Liberty League

[blooter442]

Hobart wins 2-0 over Vassar, first LL title since 2009 (and first NCAA bid since 2011). A deserved win on the day, and Hobart seems to be deserved LL champions. Congrats to the Statesmen.

[stlawus]

Good for Hobart.  They definitely deserved that.  Looking forward to them making a run in the tournament. 

And I must say it was a disappointing end to SLU's season to say the least.  I commend Brandell for coming back as a graduate student to fulfill his last year of eligibility, but he never fully recovered from is broken leg.  Program has had to replace multiple All-Americans over the last few seasons and it finally caught up to them.  I know they'll be back but hard not to be disappointed. 

Regardless it's always exciting to see other teams compete and I'll be pulling for the Statesmen in the tourney!

[Part_Bart]

Was at today's game and came away thoroughly unimpressed by Vassar.  Two red cards, both earned, and several yellows (including their coach, who was should have been sent off for what he was yelling at the refs.  As one of the spectators noted: he needs a time out chair).  Vassar are a good side, but completely fell apart under the speed and pressure and physicality of Hobart. Early in the season they were quite fluid and very creative going forward.  Today they were a shell of that and mostly made you wonder how they beat SLU.

Still not sure how Hobart score their goals (today's were both scored by a center back - #25).
However, 1/4 of ALL their goals this year have been scored in the last three games....
Very impressed with Hobart's holding mids, Colmanares and H. Critchlow, and the four defenders, who overcome some weak GK play.
Very impressed with the willingness of the waves of Hobart wings and forward who all work hard, chase and press.
It seemed like hockey with three shifts of three who rotated through -- it can be very disruptive.

Am hoping that Hobart can go a few games into the NCAAs and atone for the league's poor out of conference play.

[Kick-grass]

Isnt Hobart only the 2nd team to win both the regular season and tournament after SLU?

[deutschfan]

Bart--I saw on the stream the hack that led to the second red, but what was the reason for the first?  If it was dissent that is unfortunate because it sounds like the coaching staff set the tone.  Vassar did look much better earlier in the year.  Their leading scorers in pre-season Van Brewer and Mrlik did not get a goal in 11 conference and tournament games.  Novas was the difference maker in league and as you saw he imploded in the final.  All hail the Hobart defenders.   

[Part_Bart]

Bart--I saw on the stream the hack that led to the second red, but what was the reason for the first?  If it was dissent that is unfortunate because it sounds like the coaching staff set the tone.  Vassar did look much better earlier in the year.  Their leading scorers in pre-season Van Brewer and Mrlik did not get a goal in 11 conference and tournament games.  Novas was the difference maker in league and as you saw he imploded in the final.  All hail the Hobart defenders.   

The Vassar player shoved the ref after the second goal.
It was a scrum and must have been very frustrating to see a ball come through the mess into the goal (and no fault to the Vassar keeper, who defended well all game).
Took me a few minutes to realize Vassar was down to 10 men ....

Having had at Vassar a bit, want to be sure to praise #22, Mrlik, for his quality of play as a holding mid.  NO goals were scored by Hobart in the run of play in large part to his ability to cover a lot of ground (on a muddy and increasingly slippery field) and clean up mistakes, break up attacks, and encourage his team mates. He did way more than 1/11 of the total work out there and was by far Vassar's best player today.

[Saint of Old]

Good for Hobart.  They definitely deserved that.  Looking forward to them making a run in the tournament. 

And I must say it was a disappointing end to SLU's season to say the least.  I commend Brandell for coming back as a graduate student to fulfill his last year of eligibility, but he never fully recovered from is broken leg.  Program has had to replace multiple All-Americans over the last few seasons and it finally caught up to them.  I know they'll be back but hard not to be disappointed. 

Regardless it's always exciting to see other teams compete and I'll be pulling for the Statesmen in the tourney!

Oh Yes.
From now until the end of November I will be a Statesman fan.
These boys really deserve it, not only are they the first team to do the double since SLU, but, besides SLU they re the only team to go undefeated against the league all year.

These boys have played 11 league games and are undefeated.
This is an extremely strong team entering the Tournament.
I hope they make a good run and represent the LL well.
I am sure they will.
Also:
Shouts out to former Saint midfield general Bednarsky who is doing good work alongside a very good coaching staff at Hobart!

[Bartman]

Mostly a Statesmen Football follower, but this Statesmen soccer TEAM is something special .....I am not that knowledgeable on soccer but I was totally into the last few home games ....I was very impressed with the stamina, toughness ,speed  and skills of many of the players I watched both on the Hobart team and many of the opponents.... BTW, I watched much of the game above the Vassar goal...Vassar's goaltender was athletic and made some great saves..........this weekend was very special in Geneva with 2 Liberty League championships and opportunities to advance in the NCAA's ....very cool....

[blooter442]

Having had at Vassar a bit, want to be sure to praise #22, Mrlik, for his quality of play as a holding mid.  NO goals were scored by Hobart in the run of play in large part to his ability to cover a lot of ground (on a muddy and increasingly slippery field) and clean up mistakes, break up attacks, and encourage his team mates. He did way more than 1/11 of the total work out there and was by far Vassar's best player today.

I've not seen a ton of Vassar but Mrlik has been their best player when I've seen them. His brother Zander was a two-sport athlete at Vassar in soccer and baseball, graduating in 2013, and was the best player on the 2012 LL Champion Brewers team. I was very impressed with him when they played Brandeis in the second round -- he was an absolute beast at both ends of the field.

[deutschfan]

That Brandeis game was a great game, despite the ending, and that was probably Vassar's best team from front to back.  Last notes on a scorecard as the LL season ends.  On the positive it was one of the most exciting LL seasons in a long time.  On the negative, some abysmal out of conference results even by the top teams.  Congrats to the Statesmen and Herons for being gracious hosts, not allowing their guests to take home any party favors, and making a hospitable environment for virgin goal scorers.  In order of finish: 1) Hobart—shows that you can go undefeated in the Liberty League, which is quite the feat, without a true target forward or consistent goal scorer as Weisban comes up from the back for his first two goals of the year to win the final; 2) Vassar—Wins the semi with Smith's first goal supported by good goalkeeping but offense sputtered in the finals in a wet rain as well as a rain of yellow and red cards; 3) SLU—For a team with a bunch of experienced upper classmen, their lack of offensive sync was inexplicable both in the quarters where they prevailed despite being badly outshot, and in the semis where they seemed content to pass the ball around the back as the clock clicked down to the end of their season; 4) RIT—Easily could have been up by two goals on Hobart after first half and will be very scary again next year on offense as they graduate Kouroupas but no one else from up top;  5) Clarkson—Will look to Hobart's playbook next year as true target forwards are not a necessity to win a championship; and 6) Skidmore—Season on the brink ends with a keeper error and a coaching staff wondering how to replace a boatload of seniors including Akoye, the league's top goal scorer.   

[d3d3d3]

Hobart draws Buffalo State in the first round. Predictions?

[blooter442]

Hobart draws Buffalo State in the first round. Predictions?

Hobart 2-1.

Very brash and not based on anything other than inclination, but you asked!

[deutschfan]

Depends on which Hobart team comes to play, the one that dominated Vassar or the one that lost to Utica.  Hopefully it is the former.  Hobart has tremendous team chemistry going into the Dance.  Vassar doesn't make the tourney as expected.  League showing against UAA, NESCAC, and top SUNYAC teams doomed any LL at large bids.

[Part_Bart]

Hobart draws Buffalo State in the first round. Predictions?

Hobart 2-1.

Very brash and not based on anything other than inclination, but you asked!

Buff State leads SUNYAC in yellow cards (2/game), but not sure about fouls/game.
Hobart is second in LL (1.7/game) and average 12 fouls a game

Buff State has allowed 10 goals all season (0.51/game).
Hobart has allowed 13 (three to weaker teams, three are GK mistakes).

Buff State has 29 goals for (but struggled down the stretch to score).
Hobart has 25 goals for (and scored 1/3 of all goals in final five games, including losing to Utica 1:0).

I can't see three goals being scored if these teams play TWO games.

Head says Hobart 0:0 with PKs to Buff State (GK seems more solid).

All this said, I am going with heart for my pick (total homer): Hobart 1:0 in OT.

For those who like to see people 'get stuck in' this will be a game for you.

[Mr.Right]

Well we know how Hobart plays and their ability but has anyone seen this Buff State outfit? Does anyone know anything about them? To me it is a total mystery but yea you are probably right that it might be a 0-0 or 1-0 game based on those stats. The question is how did they play Oneonta and Cortland? I think I looked once and the stats were even but who knows how accurate that is.