Liberty League

Ommadawn · October 25, 2017, 10:05:39 PM

Quote from: Mr.Right on October 25, 2017, 09:32:00 PM
Just looking at the LL Standings if this RPI / Vassar result holds and RPI gets a draw it will set up an interesting scenario. RPI and CLarkson would be on 11 pts with Skidmore at 8 pts but playing at Bard Saturday. RPI and Clarkson will be playing at Clarkson Saturday and a draw will get both of them into the tournament...Could be Austria and West Germany of the 1982 World Cup where both teams needed just a draw to advance to the 2nd Round of the World Cup and they got that draw after both teams showed no willingness to attack or really play for that matter. It was like 90 minutes of just knocking the ball around..It was a bad situation for FIFA...Not saying RPI and Clarkson would ever do that but just thought I would bring up the situation...

Clarkson and RPI may not play to kill the clock, but conservative play is highly likely given the circumstances.

Mr.Right · October 25, 2017, 10:06:15 PM

That is good news Ommadawn because Vassar needs SLU and Hobart to draw that should mean Hobart will play straight up against SLU. A draw willl only hurt them

Ommadawn · October 25, 2017, 11:08:00 PM

Catching up on the LL box scores/play-by-play tonight, I was impressed with RIT's thumping of Ithaca, whose hot streak seems to be tapering off. Bard got their best LL offensive game of the season only to be denied by Union's best offensive showing of the season. I was initially puzzled by RPI's domination of the shot count down the stretch, but that can probably be explained by the big holes in Vassar's lineup (Novas, Gilmore, and Olsson account for more than 50% of Vassar's offense, and the latter two are key to the Brewers' defensive effort). I'm not sure if the injury or illness bug has struck, but depth is especially important near the end of the season!

deutschfan · October 26, 2017, 10:07:01 AM

Good catch on the missing Vassar players. Don't know what was going on there and the second half payback to Mrlik for last year's hattie may have some long term effects. Hobart now has control--with a win it wins league. Unless Vassar is still way short handed they beat Ithaca at home. They hold the tie-breaker with SLU. A Hobart-SLU draw or SLU win puts Vassar at number 1. Clarkson is in with the tiebreaker over Skidmore. Last spot is between RPI and Skidmore. A Skidmore win and RPI loss leaves them tied with a tie between themselves and almost identical records against the top LL teams. Don't know who gets in at that point. On the award side of the house RPI's Bisson is a lock for ROY. POY is either Okoye or Dede. DPOY--anyone's guess.

Part_Bart · October 26, 2017, 01:10:31 PM

Re: DPOY, I've not been overly impressed by GK play across the LL teams I've watched.

However, both Skidmore (14 GA) and Hobart (12 GA) have had great defensive seasons (and at least two of the 12 GA at Hobart are GK mistakes). I'm thinking that Greening (Skidmore), Escamilla (Hobart) and Critchlow (Hobart) have been incredibly important as central defenders for their teams.

Defense was unsteady early on for SLU and much better of late. Something has stabilized along their back line and I'm impressed with their #23 (Macnamee).

Three of these four play each other this weekend.
If its a goal-a-paloooza in Geneva, well, good for Skidmore's Greening

And, yes, maybe I've a soft spot for rugged and committed central defenders.

Saint of Old · October 26, 2017, 02:38:28 PM

Great game yesterday between Vassar and RPI.
This is a very competitive league.
It seems that any of the top 7 can beat each other on any given day.

This is how the league season should end with Hobart and SLU going at each other for the top prize.
The defending champions looking to edge both out.
No one wanting to play the hottest team in the league (Tigers).
Knights and Engineers are looking to win the whole thing and dance.

This 6 team thing worked out really well in the inaugural season.

Tough on Ithaca who really did have a shot and showed themselves to be a quality side.
Best league game all year was Bard holding Bart to a tie which is now making for a consequential climax to the season.
BTW people, Skidmore is still in this thing!!!
I wont write them off yet, especially due to my soft spot for Okoye.
The kid played with Beek and they will both go down as two of Skidmore's and the Leagues best.

deutschfan · October 28, 2017, 09:34:47 AM

Last day predictions anyone? From easiest to hardest: 1) Skidmore v. Bard, 3-0 Thoroughbreds--Akoye gets a brace to lock up POY but in the words of Carole King, it's too late baby for Skidmore although they really tried to make it; 2) Vassar v. Ithaca, 2-0 Vassar who wins LL regular season (see below) as Ithaca doesn't savor spoiler role and is deflated after RIT whalloping; 3) RIT v. Union, 3-1 Tigers who continue to keep the momentum going into the playoffs; 4) RPI v. Clarkson, 0-0 as both teams' offensive woes continue; and 5) Hobart v. SLU, 1-1 as Hobart's Utica loss and SLU's domination by Vassar means that neither of these teams merit the regular season crown and rightly they end up not.

Part_Bart · October 28, 2017, 11:21:08 AM

Quote from: deutschfan on October 28, 2017, 09:34:47 AM
Last day predictions anyone? From easiest to hardest: 1) Skidmore v. Bard, 3-0 Thoroughbreds--Akoye gets a brace to lock up POY but in the words of Carole King, it's too late baby for Skidmore although they really tried to make it; 2) Vassar v. Ithaca, 2-0 Vassar who wins LL regular season (see below) as Ithaca doesn't savor spoiler role and is deflated after RIT whalloping; 3) RIT v. Union, 3-1 Tigers who continue to keep the momentum going into the playoffs; 4) RPI v. Clarkson, 0-0 as both teams' offensive woes continue; and 5) Hobart v. SLU, 1-1 as Hobart's Utica loss and SLU's domination by Vassar means that neither of these teams merit the regular season crown and rightly they end up not.

I'll bite:

Agree that Skidmore wins over Bard, 1-0. Not sure Skidmore can score three goals in a game, but also not sure if Bard will commit to defending.
Agree that Vassar takes it to Ithaca, and a 2-0 scoreline seems about right.
Agree with RIT over Union, even as 3-1 seems like a little bit of a nod to Union.
Differ in that RPI beats Clarkson, 1-0 (in OT).... Both will be committed, but RPI is just a bit better at this point in the year.
Differ in that Hobart beat SLU, 2-1 (again in OT). The Saints are just not as sound in the back as in past years and Hobart has been looking at this game for a week (and forgot that Utica was not).... I would say 2-0, but Hobart always gives up a goal if they score first. Perhaps a (muted) bias here.

Wishing all the seniors and their families the best day possible, knowing that four teams are done after this game.

stlawus · October 28, 2017, 04:16:38 PM

Make it the second time in 3 years SLU loses at Hobart in overtime off a penalty. Looked like a cheap penalty call to me but I may be biased. Outside of 2009 this may be the worst regular season SLU performance since the early 90s.

Mr.Right · October 28, 2017, 04:23:36 PM

I happened to catch it...it was a foul...it was in the box but not sure I would have given a PK in that situation..SLU looks to be tied with RIT and they tied in the regular season..what the next tie breaker? Same goes for RPI and Skidmore at the bottom

stlawus · October 28, 2017, 04:24:26 PM

SLU won the head to head with RIT so they get the 3 seed and will play Skidmore in the first round it seems. RPI loses out entirely.

d3d3d3 · October 28, 2017, 04:27:10 PM

I'm pretty sure RPI is out, Skidmore is in. First tiebreaker is head-to-head, that was a draw. Second tiebreaker is record against conference opponents in descending order.

Hobart won the league. Skidmore drew with Hobart, RPI lost to Hobart. So Skidmore gets the sixth seed. Right?

So Hobart and Vassar sit tight while St. Lawrence hosts Skidmore, and RIT hosts Clarkson.

stlawus · October 28, 2017, 04:28:47 PM

I got mixed up with standings but yes it appears you're right. RPI misses the LL tourney and appears Skidmore grabs the last spot.

Mr.Right · October 28, 2017, 05:02:31 PM

That is kind of a crazy 2nd Tiebreaker..I mean obviously head to head BUT record in descending order? That is the first time i have heard of that...I suppose it makes sense..I would think league wins would mean more...

deutschfan · October 28, 2017, 05:45:46 PM

Startling statistic--after Bard the team that gave up the most goals this year is?

SLU. Now the LL commissioners don't have to worry about picking a POY from a team that didn't make the playoffs. Skidmore in by the skin of their teeth. Good call on that Saint. I had written them off, especially when RPI went up 1-0 on Clarkson.