Liberty League

[stlawus]

An uncalled clear cut penalty leading to a corner and goal for Union results in a tie in the only game of the day. That's the way it goes in this sport sometimes.

[deutschfan]

One team will win the tournament and everyone else will take the rest of the Fall off.  First set of NCAA Regional Rankings came out today and no LL teams made the cut. 

[stlawus]

What is so far the Liberty League goal of the season rescues Vassar's season.  What a hit by #8 Hall, took a cross at the top of the box with 2 touches and still hit it on the volley into the upper 90.  From being down 1-0 to up 2-1 in the span of 2 minutes.  Fauth assisted on both.   Sets up a major showdown Wednesday with RPI needing a win to leap Vassar for the last playoff spot.   Ithaca was the better team in the first half, but let Vassar dictate the rest of the game.  A win for them would have put them in the driver's spot for the top seed.  Still possible, however.

[deutschfan]

He hit a bomb.

[Saint_Dad]

As has been mentioned, a lot of parity this year. 8 teams still looking for 6 spots.  Hobart, Union, and SLU control their own destiny toward a top two finish for the bye and home field. The Hobart/SLU could be the match for the conference title to end the season. Pretty much a big game for 8 teams tomorrow. 

[stlawus]

SLU will also be without McDougald tomorrow due to yellow card accumulation.  From what I've heard he's played through an ankle injury all season, so some rest might do him some good. Hobart would obviously rather win but they have tiebreakers against most teams besides SLU, so a win would guarantee a bye and at least one home game.

[Caz Bombers]

What an incredible goal by #8 on Vassar. Wish it hadn't come at the expense of the Bombers, but can't even be mad at it.

[Saint_Dad]

SLU will also be without McDougald tomorrow due to yellow card accumulation.  From what I've heard he's played through an ankle injury all season, so some rest might do him some good. Hobart would obviously rather win but they have tiebreakers against most teams besides SLU, so a win would guarantee a bye and at least one home game.

Without McDougald perhaps we will see McGivalry make another appearance.  SLU needs to find a midfield that can control the ball and move the ball forward to their potentially explosive offense.  They just need more chances up top. Oganga has been a big force coming from the back. 
Hobart may have some tie breakers, but if Union and SLU win out, they will not be getting a first round bye.   

[Saint of Old]

Something about this Henry Brown lad really has me thinking he will do BIG things for the Scarlet and Brown.
He comes from a solid program. Has a good work rate and is young and hungry. He needs to keep that hunger and he will be an all-time Saint.
Boys had a good weekend.
I can understand the frustration with back passes, even if we have a quarter back playing goalie, but this is not your Daddy's Saints.
The Tosh Saints do not wear you out with flair and speed, not as quick  from defense to attack as the old school, but he builds his teams for the post season. Boys get stronger as the year goes. SLU beats teams that beat them early in the year because by November it is a different team. They play a possesion and are a team that is hard to beat when the temperature drops.

There is a reason why Tosh is maybe the only Coach to win a LL Championship by winning 3 tourney games as underdog.

Just saying...I have studied these boys for about 30 years.

[Saint_Dad]

What a difference the 10 makes!
No McDougald, no Peacock, and the midfield never looked so aggressive.  A forward thnking midfield with Mogul moving to center attacking mid and boy did he attack and move the ball quickly to the wingers and almost an early through ball to the striker.  And talk about the striker, the scrappy Brown had a lot more chances as the mid-field kept pushing forward and making plays that put the ball in the box. And Brown took advantage.  Graber had his game of his career on senior day.  Pijpers got back on the scoreboard with his head receiving a long cross into the box.  This is how SLU can play and put up some goals.  It looks like Toshack has some decisions to make with McDougald coming back and hopefully Peacock as well.  It seems that Mogul will be spending time at the 10, perhaps alongside Peacock and McDougald.  Now that's a strong midfield.
It was the first time I can remember where the ball did not continue to go backward, instead putting pressure on the defense and at that point its just a numbers game.  More chances at goal equals more goals.
I'm not sure of tie breaking rules, but If SLU beats Hobart, there is potential for a 3 way tie with Union for first.  If Union doesn't win out, then Hobart and SLU play for first.  Great ending for the Liberty league.  And then on to the playoffs.

[Saint of Old]

Great point about the excitement of eventual winner and overall parity. As you mention, SLU/Hobart/Union have the best records but Vassar is quite a team and Hobart and RPI can beat anyone. Ditto for Ithaca who beat SLU and Clarkson.
Trouble here is, all this beating up on each other will mean that there is no Pool C for the league which means every team MUST win the league to advance.
This League  Tourney will be fun to watch.

[stlawus]

I'm fairly certain that Union cannot win the league if they win out, as Hobart has the tie breaker over them and you compare results from the top down which would give SLU the tie breaker over them if they were tied on points.  Hobart just needs a result against SLU and they win the regular season.

As everyone else said, the last week should provide some great entertainment.  Any team in the last 5 spots right now have the opportunity to finish in 2nd.   Vassar and RPI will be playing for survival this coming Wednesday, should prove to be a great game.

I've been saying throughout the season that Henry Brown has been acclimating and getting closer and closer to bagging some goals, and today proved just that.  He's very fun to watch in person, as he's always putting himself in position to receive long and through balls and has a very graceful first touch.  Great recruiting on Tosh's part. Graber lost his starting spot to freshman Eric Edmonds and instead of getting discouraged put his head down and got a goal and assist today. 

RIT was without their best player and still got a really good win against Union who disappointed after rescuing a point midweek at SLU.  RPI's two best players got goals against Clarkson.  Their freshman centerback scored the 2nd goal, and he was by far the most impressive player on the field when I saw them play SLU a month ago.  More excellent recruiting from Clinton.

Bard didn't get a result but they showed how far they have come under Kostecky.  Scored 2 goals on the road against the first place team. 

[kevdog]

 Brown has been impressive lately and is growing on me. One thing for a goal scorer to be in the right place at the right time and Brown puts himself in position to do that. It's tough to see on video his play off the ball as you are relying on videographer. I liked Ogabo in the middle of the defense. He is all over the place and has the speed to cut off passes. SLU appeared to move the ball crisper today but it was little difficult since the feed was a little choppy on my end. Perhaps because of the weather.

The center back from RPI is very impressive. I too thought he was the best player on the field when SLU played them. Next week should be very interesting. The only thing is I think whoever wins the league tournament will be the only Liberty League rep in the NCAA tournament. I hope I am wrong but don't see the committee given another team a pool C bid.

[stlawus]

Feed was choppy due to the setup they use.  Same thing happened last year, it's the Hudl software or something.  Main reason why I try to get to all the home games in person since streaming is never a guarantee. 

There will be no pool C from the Liberty League.  No teams were ranked last week.  If SLU beat one of Cortland or Oneonta they would have had a shot to be in the rankings as they have a good SOS.  But with the SUNYAC having a great year and Rochester always being in the rankings even if they lose every single game it's AQ or bust for the Liberty League. 

[stlawus]

Admirable effort by RIT today.  They are eliminated and are playing for pride, and had Ithaca on the back foot the whole second half.  Numerous chances to take the lead and didn't give up.