IIAC 2013

[OriginalStorm]

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.

What about them makes them a possible national champion in your eyes?  I have not seen enough of other team outside the region.  Is it the talent or is it in their quality of play?

Thanks in advance for your insight.

[PaulNewman]

Certainly no expert.  But they clearly are a top team and can play straight up with the likes of Messiah and OWU.  And they appear to have the type of difference makers that a team needs to prevail in huge games, like Travis Wall for OWU in 2011.  There are teams where you wonder how and if they will ever score.  And then there are teams like Loras, Messiah, and OWU where you're still expecting them to win even if they are down a goal in the 85th minute.  It is tough to keep them off the board for a full 90 minutes.  Loras looks like maybe they have enough star power to get over that last hurdle.

[GarbageGoals33]

Using my annual troll of the Loras thread aka IIAC thread mid-season...

"Is it the talent or is it in their quality of play?"  You are asking this question to someone from  NE USA who watched one game via webcast...

I am sure Loras is really good but their fans were just complaining a week ago how the team is average without Cavers (switching to long ball tactics, etc.).

If Cavers suffered a season ending injury tomorrow would Loras win the IIAC?

This thread has spiraled out of control over a Loras win against 5-3 Wheaton.

[Puerco Espin]

No question they'd win the IIAC. Without Cavers, the team was still undefeated (5-0-1). Did they miss the player of an All-American, no question, but they still produced victories.

And at the end of the day, that's what counts....right?

[KICKIN95]

Using my annual troll of the Loras thread aka IIAC thread mid-season...

"Is it the talent or is it in their quality of play?"  You are asking this question to someone from  NE USA who watched one game via webcast...

I am sure Loras is really good but their fans were just complaining a week ago how the team is average without Cavers (switching to long ball tactics, etc.).

If Cavers suffered a season ending injury tomorrow would Loras win the IIAC?

This thread has spiraled out of control over a Loras win against 5-3 Wheaton.

Umm they were 5-2 before Loras beat them.
  Yet Loras still seems to have won without Cavers regardless of how they played.
Geez GG didn't GAC just get beat by 5-2-2 Wartburg and even worse was the 4-2-2 CSC guys.  Wheaton's losses were 2-1 to Hope (7-1-1) & 1-0 to Chicago (5-1-2) and 2-0 to Loras (7-0-2).  When you troll you are usually much better than this.

[GarbageGoals33]

You can take a stab at GAC if you want Kickin, I am not claiming GAC to be world beaters.  If they played up to their potential and scored their chances they would be unbeaten and untied (as would Loras).  I am certain this GAC team would give Loras a run for their money if they meet up in the NCAA tournament this year.  Hopefully we can continue this discussion in November.   

I was simply stating that a week or two ago when Cavers was injured it sounded like Loras season was going down the tubes.  Now you guys have switched your tone to national championship talk... Sillyness.

[Puerco Espin]

Just curious, Garbage, how would the Gusties fare against Wheaton?

[KICKIN95]

You can take a stab at GAC if you want Kickin, I am not claiming GAC to be world beaters.  If they played up to their potential and scored their chances they would be unbeaten and untied (as would Loras).  I am certain this GAC team would give Loras a run for their money if they meet up in the NCAA tournament this year.  Hopefully we can continue this discussion in November.   

I was simply stating that a week or two ago when Cavers was injured it sounded like Loras season was going down the tubes.  Now you guys have switched your tone to national championship talk... Sillyness.

If things go right for both teams they might get to see each other.  I was the one who said they were playing like crap without him and the first 2 matches they certainly were, but I don't ever recall saying they were now assured the trophy. I hope the 2 teams do play each other because I believe I still owe your a sixer.

[PaulNewman]

GG33, not sure what your issue is, or what issues others may have.  I have no allegiance to any of these teams, and I was the poster who introduced the national title theme.  Any team would be weakened at least a bit if they lost their best player, no?  And it would make sense that a final four team from last year returning most its star players might be a contender, right?  What teams would you suggest are stronger contenders at this point?

[GarbageGoals33]

If I think that GAC has the ability to beat Loras then obviously I think that GAC would beat Wheaton. 

[KICKIN95]

If I think that GAC has the ability to beat Loras then obviously I think that GAC would beat Wheaton.

Transitive equalities don't always work in this fickle sport. 
   
   After seeing the results thus far for GAC I don't think they have the ability to beat Loras this year.  Even your own prediction for the GAC v SJU match this week show the differences (GAC 2-1 SJU,  Loras pummeled SJU 5-0, so using transitive equalities shouldn't GAC beat SJU 6-0?) .  IMO the GAC defense ins't organized enough to hold off the Loras attack.  I have no doubt the GAC midfield and forwards have skills, but just wouldn't be enough to get the job done this year.  This is just my feeling for this season, who knows what next season will bring?

[GarbageGoals33]

 GAC @ SJU in a conference match is a bit different than SJU traveling down to Loras for a game.  SJU travelled to Platteville and went to OT the night before they played Loras.  SJU rarely gets blown out in conference play but they $#!t the bed a couple times every season.  I would compare SJU to Central or Simpson. 

GAC's defense has given up 5 goals this year (two coming last game while GAC was without a starting centerback), I think their defense would do just fine against Loras.

They have played 3 comparable opponents this season:
          GAC    Loras
CSC   0-1      2-1           Loras dominates and scores late winner.  GAC dominates and gives up penalty and doesn't score.
UWS  2-1      1-1           Loras dominates and ties.   GAC plays evenly and wins.
UWO 0-0       0-0          Loras ties without Cavers.   GAC ties while down to 10 men for half the game.

Now, after typing this analysis I am sure SJU will have their game of the season and nick a result off of GAC.

[KICKIN95]

I think GAC will be just fine against SJU.

[ldahoSoccer]

If I think that GAC has the ability to beat Loras then obviously I think that GAC would beat Wheaton.

Oh boy...

[OriginalStorm]

Using my annual troll of the Loras thread aka IIAC thread mid-season...

"Is it the talent or is it in their quality of play?"  You are asking this question to someone from  NE USA who watched one game via webcast...

I am sure Loras is really good but their fans were just complaining a week ago how the team is average without Cavers (switching to long ball tactics, etc.).

If Cavers suffered a season ending injury tomorrow would Loras win the IIAC?

This thread has spiraled out of control over a Loras win against 5-3 Wheaton.

It is a valid question.  The reason for it is to merely see why this guy after watching one game they are national championship contenders. 

It is a bit ridiculous for comments to be made from one game.  I also love the insight from people from the MIAC.  They love to look down at the IIAC with such disdain.  I know these are large sweeping generalizations.