NCAA North Region

[GarbageGoals33]

KICKIN,

I suppose we should probably drink a few beers after years of banter so hopefully GAC can head to IA next weekend.  That would be a fitting end to my time as a D3 soccer message board poster.  Gustiefan, I am holding you to your travel commitment for next weekend if GAC plays close!

It looks like regardless of who is hosting in the Midwest it is going to be cold... 25-35 degrees in Minnesota and Iowa next weekend.  Unfortunate.

[gustiefan04]

I've already got my "hall pass" lined up. As long as we are looking at a saturday/sunday match up, I'm good to go!

[D3 Scout]

From seeing UWW play in the past I know that they are praying to go Wartburg. They need the grass field since they are half the team on turf

[GarbageGoals33]

Tasty draw in the north.

[gustiefan04]

I don't think anyone expected Dominican to get in. Will be a great weekend in Dubuque.

Loras Pod
Loras vs. Westminster
GAC vs. Dominican

Wartburg Pod
Warburg vs. MSOE
Chicago vs. St. Scholastica

Wheaton Pod
Wheaton - Bye
UWW vs. Carroll

[D3 Scout]

UWW has to be happy with that matchup. Their starting center back Justin Stanko received a red card in the conference championship. They avoid a hard first match up and get to play on grass.

[gustiefan04]

Stanko is playing in the back again? I thouht he'd been playing up top. He'd always been a center back through HS and Club, so not too surprising. He's a huge physical presence that will be missed.

I don't know much about this year's Carroll squad, but have to believe that UWW is really liking that match up. Whomever comes out of that game, will no doubt have their hands full with Wheaton. They are probalby the best team I've seen play this season.

[D3 Scout]

Stanko started out as a forward and got moved backed to center back as UWW went from the sweeper system back to the 4-5-1. The change in formation really turned UWW's season around.

Interesting point though: UWW is very dangerous on a set piece anywhere past the half line. They play tight defensively and win close games on long throws and free kicks (how they beat Chicago and NPU). If and i know this is a big if, they can hold Wheaton to one goal they may be able to at least force overtime with the pre tournament final four favorite. In 12 of their last 13 games UWW has let up 1 goal or fewer.

[KICKIN95]

KICKIN,

I suppose we should probably drink a few beers after years of banter so hopefully GAC can head to IA next weekend.  That would be a fitting end to my time as a D3 soccer message board poster.  Gustiefan, I am holding you to your travel commitment for next weekend if GAC plays close!

It looks like regardless of who is hosting in the Midwest it is going to be cold... 25-35 degrees in Minnesota and Iowa next weekend.  Unfortunate.

Looks like we may be sharing a few on Saturday night. What's your poison for the 6 pack I owe you, no Spotted Cow, it's out of my jurisdiction!

[GarbageGoals33]

Forget the 6'er we can grab a drink at a bar pre-game!

Gustiefan and I are staying at the Hampton Inn Saturday.  What are some decent locations to grab a pint or 10 prior to the match?

[KICKIN95]

Champps Sports Bar is just East down Hwy 20, you will pass it on your left on your way to the hotel.  If you want something a little less sports bar and more pub there are some great places downtown on main st. The Busted Lift is a great Irish pub with ambiance or the Mason Dixon Line is also a good place a bit less "pubby".  There are close to 100 bars in the town if not over so....

[Medicated Pete]

Champps Sports Bar is just East down Hwy 20, you will pass it on your left on your way to the hotel.  If you want something a little less sports bar and more pub there are some great places downtown on main st. The Busted Lift is a great Irish pub with ambiance or the Mason Dixon Line is also a good place a bit less "pubby".  There are close to 100 bars in the town if not over so....

Lot One - 100 Main St, Dubuque, IA 52001 http://lotonedbq.com

[WarhawkFan]

Anybody heard from the UWO faithful today? Needless to say that can't be happy about being bumped by Dominican (same record, lower SOS, worse record against regionally ranked opponents, and only ranked in 1 out of 3 weeks). Seeing UWW get the B bid after beating them in the WIAC championship (even though most everybody agreed UWW had the better resume) had to be salt in the wound.

[casualfan]

Looking at the UWO athletics Twitter page, they were shocked they did not receive a bid. A few of Oshkosh's players had some choice words for the NCAA as well. They seem more bitter with the fact that UWW made it over them than anyone else, which is expected. But since the Pool B went to UWW, it was actually difficult for UWO to make it in over one of the questionable choices (North Park). Dominican was also a head scratcher but I don't have an issue with them choosing the Stars over the Titans. Heartbreaker for UWO, the WIAC, and the North Region, but life goes on.

[WarhawkFan]

I understand their frustration, but I think it's misdirected.  Yes, they beat UWW head-to-head, but both UWW and UWO had better resumes than Dominican so in reality they both should have made it if they let Dominican in (UWW pool b, UWO pool c).  Still don't think they have as much to complain about as say JCU who was ranked #2 in all three weeks of the Great Lakes region and was inexplicably left out.

That being said, GAC has to watch out.  Dominican may not have had their normal dominant year (looking at their record) but most of their blemishes came early to tough opponents (Chicago and Wheaton in particular) in 1 goal losses.  They were on an 11 game win streak before bowing out to a talented MSOE squad in the conference final.  They are sure to be eager to get redemption after their early (and embarrassing) exit last year to Wartburg.  That GAC/Dominican game should be a good one!