Liberty League

[stlawus]

I spoke too soon.   I think the days of expecting us to be an almost automatic Pool C every year are over.   

[Saint of Old]

It was always about playing good football... once you stop doing that ... this is what happens to a program.

[deutschfan]

I was curious after reading the posts about SLU's overplaying in the back so I watched Stanford v Denver Friday night for perspective before watching the Cortland game. Even one of the top D1 programs is not trying to do what SLU is, emulate Barcelona with short, tight passes around their 18. SLU doesn't have the talent nor does Stanford. When Stanford plays it around the back they always have space and when they give it away the giveaway happens in the opponent's half. SLU's first goal was a total Cortland miscue but at least the Cortland player was trying to switch the field when giving the assist to SLU. Beside the Cortland result it was also a bad day for SLU as Bard won its first game against Hartwick by the same 3-0 score that SLU attained. When SLU and Bard are reaching similar outcomes that is a bad sign.

[d4_Pace]

while your point is valid stanford is actually known for not playing the best brand of soccer amongst the elite d1 programs. Their coach was at UNC Charlotte beforehand and was always pretty direct then. Wake Forest and UNC probably play the most pure possession style akin to SLU

[Mr.Right]

I was curious after reading the posts about SLU's overplaying in the back so I watched Stanford v Denver Friday night for perspective before watching the Cortland game. Even one of the top D1 programs is not trying to do what SLU is, emulate Barcelona with short, tight passes around their 18. SLU doesn't have the talent nor does Stanford. When Stanford plays it around the back they always have space and when they give it away the giveaway happens in the opponent's half. SLU's first goal was a total Cortland miscue but at least the Cortland player was trying to switch the field when giving the assist to SLU. Beside the Cortland result it was also a bad day for SLU as Bard won its first game against Hartwick by the same 3-0 score that SLU attained. When SLU and Bard are reaching similar outcomes that is a bad sign.

Yup...SLU has been known over the years for this. Same with Ray Reid and UCONN in its heyday. Almost possessing to the point of over possession. However, Durocher was a Coach who new how to tweak enough tactically to not blow everything up but make a couple quick fixes to solve his opponents. I have not watched SLU enough but everytime I tune in it seems they are just forcing these 10 ft square balls in their own defensive 3rd to be able to build out of the back, EVEN after teams have pressed, picked their pocket and scored. Well like you said the past few seasons they have not had the talent to effectively do this OR the willingness to change and either give his wingback more options or give his wingback the freedom to hoof the ball long if he feels harried. It is almost like sometimes the defender feels like if he does start hoofing a couple times he will get sacked. If that is actually the case then we are talking about a ton of unnecessary stress om his players.

[Red Dog]

Coach Griffin at Hobart reaches 300 career wins on Saturday with 3-0 win over Geneseo. He reached 200 Hobart wins last year. Great coach who runs a really good program.

[Saint of Old]

I was curious after reading the posts about SLU's overplaying in the back so I watched Stanford v Denver Friday night for perspective before watching the Cortland game. Even one of the top D1 programs is not trying to do what SLU is, emulate Barcelona with short, tight passes around their 18. SLU doesn't have the talent nor does Stanford. When Stanford plays it around the back they always have space and when they give it away the giveaway happens in the opponent's half. SLU's first goal was a total Cortland miscue but at least the Cortland player was trying to switch the field when giving the assist to SLU. Beside the Cortland result it was also a bad day for SLU as Bard won its first game against Hartwick by the same 3-0 score that SLU attained. When SLU and Bard are reaching similar outcomes that is a bad sign.

Yup...SLU has been known over the years for this. Same with Ray Reid and UCONN in its heyday. Almost possessing to the point of over possession. However, Durocher was a Coach who new how to tweak enough tactically to not blow everything up but make a couple quick fixes to solve his opponents. I have not watched SLU enough but everytime I tune in it seems they are just forcing these 10 ft square balls in their own defensive 3rd to be able to build out of the back, EVEN after teams have pressed, picked their pocket and scored. Well like you said the past few seasons they have not had the talent to effectively do this OR the willingness to change and either give his wingback more options or give his wingback the freedom to hoof the ball long if he feels harried. It is almost like sometimes the defender feels like if he does start hoofing a couple times he will get sacked. If that is actually the case then we are talking about a ton of unnecessary stress om his players.

And the church says Amen.

Good football is possession football.
During my time and I am sure after the mantra was "Possess and Penetrate".

Now I have seen more Pick 6s watching these games than ever.
Defenders do seem afraid to go long, and going long becomes predictable.
Good to see that other soccer brains are realizing what I do, that deep possession does wayyyyy more harm than good, especially once teams press high and leave a security blanket in the back you have no hope which is what good teams will do.

What is worse however is that imagination/ingenuity and creativity gets lost in your midfielders and strikers because they have so few opportunities to run at defenders when you use this style.
I have said already that the team #1 and #2  and #3 (position wise) has the ball wayyyyy more than the #7, #10 and #8. Not sure how you have great success at the college level, but I may be wrong.

I will always support this program, but more than anything I want to see these young players EXPRESS themselves play with PERSONALITY and TRY THINGS.

Take the above with a grain of salt, I may just be a overly passionate.... This thing is hard to maintain success at the top of college soccer but if it aint broke... why change it so radically?

[deutschfan]

Not to be the consummate Union basher, but, another regional ranking out and the only 7-0 team in the region is left out.  Two years ago Union went undefeated in non-conference games and only won one conference contest.  Deja vu all over again.  As to SLU, they have some very skilled players in the midfield, although they are missing a truly dangerous striker.  Their leading scorer previously was a defender.  Getting 2 goals against each of the Red Dragon sides is an excellent accomplishment and if they clean up the back they are going to do serious damage in the league games.  The have to win it all to advance.  It could be worse, Vassar is averaging less than a goal a game as its two returning all League offensive threats are not playing.  Have to sympathize with Coach Jennings' predicament in trying to get production out of freshmen and sophomores.

[Ommadawn]

It could be worse, Vassar is averaging less than a goal a game as its two returning all League offensive threats are not playing.  Have to sympathize with Coach Jennings' predicament in trying to get production out of freshmen and sophomores.

After losing their two center backs from last year to graduation, I thought Vassar might struggle defensively.  The unexpected loss of Baliat and Mrlik has been devastating, though, and will make the LL season an uphill battle for the Brewers despite the early success of their young back line.

[Saint of Old]

Coach Griffin at Hobart reaches 300 career wins on Saturday with 3-0 win over Geneseo. He reached 200 Hobart wins last year. Great coach who runs a really good program.

One of the great coaches in the league.
Watch out for these guys this year.
4 minutes away from beating Cortland... Freat Coach and quality program.

[deutschfan]

Hairy last few minutes but Hobart hangs on for a second top tier pelt and pretty much assuring a Pool C unless a total league collapse.

[d3d3d3]

And RPI scores in the final minute of regulation to equalize, then in OT to beat Oneonta

[deutschfan]

With the Williams win RPI also looking really good for a Pool C.  If Ithaca wins the tournament, or anyone other than Hobart or RPI, there should be 3 bids this year. 

[Saint of Old]

With the Williams win RPI also looking really good for a Pool C.  If Ithaca wins the tournament, or anyone other than Hobart or RPI, there should be 3 bids this year.

I think that dropping the Red Dragons like Hobart and RPI did was amazing, but I would keep the champaigne cork on for a Pool C bid however.
The problem , as I see the LL this year is that the top six will beat each other up a bit and I dont see a team with 3-4 losses getting a bid without winning the LL Tourney or atleast making it to the final.
I do think both RPI and Hobart are in the best position (and are the only teams with realistic pool c  aspirations right now) but it is wayyyy too  early to guarantee a 3 team league in the dance.
I see 2 tops.

[Mr.Right]

Oh I think those Wins will be huge for both RPI and Hobart come November. I mean you have 3 teams Ithaca, Hobart and RPI who ALL have at least 2 LEGIT wins and its not even Sept 20th. All 3 teams also will end up with SOS's I would guess .585-.605 depending on how badly Bard and Union kill the 3's SOS. Now this is the year the LL gets 2-3 bids IMO maybe 4...The makeup is already there for those 3 to get Pool C's and a SLU or someone else winning the conference tournament. Just a hunch. Skidmore just does not have the strength of schedule or legit Wins as of yet to be considered in the conversation. If RPI, Hobart and Ithaca can avoid beating each other up they should be fine. Basically getting Draws instead of losses and Wins instead of Draws.