Liberty League

[Part_Bart]

Interesting day yesterday:  Coach Tosh plays the injury card; Vassar plays like a LL tournament bubble team without leading scorer; Hero sports moves LL up from 11th strongest conference to 5th, ahead of SUNYAC even though LL doesn't have a signature win and SUNYAC has prevailed in most of the matchups between the top echelon teams; and RPI has mid-level regional ranking, a further testament to Coach Clinton's considerable influence and making RPI a contender for an at large bid.  This weekend already poses do or die games starting with SLU v. Union.

This weekend's match of Hobart at Skidmore turns out to be important (beyond the Statesmen wanting to wipe away the sting of an overtime 1:0 home loss to Skidmore in last year's LL tournament that certainly played a part in Hobart missing the NCAAs).  Hobart already knows they need to win LL champ to dance. If Skidmore loses, then (I think) they will also need to win the LL champ.

Hobart looks to be better than the mid-table SUNYAC teams (beating Potsdam away, Genesseo at home, and in preseason drawing v. Oswego at Oswego). They have a chance to make a statement later this season when they host Cortland.

And a shout out to Saint of Old for his support in an earlier post. 
Sorry to see STL struggling in the early season: they have been the standard by which the other LL teams are measured!

[Saint of Old]

Much respect on the shout Bart, simply telling the truth.
The great thing about our game is the eye test. whether you win or lose one can tell whether the tam is playing good soccer (and if they are,  consistently winning is just a matter of time anyway).

I think I played 4 straight OT games against Hobart.
That's a team that has always brought it year in year out, difference lately is that the talent has improved and that is dangerous when paired to meet the work ethic.

[Ommadawn]

Hobart leads Skidmore 1-0 at 70'.  Okoye had a PK saved at 18', Santos red card at 35', and Hobart goal at 37'.

At 75', SLU and Union are tied 0-0.  0 SOG for Union.  Complete domination by Saints, but Union is packing it back and preventing quality chances.

[Ommadawn]

Skidmore ties it up at 86'.  SLU-Union to OT.

[Mr.Right]

Hobart leads Skidmore 1-0 at 70'.  Okoye had a PK saved at 18', Santos red card at 35', and Hobart goal at 37'.

At 75', SLU and Union are tied 0-0.  0 SOG for Union.  Complete domination by Saints, but Union is packing it back and preventing quality chances.

Big red card as he will miss the Williams game mid-week. Big break for Williams

[deutschfan]

Notes on a scorecard first full weekend of LL games: 1) Skidmore--gutty performance with Santos out most of the game on a red portends well for a Thoroughbred finals redemption after last year's Poughkeepsie horror show; 2) RPI--close game against Bard confirms overrated assessment; 3) Clarkson--huge win at home over a quality Ithaca side and what a positive feeling during the game from Coach Taylor and his bench; 4) Vassar--gets game winner against run if play in first half and is totally dominated by a weak Rochester team in the second casting significant doubt on its ability to repeat; 5) Hobart--missed chance to cast out last year's demons in a contest they should have been able to close out a man up although are likely to meet up with Skidmore again in the final; 6) SLU--rooters will point to shot domination against Union and detractors will point to inability to finish (can't remember the last time a player had 10 shots and no points); 7) Union--while packing it in worked to preserve a point in hindsight it is not the way to impress NCAA voters; 8) Ithaca--defense lets them down leaving them squarely on the bubble; 9) Bard--another year where close is not enough; and 10) RIT--outplayed Vassar for most of game and gave other teams a blueprint for de-throning the reigning champs.

[stlawus]

Was just about to comment that SLU was really struggling against Clarkson's press and then Augustine scores on a nice run down the right flank off a take away at midfield .   Union tied at the half against Fisher.  Not much going on there, only 3 shots a piece.

[stlawus]

SLU gets a nice 2-0 win at Clarkson.  Union beats SJF 3-1.  Again, I have no idea why they continue to schedule such weak non-conference games.  SJF is their toughest non-conference opponent.  7-1-1 is an intrinsically good record but again, another weak schedule for them.  I think they have a decent team too.

[Mr.Right]

Did he change formations or is he still playing 3 at the back? From what I remember Durocher used to press his opponents way more than I have seen when I have watched them the past 2 years.

[stlawus]

3 at the back again, but dropped another midfielder into a DM role.  They didn't press, mostly played out of the back and through the wings.  Clarkson only had one decent chance.   Much better performance tonight.

[Saint of Old]

Big Big  week in LL.
Bard v. Vassar
RIT v. Hobart
These are interesting games, that could potentially trip up two LL favorites.
Bard has already shown with their 2OT game against RPI that they will compete this year, and Hobart needs three points as too many ties in this league can prove costly with 10 teams competing for 6 spots.

A strong road win for SLU last night.
Clarkson is still in it at 1-1 and will feel like they can beat anyone in the league on their day.

[d3d3d3]

Vassar beat Bard, 1-0. First half was played evenly; second half not so much.

[d3d3d3]

And Hobart just beat RIT in OT. Didn't see the game, but stats look even.

[Part_Bart]

Was a very even game, though Hobart had the distinct 'edge' in fouls (and maybe also yellow cards).
Good goal by Hobart was negated by sloppy play on corner 2' later that allowed RIT to even score.
RIT may have been unlucky with a ball off crossbar that beat GK

[deutschfan]

Had the three screens going. Williams very dominsnt in first half in what could have been a 2 or 3 goal half instead of 1.  More even in the second half with Skidmore creating quality chances near end to no avail. Overall Williams a notch above. Vassar should have had 2 or 3 as well with Bard looking inept for large portions of the game. Vassar 2-0 in league against two winless teams. Union game should tell alot. Hobart possessed and built up while RIT played for counter. RIT could have easily won this game in the last 10 minutes with a counter attack goal. Moral of story--this league is wide open but for Bard.