Liberty League

[Ommadawn]

I caught a good bit of both semifinals.  Hobart had clearly improved since their first trip to SLU, but it seemed pretty clear to me that the only way they were going to win the game was through PKs.  RPI blew open an even, deadlocked game in the last 30 minutes with their veterans leading the way.  I think SLU is clearly the better team, but scores have a way of tightening up come tournament time (witness the semifinal with Hobart).  Nevertheless, I think our friend Saint of Old will be breathing easier after a 2-0 SLU victory.

[stlawus]

SLU takes their second straight LL Championship with a 1-0 win over RPI.  Good match start to finish.  RPI forced Houston to make a couple great saves, but other than that SLU controlled much of the match.  Held a substantial shot advantage as well as most of the possession.  Superb goal from captain Mark Provost coming off a great run from Austin Roney.  Saints should have home field advantage for the first and second round. 

[deutschfan]

UAA-4, Centennial-3, NESCAC-3, etc.....LL-1.  For a second year in a row the committee has dissed the LL.  RPI's throwaway non-conference game before the tournament kills them.  The committee should have viewed that game for what it was.  Rochester gets in with 5 losses including Morrisville State and a Clarkson tie.  I don't get it.  I also don't get the LL awards demonstrating that none of my predictions were right.  Will save that for another post.   

[Mr.Right]

RPI had no regionally ranked wins but I hear you. Dewald and the seniors must be bumming. I do not think the Keene game hurt them but not beating Brockport might have done them in

[Saint of Old]

Did the NESCAC deserve two at-large berths and the LL none?
We might soon find out.

[Mr.Right]

Had RPI beaten Williams or tied Oneonta and beaten Brockport this would all be for naught but in all honesty Williams dominated them and they were lucky to get a draw. I did not see them against Oneonta or Brockport. When I watched them earlier in the year against Skidmore, I thought Skidmore was the better side and should have won that game. This was not RPI circa 2012. They were just a tad offensively challenged this year

[Golden_Fan]

RPI were lucky to tie against brockport as well. I believe they were out shot 18-6 and brockport missed several easy scoring chances

[Mr.Right]

Golden Fan can you give me any assessment you have on Brockport. Key players? style? etc

[stlawus]

Going off what I saw from the game SLU played Brockport, they play an open fast paced game.  Their CF is pretty fast and I remember them trying to release him on lots of runs.  We were unfortunate to lose that game, had 10 players out due to injury and still outshot them.  Mis-kick in OT from the RB and their CF corralled it and took it in uncontested. 

[Golden_Fan]

They generally play direct but can knock the ball around at times. Their set pieces are key for them as thats how they have scored many of their goals. Their forward #23 is a really good in the air, I believe 8 of his 13 goals have come from headers. Their second leading score #10 has scored from several set pieces and will shoot from distance. They also have several good one vs one players both offensively and defensively. From a defensive stand point they are susceptible to the counter as they push numbers forward and this leads to a very open and fast paced game. Since they have had so many OT games I would assume they are well conditioned. If they can stay organized I think they might be able to make it past the second round for the first time in a while

[Saint of Old]

Former National Champs.
First ever National Champions.
You cannot sleep on Brockport, if nothing else, they know how to grind out games and play good defense.

[Mr.Right]

are they a big group? average size? speed?  The way you described them it sounds like a great game against Bowdoin with the winner being able to challenge Brandeis

[Golden_Fan]

from their roster online they have 12 kids 6 ft or over, their main forward is 6'4 and one of their starting defenders is 6'3. They definitely have more size than they did in 2011. I would say they are a pretty quick team and I think they would have to be with their style of play

[Saint of Old]

They can hurt you.
The SUNYAC I think is a bit more direct than the liberty league (Obviously I am generalizing).
They will play the ball around and have the speed to hurt you as well.
What did not kill them (losing an at-large bid) made them stronger, that is playing 13 games into OT this season.

[Mr.Right]

Yes thanks guys it sounds like they have the style and size to maybe get out of this 4 team pod. We shall see. 7:30pm on Saturday night should be hovering around 32* with wind in Waltham,MA.