Liberty League

[Mr.Right]

Haha thanks..you got the most enjoyable weekend recaps in the business...+k...

[Saint of Old]

Totally agree with all points made.
Hobart seems to be rounding the corner and Vassar did the LL proud by holding Oneonta at home.
I think this year will be the most unpredictable in the last 10 years of the LL.
This is even moreso with the addition of two playoff teams.

Here is how I see it wrapping up:

6. Union gets in this year. First they hardly ever finish below this position and the program really needs a post season run.
5. RPI will get in. Since when do they not and Coach Clinton has them playing hard as usual.
4. Skidmore.Just a feeling about them dropping a couple games they should not.
3. SLU. Will have to win atleast a game on the road to get a
2. Hobart. Unfortunately for everyone else , I think Hobart have already experienced their early season slump and will be a favorite to add a tournament crown to last yeas league title.
1. Defending Champs will be tough to beat, but I still don't see them repeating unless they have home field throughout.

@ this point I am still sticking with predictions

There goes my prediction for the #6 seed in the tournament.
I just thought they would make it in given Clarkson's recent history and Ithaca having to adjust to the league.

As of now, Ithaca takes their place in my book.
This is a dangerous team that has a big future in the league.

This past wknd cleared up a lot of questions.
Hobart really waited till late to get their clincher but deserved their result.

Vassar and SLU might meet again.
Union is planning for 2018.
Bard making similar plans.
Clarkson is one loss away from joining them while the rest fight for the last three seeds as Brewersc,Statesmen and Saints have the first three locked up.
What a league.

[Mr.Right]

Hobart and Cortland 0-0 midway thru the 2nd Half...

[Mr.Right]

Hobart v Cortland seems like a really even game in the 15 minutes of the 2nd Half that I have seen. 10 minutes left 0-0

[Mr.Right]

Cortland with a GOLDEN opportunity as their quick striker got in on goal 1v1 with the GK after beating 2 Hobart defenders. Hobart GK gets BIG and stuffs him...0-0 6 minutes left

[Mr.Right]

Cortland wins it it OT. A silly foul by Hobart about 35 yards out led to a set piece by Cortland's #12. He hit a nice shot on target from that distance but it was a ball that should have been caught by Hobart's GK. Hobart's GK misjudged it completely and over ran it a step and instead of catching the ball he decides to punch it and punches the ball right into the roof of the net. Horrific GK'ing error as he cost his team the game today. Seemed like a very even game but good teams win those games and average teams find a way to lose them. Cortland has some skill and speed but does not look like a very big physical team. They are a NCAA team for sure but I do not know how far they will go. Sweet 16 likely..You never know..Very tough loss for the Bart as the LL will only get the AQ this year. That being said Hobart looks like a team that could win the LL if the chips fall their way. You could say that about any of the 6 teams that qualify as it will be a wide open tournament.

[Saint of Old]

1,2 and 3 are already decided in the LL.
We just don't know in what order.
The Vassar v. Hobart game might just be the decider for the league champion, the loser has to look over their shoulder for St. Lawrence.

None of these three teams want to have to win three post season games in order to dance, so I see a battle till the last game.

As for the rest of the league.
Union done
Bard Done
there are three spots left:
Skidmore
Clarkson
RIT
RPI
Ithaca
Only 3 of 5 will make it to post season play and will have to travel once there in order to win the league.

Right now Ithaca is playing the best ball, but had the worst start of all these teams.
RIT is catching fire as well and will likely get in.
Of Clarkson, Skidmore and RPI I would have to say Skidmore has the best shot at getting in with a game in hand and a more talented squad.

We should know who is going to the post season after match day 8.

[Mr.Right]

All of a sudden Skidmore's season is on the brink here as they drop a 3-2 decision to Clarkson at Home. They head up to Canton,NY on the weekend and finish with Bard. LL just got a little more interesting for those final 3 spots


Skidmore is in a slump as they are 1-2-5 in their last 8 games. Have won 1 game (Elmira) since Sept 19th.

[deutschfan]

Don't understand Skidmore at all. They have the best offensive player in the league, a used to be solid and athletic defense, and at times showed well against teams like Williams. Santos' disappearance in league in his senior year is one factor but this can't be put on one player. Okoye is the rebirth of Adam Beek, likely AA and yet never will have played in an NCAA game. This is a team that but for two silly penalties would have won the LL championship last year.

[Ommadawn]

Don't understand Skidmore at all. They have the best offensive player in the league, a used to be solid and athletic defense, and at times showed well against teams like Williams. Santos' disappearance in league in his senior year is one factor but this can't be put on one player. Okoye is the rebirth of Adam Beek, likely AA and yet never will have played in an NCAA game. This is a team that but for two silly penalties would have won the LL championship last year.

I think Santos has had some injury issues this year, unfortunately. I kind of view this season as the end of a window of opportunity for the Thoroughbreds. It is just three short years ago that Skidmore had a roster that included Beek, Bakewell, Oyeniyi, Okoye, and Santos. Next year the program is sure to be in a rebuilding mode.

[diesel]

Huge weekend with major playoff implications. Skidmore with a huge road game at SLU, both teams with a lot to play for. SLU still in the chase for a #1/#2 seed, Skidmore playing for their postseason. Another game to watch is RPI and Ithaca, both teams fighting for one of those final three playoff spots. Ithaca on a bit of a kick with their recent results- look for them to be all over an RPI that looks like it is losing its grip. Clarkson can likely wrap up a postseason spot with a win against a Union team that hasn't won a single LL game yet. RIT can advance their cause with a game against Bard. And finally Vassar at Hobart in a match that could decide a lot for playoff positioning. Thoughts?

[Mr.Right]

For Saturday:

RPI at Ithaca----From what I have seen of Ithaca which isn't much but enough to make a solid guess and from what I have read on here they play well at Home. RPI is coming off back to back Home losses this past weekend. I am guessing Adam Clinton gave them Monday off and then put them through a late season ringer on Tuesday as I am sure he was not happy. While I have been critical of them this season and they are short of talent this year I think they get rewarded in this game for busting their butt. Somehow they find a goal...1-0 RPI

Bard at RIT---RIT is 2-0-2 in their last 4 games. They seem to have found something. Bard did beat RIT last season 2-0 but they were a different team last year as they have regressed a bit this season. In 6 conference games they have 15 SOG..That is 2.5 SOG a game...Ahh that is not good. RIT has tons to play for and they need 3 pts in this game..RIT 2-0

Union at Clarkson---Clarkson with a huge mid-week win at Skidmore. Union has nothing to play for except pride. Union does have enough talent to be able to compete in this league IMO..They spotted Ithaca 4 last weekend but I cannot believe Clarkson will get 4 on them in this game. I have a hunch Clarkson takes Union a bit to lightly even if they have tons to play for and their coach getting them fired up. Teams with nothing to play for sometimes love rolling into town and making their opponents season as miserable as their own or more kindly it is known as playing spoiler.  Union 2-1

Vassar at Hobart-----Of all the games from all the regions I watched on Wednesday the game that is sticking in my head for some reason is the Cortland at Hobart match. I think because I might have witnessed the worst GK mistake I have seen all year. Hobart's GK absolutely cost them that game. Hobart ended up being regionally ranked and a win over Cortland would have only moved them up. They did come off a very impressive weekend last weekend getting 2 road wins in the league. The problem is they are 2-3-2 at Home and 4-0-2 on the road. This game I think will be tight and very likely for the #1 overall seed in the league. More important though is getting one of those 1st round byes that comes with finishing 1st and 2nd in the league. Both teams realize this and the game is played very cautiously by both sides. 1-1

Skidmore at SLU---I totally agree with Ommadawn that Skidmore's window is closing fast. Their best teams are behind them now and what could have been in 2013 and 2014. Something is missing with this team. As we all know the talent is there but is the fight? They do have Bard to finish the season so this is not a must win but a point would be nice. Before the Vassar match SLU seemed to have turned a corner going 4-0-2 in their last 6 but Vassar beat them. These two teams have to be the hardest to predict in the league as does anyone know what we will get tomorrow with either of these teams? Why do I have a hunch SLU scores early and look to be in control but concede late and we get a .......1-1

[deutschfan]

They've taken away our weekend private jet privileges at GE so I have time to watch some games and make my predictions, which have historically been way off: Ithaca v. RPI--I agree with Mr. Right that Coach Clinton will do everything he can to motivate his team, but the boys looked so despondent at the end of Saturday's game and the Bombers will be riding a 4 goal high--Ithaca 2, RPI 1; SLU v. Skidmore--Is either of these teams a quality team, and, if so, will it stand up in this game? Vassar has gotten results against SLU in the past, but never made them look bad as they did last Saturday.  Same with regard to Clarkson's mid-week win against Skidmore.  Saints are at home and are rested--Okoye 1, Dede 2; Vassar v. Hobart--this one as they say is for at least a lot of the marbles.  Hobart has not enjoyed a home field advantage this year but historically Vassar has not played well at Hobart.  Vassar has more offensive weapons and Hobart has the stronger defense albeit both teams have been saddled with tremendous goalie mistakes.  Defense wins championships--Hobart 1, Vassar 0; RIT v. Bard--Bard's tie against Hobart is one of the most inexplicable results of the season.  There are no more points for Bard this year and RIT is on a roll--RIT 2, Bard 0; Union v. Clarkson--Am loath to disagree with Mr. Right's analysis but have come to a different conclusion.  Clarkson is looking for a playoff spot and will be motivated while Union's highly touted freshmen spent their week preparing college transfer applications--Clarkson 1, Union 0.

[Saint of Old]

For Saturday:

RPI at Ithaca----From what I have seen of Ithaca which isn't much but enough to make a solid guess and from what I have read on here they play well at Home. RPI is coming off back to back Home losses this past weekend. I am guessing Adam Clinton gave them Monday off and then put them through a late season ringer on Tuesday as I am sure he was not happy. While I have been critical of them this season and they are short of talent this year I think they get rewarded in this game for busting their butt. Somehow they find a goal...1-0 RPI

Bard at RIT---RIT is 2-0-2 in their last 4 games. They seem to have found something. Bard did beat RIT last season 2-0 but they were a different team last year as they have regressed a bit this season. In 6 conference games they have 15 SOG..That is 2.5 SOG a game...Ahh that is not good. RIT has tons to play for and they need 3 pts in this game..RIT 2-0

Union at Clarkson---Clarkson with a huge mid-week win at Skidmore. Union has nothing to play for except pride. Union does have enough talent to be able to compete in this league IMO..They spotted Ithaca 4 last weekend but I cannot believe Clarkson will get 4 on them in this game. I have a hunch Clarkson takes Union a bit to lightly even if they have tons to play for and their coach getting them fired up. Teams with nothing to play for sometimes love rolling into town and making their opponents season as miserable as their own or more kindly it is known as playing spoiler.  Union 2-1

Vassar at Hobart-----Of all the games from all the regions I watched on Wednesday the game that is sticking in my head for some reason is the Cortland at Hobart match. I think because I might have witnessed the worst GK mistake I have seen all year. Hobart's GK absolutely cost them that game. Hobart ended up being regionally ranked and a win over Cortland would have only moved them up. They did come off a very impressive weekend last weekend getting 2 road wins in the league. The problem is they are 2-3-2 at Home and 4-0-2 on the road. This game I think will be tight and very likely for the #1 overall seed in the league. More important though is getting one of those 1st round byes that comes with finishing 1st and 2nd in the league. Both teams realize this and the game is played very cautiously by both sides. 1-1

Skidmore at SLU---I totally agree with Ommadawn that Skidmore's window is closing fast. Their best teams are behind them now and what could have been in 2013 and 2014. Something is missing with this team. As we all know the talent is there but is the fight? They do have Bard to finish the season so this is not a must win but a point would be nice. Before the Vassar match SLU seemed to have turned a corner going 4-0-2 in their last 6 but Vassar beat them. These two teams have to be the hardest to predict in the league as does anyone know what we will get tomorrow with either of these teams? Why do I have a hunch SLU scores early and look to be in control but concede late and we get a .......1-1

RPI @ Ithaca could  be a loser go home game.
Ithaca 2-0

Bard @RIT:
In m opinion, here is the most interesting game of the weekend.
Bard could knock our RIT, but Tigers have too much to play for
RIT 2-1.

Union at Clarkson:

Like Mr. R said, Union playing for pride.
I think they hammer Clarkson 3-0.

Vassar at Hobart:

Hobart 2-1.
This blows the league wide open.

Skidmore at SLU:

SLU knows it is playing for home field.
Skidmore knows that a loss knocks them out of playoff picture.
2-0

[deutschfan]

Saint--you are such a tease.  2-0 for which side in the SLU--Skidmore game, or are you just picking the score without picking the team that wins the game?