Kenyon currently up 1-0 against Spalding. Hit the post in the early moments of the 2nd.
1:30 kickoff for Calvin vs. Hamilton

Wis. Eau-Claire v. Lake Forest @ 2pm
Hope v. DePauw @ 4:30pm

Quote from: jknezek on November 15, 2024, 12:01:19 PMSo here's an interesting thought. I did hear from a friend of mine at a bubble-ish type school that there were some conversations between teams around the bubble who had lost in the conference tournament to try and arrange an extra game around the time of conference title games. The thought was, if you could get 2 bubble teams together, a win might push you off the bubble and back into the field.

Since the NPI information was coming daily it was pretty clear which schools might benefit. There were some questions about whether it was allowed, and nothing happened this year obviously, but there are schools expected to at least make inquiries about the possibility next year.

Lining up a game for teams in the mid to high 30s or low 40s, with an opponent in the same area, is probably not real feasible in a lot of places, but would a SUNY-Oneonta (43)/Plattsburgh State (42) rematch have boosted the winner enough to make a difference?

To be honest, looking for a sub 3 hour trip, I'm not really sure I see too many games that might fit besides that one.

With Mount Union the first team out, and in a decent D3 area, you'd think something would make sense. But Covenant, Rhodes, Va Wes, Plattsburgh State, York, all too far away and some were still playing. Go further down the list and I'm not sure the incentive for the opponent is there, but even if it was, Augsburg, Redlands, Tex Lutheran, Montclair St, Edgewood... not exactly reasonable trips on short notice. UMU's football team knows the way to Roanoke (Salem, VA) real well, but it's still 6 hours by car. So you would have to get all the way to Otterbein at 52, and a conference rematch. Would that move the needle to push UMU above Buff State? And a win for Ott probably doesn't do much for them, so what's the incentive?

Maybe a Roanoke/Va Wes game? But at 49, is Roanoke really going to jump enough to make it worth the expense? Same with a Washington College vs Montclair State game. I just don't see it being worthwhile for Washington College, even if the win would help Montclair St.

Anyway, it's an interesting new dilemma for the NPI system. If the information is that transparent, can the system be gamed by scheduling an extra game? And is that even allowed.

What about York vs. Washington? That's not a brutal trip. Not sure it moves the needle enough for either team. I don't really do math, so...

York to Buff St is a 5.5 hour drive.

The PbP guy at Kenyon sounds like he doesn't want to disturb others at a nice restaurant. Understated.

#10 for Kenyon, Gerardo Martinez, is a quality little maestro for the Owls. Extremely tricky on the ball and checks into great spots to help break lines. I was surprised to see he's only a senior. I remember performances from his freshman year in the tournament, namely the Messiah game.

Quote from: Hopkins92 on November 15, 2024, 12:40:34 PMThe PbP guy at Kenyon sounds like he doesn't want to disturb others at a nice restaurant. Understated.

I hope someone scores so we can hear an enthusiastic whisper.

I'll have match previews later, but here are a few notes of interest about the Colorado College pod:

1.  Elevation:  Colorado Springs is in the Rocky Mountains. At 6,035 feet, or 1840 meters/1.143 miles, in the air, I'm guessing it is the highest point in DIII men's soccer.  By contrast, Pacific Lutheran is in Tacoma, which has an elevation of 243 feet, Oglethorpe is in Brookhaven, Georgia, which is at the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains and has an elevation of 974 feet, and CMS is in Claremont, California, which is at the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains and has an elevation of 1,168 feet.  So, while none of the visitors are at sea level per se, none of them are used to playing at this kind of elevation.  Studies from the 2010 World Cup in South Africa showed that playing at above 1200 meters does have an effect on endurance performance, although not necessarily on speed/goals/GK errors:

QuoteThe main finding of this study was that the teams' endurance performance, determined by the total distance covered during the game, was 3.1% lower in the matches played at altitudes above 1,200 m during the 2010 World Cup compared with sea-level values. However, it is noteworthy that the maximal speed, the number of goals scored, and the errors made by the goalkeepers that resulted in goals conceded were not significantly influenced by altitude. This is the first study to show the effect of altitude on football performance using physical and technical data from official matches.

Studies also show that high elevation can also interfere with sleep, which doesn't help anyone and it could be worse for Oglethorpe given the time difference they are facing already.

Colorado Springs is 50% higher than the level at which they found a meaningful effect in the World Cup.  Plus, some World Cup players played their club games at high elevation and some teams trained at high elevation for weeks before the tournament.  Here, only Colorado College players have these advantages.  On the other hand, DIII soccer allows for lots of substitutions, which can help offset the endurance issue, but many DIII teams don't have the depth to withstand lots of substitutions without a drop in quality. Playing two days in a row for the winning teams could exacerbate this effect.  Colorado College has been a successful team the last four years in all locations, but it's not surprising that their home record has been 25-2-4 during those 4 years (undefeated this year and only 1 loss last year at home), while they have been 19-5-7 away and 5-6-2 on neutral sites (which includes SCAC and NCAA tournament, as well as non-conference games played at neutral; sites in weekend early season "round robin tournaments") over the same period.

2.  Weather - The weather actually looks pretty decent for this weekend.  At 11 am kickoff for the first game it's predicted to be 46 degrees and sunny and it should get up to a high of 48 degrees during that game, which will feel like 44 degrees with the wind chill.  The second game should start around that high of 48 degrees and drop to 46 or 45 degrees during the game, which will feel like 43 or 42 degrees with the wind chill.  This is all actually better than Pacific Lutheran would have had in Tacoma this weekend (high 40s and raining), but colder than Oglethorpe would have had (high 60s and sunny) and a little worse than CMS would have had in Claremont (50s and sunny).  On the other hand, from the looks of this CC Instagram video, they have snow piled up around the field and I doubt that is the case for the other three teams.

3.  Travel - Travel is relatively easy for all the teams, depending on disruptions.  Oglethorpe is the farthest away, but both PLU and CMS may have had to get connecting flights anyway.  Biggest question for CMS is whether they caught a flight from Ontario airport or had to go to LAX.  The drive to the latter could have been the most painful part of the trip, but it might have allowed them to fly non-stop and have more options.  Only Oglethorpe will have any time difference, but for a midday game it shouldn't pose any problems.

Quote from: Mr_November on November 15, 2024, 12:47:28 PM#10 for Kenyon, Gerardo Martinez, is a quality little maestro for the Owls. Extremely tricky on the ball and checks into great spots to help break lines. I was surprised to see he's only a senior. I remember performances from his freshman year in the tournament, namely the Messiah game.

So frustrating to be a diehard Kenyon fan.  Absolutely no reason not to win that game 3-0 or 4-0.  One goal, or even two, likely will not be enough to get by Calvin or Hamilton.  Anbd because we're constructed to be a strong offensive team, the defense isn't set up to win 1-0 games.  But if we're only going to score one (or none) then the defense needs to be far more intentional in terms of staying organized, tight, and compact. They really, really miss Duratovic...and also Robert Little.  Soooooo close to being a really good team but just not enough offensive finishing.  No one can finish, except for Dujakovich, and he's more of a offensive center mid guy.  I am thrilled that Wall finally is playing #12...who imo was their best forward player today and should get even more minutes.  Very good skills, great vision, precision, crafty passes, and he'll score if he can get a few more minutes and touches.  Also frustrating to watch the Owls dominate possession but get so few truly good chances in the run of play.  They start out playing negative balls repeatedly out of the back, initially further up the field, and each five minutes that go by they are possessing deeper and deeper in their own territory.  And Martinez is super frustrating...among the best in D3 with the ball, but too often goes for spectacular passes that trickle gently out of bounds harmlessly OR he takes 35 yard shots that have no chance.  Penetrate, get into or around the box, and make a truly dangerous offensive play, Gerardo!  I will say that the Buchwalter kid (I think out of Houston and Shattuck St Mary's or whatever it is in Minnesota) who got the goal is a superb player...and NCAC Newcomer of the Year.  Will be one of the top players in NCAC and probably nationally for the next three years.

Really intriguing match-up for the second game of the pod out in Gambier.

Perennial dancers Calvin going up against one of the NESCAC teams folks have circled as potential bellwethers of the "do they deserve all but three of their teams in the tournament" discussion.

Calvin (AQ) is #58 in the NPI, Hamilton is #30. 

I know there's been some discussion about best names in D3 soccer in the past.  Calvin has a player named Xtreme Hauk.  That might take the crown

Quote from: Hopkins92 on November 15, 2024, 01:36:19 PMReally intriguing match-up for the second game of the pod out in Gambier.

Perennial dancers Calvin going up against one of the NESCAC teams folks have circled as potential bellwethers of the "do they deserve all but three of their teams in the tournament" discussion.

Calvin (AQ) is #58 in the NPI, Hamilton is #30. 

I will be, not shocked but extremely surprised, if Calvin doesn't advance against Hamilton.  This just isn't the kind of spot where Calvin loses.  I suspect the grass surface also will favor Calvin.

And I agree that this is one of the more interesting 1st round matches.

Spectacular solo goal from Calvin. That pace - WOW.

Quote from: Kuiper on November 15, 2024, 01:17:03 PMI'll have match previews later, but here are a few notes of interest about the Colorado College pod:

1.  Elevation:  Colorado Springs is in the Rocky Mountains. At 6,035 feet, or 1840 meters/1.143 miles, in the air, I'm guessing it is the highest point in DIII men's soccer.  By contrast, Pacific Lutheran is in Tacoma, which has an elevation of 243 feet, Oglethorpe is in Brookhaven, Georgia, which is at the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains and has an elevation of 974 feet, and CMS is in Claremont, California, which is at the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains and has an elevation of 1,168 feet.  So, while none of the visitors are at sea level per se, none of them are used to playing at this kind of elevation.  Studies from the 2010 World Cup in South Africa showed that playing at above 1200 meters does have an effect on endurance performance, although not necessarily on speed/goals/GK errors:

QuoteThe main finding of this study was that the teams' endurance performance, determined by the total distance covered during the game, was 3.1% lower in the matches played at altitudes above 1,200 m during the 2010 World Cup compared with sea-level values. However, it is noteworthy that the maximal speed, the number of goals scored, and the errors made by the goalkeepers that resulted in goals conceded were not significantly influenced by altitude. This is the first study to show the effect of altitude on football performance using physical and technical data from official matches.

Studies also show that high elevation can also interfere with sleep, which doesn't help anyone and it could be worse for Oglethorpe given the time difference they are facing already.

Colorado Springs is 50% higher than the level at which they found a meaningful effect in the World Cup.  Plus, some World Cup players played their club games at high elevation and some teams trained at high elevation for weeks before the tournament.  Here, only Colorado College players have these advantages.  On the other hand, DIII soccer allows for lots of substitutions, which can help offset the endurance issue, but many DIII teams don't have the depth to withstand lots of substitutions without a drop in quality. Playing two days in a row for the winning teams could exacerbate this effect.  Colorado College has been a successful team the last four years in all locations, but it's not surprising that their home record has been 25-2-4 during those 4 years (undefeated this year and only 1 loss last year at home), while they have been 19-5-7 away and 5-6-2 on neutral sites (which includes SCAC and NCAA tournament, as well as non-conference games played at neutral; sites in weekend early season "round robin tournaments") over the same period.

Son lives outside of Denver and hikes a lot going over 14k feet for many of his hikes. As to the current teams there, I think youth and physical fitness will check part of the elevation unlike me who is far from in shape. I would have to be there several days before I could attempt any of his hikes. 

IMO, the short time between arriving and having to play at that elevation will be biggest factor. Pretty sure most teams got there the day before. Also elevation may not impact the first game, but the second game the next day I think might be an issue.  One game possibly negligible, two games in two days 24 hrs or less apart could be a big factor.

Quote from: Mr_November on November 15, 2024, 01:49:12 PMSpectacular solo goal from Calvin. That pace - WOW.

Very, very impressive by the 58th NPI ranked team.

Calvin 1-1 Hamilton. Do we have an NCAA classic on our hands?

Good stuff Sierra. Both of my daughters lived in Denver and I've spent a lot of time out there. I don't find Denver to be any kind of issue when I land. I've been to The Springs multiple times and the elevation is something you can feel, but it's absolutely nothing like being at 10k and definitely feels like another universe at 14k.

But, absolutely that 2nd day is gonna be rough on out-of-towners.