Liberty League

[deutschfan]

Vassar doesn't have the offensive depth that SLU has with a few tall target players up front for set pieces and Fauth as an effective attacking midfielder.  Sibanda's offensive capabilities from a defensive mid position, as well as the open field capabilities of SLU's attacking players, give SLU the attacking edge.  I really like Sibanda especially given all of the points he could put up if he were a 10 or a 9.  Saint is right about him.  Yet, if Vassar beats Ithaca and Hobart beats SLU, Vassar will win league.  If so, they will have done it with their defense.  Despite the multiple player of the week accolades for SLU's keeper, I am more impressed with Vassar's.  As for Greensboro, as you point out, an effective set piece game is crucial in high level soccer and SLU needs to work on it. 

[deutschfan]

So SLU and Vassar finish 1-2, both undefeated with Sibanda and Fauth appropriately getting the game winners.  Both should be locks for Pool Cs (knock on wood). 

[Saint_Dad]

Congrats to SLU for winning the league.  I hope you are correct deutschfan regarding both SLU and Vassar being locks.  If they face each other in the final and either Cortland or Oneonta win their league tournament, then I think they both will be "dancing."  It was nice to see SLU playing more direct today with Marvin moving up.  If Pipjers was on target today it could have been a lot more.  It looks like they will be playing the winner of the RPI vs RIT game.  RPI gave SLU one of their toughest games this season and SLU was lucky to come out with a tie.  Deutschfan, you mentioned the numbers that Marvin could put up in the 9 or 10 position.  He had 7 shots, 5 on goal, and one goal today.  It will be interesting to see where he plays on Friday.

[deutschfan]

Pretty impressive that SLU's coach, and a former SLU assistant go undefeated in League.  First time in Vassar's LL history.   

[d3d3d3]

Tournament Schedule:
First Round – Tuesday, November 1
#6 Hobart at #3 Skidmore
#5 RIT at #4 RPI

Semifinals – Friday, November 4
#4/#5 winner at #1 St. Lawrence
#3/#6 winner at #2 Vassar

[Saint of Old]

Fan, as usual, you know what you are talking about.
In fairness it takes most players a couple seasons to sort out their feet in college, so for 6 foot 5 guys its really no surprise.

I think SLU will have a good year this season.
The league had a chance to really end the SLU dominance last season and allowed them to win the league from 5th spot (a few seasons ago, they would not even have made the league tourney)

Now you have a Saint team that has won 2 of the past 3 league tourneys despite not having the best year and what could have been an all-time bad season in 2021.

The mentality of these boys are very strong, it had to be to make the dance, but now they have the gasoline that programs and players runs on: CONFIDENCE.

Does not hurt that a top 5 All-time Saint is on the roster as well.

I just knew SLU would have a good year. Any team that should have not even made the league tourney last year but confidence is a hell of a thing!

[OldNed]

Tournament Schedule:
First Round – Tuesday, November 1
#6 Hobart at #3 Skidmore
#5 RIT at #4 RPI

Semifinals – Friday, November 4
#4/#5 winner at #1 St. Lawrence
#3/#6 winner at #2 Vassar

Anyone know the game time for the semifinal at SLU on Friday Nov 4?  I'm thinking of heading up from the Hartford CT area if the game isn't too early.

[d3d3d3]

GAME TIMES: Default start time for weekday games is 2:30 p.m. (games on unlighted fields). Daylight saving time ends Sunday, Nov. 6, and sunset for Nov. 4 is approximately 5:45. Teams with unlighted fields (both SLU and Vassar) should plan accordingly, allowing time for full overtime and penalty kicks. Default time for games on lighted fields is 4 p.m., but can be adjusted by mutual agreement.

[OldNed]

GAME TIMES: Default start time for weekday games is 2:30 p.m. (games on unlighted fields). Daylight saving time ends Sunday, Nov. 6, and sunset for Nov. 4 is approximately 5:45. Teams with unlighted fields (both SLU and Vassar) should plan accordingly, allowing time for full overtime and penalty kicks. Default time for games on lighted fields is 4 p.m., but can be adjusted by mutual agreement.

Thank you!

[PaulNewman]

LL should prepare themselves that SLU and Vassar could end up looking light on ranked wins.  A number of teams, including others with very similar resumes, could be impacted by something as seemingly small as Plattsburgh and New Paltz flipping in terms of being regionally ranked.  Would help SLU and hurt Vassar.  Would also give Drew another ranked win.

[Saint of Old]

I think with an 11-1-5 record in the regular season.
Only loss being a 3-2 away defeat on the road to Oneonta puts SLU in good shape after beating Cortland on the Road and Plattsburgh and a few other quality teams St. Lawrence should be good for a Pool C regardless.
I know we are not U of R but a guy can have hopes.

[PaulNewman]

I think with an 11-1-5 record in the regular season.
Only loss being a 3-2 away defeat on the road to Oneonta puts SLU in good shape after beating Cortland on the Road and Plattsburgh and a few other quality teams St. Lawrence should be good for a Pool C regardless.
I know we are not U of R but a guy can have hopes.

I agree SLU is deserving...probably Vassar too.  I've had SLU in my top 25 for several weeks.  I'd feel better tho if Plattsburgh gets regionally ranked and SLU gets up to two ranked wins.

As for UR, they're down 1-0 at CMU with more than a half to go, but a loss today might put UR out.

[deutschfan]

My predictions for the first round games for what it is worth.  RPI prevails over RIT (having watched RIT against SLU and Vassar I can't imagine them getting a result) and Hobart over Skidmore.  While Skidmore has the league's leading scorer, they also have one of the softest goalies.  But for a gift to Vassar, and two SLU rebounds that should have been covered up, Skidmore would be hosting a semifinal.  The semifinal matches are toss-ups.  Hobart just tied Vassar at Poughkeepsie in a very even game and I expect a redux.  The RPI/SLU contest will be a barn burner.  SLU ruined what RPI planned to be a beautiful NCAA run last year led by a bunch of 5th year grad students.  The revenge factor in this game is huge.  If Hobart and RPI made it to the final the LL could have anywhere from 1-3 bids.  I agree with Paul Newman that it is best not to count NCAA chickens even though SLU should be really safe and Vassar is getting there. 

[stlawus]

I am going to differ from my Laurentian brother and predict that the league will be top heavy with 2 or 3 teams and then everyone else. The league has been snubbed in Pool C in recent years (Ithaca in 2018 comes to mind) so I don't know if I'll go as far as to say 2 teams will make the dance, but I get the feeling there won't be as much parity.    This take will most likely age like milk, but I'm sticking with it.

Close enough, I'll chalk it up as a W on my part!      Only regular season wise, as everyone else has said anyone can get hot in the playoffs.   Deutsch is down on RIT but they've been playing much better lately, I think they'll give RPI a good game with upset potential.

[deutschfan]

Wishful thinking Law. I think SLU would much rather face the team it waxed in the regular season.