Liberty League

[Saint of Old]

A big next 3 days for the RPI team.
Playing top 12 side Oneonta today and what seems like a resurgent Union team on Saturday. This all following a tough game against SLU last weekend. I think RPI will be there at the end playing in the tournament. Team looks solid in attack and defense and obviously going with a strong schedule playing some of the best teams in the country outside of conference.  Could be a surprise score against the Red Dragons but either way RPI should be good.

[Coach Jeff]

Thanks I will try and catch some of the game today...

[stlawus]

Bard gets their first league point since September 30th, 2017.  At Vassar, no less.  Even had a few chances to go ahead in the last 10 minutes. 

RPI never really threatened against Oneonta.  Same problem that affected them against SLU, they have no speed on the flanks. 

[stlawus]

Clarkson sitting at 6-1.  Took advantage of some defensive mistakes while at the same time hitting very nice long balls into the box.   Time will still tell, as they started similarly last season against better competition, but to do it again with a new coaching staff is quite remarkable.  It's always good to get the midweek league result with the quick turnaround for the weekend matchup. 

Hobart also with a very solid result on the road against Ithaca.  I really don't know what to make of Ithaca or Hobart for that matter, but Hobart already has 2 league wins against 2 teams they tied last year.

SLU has the full week of rest but now have to play against an Ithaca squad looking to rebound.   If the team was playing poorly I would have been concerned by now, but having watched them dominate Cortland until the red card and seeing Cortland (and Oneonta) dismantle everyone, I never really felt particularly worried about the early results.    A slip up this weekend changes that calculus though.

[Saint of Old]

Clarkson sitting at 6-1.  Took advantage of some defensive mistakes while at the same time hitting very nice long balls into the box.   Time will still tell, as they started similarly last season against better competition, but to do it again with a new coaching staff is quite remarkable.  It's always good to get the midweek league result with the quick turnaround for the weekend matchup. 

Hobart also with a very solid result on the road against Ithaca.  I really don't know what to make of Ithaca or Hobart for that matter, but Hobart already has 2 league wins against 2 teams they tied last year.

SLU has the full week of rest but now have to play against an Ithaca squad looking to rebound.   If the team was playing poorly I would have been concerned by now, but having watched them dominate Cortland until the red card and seeing Cortland (and Oneonta) dismantle everyone, I never really felt particularly worried about the early results.    A slip up this weekend changes that calculus though.

Said like a ma who knows his team and has followed them for decades
I actually agree, the season starting off with 2 losses is not a big deal. Ending a season with 2 losses is fatal. The boys have been playing well this season even in games they have not won, importantly in those games they have gotten used to playing as a new unit and new generals have taken control out there on the battle field. Saint Maxima seems very comfortable in his role and Mac14 is running the middle and his confidence is very high at the moment which the entire team is feeding off.
Young Jeremy in the back is playing more like a senior than a sophomore. He does not make mistakes often, and is blessed with that pure speed to make up for it.
All that being said, the team will go as far as#1 Goldfinger takes them this season.
The Ithaca game is always a big one with all the shared historical connections, but the mid week Clarkson game will be BIG for both teams.

[deutschfan]

ithaca will not score a goal against the Saints. only question is will the Saints scrape one up to get the win. Clarkson and Vassar will show SLU's true mettle. Vassar is in some uncharted territory here. They finish the week with Skidmore, one of the league's weakest, but then face a potential 3 loss week with Middlebury, SLU and Clarkson. Starting 0-1-1 against two of the bottom four teams in the league does not bode well despite their regional ranking.

[Saint_Dad]

Saint of Old.  I certainly agree with your assessment.  Jeremy continues to improve with each game.  On offense as well with his beautiful floating long balls out to the wingers.  The goal off the set piece for Mac14 continued to improve his confidence.  It would be nice to see him and Saint Maximus hook up more, with Mac14 taking more risks going forward.  And like you said, Woelfinger continues to get better and stronger since his one difficult game vs Cortland. Defense is solid.  They have the potential to get the offense going.  Brown is relentless and Pijpers will hopefully get his powerful shot on target.  Perhaps Ryan will get things going.  But someone will emerge.

[deutschfan]

Does anyone have the skinny on Skidmore's Ibrahim?  15 goals last year snd hasn't played since the third game. It would be a shame if he were lost for the season and his absence explains why Skidmore is in the cellar.

[deutschfan]

Bard up on RIT at half. Anybody's league.

[stlawus]

Right now it looks like Hobart's league to lose.  Already 3-0 in the league.  SLU played absolutely rancid in the 1st half at Ithaca, letting Ithaca dictate everything and giving them everything they want in midfield.  Very similar to the last time they played at Ithaca, just 0 game plan and getting beat to every 50/50 ball.

Vassar barely hung on to Skidmore and Union is on the upswing with another good win.

[stlawus]

After today SLU has the honors of having the worst single game performance by a Liberty League team in league play so far.  All credit to Ithaca who had a game plan of pressing SLU which worked for 90 minutes.  SLU made absolutely 0 adjustments and let Ithaca push and body them around all game and win every tossup.  An incredible stat from the game was that SLU had literally 0 shot attempts in the 2nd half.   SLU also better start thinking about changing their throw in philosophy because I think they turned it over after 95% of the game's throw ins.  That was absolutely woeful. 

[kevdog]

sWell there is saying that "the will to win will beat the skill to win."  That is what happened in the Ithaca/SLU game.  Ithaca was beating them to the ball all the time and it looked SLU lacked heart and was going thru the motions.  That will not get it done especially in this league.  If they continue to play like this, they will be home for the playoffs.  Still don't know why Campbell is not playing. He is the reigning rookie of the year. 

[Saint_Dad]

I agree with your assessment stlawus.  It was horrendous.  SLU tries to move the ball around and work it upfield.  Unfortunately without Peacock in the midfield, the only midfielder who has control of the ball is Macdougald. And half the time he plays the ball back.  They can't seem to keep the ball more than a few passes.  No creativity on throw ins.  Direct kicks in opponents side of the field go back to their own goalie.  Besides a play early in the game we didn't see much from Mogul.  They need to find a way to get him the ball or he needs to come get it.  They left the goal scorer all alone on that header.  They need to do something about that midfield or start playing over them.  Dismal performance. I thought they may come out if it with a tie when Pijpers made an excellent run from midfield but he didn't pull the trigger.  All in all the worst performance of the year by far.  Expect their opponents to follow Ithaca's game plan. 

[Saint_Dad]

sWell there is saying that "the will to win will beat the skill to win."  That is what happened in the Ithaca/SLU game.  Ithaca was beating them to the ball all the time and it looked SLU lacked heart and was going thru the motions.  That will not get it done especially in this league.  If they continue to play like this, they will be home for the playoffs.  Still don't know why Campbell is not playing. He is the reigning rookie of the year.

Campbell came to school a little out of shape.   Then got a mild concussion.  Now an injury to his leg.   I agree.   They could use a healthy Campbell. 

[d3d3d3]

How about Union winning at RPI?! And Bard was up twice in that game at RIT but yielded a horrible equalizer late