Liberty League

[stlawus]

Agree to disagree then, fair enough.  I thought SLU was outmatched.  Had a few chances and if that PK was converted that would have obviously changed things, but I felt like Cortland played well and SLU didn't.  Could just be one of those games where one team gets all the bounces.  I'm sure Tosh will re-organize things for Union next week. 

And as I say this SLU  nicks one back. 

[stlawus]

Ignore everything I said Saint of Old!  My pessimism got the best of me.  Gritty equalizer that started from the back with Callahan.

[stlawus]

What a final 5 minutes to this game.  Right after SLU equalizes Cortland misses a golden opportunity and in the ensuing play SLU barely misses a nice 20 yard strike that goes just over the bar. 

[stlawus]

And Cortland wins it in OT.  Dumb, dumb foul to give away at the top of the box to set up that free kick.  Can't be too upset since they were down 2-0 with 12 minutes left and they equalized, but still a silly foul to give away in an area like that.  SLU showed grit and determination but Cortland was just a bit better.

[deutschfan]

Bad weekend for the Liberty League elite.  Hobart's horrible start puts them in a must win league tourney or out of the dance scenario.  So much for bounce from summer tour abroad.  Dede's penalty miss costs St. Lawrence big time.  Vassar's lack of urgency and quality finishing gives Oneonta a weekend break.  Coach Taylor takes no prisoners against his former team.  RIT goes 0-1-1 and RPI can't build on their Oneonta tie.  As league games begin in earnest Vegas has as a clear favorite based on the pre-season-- the Ithaca Bombers.  Their Manhattanville transfer has helped them go undefeated preseason.  Congrats.   

[Saint of Old]

I guess there is no more time to wait before making league predictions.

Now we have  a 6 team LL Playoff field, I see it playing out like this.

#6- RPI- I picked them to make it last year and they did not, I just cannot see this program missing out on the playoffs in back to back years.

#5- Ithaca- Getting back two big pieces on offense who missed basically all last season should help, also they have a year to become adjusted to what is required in this tough league.

#4-  Vassar- Could be a tough year for the Brewers, but thier pedigree and recent form over the past few seasons means they wont drop any further than this.


#3- SLU- Cannot recall the Saints ever having this big a recruiting class, this should help them to bounce back after a seriously dissapointing , by their standards, season last year. Also have perhaps the best player in the league back for his senior year.

#2- RIT- This team seems to be hitting new heights. Had a bad start last season yet lmost turned it around at the end.


#1- Hobart- I feel like it has to be unanamous after such an incredible performance last year, but teams will be gunning for them this year.


Apologies to Skidmore, as I had RPI edge them by a hair.


Bard, Clarkson and Union will compete, but I just dont think they will have enough to make top 6.

Would love for one or two of them to prove me wrong, then the season would really be crazy.

After 3 weekends, I am still sticking to my guns.
Clarkson is tempting me to squeeze them in, and I may after the weekend, but they have to pass their first league test first.
Hobart is puzzling, but still think they will be there at the end.
Skidmore sitting prettiest of all with 3 league points in the bag.

[Ommadawn]

Hobart is puzzling, but still think they will be there at the end.

Tonight, Hobart outshot Cortland, but lost 1-0 and fell to 1-4-1 on the year.  The pattern of the past few years continues...

[Saint of Old]

That makes no sense.
They are playing a strong schedule, but now their backs are definitely against the wall.

Without a tournament title they wont be dancing this year.
Which is a shame, Hobart had an amazing year in 2017 and gave Messiah ALL THEY COULD HANDLE in the dance. Shame if they are having an off year, but a positive thing for other top LL teams perhaps.

This might just be a one bid league yet again this year.

[stlawus]

Awful 1st half performance by SLU against Union.  Union capitalized off a nice header off a corner.  They then sat back and comfortably absorbed all pressure.  SLU quite literally spent the remainder of the half passing back and forth among the back line.  The still have not been able to defend set pieces since Copeland graduated. 

On a side note, is it just me or is Box Caster getting worse every year?  I have not been able to watch a single game without at least 50 interruptions and stoppages.

[stlawus]

After a poor 1st half showing the SLU captains put on a class 2nd half performance.  Dede took over the game and is already making a strong case to repeat as LL player of the year.   Union was rather technically sound and I can definitely see them getting results this season despite their record. 

[Saint of Old]

Great win by the Saints.
Even better was Hobart/Skidmore/Ithaca/Clarkson all getting a point and no three today.
Vassar had a great day as well edging RIT 1-0 and from the looks of the statistics totally dominating the game.


League is shaping up the way I thought it would so far.

Still might be a one bid league, but better than last season either way.

[deutschfan]

While most teams have only played one league game, the winner of the LL depends on one question, can SLU get the Vassar monkey off its back?  Saint, you are right, Vassar's win was the most impressive of the weekend.  Total domination of a highly touted opponent.  SLU and RPI's have asterisks as they played the two weakest teams in the league, Bard and Union.  Skidmore and Hobart are not much better.  Ithaca and Clarkson are destined for the playoffs but will be behind SLU and Vassar.  Vassar will start 3-0 and SLU better make sure it doesn't put two Union first halves together before they play the Brewers or they will be looking up. 

[stlawus]

Lightning delay in Annondale but Vassar having a tidy first half against Bard, comfortably up 2-0.   They have a very strong team.   Hobart nicked a 1-0 win at RIT, a win they desperately needed to get things on track.  SLU utilized Sandy to the max today against Clarkson to get a nice 2-0 win.  Clarkson had a few chances, as Smith had a very nice reaction save in the first 5 minutes and then a shot off the post in the second half.   SLU however completely controlled possession and kept Clarkson moving by frequently switching fields and throwing Clarkson off their game.  Got a bit lucky with an own goal, but SLU had built a lot of pressure up to that point.  Zaccolaro is having a very impressive start to his SLU career.   

[Mr.Right]

Big win for Hobart as after a draw with Skidmore they should find themselves in the Top 6. RPI lost to at Williams today 2-0 but they showed well going into halftime 0-0 and with a couple opportunities to get a goal. 2nd Half they began to fade a bit but on an unfamiliar grass field they were ok. They did not look as good as they did against Oneonta a week or so ago but they are a Top 6 side. SLU and Vassar are #1 and #2 and that leaves 2 spots. Skidmore is already 1-0-1 and are playing better than I expected although I have not seen them this year. I have seen Ithaca and while they looked shaky defensively against Hamilton they are in my Top 6. I totally get Clarkson was ranked just last week but I am not sure they get in but it could be between them and Skidmore.

[Mr.Right]

Big game in the LL today with Ithaca travelling to SLU.  I have seen both teams play once this season. I give the advantage to SLU as they have 1 or 2 more game changers than Ithaca but Ithaca is a hard working bunch and will not back down. Right now the LL is a 2 bid league to the NCAA's as Ithaca is 6-0-2 with wins at Hamilton, v Brockport and a key draw with Cortland. Should be a great game.