Liberty League

[deutschfan]

Yes it's time for notes on a scorecard end of regular season addition and congrats to the Statesmen and Herons for winning the daily double and hosting in Geneva.  After a weekly summary in a new feature I will add my year-end awards.  Later this week I will add my starting XI.  In order of finish: 1) Hobart—Cardiac kids do it again, this time in 2 OT with regular league championship on the line and after being the beneficiary of two huge calls; 2) Vassar—Dodges Ithaca's spoiler bid but as a team that hasn't shown well on the road will suffer from this year's new format having all semifinal and final fixtures at Hobart; 3) St. Lawrence—straight red on first half sub gifts Hobart the crown and year-long inability to defend with three tough games to get a championship means that SLU very likely will be missing the NCAAs for the first time in what seems forever; 4) RIT—This is one scary team that has its offense clicking on all cylinders at home and on the road and draws a weaker team in No. 5 than No. 6, at least on paper; 5)  Clarkson—what a huge confidence building result with a playoff berth in hand to come from behind and break RPI's hearts; 6) Skidmore—given up for dead the team with the most talent in the league is resurrected by Clarkson into the playoffs; 7) RPI—Excruciating loss for team that obviously knew that Skidmore had taken care of business, and in a year of keeper weakness generally, from looks of video replays sophomore goalie did them no favors on either of the goals; 8) Ithaca—Coach had them ready to play but problem with soccer is that one marking lapse on a long ball into the box can end up being the decider; 9) Union—Having avoided the ignominious distinction of no league wins, rolls over for RIT in final contest; and 10)  Bard—Has a a lot of holes to fill next year, no bigger than the quality striker they graduate in Shenberger.  Awards—POY—Okoye;  DPOY--H. Critchlow (love defenders who can score especially in a weak goalie year); ROY--Bisson; CSOY—Clarkson, RIT share.

[Saint of Old]

Don't count SLU out just yet.

I am not guaranteeing a dance, but stranger things have happened in soccer than St. Lawrence winning three straight games.

In all honesty, I cannot say they are the best team in the league this year, but I think this team can beat anyone.
As a fan of the program, I am looking forward to entering post season as under dogs. A role the team relished in 2005 in knocking off favorite U of R.

In my pre-season predictions, I had SLU finishing 3rd and Hobart/Vassar top two.
Also had Skidmore getting in as well.

My surprise was that all LL teams did so poorly out of conference (except for Union ofcoarse).

This will be a wild ride.
I think my POY is still Dede, as I had thought preseason, but if Skidmore beats SLU, I will happily switch to Okoye.

[Part_Bart]

Thanks, Deutschfan, for excellent summary agree on your player and coaching staff awards (for now, but lets see who moves forward to break the ties)!

Skidmore is a scary sixth seed, and SLU will be missing a key defender from the red card at Hobart. 
Still, t I think SLU moves on, 1:0, to see Vassar on Saturday.

RIT gets by Clarkson 2:0 and faces Hobart, again.

I'll wait to guess the weekend games after the first round results....

Good luck to all four teams and all the best to the seniors and their families.

[deutschfan]

Bart--Totally agree that Skidmore is a really tough number 6.  Here are my playoff predictions: 1) SLU over Skidmore (toughest call); 2) RIT over Clarkson; 3) SLU over Vassar; 4) RIT over Hobart (second toughest call); 5) SLU over RIT.  This is not a sop to Saint or the rest of the SLU supporters (homers) on this board.  I look at SLU's losses against Vassar and Hobart being avoidable without the defensive blunders and believe that SLU's tradition will carry the day.  Can't believe I am writing this.  Plus Saint was prescient about Skidmore making the playoffs a few days ago so you have to go with the hot handicapper.   

[SandyMac]

Just saw this graphic posted by the LL twitter handle. Does the "Finak 4: Nov 4/5" imply that Hobart hosts both semis...? This would be a throwback to the 2008 days. Brutal for Vassar if that's true, no playoff game in Po-Town.

[Part_Bart]

Just saw this graphic posted by the LL twitter handle. Does the "Finak 4: Nov 4/5" imply that Hobart hosts both semis...? This would be a throwback to the 2008 days. Brutal for Vassar if that's true, no playoff game in Po-Town.

Yes, semis and final are hosted by Hobart.
Hobart plays 4/5 winner at 11, Saturday
Vassar plays 3/6 winner at 130, Saturday
Final is Sunday for 2.

William Smith soccer is also hosting playoffs and there is a home football game -- busy sports weekend in Geneva....

[SandyMac]

Just saw this graphic posted by the LL twitter handle. Does the "Finak 4: Nov 4/5" imply that Hobart hosts both semis...? This would be a throwback to the 2008 days. Brutal for Vassar if that's true, no playoff game in Po-Town.

Yes, semis and final are hosted by Hobart.
Hobart plays 4/5 winner at 11, Saturday
Vassar plays 3/6 winner at 130, Saturday
Final is Sunday for 2.

William Smith soccer is also hosting playoffs and there is a home football game -- busy sports weekend in Geneva....

Last time this happened, they ended up using a separate field (down near football stadium, not sure what it's normal purpose is). Hope that isn't the case this weekend.

[Mr.Right]

RIT hosting Clarkson in a 11am Quarterfinal right now..Strange starting time but I'll take a 11am Tuesday start on a day off..1-1 5 min to Halftime

[Mr.Right]

RIT looks to be in a 4-4-2 and Clarkson a 4-2-3-1. Still 1-1 about 30 minutes left. Clarkson not afraid to attack with 5 but both teams playing cautiously. RIT coming on strong the last 5 minutes as they have missed a couple good chances and some fine GK'ing by Clarkson's GK has kept this game level.

[Mr.Right]

RIT taking it to Clarkson midway thru the 2nd Half and are looking for that go ahead goal that must be surely coming. Clarkson on its heels here 2nd Half

[Mr.Right]

Clarkson holding strong as RIT does have a massive wind advantage 2nd half. Both teams try to play a bit but Clarkson backs overpass and are susceptible to a bad giveaway..

RIT parents just merciless on this poor ref...

[Mr.Right]

RIT gets a predictable goal that was coming all 2nd Half with about 12 minutes....I missed it so I cannot describe but 2-1 RIT with about 10 left..Clarkson has a tall task ahead of them going into this wind. They MUST send everyone forward now

[Mr.Right]

RIT finishes off Clarkson 2-1..2nd Half was all RIT but they did have the wind advantage. RIT looked more athletic and skilled than Clarkson from what I saw the 2nd Half. They have enough talent to win the LL so their match v Vassar will be interesting. I wonder if Hobart will take the early game or late game?

[deutschfan]

It was a good finish to the upper shelf from the top of the box.  Based on obnoxiousness of RIT fans I hope that Hobart feed microphone is about as far from the stands in Geneva as possible. 

[Mr.Right]

It was a good finish to the upper shelf from the top of the box.  Based on obnoxiousness of RIT fans I hope that Hobart feed microphone is about as far from the stands in Geneva as possible.

LOL that was BAD...Calling the ref an idiot, one parent saying " let's write down this guy's name and report him". Yea I am sure that will go as planned. These parents are clueless. The ref made a few mistakes like all refs but he kept up with the play an did his job which is all you can really ask...Also, Hobart has 2 announcers and they are not near parents and it is a fantastic stream..Should be all set.