Liberty League

[Mr.Right]

I think it is a little much to say that Vassar will be a MUCh better representative than Skidmore in the NCAA's. Vassar will NOT be hosting anything as they will be sent on the road

[diesel]

I have watched Vassar throughout the season- when they are playing their game they a are very, very good team. The games that stood out to me were their games against UofR and SLU. Despite the stats of 14-5 shots on the UofR game, Vassar were all over Rochester. The Vassar keeper was only forced to make 4 saves the entire game- all the other shots were off target from long distance. Vassar ran circles around Rochester, and at one point in the second half they looked untouchable. And in the SLU game Vassar had an incredible amount of chances to score and put SLU away- SLU scored off a wondergoal and hung on as much as they could.

How Vassar does in the NCAA's will really depend on who they face. Teams like Skidmore, Union, and Hobart were Vassar's toughest challenges because of their physically grinding gameplay and/or high intensity pressure. If they face a team that can coordinate an organized, high intensity press, Vassar will struggle. But if they play against a team which allows them easy possession in the back, Vassar will stomp their opponent (RPI's press was nonexistent in the semi- and look what happened). In previous years Vassar has folded when faced with this intense pressure and physicality, but this year they appear to be better at managing the challenge and responding- and the penalties against Union and Skidmore were a result of Vassar responding well and continuing their possession based game, which tends to draw fouls (they drew the most Pk's in the regular season- tied with SLU).

On their day, I think that Vassar is most certainly the best team in the LL. They have shown the ability to grind out wins even when faced with tough opposition. And although I recognize that Skidmore has a very talented and capable team, they had some questionable results this season, such as the loss to Elmira at home and choking a lead up to a Union team without two of their main players (red cards from Vassar game). However, the LL championship visibly showed Vassar's weakness against a strong physical team. It will be very interesting to see where they are placed and who they play.

[Mr.Right]

I have only see Vassar 3 times this season on the stream but they look like a good not great but good side. My concern would be in net as their GK looks a tad short and if they play a team with some height and good on set pieces that could be a liability.

[diesel]

The replacement goalie from yesterday actually looked more willing to come out and get the ball on set pieces than the starter- he seems to be much more of a raw and athletic goalie. Unfortunately his height does present a challenge to him- if Vassar were to play a team like Amherst it would be quite a show.

[Ommadawn]

For Skidmore, it was a season of missed opportunities.  As Diesel noted, the Elmira game and the Union game stand out, along with the Baruch game and the second half of yesterday's game, with Vassar's starting GK and half the starting back line (including the athletic Gilmore, the player presumably tasked with handling Okoye) knocked out of the game with injuries.

My impression over the course of the season was that Vassar was the most balanced team in the league from the back line through the midfield into the attacking third, which helped them game-in and game-out but may not serve them as well in a single elimination context.  Special players often determine a team's fate in  tournament settings and Skidmore had, in my mind, the league's two most special players.  That said, the NCAA tournament features teams with both balance AND special players, which is why I think that SLU, if they get in, has the highest ceiling of a LL team in the tournament, particularly with Vassar potentially missing some key players on the defensive end.

[DIII41]

https://boxcast.tv/highlights/liberty-league-championships---vassar-mens-soccer-vs-skidmore-385170/652713/ifnajjnhf4nglojcbu13     

video link to play that resulted in PK of Vassar/Skidmore.  a PK call that would be made "all day long"!   Defender had player going away from goal, and obviously only had to challenge him to hold that position ....But diving in was a disastrous temptation.  Ouch! 

[PaulNewman]

Anybody know why SLU only played 15 games?  Seems 2-3 short, even without the LL playoffs.  And I don't see any canceled games.  13-4 or 12-4-1 would look a little better obviously than 11-4.

[stlawus]

They haven't been scheduling as much games in recent years.  I'm not sure why.  They've left UofR off the schedule the last 2 years, which was always an annual non-conference matchup.

[Sandy]

They haven't been scheduling as much games in recent years.  I'm not sure why.  They've left UofR off the schedule the last 2 years, which was always an annual non-conference matchup.

More like UofR left SLU off the schedule.

[SandyMac]

They haven't been scheduling as much games in recent years.  I'm not sure why.  They've left UofR off the schedule the last 2 years, which was always an annual non-conference matchup.

U of R didn't like making the trip to the North Country for the back-to-back games vs. SLU and Clarkson, because the UAA plays Friday/Sunday.  I'm guessing that U of R was also tired of getting beat on by SLU, usually resulting in them having a loss to another top team in the East.

[stlawus]

SLU stumbles and skates their way into the tourney.  Personally, I didn't think they were deserving, but once I saw Rochester in I felt pretty confident they would grab a bid.  Tough test against Wash & Lee, but anything can happen.

[SandyMac]

SLU sneaks in with the last matchup announced in the show. Definitely a tough draw, but for them to get a chance at all is fortunate.  They're also in Cortland's region, who they beat this year and acutally beat last year at Cortland.  With this being the most questionable SLU squad since 2009, maybe they piece it together and make a run? The best teams they've had in the past 8 years have all faltered in the Sweet 16, so we shall see!

Let's dance!

[d3d3d3]

Second year in a row the LL sends a team that didn't make the conference tournament to the NCAAs. Hmm. Kind of devalues the conference tournament, doesn't it. Would Hobart have gotten in if they didn't lose to Skidmore in the LL tourney?

[just4kix]

Second year in a row the LL sends a team that didn't make the conference tournament to the NCAAs. Hmm. Kind of devalues the conference tournament, doesn't it. Would Hobart have gotten in if they didn't lose to Skidmore in the LL tourney?

I think it's the other way around.  The conference tournament devalues the regular season.  The sole purpose is to determine a conference's AQ.  For others who qualify but don't win, it's just another set of games in your overall body of work.  I don't understand conference tournaments except as a money grab in revenue-generating sports.

[deutschfan]

It is a terrible precedent.  Given the way that SLU was playing they would have picked up a 5th loss in the LL tournament if they had made it with a 4-4 record.  Might as well go to a UAA system, eliminate the tourney and have the league winner be the automatic qualifier.  I use to think that the committee used to take into account year end performance more than pre-season, a time when teams are getting the kinks out.  SLU, Brandeis, Tufts all lose their last game to lesser opponents and still make the tourney.  Rochester goes 1-3-1 in last five with a losing UAA record and makes the tourney.  Might as well start giving legacy berths.