CCIW

[Mr. Ypsi]

Thanks!

With Wheaton hosting despite being west of all other teams, I assume they must be a fairly solid favorite in their pod.

Know anything about Ithaca?

I don't know much. They went 11-3-3, with their best win seemingly being in the season opener against The College of New Jersey. I would think IWU is the favorite.

More info on Ithaca: http://bombers.ithaca.edu/news/2011/11/7/WSOC_1107112343.aspx

Thanks for the link.  I see they have been in as many tourneys as any team in d3 (including the last 9 in a row), and have won two national titles (fortunately, all current players would have been in diapers or not yet born when those happened! )  Looks like a formidable opponent, but I agree that IWU is probably a slight favorite; but ONU looks like a heavy favorite for the total pod.

[Jim Matson]

Ithaca is a strong side, but after having watched Illinois Wesleyan twice this season, I think the Titans can prevail. They just need to quit giving up those early goals, and press hard from the start. I think Wesleyan has been playing better as of late and will enter the post-season on a roll.

Wheaton might have an easier pod than they have ever had. But Alma, Capital, and PSU-Behrend are all new faces for them. Best to play like you are facing Hardin-Simmons or William Smith!

[thunder38]

not that it should come as a surprise but with wartburg and especially loras being eliminated i think the thunder are a shoo in to host the Sweet 16/Elite 8 rounds and we lose the storylines of having three teams that wheaton has already beat in their pod, as well as having a pair of friday night re-matches.  match-ups will be:

Wheaton (20-1-2, CCIW) vs. Wisconsin-Whitewater (14-4-3, WIAC, making 1st ever tournament appearance)
Wash. U (17-4, UAA) vs. St. Benedict (13-6-3, MIAC)

History: Wheaton def. Wash U in St. Louis 2-0 on Sept. 17; Wash U def. Wheaton in PK in Sweet 16 at Augustana in 2009.

[Jim Matson]

Wheaton will host as both the top seed and the most central site. No history at this point! Or least I think....

[thunder38]

Just as a PSA:

All games of the Wheaton Quadrant will be televised and broadcast on WETN.  Broadcasts can be found at WETN.org and click on the watch live or listen live link on the right side of the page to select which form you would like.

[thunder38]

Wheaton defeats Whitewater 4-1. Elite 8 game vs. Wash U/St. Bens will air on WETN tomorrow with a 5 PM kickoff from Joe Bean Stadium

[thunder38]

What a game last night at Joe Bean...3 goals in 3 minutes for the Thunder turns a 2-0 deficit into a 3-2 advantage and Orewiler adds the insurance in the final five minutes for a 4-2 Thunder victory.  I'm not sure I've ever seen anything like that.  For those of you who were lucky enough to catch the game, congratulations.  Congrats to the Thunder as they head back to the Final Four.

[petemcb]

Wheaton women are up 2-0 with about 10 minutes to go in the semifinals.

[petemcb]

and here we go to the National Championship!  Congrats to the Wheaton women on a hard-fought battle!

[NCF]

Which teams will be favored this season? I just found out a couple of former students will be attending two different CCIW schools, so I would like to catch a couple of games this season.

[blue_jays]

Well considering they've won 3 national titles and made 2 other title games in the last 8 years, my money is on Wheaton coming out on top.

[NCF]

Well considering they've won 3 national titles and made 2 other title games in the last 8 years, my money is on Wheaton coming out on top.

Wheaton is in a class by themselves. Who would fight for 2nd and third?

[blue_jays]

Best guess:
2. IWU
3. Elmhurst
4. Augie
5. Carthage

[NCF]

Thanks! Will try to get to a carthage/iwu/elmhhurst game this season.

[NCF]

The North Central women picked up their first win EVER against Elmhurst. The final was 2-0 and improved the team's record to 4-6, 1-1-0 in CCIW play.