Liberty League

[stlawus]

Sloppy, sloppy performance by SLU today.  I was honestly expecting more from Ithaca, but Sandy is always a difficult place for teams to play no matter their strength.  Way too many giveaways by the SLU midfield and backline.  Ithaca's CB were solid, however.     Vassar with another win now puts them in 1st.  They've played the cupcake part of their schedule but wins are hard to get in the LL and they've made the most of their opportunities so far. 

[deutschfan]

Got to watch the second half of Vassar-Union tilt. and second half and overtimes of SLU-Ithaca match.  Love this time of year.  Vassar is living off of excellent defense, and set pieces, and Saturday was no exception.  Even though they haven't played a LL team with a win yet, the absolute smothering of RIT's then vaunted offense put everyone on notice.  If there is any offense in the LL that can beat the Vassar defense it is SLU's.  From what I saw yesterday Vassar has the edge going in.  Despite speed and size up front, and an excellent playmaker in the middle in Dede, SLU has trouble connecting.  This is true from the back to the front.  While Dorney is a returning all LL player who has been honored as player of the week this year, his touch was abysmal and he, like the rest of the defense, repeatedly gave the ball away.  Even Dede cost SLU in another big game failing to finish a cross in the last minute of regulation that would have given SLU the win.  Combined with the Cortland PK failing, his misses have cost the Saints two big wins.  From its first win against West Conn Vassar has feasted on giveaways.  The corner kick leading to the goal against Union also stemmed from a Union giveaway in the back.  If SLU doesn't clean up the sloppiness you noted they will be looking at an at-large bid at best. 

[Saint of Old]

Big weekend for Hobart.
These guys will be a tough out despite their bad non-league schedule.
Completely opposite for the Bombers who sit undefeated on the year and outside the playoffs if the post season began today.

Comes down I think to three teams (Clarkson,Ithaca,RPI) fighting for two spots I believe.

Best player in the LL is who it was last year and maybe since 2014.The Saint #6 is special and having an amazing year despite a few bad bounces.

We will see how the rest of the year shakes out but seems like Vassar has been the top team in the league... so far.

[Mr.Right]

Hobart has 5 of their last 7 games at Home to end their season but the 2 Away matches are at SLU and at Vassar. I think Ithaca will easily get in the Top 6 with only 2 games played to date. I was a little surprised they did not get a victory at Clarkson but it can be tough to play up there. I would not count RIT out just yet as they still have to play Bard and Union. They have SLU at Home this weekend but the key games they MUST Win are at Home v RPI and Skidmore right after the SLU match.

[Saint of Old]

I thought that Ithaca v. Clarkson game was played at the home of the Bombers.
Either way, yes, those two teams have a good shot at making it.

RIT has to turn it around as well.

Looks like the championship game will be held at Vassar.
Very impressed with them so far.

[d3d3d3]

One note that might be worth mentioning about Vassar. They replaced the turf on their main field this summer. Only this time, they didn't put soccer lines on it - just field hockey and lacrosse.

So last week they rained out a men's game against Wesleyan, and last night they rained out a women's game against Bard.

If they host, let's hope it doesn't rain.

[deutschfan]

Ahh the agony and ecstasy of Wednesday nights in the middle of the LL season.  Skidmore with a massive last second victory over Williams puts itself in a position to be a top 2 team if it can beat Vassar at home this weekend.  Will the euphoria lead to a energized unit or a emotionally drained one, only time will tell.  New Paltz' win over Cortland makes Skidmore's loss to New Paltz more acceptable to committee members as well as Vassar's win over New Paltz more appealing.  The pain felt by SLU is best demonstrated by the post loss silence on this board.  Reading the story on the game Tosh seems just as content with trying to achieve a second consecutive player of the year award for his midfielder as with motivating his players to reach the dance.  This was a sub-500 team they lost to and the score would have been 4-2 if RPI's 90th minute shot had been a few inches below the crossbar.  If SLU doesn't make the NCAA playoffs with its 5 returning all LL players and the "best" player in the league over the past few years, there is going to be major consternation among the staff, supporters, and especially those 20 or so players who don't see a minute of playing time every game.  Ithaca may be attempting to try to accomplish what Union attempted last year, an undefeated non-conference schedule followed by a league schedule with no wins.  They should beat Bard easily but they have to be very frustrated with their start after having the best preseason performance of any LL team.  Hobart is thinking been there, done that, and will do it again.  Who cares about preseason if you run the table in league.   

[stlawus]

SLU simply has not been able to replace Copeland and is still reeling from the effects of him graduating.   That was an extremely disappointing performance.  RPI actually looked like a good team even with SLU playing as poorly as they did.    The centerbacks have not been good enough, as their horrible first touches are killing the team.   

[deutschfan]

Big day in the LL.  5 head to head contests including some very intriguing games.  SLU v. RIT--can a struggling Saints team win on the road against a desperate RIT squad whose vaunted offense has disappeared and whose playoff hopes will be dashed with a 0-4 start?  Hobart v. Clarkson--can Hobart continue its league domination for a second year in a row against Clarkson's best team in years? Union v. RPI--Can Union save its season and another year of irrelevance by avoiding an 0-4 start while RPI hopes it didn't use up three games worth of goals in its huge win against SLU? Ithaca v. Bard--If Ithaca loses this battle of winless teams in league will its coaching staff look to bring in another 16 recruits next year and will it share the last 16 with hapless Bard? Skidmore v. Vassar--In a battle of stingy defenses which team's set play will propel it into a top two spot.   

[Saint of Old]

Ahh the agony and ecstasy of Wednesday nights in the middle of the LL season.  Skidmore with a massive last second victory over Williams puts itself in a position to be a top 2 team if it can beat Vassar at home this weekend.  Will the euphoria lead to a energized unit or a emotionally drained one, only time will tell.  New Paltz' win over Cortland makes Skidmore's loss to New Paltz more acceptable to committee members as well as Vassar's win over New Paltz more appealing.  The pain felt by SLU is best demonstrated by the post loss silence on this board.  Reading the story on the game Tosh seems just as content with trying to achieve a second consecutive player of the year award for his midfielder as with motivating his players to reach the dance.  This was a sub-500 team they lost to and the score would have been 4-2 if RPI's 90th minute shot had been a few inches below the crossbar.  If SLU doesn't make the NCAA playoffs with its 5 returning all LL players and the "best" player in the league over the past few years, there is going to be major consternation among the staff, supporters, and especially those 20 or so players who don't see a minute of playing time every game.  Ithaca may be attempting to try to accomplish what Union attempted last year, an undefeated non-conference schedule followed by a league schedule with no wins.  They should beat Bard easily but they have to be very frustrated with their start after having the best preseason performance of any LL team.  Hobart is thinking been there, done that, and will do it again.  Who cares about preseason if you run the table in league.   

Saints playing a good game so far.
Very patient and very calm on the ball in midfield.

I must admit that I bleed red, but my opinion as the SLU #6 as the best player in the leaguesince day 1 is not a homer call.
The kid oozes class.

Saint seniors must help him lead the team to where theywant to be this season though.

[Mr.Right]

Predictable results today in LL....Union with an upset of RPI keeps their season alive...Skidmore continues the solid defense as they are scoreless with Vassar in OT rn....That would be another solid result for Skidmore if they can get a draw or even a Win

[Mr.Right]

Jeez...Skidmore with 2 LEGIT chances to Win this game over Vassar....A couple 2v1's come up just empty....As typing Vassar takes advantage of a Skidmore giveaway and Vassar cracks the crossbar...Game is completely stretched just like the Skidmore v Williams game a couple days ago...

[Mr.Right]

Skidmore gets a bit of their own medicine as Vassar scores to beat Skidmore 1-0 with about 10 seconds left off a corner and failed clearance...Skidmore got Williams a couple days earlier but get burned today...Futbol is a funny game,,,That is a very tough loss as that would have been a Draw v a ranked opponent and a loss of 1pt in the standings plus a 3pt gift to Vassar...Very tough

[deutschfan]

Ref gets an assist in the 3 point gift to Vassar as soft second yellow puts Skidmore down a man for about 50 minutes. To live and die in the 109th minute.  Skidmore's keeper should be defensive player of the week even with the loss.  He went 219 minutes without giving up a goal and then the soccer gods took away in the same way they had giveth.

[Red Dog]

First time post here although have read D3 Boards for a few years with interest. Just wanted to note that with the victory over Clarkson on Saturday Coach Griffin secured his 200th win at Hobart College. Don't know how many active D3 coaches have that many wins with the same program, at least in the North East, but it must be a relatively small group.