CCIW

Jim Matson · November 10, 2008, 12:52:01 PM

Illinois Wesleyan is in on a Pool C ticket. Great for the Titans!

Mr. Ypsi · November 10, 2008, 01:33:17 PM

And Carthage, too. Is 3 teams in a new high for the CCIW?

Jim Matson · November 10, 2008, 02:25:59 PM

Ypsi, I missed that...3 is the best we've had, no doubt.

DIIIdad · November 11, 2008, 11:41:59 AM

I think Wesleyan gets in due to their regular season conference championship. This is the first time since conference play began back in '95 that Wheaton didn't win it outright or share it ('01 with Carthage).

I was hoping Augie had a chance to get in with their 15-4 record. Three of the four losses were to tournament teams (2 losses to Wheaton and 1 to Wesleyan), and the other loss was to Wartburg, who may arguably have the biggest complaint with the tournament committee after not getting in with their 17-2 record. I think strength of schedule ultimately hurt Augie, even though they did beat some good teams such as Carthage, Loras and Concordia-Moorhead.

Too many games against the likes of Concordia (IL), MacMurray and Westminster, even though the combined score was 30-0 against those three teams.

Jim Matson · November 11, 2008, 04:27:05 PM

DIIIDad, looking at the NCAA regional polls, you can see that Illinois Wesleyan and Carthage appeared as a result of their strength of schedule, which can also be related to the in-region record. Back in the day, the committees would look at more subjective data, but no more.

Mr. Ypsi · November 17, 2008, 01:32:20 AM

Carthage lost in the first round, 0-3 to UWEC.

Wheaton beat Carroll, 3-1.
Wheaton avenged the Carthage loss, 0-0 to UWEC (won 3-1 on PKs).

IWU went 0-0 with Rhodes, but advanced on PKs (3-1).
IWU went 0-0 with WashU, but lost 3-1 on PKs).

[Jim, you commented earlier you thought IWU was TOO defensive minded and would do better with a more balanced game. Unless they already over-achieved for their talent, I think these results prove you right.]

Next weekend: Wheaton vs. WashU.

Jim Matson · November 17, 2008, 08:38:12 AM

For the Titans sake, I wish they had more offense. It would have been neat to see a third match-up between the Titans and the Thunder.

Wash U is no easy match-up for Wheaton. They play a tough schedule and also play a strong defense. Other than the split with IWU, the only common opponent is Chicago. Wheaton beat 'em 3-1 and Wash U lost to them 1-0. The difference will be two things: Wheaton has a more powerful offense and the match is being held at Wheaton. If the Wheaton defense avoids big mistakes, this might fall the way of Wheaton.

radchii · November 20, 2008, 06:34:36 PM

Were you at the game?

The Titans did have more "on target" offense than Wash U. They also equaled total shots to Wash U. Although when I add up Wash U's shots, I only get 13 shots for them. That means IWU had more offense and was also on target more often. They just need to get it passed the goalie. Check out the shots chart from the Wash U. web site.

Shot Chart
2008 Washington U. Women's Soccer
Illinois Wesleyan vs #8 Washington U. (Nov 16, 2008 at St. Louis, Mo.)

Team Shot Summary

Illinois Wesleyan Washington U.
------------------------- -------------------------
TOTAL SHOTS ATTEMPTED 14 TOTAL SHOTS ATTEMPTED 14
BLOCKED BY DEFENSE 3 BLOCKED BY DEFENSE 2
SHOTS OFF TARGET 3 SHOTS OFF TARGET 8
POSTS 1 POSTS 0
SHOTS ON TARGET 7 SHOTS ON TARGET 3 SAVED BY GOALIE 7 SAVED BY GOALIE 3
GOALS SCORED 0 GOALS SCORED 0

Another thing to consider is that Wash U resorted to a lot of fouls in order to contain the Titans (and those were only the ones called).

Fouls 1 2 OT O2 SO Total
Illinois Wesleyan 2 2 0 1 0 5
Washington U. 3 9 2 1 0 15

I don't know who I favor this Friday. Maybe keep it in the CCIW.

Jim Matson · November 21, 2008, 01:38:39 AM

I only watched part of the match, but what I saw didn't show me many good opportunities for the Titans. But maybe I missed them. I did see the foul count run up by Wash U.

Mr. Ypsi · November 21, 2008, 02:27:12 AM

I've battled for years on these various boards against those who can't appreciate soccer because of the lack of scoring. But even I (a long-time soccer coach) might be unable to applaud back-to-back double shutouts, settled by PKs!

Titans, don't lose the defense, but work on some offense!

Jim Matson · November 21, 2008, 06:09:59 PM

Ypsi, your Titans always seem to have enough offense to give Wheaton a run for their money! Seriously, I really would have loved to see Wesleyan in the Sweet 16 for the first time ever. The women's program continues to get better and is gaining a solid reputation, which not only helps the school, but the CCIW and the Central region.

Mr. Ypsi · November 22, 2008, 08:49:51 PM

I see from the scoreboard that Wheaton downed WashU 3-0 yesterday. Anyone have details?

Just three more wins necessary, Wheaton!

Jim Matson · November 22, 2008, 10:42:32 PM

Wheaton had all three goals in the second half against Wash U. They played very well, Ypsi. And with tonight's 2-1 win, they'll be in Greensboro in December.

thunderstruck88 · December 05, 2008, 05:00:47 PM

It's 'Game On' in Greensboro! Good luck to the Thunder!

DIIIdad · August 05, 2009, 01:59:12 PM

Getting close to opening day of the '09 season. Will Wheaton get back on top? Or will one of the next tier teams (Augie, Carthage or Ill. Wesleyan) take the conference this year?

I plan on seeing most of the Augie games this year, so I'll give you my feedback when possible, biased though it may be.