IIAC 2014

[Madhatter5]

Watched the Wartburg-Loras highlights agiain.
I must say the Wartburg keeper doesn't get enough credit.
I like his agreesion.

This is true, he did make the only save in the shoot out to get the win.

Loras 2-1
Wartburg 2-1

[Sir Victor]

I know I'm a little late here but the Wartburg @ Loras game was as entertaining as any I've ever seen. While we can argue on here for days about Loras' style of play and what our opinions of it are...there is no doubt it is effective. I thought losing Figura and Cavers (and even Rummelhart) would leave the DuHawks in shambles this year but they have proven to be as strong as ever. As a Wartburg fan however, I was thrilled to see the Knights finally win in the Rock Bowl (first time for current seniors).

As always it was a thrilling year in the IIAC. With so many big time players graduating last year I think the conference was down at bit (Cavers, Figura, Berkowitz, Bob Brown, Garcia-Pratts..could be missing a few but off the top of my head that's all I could think of). Last year we had 3 get in the NCAA's and probably should've been 3 this year if Luther wouldn't have scheduled so many cake teams. But regardless, we only had 2 this year and as an observer it seemed overall the conference was down a bit.

That being said, I can easily see both these teams making a run in the NCAA's. Loras' is a matchup nightmare for basically anyone in the country with their size. And Wartburg has firepower...also things seem to be clicking quite well right now in Waverly.

The big 3 (Loras, Wartburg, and Luther) will probably be battling at the top for years it seems. Although Dubuque's facilities are unreal and I could see them attracting a few studs making things interesting for a few years. Central is crap. Simpson gets some talent but can't put it together. Coe is seemingly lost forever and BV is well, BV...

Predictions for COY, Offensive MVP, Defensive MVP? Or All-Conference? Durantula, I know you do as always

[Durantula]

Of course!

COY: Rothert for dealing with all these injuries (WorstCOY Garcia-Pratts for that schedule or sports info director or whoever thought that was a good idea)

Offensive MVP: Nadeau runs away with it. Gednalski is next closest but with the two h2h's against the burg Nadeau gets it. Loras doesn't have any one player who plays offense (except Pizello who we will get to later)

Defensive MVP: Pizello. I know this is a strange choice, but I feel like he could be considered a defensive center mid. They have been the best team defensively in the IIAC, and I just don't think its because of their center back (koening I think). Pizello is extremely good in the air and prevents balls from even getting close to the defense. Along with this, Pizello scores a ton of goals and is Loras's main offense. I know this is a defensive award but IIAC often gives defensive player of the week to a defender that scores so maybe I might be right!

1st team all conference:
Loras: Pizello, Fluegel, Koening, Simon??

Wartburg: Krueger, Nadeau, (I think Azari deserves it but probably wont give it to two wartburg forwards because of gednalski and white), Anderson, Martins

Luther: Gednalski, JW Slauson

Simpson: White

Dubuque: Hager, their goalie??


Hmm that was hard haha

[lastguyoffthebench]

Any bracket challenge this year?     Good luck to your teams...

[Puerco Espin]

I've got the bracket started this year ... Hope to finish it up this afternoon. I'll post a link when it's ready.

[Puerco Espin]

http://brbrackets.com/d3-mens-soccer-bracket/

No need...Bennett Rank has a pretty good system in place.

[Madhatter5]

http://brbrackets.com/d3-mens-soccer-bracket/

No need...Bennett Rank has a pretty good system in place.

Awesome! I can do the women's bracket too! Can't wait! I'm freaking pumped

[GarbageGoals33]

http://www.iowaconference.com/news/2014/11/13/MSOC_1113142620.aspx

IIAC Honors...

3 teams worth of all-conference selections.  Interesting they award about a third of the starters in the conference a post season award.

[KICKIN95]

http://www.iowaconference.com/news/2014/11/13/MSOC_1113142620.aspx

IIAC Honors...

3 teams worth of all-conference selections.  Interesting they award about a third of the starters in the conference a post season award.

This way everyone gets a trophy!

[PickettStreetParty]

Why are there 2 Goalkeepers on the first team?

[KICKIN95]

Congrats to Pizzello on being voted the IIAC Defensive POY while also being the leading goal scorer for conference (Has this been done before in any other conferences?).  One other tidbit that the article points out is that Pizzello is the first Loras player to receive this honor.  Just last season Dan Figura won the National Defensive POY but failed to reel in the IIAC Defensive POY, tough crowd in the IIAC.

[KICKIN95]

Why are there 2 Goalkeepers on the first team?

Why aren't there 3 keepers?

[PickettStreetParty]

Why are there 2 Goalkeepers on the first team?

Why aren't there 3 keepers?

Everyone needs a trophy in the IIAC

[KICKIN95]

Why are there 2 Goalkeepers on the first team?

Why aren't there 3 keepers?

Everyone needs a trophy in the IIAC

Damn straight!