Liberty League

[deutschfan]

After an ignominious start, Vassar looks like it will make Coach Jennings final season a memorable one.  Given Brandeis' travails, arguably the only truly quality win the LL has had non-conference is Vassar's 2-0 result against Stevens.  New Paltz, although regionally ranked, did not look imposing at Gordon yesterday, and much of its reputation may have been the result of a 3-0 drubbing of Union which is a program in seeming disarray.  RPI's tie with Oneonta is also a quality result but alas it was a tie, and the jury is out on Plattsburgh.  We will know more this weekend when Vassar visits Plattsburgh, and Coach Jennings and Coach Taylor reunite.  But for the fact that Coach Taylor played at Plattsburgh, making it unlikely he would leave, he would have been a top tier candidate for the Vassar Head Coach position.  Ithaca is circling the drain due to an inability to score (previously predicted) and much of Hobart's talent is young leading to wildly varying results.  I still think Hobart will be challenging RPI at the end unless Vassar decides to win one for the Gipper.

[deutschfan]

Love replying to myself. Some great games today—a day where NCAA at large dreams are made or broken for Hobart, Ithaca, RIT and Vassar.

[stlawus]

Tough losses for RIT and Ithaca.  RIT is definitely not a fluke, they are quality.   Vassar up 1 at the half against a very enigmatic Plattsburgh squad.  SLU is an entirely different team with Sibanda back in the lineup.  Just glancing at the scoreline you would not think so but today's win against Potsdam was an immense improvement over last weekend.

[deutschfan]

Enigmatic is the perfect word for Plattsburg and today they were on the wrong side of the spectrum.  Ithaca was dominating Cortland.  After a ranked start to the year they are now automatic bid or done.  You are right about RIT.  They have had some tough results.  SLU's leading scorer is a defender.   If they are going to make an impact that has got to change.  Vassar is doing it with defense and every game has a new offensive hero.  That makes for great team chemistry.

[stlawus]

Enigmatic is the perfect word for Plattsburg and today they were on the wrong side of the spectrum.  Ithaca was dominating Cortland.  After a ranked start to the year they are now automatic bid or done.  You are right about RIT.  They have had some tough results.  SLU's leading scorer is a defender.   If they are going to make an impact that has got to change.  Vassar is doing it with defense and every game has a new offensive hero.  That makes for great team chemistry.

Reynolds is still listed as a defender but he plays at the 9.

[deutschfan]

He was a defender in high school and in college until this year.  He is doing a nice job at the 9 but experientially he is still a defender.  Hobart lays an egg at Rochester.  Rochester scores 6 goals on 6 shots on goal.  Cross another LL team off the potential at large bid list. 

[Caz Bombers]

Skidmore (Horsenal? Tottenham Horsespur? Horseton Villa?) beats #8 WPI on the road, 1-0.

[stlawus]

Just back from the SLU-Cortland game.  I suppose I should be disappointed, but it's hard to be after that match which was quite entertaining.   Cortland is clearly a quality squad.  I was quite impressed with #7 who caused havoc down the left flank and #6 who was as rock steady a CB as I've seen in recent years.   SLU was just snake bit all game.  Hit the cross bar in the first 30 seconds and whiffed on the follow through.    Cortland took over for the remainder of the first half but did not threaten much outside of 1 shot where SLU's keeper had to make a decent save.   Things opened up a bit the 2nd half where Cortland threatened but never really got a quality shot on goal.    Overtime was a much different story.   I'm not sure if the road trip affected Cortland or SLU is in much better shape as SLU looked much more fit in OT and had the Cortland midfielders pretty gassed.  Reynolds hit the post and then Sibanda hit the cross bar which was a bad omen as Cortland nabbed the game winner off a corner in the 2nd overtime.   

An entertaining match for sure.  Cortland was quality but SLU also got rather unlucky.  Plenty positives to take away from that one.   

[Mr.Right]

Saw the highlights of the game and your right it looks like it was an entertaining up and down game where fitness and luck wins out. D3 soccer at its best especially on a 120 x 80. How could you not want to play futbol on a field like that? I will say SLU was very unlucky but I love how they are not afraid of showing the opponents winning goal on their highlights. Looking at the final play of the game it just looked like Cortland wanted the ball more on that corner. In the 105th minute fitness does matter because I saw a ton of ball watching by SLU players on the corner and they were man to man. Sometimes that can happen because of fatigue. Solid fitness=A ready to react mentality all game. Mind control can be a numbing experience.

[deutschfan]

Saints get a breather against Union who just tied MCLA. Huge week for RIT with Hobart today and Vassar Saturday. Hobart has to figure out how to rebound from a 6-0 drubbing by UR. RIT played UR close but they can't take the defending champs for granted. Vassar game has huge regional implications. Vassar will want to avenge RIT's knocking them out in the first round of the last LL tourney.

[stlawus]

A pretty even game between Hobart and RIT.  Overall Hobart might have been a bit better, but a result for RIT given the OT red card.   Skidmore loses to Ramapo who I don't know enough about, but for all the hype Skidmore has been getting that result should be disappointing.    Vassar gets a 1-0 result to keep up their winning ways. 

[stlawus]

Skidmore coming back down to earth after dropping a home contest to Hobart.

RPI takes care of business late.

RIT seems to be legit, no easy feat beating Vassar who are still a strong squad.

SLU gets a 3-2 win with what is now a typical late game winner.  I thought they were unlucky to give up the equalizer off of what I felt was a weak PK call.    Sibanda making up for the crossbar misses against Cortland by earning a brace.   

[deutschfan]

SLU's breather wasn't a breather and Bard shows it is ready to leave the cellar against the overall favorite.  Vassar proves it is a much better home team than road team and Hobart has a nice recovery week after the UR shellacking.  Still have RPI and Hobart 1-2 at the end of the regular season.  RIT gaining the tie-breaker against Vassar may now be the potential 3 spot.  Most disappointing team of the season for me so far is Clarkson. 

[deutschfan]

Game of the day--SLU v. RPI.  SLU trying to gain some credibility and momentum.  RPI trying to preserve an at large-bid.  Matchups include the two most dangerous offensive players in the league.  Should be fun to watch. 

[Saint of Old]

Great to see a tradition of African Saints continue.
An argument can be made that over a generation of Great Saints have hailed  from the motherland and have done the league and their school proud.

King Britto
King Annan
King Diop
King Dede
King Sibanda

The beat goes on and the tradition continues... in one sense atleast.