Liberty League

[deutschfan]

Having a brace against arguably the weakest team in the league after missing a ton of opportunities the game before does not qualify Sibanda quite yet for coronation or Sainthood so to speak.

[stlawus]

Meanwhile, Hobart losing again this time to Ithaca.   Very strange league thus far. 

[Saint of Old]

Just thinking of this November 2019 post I made after RPI made their dominant run in NCAAs

In Praise of RPI.

I am absolutely proud of the way this team represented theLL.
I think the season was a huge success and something the program will build on.
As an Old Saint, I can recall losing a Quater Final Game the team thought it should have won to a former champion from the NESCAC.

That type of thing can inspire a Very young team playing good football for a very good Coach.

Saying all of the above should have Saint fans and the rest of the league really worried because I see the foundation for great success being laid right now at RPI.

Teams will have big problems with them next season after the confidence and hunger they will have going forward.
The most important thing for a player or team is confidence followed closely by hunger.
RPI has more of that than they ever have as a program and now the future is extremely bright with a coach that wont allow them to rest on what they have done, but keep pushing towards the pinnacle.

[deutschfan]

Three 1-0 games.  It is that time of year again. 

[stlawus]

Toshack now has the honors of losing to RPI twice in a row at home for the first time since 1971.  Durocher lost a total of 5 games to RPI in his entire career.  Toshack has lost 4 in 6 years.   Shows that RPI has now solidified themselves as the top Liberty League team while at the same time exemplifying the decline of SLU.

[deutschfan]

Toshack has also lost to Vassar and Hobart 4 times in the past 6 games.  SLU, Hobart, Vassar and RPI have dominated the LL's NCAA appearances over the past decade.  For SLU to be impactful these are the current perennial powerhouses SLU needs to beat. 

[stlawus]

I chose to remain optimistic if not delusional about this SLU season but that's over.  When every single player's first instinct with their first touch is to go backwards then that means this team has been coached to ignore the things that made the program successful in the past.   I'm afraid this is the program's foundation going forward barring a drastic overnight change.  The signs were there when the usual recruiting pipeline began to be eschewed. 

[deutschfan]

I feel your pain. I have seen a lot of SLU soccer matches over the years. I have never seen them dominated like Ithaca dominated them in the 2nd half of today's game—and Ithaca is not a great team.

[stlawus]

Only threatened maybe once.  That was the complete opposite of what I saw against Cortland.  Again, every player's first touch instinct is to go backwards.   Made worse by the rambunctious crowd, nothing more annoying that playing into a crowd's hands like that.  Used to be the complete opposite.    Not like it matters much.  RPI, RIT and Vassar are the cream of the crop this season.

[stlawus]

Is Clarkson's athletics website not loading for everyone else?   Trying to stream the game obviously but the site isn't working.  I don't know if it's just on my end or affecting everyone else.

[Caz Bombers]

Is Clarkson's athletics website not loading for everyone else?   Trying to stream the game obviously but the site isn't working.  I don't know if it's just on my end or affecting everyone else.

not just you, me neither

[stlawus]

In the only LL action on the night SLU halts their skid with a 3-0 win at Clarkson.   Decently even game but Clarkson did not get many good shots on net.   SLU's first touch was miles better than it has been recently as it was responsible for all 3 goals. 

[Mr.Right]

LL Standings going into Columbus Day wknd-----Next Weekend is the big back to back weekend of the season.

RPI           3-0        7-1-2
Ithaca       3-0        5-4-3   
RIT           2-0-1     7-2-2   
Hobart      2-1-1     5-4-1   
Vassar      2-1         8-2-0   
St. Law     2-2        6-5-0
Skidmore   1-2        6-4-0   
Union        0-3        4-4-1   
Bard         0-3        4-5-0    
Clarkson   0-3        2-6-2   



Friday, October 8, 2021 Men's Soccer

Union at RPI

Saturday, October 9, 2021 Men's Soccer

Skidmore at Vassar
Hobart at Clarkson
Bard at Ithaca
RIT at St.Lawrence

[stlawus]

RPI has now won 3 straight league games by scoring in the last 10 minutes.  Either a testament to their fitness and skill or a stat that is due for regression.  So far it seems the former.

[deutschfan]

Two biggest games today are Vassar v. Skidmore and SLU v. RIT.  Both Vassar and SLU have followed the same pattern so far in league, they have lost to teams with winning records and beaten teams with no wins.  For Vassar to maintain a legitimate shot at an at large they have to avoid stumbling against the Skidmores and Clarksons of the league, and pick up at least two wins against RPI, Ithaca, Hobart, and SLU.  SLU has no chance at an at large and the goal for its season is to make the playoffs, renew its streak of winning seasons, and have a miracle playoff run.  RPI is clearly not dominating teams scorewise which makes one wonder whether, like in 2019, they are ripe for a playoff upset.