Liberty League

[Saint of Old]

I love Saint Maxima. His game is very good and his IQ is quite high. He came in as a quality player, much like former #7 Andrew Bednarsky from back in the day. Switching from out wide to the middle is not an easy thing at this level, and without him wide we also lose alot.
History tells us that players have dominated this league from out wide as well. Especially those ones with speed to burn.

[Saint_Dad]

We will see if Mogul has a breakout year.  I expect with the loss of some of SLU's best players a new leader of the midfield and offense will emerge. Mogul will cause a lot of problems for the oppositions defense and I expect Saint Maximus to cause them fits as he moves positions from left wing to right wing to CAM.  He will be explosive wherever he is.  He will have a target on him I expect.  But with his passing ability he will be able to find Pijpers and incoming striker Brown, who I am expecting to score a lot of goals.  We will also see if Ryan Campbell will continue to improve on his freshman season and become a goal scorer. Peacock and McDougald will hopefully stay healthy and control the middle. With a tall striker, Campbell who is good in the air, and a 6'3" freshman Diaz who may be starting at defense, we may see a different approach to corner kicks this year as they may be able to be a force in the air in the penalty area. 

[deutschfan]

I am not questioning Max's skills.  I remember watching him in 2021 when SLU lost 2-0 to Vassar in the league regular season.  Max was the best SLU player on the pitch that day.  Crazy that that was the last LL game SLU has lost.  Speaking of Vassar, they return 9 of 11 starters with the only question mark being goalie.  They are loaded.  People may forget that there were two teams that didn't take a loss last year in LL play, SLU and Vassar, and that there was only one team in the year of ties that didn't lose a league or NCAA game, and that was Vassar. After Sibanda, Fauth was the best midfielder in the league.  The Vassar recruiting class was not huge, and oddly has no California players (Bard in contrast has 3).  The most interesting addition is Jackson Allen who had an unbelievable senior year tallying over 100 points.  He is big and seemingly would be the perfect partner for Duncan Keker up top.  There haven't been many dynamic duo forwards in the LL.  The last two were probably at Bard in 2015 with Shenberger and Byrne who were the two leading scorers in the league that year.  Why Allen lands at a D3 school instead of a D1 program like nearby Seth Curry's school means that there is probably some aspect of his game that needs significant development.  However, if his impact is close to what he accomplished in high school Vassar is going to be very scary.  I don't want to be overly optimistic for Vassar and Allen.  Soccer can be cruel.  In 2012 Vassar brought in one of its best HS recruits, Ivan Shapiro, a highly touted forward with USDDA and Regional ODP experience who was going to be a twin threat with Tom Wiechert.  Sadly, Shapiro never played in a game.  If Allen can be a force with Keker up front Katie bar the door.  Last year a large portion of Vassar's goals came on set plays.  They did not score a goal from the run of play in the LL tournament or the NCAA tournament.  I think they will be better at scoring from the run of play this year and will take the league for the first time since 2016.

[stlawus]

One thing I'll be paying attention to is the recruiting side of things as it pertains to 5th years.  One has to wonder if all these schools that have been retaining 5th years, especially schools that are not very conducive to 5th year players in terms of grad program apparatuses, will start missing out on recruits.  Have players who would normally commit moved on to a different school or entirely different league?  Time will tell.   It's had an effect on the basketball side of things, as this year SLU has a very talented transfer coming in who fell through the division I cracks as a result of rosters being full due to 5th year players.     With soccer the roster sizes are more fluid so maybe this dynamic won't play out, but it's something I'll be keeping my eye on. 

As for deutsch, soccer is indeed a cruel sport.  I would not be shocked to see predictions play out as expected, but I would not be shocked if one or both of SLU and Vassar disappoint this year and someone else burns through the league.   I wouldn't bet on it at this point, but with all the variability that you see year to year it could certainly play out in the LL.   

[deutschfan]

The recruiting issue is a valid and interesting take.  I don't know how to explain RPI's roster which is up again-4 Grad students and 16 freshman.

[Saint of Old]

Deutschfan,
I think we both an appreciation for the talents of Coach Clinton.
I believe this guy is class and a very good coach.

It would not surprise me if he makes a run with his group, even though most in the league might not expect him to.

This team tied SLU last season 2-2  and had the Saints on the ropes for large parts of that game.
Last season I really think they got unlucky with a few results.

My sleeper team is RIT, I think this team is good, well coached and will sneak up on a few people.
Vassar are slight favorites in my book because of reasons mentioned  previously.
Hungry young team, and coach is a great combination.

Cant wait for this season to start.
Will be very difficult to pick a top 6 this season.

[deutschfan]

Coach Clinton is a gentleman with a tremendous on-field demeanor and soccer knowledge.  I can see why 16 freshmen would want to play at RPI.  Assimilating that size of entering class is going to be a challenge.  In terms of predictions, I think the top three are easy and each can make a case for a preseason number one choice--Skidmore, St. Lawrence and Vassar.  Skidmore has the top returning goal scorer, St. Lawrence returns the top goalie, and Vassar returns the top midfielder.  I also think the bottom 2 are straightforward--Bard and Union.  It is going to take a while for Bard's California recruits to make an impact, and for Union to benefit from stiffer preseason competition.  I like your call on RIT and would slot them 4.  RPI could be anywhere from 8 to 5 depending on Gaudiano's injury recovery.  I really liked Simple Coach's interview of the Ithaca Coach but he left out one important question--how is Ithaca going to score goals this year?  I have the malaise continuing and would put them in the bottom 4.  For me Clarkson and Hobart are the biggest wild cards but one or both should make the playoffs.  Those are my predictions.  I am ready to have egg on my face.

[Crossit4fun]

My sons squad (New Paltz) scrimmaged RPI last week and RPI did not look as strong  as last year when we scrimmaged them. It was a good match overall. Recognizing it was just a scrimmage, they played 3x30's the first third was primarily both squads started. RPI definitely subbed more in the second third and the last third was all non-starters.

[deutschfan]

Thanks for the scouting report on the scrimmage and congrats to your son. NP is an up and coming program with 3 back to back LL contests this year. What's your scouting report on the team as a whole?

[Crossit4fun]

NP have a very good back 4 this year and a good GK the strength of the squad.
Midfield is solid not spectacular but getting better. Have one really good MF and a couple with potential. Forwards lack size. Lack a true Striker they had a transfer in this year that flashes some skill need to see more. Last few years NP struggles to score goals.
They moved the around really well against RPI much better than in the past.
If they can play the season the way they did the first 45 min against RPI they will
Be improved.

[deutschfan]

So RPI has one of the more intriguing LL openers tomorrow traveling to VA to play Mary "We Knocked Amherst out of the NCAA Tournament after Amherst thrashed SLU" Washington. If RPI puts up a good fight it will be a harbinger of positive things to come.  West Conn gets to prove at home that last year's win over Vassar was no fluke and remind last year's NCAA voters that their exclusion was a mistake.  Union starts its new era of scheduling tough non-conference fixtures with a really tough non-conference fixture--Oneonta.  Props to Union whatever the score.  Clarkson gets to renew its acquaintance with its old coach Chris Taylor on the road in another contest that will tell a lot about a team's future prowess in the Liberty League.  Finally, Brockport and RIT, coming off of strong years, try to break the tie that started last year's season. 

[Saint of Old]

Not sure that 4-2 can ever be classified as a "thrashing", but I agree with all other points made.
That Mary team is quite something I think.
They really announced themselves last year and played some good football all tournament.

I think Union does deserve props for going against a regional power to open the season. I think guys on this board were making this suggestion as long as I can remember.

[Saint of Old]

LL Prediction

1. Vassar
2.SLU
3. RIT
4. Hobart
5. RPI
6.Skidmore

[stlawus]

Will not be in attendance for tomorrow's SLU game due to funeral services for an immediate/close extended family member, I wish all Liberty League teams the best of luck in tomorrow's fixtures and hope for a great season for all involved!  (as long as it's not at SLU's expense of course). 

[Saint of Old]

Brother Saint, you have my condolences man. I cannot imagine the shock and then the pain you are feeling.

I know I speak for everyone here and in Saint Nation that our heart goes out to all your  loved ones and wishing you strength and peace in this very difficult time.