Top Conferences and NCAA Bids

[WLCALUM83]

One of the first seasons the Northern Athletics Conference was in existence Aurora got in (Spartans are the only NACC team other than Dominican to get in)  Ironically, that same season, the Spartans and Stars played each other in the first round-Dominican won easily.

[PaulNewman]

Must have been quite the email blast Rutgers-Camden sent our for votes in this week's poll   They were running at about 10% all day and then suddenly jumped to almost 60%.

[Sirius90]

Must have been quite the email blast Rutgers-Camden sent our for votes in this week's poll   They were running at about 10% all day and then suddenly jumped to almost 60%.

Yep, I enjoyed that as well. That having been said, I voted for them. I have yet to see them play live this season, but they are building on a very fast, athletic and organized team from a year ago. OWU, the logical #1 probably plays a more attractive brand of football, but at this level, speed and athleticism often trumps skill.

[PaulNewman]

OWU makes sense since they were #2 and haven't lost.  However, OWU barely got by a usually fairly weak Wooster team, and Rutgers-C had a very tough time with a pretty good Kean squad.  On merit I'd probably go with my new friends at Loras, or Amherst.

[Saint of Old]

I am sure Messiah is happy to be rid of the tag.
Also not sure if OWU wants it, but I'm sure its theirs tomm.

[PaulNewman]

Sirius, OWU seemed to do OK 2 years ago

OWU does play a very attractive.  Very creative with their runs and combination passing.  Very similar to what I thought I was observing watching Loras vs. Wheaton.

The NCAC is tough this year.  Allegheny knocked off Denison and DePauw and Kenyon played to 0-0 tie at DePauw.  Oberlin dropped points at Wittenberg which could really hurt their NCAC playoff chances.

[OWUSoccer]

I agree with whoever said it's OWU's if they want it.  Having watched the team several times, it seems like they turn it on when they need to.  Not a great quality to be showing halfway through the season, but the 2011 team didn't really play their best stuff until the Final Four so who knows.  It will be interesting to see what happens with some of the tougher conference games, especially DePauw who has had OWU's number for the last few years.

As for the OWU vs RC argument, based on quality of opposition thus far it seems like OWU is a bit more deserving.  And I know the dangers of score comparisons, but the only common opponent was Kean, and OWU's showing (6-0) was a little more convincing than RC's (2-1).

[PaulNewman]

And now the entire student body at York votes simultaneously.  Rutgers-C showed their hand too early.

[PaulNewman]

At least this week I'm going with D3soccer's poll over the NSCAA.  Regarding the latter, how is Wheaton #8 with 3 losses?  I like Wheaton a lot and know they will probably be there in the end, but I'm not sure even Messiah would get a #8 ranking with 3 losses.  Hope at #24 also seems generous.  Wash U with 2 losses and a tie also seems too high.  And not sure Brandeis should actually jump 11 spots after losing to Tufts (although D3 soccer has them even higher).

[Saint of Old]

Even though three sepearte conferences are represented, its good to see NY represent with 4 teams in the top 25 (Brockport/Stevens/SLU/Rochester).

Brockport participated in the first 3 National Finals (Winning the First)
Stevens have been a consistently strong Nationally, Ditto St. Lawrence, and Rochester is  reaping the rewards of building a strong program the right way.

[casualfan]

If the season ended today, I would have to think that both UW-Oshkosh and UW-Whitewater would get in to the NCAA Tournament. This doesn't happen often, but I would think it would be hard to justify not including one of the two. Luckily, there's a lot of season left for things to be figured out, but it's good to see the WIAC with two nationally recognized teams once again.

[GarbageGoals33]

It is hard to say whether or not a team like UWW (8-1) would get into the tournament.  UWW has only one quality win thus far (game vs. Wartburg) otherwise they have played a fairly easy schedule.  UWW has big test vs. North Park, UWO, and Loras this season.  They will need positive results in two of these three games in my opinion to earn an at-large bid.

[lastguyoffthebench]

Rutgers-Camden @ TCNJ looks like it will have live stats, along with a live video feed.   TCNJ has tied Stevens and beaten Montclair at home this season, so this should be a decent game:

http://www.sidearmstats.com/tcnj/msoc/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BbsW8LZoZ-o

I would still put Messiah above OWU and Camden, regardless of their loss vs York. 

[lastguyoffthebench]

As far as the top conferences go... I'd agree with the Bennett Rankings:

1) NESCAC
2) UAA
3) NJAC

[Sirius90]

Sirius, OWU seemed to do OK 2 years ago

True dat. I have had the pleasure of seeing OWU play on a couple of occasions and I'm a fan. I would much rather watch OWU than any of the Berserk-Ball offerings that are popular in the NESCAC and NJAC.

I would still put Messiah above OWU and Camden, regardless of their loss vs York.

I have searched my feelings, and I know it to be true.