The Liberty League

[Saint of Old]

A League that produced 3 NCAA teams last year is as competitive as ever in 2012.

Vassar fresh from its NCAA appearance in '11 is 1-1-1 in the conference after losing 2-0 to a SLU squad that was hungry for vengeance, and tying a surprisingly active Clarkson squad who is also now 1-1-1 and looking to make some noise of their own.

Hobart has bounced back to 2-1 after scoring 2 unanswered goals against a previously stingy Skidmore defense.

Skidmore defeated SLU  with a taste of its own medicine, grinding defense and a bit of flair from a Jamaican striker. 3-1 is a good place for Skidmore to be, but they must get a result against a desperate Vassar Squad in order to gurantee Tournament play.

RPI is a strong team year in year out, and will look to bounce back for a top 4 spot in the league and the corresponding playoff berth.

SLU dropped its first league game in 3 years to Skidmore but will look to recover against Hobart on Saturday as the two 2-1 teams look to take a big step to booking a spot in the league Tourney.

The real season begins this Saturday.

Predictions?

[LaPaz]

I would think tonights game for RPI and Union is a big one. Im thinking 1-1 or 0-0 but have not seen either team. A win for RPI would really solidify there playoff chances. Two excellent road wins at Hobart and RIT. Still do not understnad why the Liberty League does not open up there tournament to at least 6 teams to make it more intereesting. This 4 team playoff setup puts way to much pressure on regular season games. Maybe thats a good thing but I would like to see a tournament with a 3v6 4v5 and 1 and 2 with byes.

[Saint of Old]

That is an excellent suggestion.
Moving the playoff format from 4 to 6.
It is starting to get more and more support from the powers that be.


Last years #4 seed Vassar went on to take the tournament crown after stunning SLU (0-0 tie, and took it in penalties) in the 4v1 match up.

You are right also abut RPI.
They are the one team that is still a mystery to me. How good are they. They lost a great keeper (Penny) in 10', but this kid between the sticks looks to have substance this year.

Like you Vassar,Hobart and Clarkson are all hoping for a 1-1 tie between RPI and RIT later tonight.

[Saint of Old]

RIT (1-2) @ Clarckson (1-1-1)
This will be the most decisive game of the weekend. Loser is out of the Tournament in all likelyhood. RIT lost a hard fought game to RPI their last time out while Clarkson held a good Vassar team to a 2-2 tie. I give the home advantage to Clarkson in a tight 2-1 game.

Vassar (1-1-1) @ Skidmore (3-1)

A would be devastating for  Vassar, especially as that would make Skidmore a lock for tournament play taking 1 of only 4 available spots. Skidmore must be careful as well since they do not want to lose back to back league games after a strong 3-0 start.
This game should end in a 1-1 tie, which would help Skidmore much more than Vassar.

Union(0-2) @ Bard (0-3)
Battle of the winless. Bard is continuing to adjust to Liberty league play (only in their 2nd full year). As Hamilton can tell you (Now in NESAC) there can be growing pains associated with switching leagues. Any result here for Bard would be comendable. They will not lose all 8 league games, and see this game at home as one of their best chances to avoid a doughnut fate.
For Union, anything less than 3 points and their season will be over.

Hobart @ SLU:

SLU lost to Skidmore. Hobart beat Skidmore.
As any student of soccer can tell you, this means absolutely nothing.
Both teams have been strong in the league as well as the region in recent years. Although both likely to make post season play, neither wants to prolong the time spent making the reservation.

SLU's loss to Skidmore woke up the Red giant and they will be looking for blood on their home field. Hobart meanwhile wants to show that they are truly a top 25 team, and a victory in Canton would do just that.

SLU 2-0.

Agree or Disagree.

[LaPaz]

Mind you I follow the league but still have yet to see any teams so a total hunch.

I like RIT winning at Clarkson.
I like Union beating Bard and rather convincingly. I do not see Bard gettin a point in this league all year.
I like Skidmore beating Vassar, but I would be willing to bet Skidmore has the most ties in this league the last 10 years. So a tie def possible.
I like SLU over Hobart 2-0  but am a big fan of the Ghana kid #25 on Hobart as he is a game changer, I realize he plays in the back but if i were behind i would be puching him up front. It seems SLU has gotten much bigger in the last few years, as I see them on video they look huge. Has this hurt there style at all? speed?

[Saint of Old]

SLU has always been a big team (with the exception of the wingers on the squad).
The last 3-5 years however the big boys have been more of  the all-american/impact players on the team.
Speed is still well above average, but the trick with the team is more fitness than speed.

I would go with all your points, except, Bard will get points this year.
They have lost their last 2 league games by a combined 10 goals.
These guys have pride. They will shock someone at home with a result.

[Saint of Old]

RIT (2-2) @ Bard (0-4).
I still say Bard will get a result in this league, despite dropping three straight by a 5-0 scoreline.
RIT are still very much alive, might even be in the playoff picture after the weekend, but first things first!
(0-0)

Clarkson (1-2-1) @ Union 1-2.

Clarkson needs a result to stay in the hunt, a win on the road will have this team looking dangerous.
Union will hope to prevail today and get some momentum to face the hungry Saints from Canton, who they play 22 hours later.
(1-1)

Vassar (2-1-1) @ Hobart (2-2)
Easily the game of the weekend. Loser will be on the outside looking in at the tournament.
Teams have almost identical overall and conference record. Both strong squads who will be searching for a possible at large bid. A loss here however would destroy that possibility.

Vassar 2 HOB 1

SLU (3-1) RPI (3-1)

Battle of the alphabets and alpha teams in the league at this stage.
RPI at home is always a tough matchup. The last game in Albany between these two teams ended in controversy.
A win here means aconference tournament spot is secured. A loss, and look over your shoulder at a charging Hobart/Vassar/Skidmore/RIT.
SLU (2-0)

[LaPaz]

im gonna go:

Bard v RIT 0-6

Union v Clarkson 2-0 - Union plays such a weak out of conference. but Clarkson is weak.

Hobart v Vassar  2-1- Vassar some impressive results on road. Not here

RPI v SLU 1-0 -depending on what field RPI plays on. If its that tight short field i like this result. If the football stadium then 3-0 SLU

[Saint of Old]

SLU (3-1-1) @ UNION (2-2)
SLU 3 Union 0

Strong 5-0 win over Clarkson yesturday but SLU is a different team.
A win puts SLU into the post season. A loss and Union is done.

Clarkson (1-3-1) @ RPI 3-1-1.

2-2
RPI pushed to double overtime  against SLU less than a day ago will fight hard, but Clarkson is playing for pride.

RIT (3-2) @ Vassar 3-1-1

Both teams in striking position of playoff berth. Vassar too strong at home 2-1.

RIT will be in a dog fight with Hobart Skidmore the rest of the way!

[Saint of Old]

Teams out of League Tournament:
Hobart
Bard
Clarkson

Teams that could still win the League Title:
Vassar
RPI
Union

Teams that Could still miss/make the League Tournament:
Vassar
Union
RIT
Skidmore
SLU

[Saint of Old]

Union loss to Skidmore means that RIT is now out of playoff contention.

Vassar can still top the league which would likely mean a date with SLU and a  semifinal remmatch of lastyears Conference Tourney.

Union v. Skidmore now becomes all important.

Union Win and they advance
A Win for Skidmore or a Tie, and Skidmore moves on.

[cornerkick]

Saint of Old

Do you know why Sam DeMello hasn't been playing?  Assuming he was injured in the Union game as he was subbed out that game and hasn't played since.  Hope it isn't anything serious, especially since he is a senior and a great player.

[Saint of Old]

Perhaps the Best midfielder the program has ever had (which is saying a whole lot).
He looks bigger on the field than he does in person, that has to do with his domination when playing.

I'm really not sure.
Didn't really make sense to play him against Plattsburgh.

My guess is that he is being rested toward the end of the season to make sure he is sharp for the playoff run.
The team is deep enough to make the dance without him, but having him adds a good passing and great scoring talent.

[Sandy]

He has a problem with his hammy. He'll be out until the playoffs next week, which they should make as they play Clarkson at home tomorrow. No sense to overextend him if they don't need to.

[Saint of Old]

#1 Vassar (5-1-2) v #4 Union (5-3)

Vassar got a taste of NCAA action last year and they seem to have loved it.
Union had one hell of a season. This group is trying to build a tradition of success.
It took 100 minutes for Vassar to gain a hard fought 2-1 OT victory when these two met in the regular season.

A tournament title might be the only ticket these two have of possibly dancing, however a slim chance of an at-large bid could hang in the balance for whoever wins.

Vassar at home is a bit too strong with home field and NCAA experience.
2-1 Vassar.

#2RPI (5-1-2) v #3 SLU (5-2-1)
RPI Seniors have seen their program become a conistent player in the conference over the last 4 years. Nothing would solidify this more than a trip to the NCAA.
A Tournament title or a victory over SLU might just do the trick. Earlier this year they earned a good 0-0 result against SLU. They will now be hoping that a SLU team hit with injuries  and home field advantage will be the added fuel needed to topple men from Canton.

SLU lost their emotional and phisical leader for the last 5 games of the season and has  had to rely of previously untested young guns.

0-0
PKs.