IIAC 2013

[KICKIN95]

That the ballgame with a late goal from Fluegel 2-0 Loras!

[KICKIN95]

And now we know why Wheaton's coach doesn't want to continue this great rivalry.  Lost the last 3 on an aggregate of 6-1. Sad really, I love watching these 2 play each other.

[Puerco Espin]

That was one hell of a match.

Cavers is filthy. Made a few Wheaton players look silly tonight.

Wheaton is a sound squad, but tonight, it was all about the swarm and defensive pressure that Loras applied. The second goal of the game by Fluegel was nasty. Keeper looked like he might have been out of position, but #17 made the most of a tight window.

Most complete game that the Duhawks have played all season long. If tonight was when things started to click, I feel bad for UD come Saturday.

[Puerco Espin]

Around the conference...

Wartburg defeats Gustavus Adolphus, 2-1. GAC was up 1-0 before giving up two unanswered.

UD blows another game. Gives up goals in the 84' and 88' to lose to Macalester. Yikes.

[socdude4]

And now we know why Wheaton's coach doesn't want to continue this great rivalry.  Lost the last 3 on an aggregate of 6-1. Sad really, I love watching these 2 play each other.

I could guess why. As an impartial observer of D3 I tuned in because it seemed like a good match-up and game and it was. Being the first time I've ever watched Loras, I was incredibly disappointed with their play. They have a good enough team to not have to play as dirty as they do. A lot of late tackles, high elbows, kicking the ball away when a foul is called (repeatedly). The official let them get away with it which didn't help things. Is this "typical" Loras?

[KICKIN95]

And now we know why Wheaton's coach doesn't want to continue this great rivalry.  Lost the last 3 on an aggregate of 6-1. Sad really, I love watching these 2 play each other.

I could guess why. As an impartial observer of D3 I tuned in because it seemed like a good match-up and game and it was. Being the first time I've ever watched Loras, I was incredibly disappointed with their play. They have a good enough team to not have to play as dirty as they do. A lot of late tackles, high elbows, kicking the ball away when a foul is called (repeatedly). The official let them get away with it which didn't help things. Is this "typical" Loras?

I can think of 1 late tackle and it was called.  I call also recall 3 blatant high studs as well as late tackles from Wheaton ( 1 was 25 yds out and the ref let it go with no advantage).  If by high elbows you are talking "swim moves" that is part of the game, other than that I didn't see anything out of either teams normal play.  Kicking the ball after a foul (which was more rolling with their spikes) is done by every single team in soccer at every level, hence the reason the ref didn't issue any cards, it's an unfortunate part of the game that has become allowable gamesmanship.  Loras came out and played a physical match and outplayed Wheaton plain and simple.  The post match interview of Wheaton's coach had the same sentiments, " the better team won tonight", " We let them push us around, out muscled us to the ball", " I made sure at half time to let them know how I felt about letting them push us around". Never mentioned or hinted that Loras was dirty.
  I'm not sure if you are used to watching high school or club soccer, but I can tell you that Loras is not in anyway a "dirty" team.  They knew this game was going to be a battle and would be won by the team that was wiling to get those 50/50 balls and put relentless pressure on until the other team broke.  Sure there wereincidents, but I can recall 1 to 1 a Wheaton foul or "dirty" play (as you call it) for each Loras foul.  Stats show 19 fouls for Loras and 16 for Wheaton and the only card was given to Wheaton ( how can that be Loras is so dirty!?!)  The visiting team to Wheaton's Joe Bean Stadium is dirty but mysteriously doesn't receive a single card and only has 3 more fouls?  I think you need to watch a few more Wheaton matches and then re assess your statement.  Wheaton plays Wash U (another physical team) this saturday, will be a great match.

[PaulNewman]

I watched the last 30 minutes or so of Loras vs Wheaton in part because I wanted to see what all the fuss is about.

First, I thought the video quality was excellent.  I also thought compared to what else is out there the commentary, especially by the play-by-play guy, was first rate.  The interview with the coach afterwards is a nice touch.  (By the way, I thought the Wheaton coach in a very professional way was complaining about Loras' physicality while he did emphasize that the better team won on the day).  Anyway, I was very impressed with Wheaton's internet broadcast and the overall professionalism for the D3 level.

Regarding the play, I was very impressed by both teams.  Loras looked a little more dangerous, and that 2nd goal was first-class.  The kid make a great individual play but I still didn't think he had an angle to score and the finish was surgical.  Until the 2nd goal, I just as easily could have seen Wheaton getting the equalizer and the game going to OT.  As the announcers and coach noted, these teams could meet again.

I was impressed with the skill and creative movement off the ball by both teams.  Very similar to what I have seen from OWU and Messiah.  IMHO, these teams all play a better brand of soccer than what one finds in the NESCAC.

[gustiefan04]

Kickin...I know you'll defend Loras to the death. But there was one player on the Loras side that stood out to me and the folks I was with, as being pretty cheap...#3 was a hack, and also blew 2 great scoring chances by running aronnd the ball to try and setup his right foot, when he had an open look with his left. But one player, does not a team make.

Otherwise I thought Loras was just a more physical (fairly so), faster team. They defended very well, with smothering high pressure all over the pitch. They were very disruptive to Wheaton and quite frankly deserved the result.

Cavers was very impressive, as were a few of the players in Loras' backline. There were a few times in transition where Loras' outside mids/fwd mis-handled a final pass inside the box, while pretty wide open to go to goal. They sure that up, and Loras could have won this match by 3 or 4. I expect they will only get better.

There was a stretch in the second half where I thought Wheaton might get an equalizer. They were possessing well through the back and middle, but fell apart up top. Wheaton really looked threatening on corner kicks and set plays. The Thunder definitely picked up their pysicality as the game wore one, but it was too little, too late. They couldn't match Loras.

A bit suprised by the Wartburg/GAC result. Looks like GAC had the advantage in run of play, outshooting Wartburg 15-10. GAC's best center back appears to be out with an injury. Seems to be some chemestry issues that need to be sorted out with the replacement.

Looks like Wartburg is making a surge back to relevence this year with some positive non-confernece results. They may be able to give Loras a run for the money this year in conference?

[KICKIN95]

I agree completely with the mishandling of passes, it is so frustrating to watch that happen knowing that a light touch and a left foot could equal a goal.  Less messing around to set up your "strong foot" and more shooting when the chance presents itself will more than not lead to goals, you will not score 100% of the time if you don't take the shot.

[TheBLVD]

I am an extremely biased person when it comes to Wheaton, and I couldn't be happier about that match. Oh boy it was a wonderful match to watch. Broke out the ol' projector, hooked it up to my computer, and enjoyed a classic. Wheaton started off stronger, but once Loras got going, there weren't many clear chances for the Thunder. They had shots, yes, but most were from distance and were easily contained by Milkent in goal.

Tommy Fluegel (my pick for IIAC MVP) finished like a pro on that late break, and it seemed like Wheaton struggled to calmly defend set pieces against the Duhawks. Dillon Olson, Kutzke, and Rummelhart all missed one perfect opportunities. In regards to the physicality, I loved it. If people were going to complain about the physicality they could sign up their son up for women's soccer. It's a physical sport. Yes, it might have gotten a little heated, but it was going both ways. There's no need to frequently whistle every time there's some contact just so the flow of the match is disturbed.

I thought the stream was very well done, and I thought the commentary was great. That was, until Wheaton was still down towards the end of the match. Then it was the classic Wheaton complacency that we all know and love. Yes, Loras kicked the ball away a handful of times towards the end, but just about every team does that when they're up in the dying minutes. Want a couple of salt licks for that high horse of yours Wheaton? The Wheaton commentators thought it was worse than murder. My favorite moment had to be when Cavers pulled off his trademark meg on one of the Wheaton players and straight up embarrassed him only to have one of the commentators dismiss the skill and the reaction it drew because it was too far away from the goal. I was glad to hear his partner on the mic defend the move and its reaction by stating that it probably would have garnered a similar reaction if it were a Wheaton player who had done it.

All in all, the Duhawks started slow, but I thought they were in control for 87.53286% of the match, and played comfortably. Now on to the weekend where I'm predicting a 57-0 Loras College win over UD with Dylan Milkent scoring 42 of the goals and assisting on the other 15.

[Puerco Espin]

The #3 that you're referring to is Rummelhart. The fastest man on the pitch. In his forward role, his job is to constantly apply pressure to the opposing backline, and yes, just like most players, results in "hacks". When you play hard and physical there are going to be misses on tackles, just a part of the game.

I won't try to make the argument that he's the most skilled player on the pitch, but his work ethic on offense and defense is not matched by many. Thought he could've buried a couple of his chances, but just wasn't in the cards.

If I'm drafting a team, I take #3 every single time.

[Ambush004]

I was impressed with wheatons individual skill of their players, Borge in the middle is real smooth along with Noah. Hollingsworth has the work ethic that you need for a forward ad he skill. However these players do not click together. Wheaton did not play as a team and that's where they lose in these close games, very talented team individually but no chemistry together. Maybe take a day off and go to the bar!!

Loras I was impressed defensively this time, they seemed N'SYNC. Cavers was the best player on the field and always makes something happen when the ball is on his feet, Borge takes notes! Can't wait to see these two teams meet in the tournament, it will be a must see.

[PaulNewman]

Let's be fair.  Compared to what else is out there the commentary was pretty even-handed.  It was after all the Wheaton broadcast team.  And only one of them expressed some bias, which he outright owned as a Wheaton alum and the same guy said any team (even Wheaton) would waste time in the final 10 minutes of a game.  And the kicking the ball away every time WAS poor form by the 7th or 8th time.

Not taking anything away from Loras.  Can definitely see them being crowned national champs.  Impressive team.

[OriginalStorm]

Yes! The long throw!!  A staple of American soccer.

It is a weapon that teams all around the world are slowly beginning to utilize.

Yes.  You are right..all the top teams like Stoke.

[Puerco Espin]

You're right NCAC, even though it seems to be common practice in soccer at all levels, its something that I feel takes away from the game. However, I'm not quite sure how they would reel it back in now that its gotten to the point where its at.