Top D3 Men's Soccer Programs Past Decade

[PaulNewman]

^^^^^Absolutely.

And in the Elite 8 for Amherst's 2015 title run the Mammoths got to play Trinity at Amherst...and won 1-0 in double OT.

https://www.d3soccer.com/seasons/men/2015/boxscores/20151122_w8yp.xml

And then the very next year of 2016 Trinity had to travel to Tufts where they lost to Kenyon 4-0 in Sweet 16.  And as often noted, Tufts had hosting fall in their lap due to multiple reasons (Trinity too far, Kenyon field destroyed by some bizarre infestation, and UMass-Boston advancing past Haverford even though Haverford was 11 v 9 for 30 minutes or more).  Of course Tufts reached the Final Four that year due to a 109th min fluke tally where the then Lords and their two AA CBs allowed Majumder to get a foot on a trickle in goal off a long throw-in.  Not easy to win at Tufts, like ever, and really hard in the Elite 8 the very next year after you knocked them out at home.

[SierraFD3soccer]

But, I could further to argue that the consistency in discussion with John Caroll and Franklin & Marshall, is mainly due to playing a weaker competition. I am sure if Conn or Midd or Bowoin played in their conferences, they would get bids to the tournament every season.

I mean, isn't there a reason that JCU/Franklin & Marshall and other programs bow out consistently in the second round, maybe Sweet 16. They aren't as battle tested as NESCAC schools.

So when considering a list of the best programs of the decade, how great are you if you can't make a deep run?

Sure, see your point as to F&M.  They do play in a decent conference, but not NESCAC. Over the last 10 years, they won 147 games with 39 loses/21 ties. Further, they went to the NCAAs the last 9 years 2 Elite 8 and 2 Sweet 16 finishes with only one year losing in the first round.  Lowest in conf. regular season finish was 3rd place twice and 1st three times. 

[PaulNewman]

Another probable error on my part due to recency bias...and a little embarrassing since in my backyard and very familiar with prior coach and former players....

BRANDEIS

Multiple Sweet 16s and two consecutive Final Fours in '16 and '17...kind of opposite profile as Conn with success heavily front-loaded to first half and middle of past decade tailing off past 3 or so seasons.

Might argue that Brandeis resume tops Conn.  And the far superior conference argument won't fly here with UAA.

Bad miss on my part!

[PaulNewman]

Still feeling a little defensive on behalf of Calvin, which is weird because I view the Knights as a bitter rival.

And I'm breaking my own parameters but I think in this case the added context is helpful...

Calvin made national final in '09 and '11...so Calvin has made SIX out of last 13 Final Fours with 4 national finals.

6 out of last 13 Final Fours is wild for any program not named Messiah. Nearly a .500% for making Final Fours.

[PaulNewman]

Another omission....Loras

5 Final Fours in past 15, including 3 and a national final within a 4 year period from '12 to '15.

For a handful of years Loras was arguably the 2nd strongest program in the country...we forget because the Tufts phenomenon happened.

See note on coaching thread in a minute.

[PaulNewman]

I guess recency bias is a real thing.

[soccerpapa]

The past is the past.....Dont want to hijack the thread but for further thoughtful discussion/debate - Which current teams are set up for success in the future?  Over the next 5-10 years?

[PaulNewman]

The past is the past.....Dont want to hijack the thread but for further thoughtful discussion/debate - Which current teams are set up for success in the future?  Over the next 5-10 years?

Tell us. What do you think?

[Saint of Old]

The past is the past.....Dont want to hijack the thread but for further thoughtful discussion/debate - Which current teams are set up for success in the future?  Over the next 5-10 years?

The past is not the past.
Whatever man has done, man can do.
Jose Mourinho had a famous rant titled "Football Heritage" on this topic.
Messiah, Amherst,  Williams, Wheaton (IL) , SLU, Tufts, football heritage.
Most of these schools will answer your question about the next 5-10 years. Most of these schools  were do.inating 20 years ago as well.
Don't underestimate history as it applies to football.
When an Argentenian, Brazilian, German or Italian put on their country's shirt they know they can win the world cup because men who wore the shirts won it  before. Same is true for programs above.

[futbolislife247365]

If we are going to talk about the best programs of the past decade, we should only bring up 2012-2022.

Best programs = competing on the national stage, winning your conference/conference tournament.  Focusing on the NCAA (I researched quickly so may not be 100% spot on)

Most NCAA Titles:
4 Tufts
3 Messiah
1 CC, Amherst, Chicago

Most Final Fours:
4 Tufts, Chicago, Calvin
3 Loras, Williams, Amherst, Messiah
2 SUNY One, Brandeis
1 (11 teams like Wheaton IL, OWU, CC, N Park, W&L, Rochester, etc.)

Most Elite 8s:
6 Tufts, Messiah
5 Amherst
4 Calvin, Chicago, Montclair St
3 Trinity, Wheaton, Williams, Brandeis, Kenyon, Loras
2 CC, F&M, Luther, N Park, Rochester, Rutgers Camden, St Thomas, SUNY Oneota
1 ONU, OWU

Most Sweet 16s
10 Amherst
8  Messiah
7. Brandeis, Kenyon, Tufts
6. Trinity, Calvin
5. Suny Cort, Chicago
4. Loras, F&M, Mont St, St Thomas, SUNY Oneota, W&L
3. N Park, Rochester, Olaf, Stevens, Wheaton, Williams
2. CC, Johns, Luther, ONU, OWU, Redlands, SLU

Most Tourneys
9. Messiah, Kenyon, Calvin, Tufts, OWU, F&M, Trinity
8. Mont St, Chicago, Rochester, SLU, Amherst, SUNY One, Stevens
7. Dominican, W&L
6. N Park, Brandeis, Suny Cort, Loras, JCU, CMU, CNU, Gustavus
5. ONU

If you start to look at conference trophies (reg season + conf tourney) you can start to expand the argument, like Calvin winning 18/20 in this decade.  I'm assuming Messiah has similar numbers but most other conferences are much closer.

[SKUD]

That is a strong opening post!  @fotbolislife247365 welcome!