1.2 pts/gm)
5. 2024 - 4-5-1 (.450), 13 pts. (1.3 pts/gm)
6. 1970 - 5-5-0 (.500), 15 pts. (1.5 pts/gm)
7. 1973 - 4-3-3 (.500), 15 pts. (1.5 pts/gm)
8. 1971 - 6-4-0 (.600), 18 pts. (1.8 pts/gm)
9. 2015 - 6-3-1 (.650), 19 pts. (1.9 pts/gm)
10. 1993 - 6-3-1 (.650), 19 pts. (1.9 pts/gm)
11. 1972 - 6-3-1 (.650), 19 pts. (1.9 pts/gm)

Worst 7-Game Stretches
1. 1969 - 0-7-0 (.000)  (part of 10-game losing streak)
2. 1968 - 0-6-1 (.071)  (part of 10-game winless streak that incl. 6-game losing streak)
3. 1967 - 1-6-0 (.143)  (one win sandwiched between two 4-game losing streaks)
4. 2024 - 1-5-1 (.214)
5. 1970 - 2-5-0 (.286)
6. 1996 - 2-4-1 (.357)
7. 1976 - 2-4-1 (.357)
8. 1989 - 3-4-0 (.429)
9. 1984 - 3-4-0 (.429)
10. 1980 - 3-4-0 (.429)

Longest Winless Streaks
1. 1969 - 0-10-0
2. 1968 - 0-9-1
3. 1967 - 0-4-0
4. 1967 - 0-4-0
5. 2024 - 0-3-1
6. 1996 - 0-3-1
7. 1973 - 0-1-3
8. 1996 - 0-3-0
9. 1989 - 0-3-0
10. 1987 - 0-3-0
11. 1979 - 0-3-0
12. 1971 - 0-3-0
13. 1970 - 0-3-0
14. 1976 - 0-2-1

Most loses in a season
1. 1969 - 1-10-0 (.091)
2. 1968 - 1-9-1 (.136)
3. 1967 - 1-8-0 (.111)
4. 1976 - 5-7-1 (.423)
5. 1971 - 7-7-0 (.500)
6. 1993 - 15-7-1 (.674)
7. 1980 - 18-7-0 (.720)
8. 1970 - 5-6-0 (.455)
9. 1979 - 10-6-1 (.618)
10. 1984 - 10-6-2 (.583)
11. 1983 - 15-6-1 (.705)

Wow as to Messiah. Very puzzling especially since losing two players generally does not doom a team especially a real quality program. Maybe not as successful, but not that steep.

Watching GC v. Muhls. GC had a 1-0 lead for a long time until bad GC error. No weather related today. So 1-1 with 30 min left. Maybe just me, but it seems to be a tough year for goalkeepers.

FW, to add just a little more perspective to your post...

In 1969 I was 9 about to turn 10, and now about to turn 65...and I presume you were quite a few years from even existing.

With Messiah up 3-0 on Eastern at halftime, I think those worrying about them rivaling the 1969  winless streak may be able to breathe a little easier

Hop up 2-0 early up in the Philly burbs.

This offensive outburst is a shock to the system!

(First goal was a lovely lofted ball to the top of the 18 where a beautiful touch allowed the striker to slot one home. The second was... Bungled long ball into the box. Hard to tell if the keeper misplayed or the Hop striker clip it past.)

First goal was very nice. 2 goal lead, what are they going to do???

That was actually pretty fun to watch.

2-1 Hop win after Swat (very much) earned a PK early in the second. I can see why the Garnets have been successful this year... That second half was hectic, in a good way.

Not an unjust result. Very big win for the Jays on the road.