Liberty League

[deutschfan]

Union and Bard are out.  Everyone else has a shot for the tourney and it appears SLU, Vassar and Hobart are fighting for the top spot.  SLU and Hobart control their own fate.  If Hobart wins out it picks up wins against SLU and Vassar.  Whether the most mercurial team in the league can put together a run has yet to be seen.  SLU can't be happy with Vassar result.  Playing at home against a gassed Brewer squad who were able to come from behind Clarkson by scoring a header off a corner, SLU allows Vassar to do the same to them.  SLU went into an 89 minute, 46 second scoring drought after picking up a goal in the first 14 seconds.  A second quick goal effectively ends the game but it was not to be.  I think the recalled second half penalty was because the ball had crossed the endline before the foul was committed, thus SLU was awarded a corner.  Can't assume Marvin makes the penalty--see Clarkson/SLU box score.  Will be interesting to see how the NCAA selection committee views all of these ties. 

[Saint_Dad]

Some good comments Deutschfan.  Strangely, re the penalty called back, I heard it was originally called a hand ball and that was overruled by the AR, saying he touched it with his head. The entire play was strange.  I never saw anyone dive for the ball on the ground with their head before.  And you brought up corner kick.  What do you all think of how SLU plays their corners?  They seem to go short every time.  Even direct kicks go short and not in the box, unless the game or half is coming to a close.  Contrarily, all three goals against SLU this weekend came from either a corner or long direct kicks into the box.

[Saint of Old]

Skidmore v Union tonight.
This could be a tricky game for Skidmore. Theybreally need these three points to get themselves back in the thick of playoff conversation.  Union and Bard must be relishing their potential spoiler role for the remainder of the season. Clarkson/RPI/RIT/Clarkson all hoping that Skidmore drops 2 or three points today.

[stlawus]

SLU, Clarkson and Vassar making the regional rankings.  Not really a major surprise.   Thought Hobart would get in there ahead of New Paltz or Rochester, if they keep stringing wings together they will be.  Although Rochester is pretty much impossible to knock out of the RRs even if they only had 1 win.

[Saint of Old]

Skidmore not taking  any chances... actually, looks like they are taking all their chances!!!

[Saint_Dad]

Pretty impressive game for Skidmore.  Strange results this year.  SLU squeaks by Union, 1-0.  Skidmore beats Union 6-0.  SLU beats RIT 4-0.  Skidmore loses to RIT 2-0.  It should be quite a game this Saturday.
Re SLU, my concern is Marvin.  I believe he got his hand injury in the Union game.  If you take away his two penalty kicks and the direct kick at the RPI game, he has one shot on goal with 18 shots from the Union game on(all conference games).  No goals and one assist.  It seems that he is being used in more of a defensive roll this year, but with 18 shots and only one on goal, I'm assuming the hand is somehow playing a roll.  Hopefully he heals and gets back on track.  With just two conference games remaining, now is the time for him to get his shot back.

[stlawus]

Marvin looked dangerous in the 2nd half against Vassar, his hand may be affecting him but his ball skills still looked the same.  Ironically last year Reynolds had the same issue and he almost seemed to play better with a cast on his hand.  SLU has always had tough games at Skidmore, it will be a very difficult test.     Hobart and Vassar is also a very high stakes game as well.

[Saint of Old]

Will be very interesting to  to see how both Skidmore and Union respond to their last game.
Skidmore and their star man will look to make a statement against SLU.  Neither team can really afford a loss if they want to be seriously considered for a possible Pool C.

Union plays a Clarkson in need of a win and not looking to get yet another tie. This is also a matter of pride for Union. They are a better team than what showed up midweek and this is a perfect opportunity to prove it.

This will go down as one of the tightest seasons in league history before its all said and done.

[deutschfan]

Two huge games today—SLU/Skidmore and Vassa/Hobart. Skidmore and Hobart both on the outside looking in at the regional rankings. While SLU has the best record they also have a very soft SOS so they are vulnerable there.

[Saint of Old]

Howard Mendel.
I have to say in just 45 minutes I have found my favorite play by play man hands down.
He really had me at hello, but the man is respectful of the game and players, witty, articulate, passionate, definitely a Bard fan but does not over do it and most of all positive with regards to the team and the project being created at Bard.

Bardians should be proud.

As for the game. The Bard team is giving as good as it gets.
This is what college football is all about.
Pride.
These boys are playing for the alum, their families and themselves and are leaving it all out there.
Bard wants their first league win since the shootout at the OK Coral and RIT were many people's pre-season favorites (including mine) dont want to see the season end during the regular season.

[deutschfan]

Saint you are so sentimental. Hobart is dominating Vassar in a scoreless game. I am sure coach reminded the Statesmen that their fate is in their hands.

[deutschfan]

Spoke too soon. Vassar picks up a late first half goal 

[deutschfan]

Congrats to St. Lawrence.  Only way they don't win league is if they lose to Hobart and Vassar beats both Ithaca and RPI.  Heartbreak for Clarkson.  Gives up two goals in last 10 minutes to lose 4-3 to lowly Union.  They will be out of next week's regional rankings, they lose any hope of a Pool C, their crazy good defensive statistics take a major hit, and they put their LL tourney spot in jeopardy.  About as bad a 10 minutes as you can have.  The premonitions that Clarkson might implode were right on.   

[stlawus]

Vassar now has 4 straight draws.  Hobart is playing like a typical Griffin coached team, might stumble a bit the first half of the season but his coaching prowess keeps them in the mix come the end of the year.

Agreed on Clarkson, that was brutal loss.  2 quick goals to take the lead and then implode.   

The final 2 playoff spots are up for grabs.  RPI needs a win to secure a spot, so that midweek game could be tricky for Vassar.

The good news for SLU is that they finally look healthy with McDougald and Mogul seemingly now at 100%. The added bonus for today's game was that Tosh managed the minutes of the midfield and strikers as they have a non-con game against Plattsburgh Tuesday.  Absorbed a lot of Skidmore pressure, but secured the 3 points with a fresh squad going forward.   

[Saint of Old]

Hats off to St. Lawrence. These young men deserve  alot of credit.
The job is no where done yet, and all they have really done is set expectations high, and must deliver.

Over the past few seasons, I have not been shy about voicing concerns, but  playing 15 games and only losing 1 (on the road by a goal to Oneonta)  is not bad.
There are three things that have led to this team's success so far.

1. the 2021 season- No way these guys should have won the league and make it to the dance as a 5th seed, but they managed to do it. That late season charge to the title did a lot for the team's overall confidence.

2. Coach Tosh has been in the liberty league longer than anyone. He started in the league the year BIG dropped his Ready to Die LP.
He has a firm grip on the league and showed it with that 2021 run.

3. They have the only CADAM I have ever seen in the league. The Saint 10 plays the (Center Attacking Defensive Attacking Midfielder) role.
Kid is not only the best player in the league, but is sacrificing big parts of his game to help the team.

Trying to not get overly sentimental and just spit facts, but a real good bunch of Saints here.