Liberty League

Saint_Dad · October 30, 2023, 09:56:03 PM

Any predictions for Liberty league playoffs?
Here are my predictions. A bit biased.
SLU over RPI. 2-0
Vassar over Ithaca. 2-1

SLU Over Hobart 3-2
Vassar over Union. 2-1

SLU Over Vassar. 2-2. Pks. 4-3

kevdog · October 31, 2023, 12:00:44 AM

Although I am biased towards SLU I don't think they 3 peat. It is very hard to do especially when you have a target on your back and everyone is gunning for you.

SLU over RPI 1-0
Vassar over Ithaca 1-0

Hobart over SLU 2-1
Vassar over Union 1-0

Hobart over Vassar 2-1

Vassar scores all their goals on set pieces or thrown in the box. I hope I am wrong but like I said it is very difficult to 3 peat.

deutschfan · October 31, 2023, 02:17:15 PM

Since Vassar is the lowest seed and Hobart the highest wouldn't Hobart play Vassar in the next round if Vassar beats Ithaca?

Caz Bombers · October 31, 2023, 02:21:29 PM

Quote from: deutschfan on October 31, 2023, 02:17:15 PM
Since Vassar is the lowest seed and Hobart the highest wouldn't Hobart play Vassar in the next round if Vassar beats Ithaca?

the LL doesn't re-seed after the 1st round in any sport, they keep the bracket 1-4-5/2-3-6.

deutschfan · October 31, 2023, 02:50:42 PM

So why in 2021 did 6rh seed SLU play 1st seed RPI after beating 3rd seed Vassar?

stlawus · October 31, 2023, 02:59:06 PM

SLU was 5th seed

stlawus · October 31, 2023, 03:19:38 PM

SLU is pretty well cooked barring a drastic change in philosophy and tactics. They continue to think whoever makes the most passes backwards and sideways win the game. RPI's outside backs cannot keep up with SLU's speed but it doesn't matter since SLU passes themselves out of every chance. They've wasted over 5 minutes taking throw ins and goal kicks.

deutschfan · October 31, 2023, 03:21:14 PM

St. Law—u r right. For some reason my recollection was that SLU made its miraculous run from the 6 spot.

kevdog · October 31, 2023, 03:27:18 PM

Quote from: stlawus on October 31, 2023, 03:19:38 PM
SLU is pretty well cooked barring a drastic change in philosophy and tactics. They continue to think whoever makes the most passes backwards and sideways win the game. RPI's outside backs cannot keep up with SLU's speed but it doesn't matter since SLU passes themselves out of every chance. They've wasted over 5 minutes taking throw ins and goal kicks.

So the same old same old. I have never seen a team that passes the ball back as much as SLU. Possession with purpose is their mantra but the name of the game is how many goals one scores; not how pretty it is. There are times when the SLU player could turn and take guys on but instead play it back. They have the speed to blow by these backs but rather pull up and play it back so the defense can set up. It's like a fast break on basketball game and pulling up for three pointer.

Saint of Old · October 31, 2023, 03:31:56 PM

Quote from: Saint of Old on August 31, 2019, 01:50:40 PM
St. Lawrence 2-0 down at home and playing the ball through the Goal Keeper.

Is this a joke... This style of soccer will lose many games.
PLAY FWD... The concept is not difficult.
Not sure if these boys dont understand that the point of the game is to go fwd and score or not??? NO one cares about possession unless it results in goals. Jeesh.

As you can see, some of us have been making this point for atleast 4 years.
Look, this Saint team is not the Saint team who will attack attack attack like when some of us old timers played. The boys are coached to hold possession maybe at the price of penetration. I dont love it, but it is what it is and you just have to support the team and the boys.

stlawus · October 31, 2023, 04:22:55 PM

And SLU's goose is finally cooked. If they played in the first half like they did in the 2nd they probably live to see another day. That intensity should feature in every single game not the last half of the last game of the season. RPI defended very well blocking numerous shots off the line but SLU took way too long using speed to their advantage. They lost a lot of games on the margins and this game was no different. Well played to the Engineers who now have a lot of confidence going forward.

Saint of Old · October 31, 2023, 04:23:18 PM

Tough way to go out for the senior class.
RPI is a class program. No shame at all losing to them.
We go again boys.
Next season begins now as tough as that is to hear.
This pain will fuel hungry Saints next year.
First season without Dede/Sibanda was always going to be tough but we will be back stronger.

College Soccer Observer · October 31, 2023, 04:24:09 PM

Ithaca with a late winner to move past Vassar 2-1.

kevdog · October 31, 2023, 04:43:45 PM

Who would of thought that the two teams predicted to finish in the top 2 of the league have their seasons ended on the same day. Just goes to show that anything can happen. There is no way these two get a pool C bid. Vassar has a better shot than SLU but that is very slim to nil. Tosh needs to get on the recruiting trail and get some stronger, faster players because as Stlawnrce mention in a previous post, the SLU players seemed to get muscled off the ball a lot this year. Love to get a foward like Gorman in here who could score goals and have hold up play. Love to get a guy Laird or Copeland in the back who is big , skilled and a terror on set pieces. Finally , finding a player like a DeMello, Dede, or Sibanda who can take over games by themselves or opposing teams have to account for at all time. i know it is harder said than done but they sue to have a pipeline from the Rochester, NYC, NJ, CT, MA, CA regions. I thought we could open that pipeline with MLK where Dede played but unfortunately it did not come about. Lastly for the love of god, please play poession with a purpose and pentrate. Attack the defense. Get them on their heels. I believe this team can come back strong next year. Looking forward to seeing who Tosh will be brining in or transferring. It is a great school with a great tradition of soccer. Hope it can continue being that.

stlawus · October 31, 2023, 05:42:41 PM

Vassar has 0 chance, no team is getting a pool C from the Liberty League. You have to be in the top echelon of the regional rankings to have a shot, not a single Liberty League team has been regionally ranked. Hobart might tomorrow but they'll be towards the bottom.

As Saint said, this is not unusual for SLU in the year after a major graduation loss. The league has gotten better top to bottom as well. I heard a few weeks ago Tosh is going to recruit from Europe this offseason. At least I think that's what I heard, was admittedly more of an eavesdrop on my part during a game. Today was the first time I've ever heard him get after the team as he's normally positive and encouraging. It worked to an extent since they ramped up the intensity in the 2nd half. They're really going to miss Woelfinger, his presence in the box is immeasurable and just look no further than Vassar to see a team deal with the loss of a tremendous keeper. Good news for SLU is that most of the offensive output returns as well as the entire back line. Just gotta get some players some development in the offseason and bring in some guys that can make a difference. 2 first years also missed the whole season due to injuries, so as Wenger often said "it's like a new signing".

Any RPI fan reading all our griping could understandably come to the conclusion that us SLU fans think we lost more than RPI won and I just have to say that is not the case. RPI deserves all the credit. If they defend like they did today by clearing almost every chance in the middle of the box it will be a long day for Hobart. I was glad I was able to see Clinton while walking back to my car to offer a quick congratulations in person, as I fully agree the guy is a class act.