Liberty League

stlawus · October 13, 2023, 06:25:53 PM

McDougald, who had his worst game of the season. Same exact spot he scored a free kick against RPI, but that shank was a predetermined outcome.

kevdog · October 13, 2023, 09:45:30 PM

Stlawus, that was a dead on assessment. Tosh needs to get on the recruiting trail and get some big strong players. Vassar players were just outmuscling the SLU players. You are right they go backwards a lot. I am all for playing possession but there were times that they could easily attack but just passed it back or to the side. Someone needs to tell them it doesn't matter how pretty it looks as long as you score more than the other team.

Saint_Dad · October 14, 2023, 12:57:09 AM

Sone pretty good assessments here. Vassar pressured and SLU didn't adjust. Vassar started covering behind the ball knowing that SLU would go backwards. Second half Vassar made adjustments and just said "go ahead, play the ball from the back, we will bring the entire team up." SLU couldn't bring the ball up, would lose it and Vassar finally scored, while SLU's only offensive threat just waited upfield the second half. I felt bad for McDougald, slipping in the final play of the game, but the rest of the game he seemed to be more interested in playing the ball backward rather than taking a risk playing the ball forward to arguably the best player out there on the field, perhaps in the entire Liberty League. Owen Fauth from Vassar looked good as well. Definitely a leader on the field. I think Vassar can go places this year and SLU has to decide if they want to play to score goals and win a game, or just play to not lose the ball.

deutschfan · October 14, 2023, 09:57:56 AM

SLU faithful have to get over the notion that SLU has the best field player in the LL. This was the second game this season where SLU did not have a shot on goal. Playing the ball back is not conducive for sogs.

kevdog · October 14, 2023, 10:23:55 AM

I agree with you Deutschmark. SLU does not have the best player on the field or even in the league. I have said all along this season that SLU doesn't have that player that they are accustomed to that is just better than everyone else like they had in years past. SLU better start figuring it out or they are going to have to win the tournament to get into the dance.

Another Mom · October 14, 2023, 10:24:28 AM

Is it the Dad of "the best player in the LL" that's making these claims?

deutschfan · October 14, 2023, 10:56:33 AM

Maybe it's the mom.

Kev—SLU has no chance of making the Dance unless they win the LL tourney. They are unranked in region, and have no wins against currently regionally ranked opponents.

Saint_Dad · October 14, 2023, 12:25:44 PM

Agreed. SLU has zero chance to make the dance unless they win the LL tournament. That's if they make it in the LL tournament. And no shots on goal won't get them anywhere. Woelfinger and the defense keep them in every game. The midfield and defense also eventually will be the reason for the goal they give up. I haven't seen SLU get more aggressive until they go down a goal. In my opinion they need to start playing as if they're down a goal from the start. Perhaps skip the midfield more. And re the winger, Vassar certainly keyed on him, fouling him 7 or 8 times with 3 yellows on those fouls. A good ref protected the players. Owen Fauth was the best field player out there today. Woelfinger continues to be the top goalie in the league. I give Bard a shot today if SLU makes an early mistake.

stlawus · October 14, 2023, 04:27:45 PM

What a difference 24 hours makes.

Hobart inched closer to a regular season title. Good bounce back after a disappointing loss to RPI yesterday.

And how about the Golden Knights. 6 point weekend in the tough downstate road trip. Major props to Clarkson's coach for not sitting back against Vassar and taking it to them the the whole game. Goal was a good strike but Vassar is probably missing Wnorowski as that was a near post shot he would have had a chance to stop. After a good showing against SLU yesterday Vassar is now is danger of not getting a home playoff game and are on the danger line of making the playoffs. The good news for Vassar is that the trend line favors them against Ithaca, as Ithaca's last 8 games have been: LWLWLWLW. My highly unscientific analysis would say Vassar has a good shot win next Saturday.

Could have easily been a let down game for SLU but the youth showed their prowess today. Freshmen Saints accounted for 3 goals and 2 assists. Not a total loss for the Fauth family today, as Aidan Fauth got his first career goal. I'm quite amazed Mogul has been as durable as he has this season, he is getting absolutely wrecked by hard fouls every single game.

saint_forever · October 14, 2023, 08:07:17 PM

SLU looked good against Bard today. Don't let the record be a reflection of Bard. A side that showed they can create chances and if not for some unlucky knock downs and bonehead moves, they had moments they looked they could score. Eric Edmonds and Henry Brown working non-stop up top, great to see that sort of work rate. Jeremy Ogango stood out as the best player for SLU today. Mogul continues to beat his man 8/10 times. I can't quite understand the hype for Vassar. SLU played poorly and Vassar still hardly created anything. The LL is about getting hot at the right time, this 5-0 win today could be the start of the fire for SLU, excited for them going forward.

stlawus · October 14, 2023, 08:11:53 PM

Wednesday's game between Union and SLU has massive standings implications. A winner from that game is in good shape to get a first round bye, a loser will be battling for the last 4 spots.

Saint of Old · October 14, 2023, 11:43:21 PM

Something about this Henry Brown lad really has me thinking he will do BIG things for the Scarlet and Brown.
He comes from a solid program. Has a good work rate and is young and hungry. He needs to keep that hunger and he will be an all-time Saint.
Boys had a good weekend.
I can understand the frustration with back passes, even if we have a quarter back playing goalie, but this is not your Daddy's Saints.
The Tosh Saints do not wear you out with flair and speed, not as quick from defense to attack as the old school, but he builds his teams for the post season. Boys get stronger as the year goes. SLU beats teams that beat them early in the year because by November it is a different team. They play a possesion and are a team that is hard to beat when the temperature drops.

There is a reason why Tosh is maybe the only Coach to win a LL Championship by winning 3 tourney games as underdog.

Saint_Dad · October 15, 2023, 01:02:28 AM

For those who were waiting to see Griffin MacGillivray for SLU, he finally had his debut. He played 15 minutes in the midfield and seemed like he's been on the field all year. Composed, making quick passes, and getting an assist to Aidan Fauth. I'm not sure why we haven't seen him all year, but I expect we will see him in every game going forward. I wouldn't be surprised to see him making the starting team before the year is out. The added attention that players like Oganga, Edmonds, and Brown will receive should reduce the times that Mogul will get double and triple teamed. I think he drew about 5 or 6 yellow cards and about 10 fouls this weekend. Just being beat up. Yesterday's ref did a better job trying to protect the players. If SLU can beat Union and Skidmore at home, they will be playing Hobart for the regular season title. The Plattsburg game is meaningless.

kevdog · October 15, 2023, 01:15:16 AM

For me the jury is still out on Brown. I know he is young and will learn but I wish when he gets touch he doesn't always complain to the refs with his arms out. You are not going to win points with the ref when you do that. I love his work rate but think he might be playing out of position. Right now I don't think he is that hold/back to the goal forward. Love to see him more on the wing as I believe he has the speed to blow by people. I hope you are right and he becomes one of the all time great player for SLU. I feel like this team doesn't have that go to player like years past but they have different players coming up big which is a good sign. I think the one problem that you have when you have a tradition of winning like Durocher had and Tosh has is people expect you to win. It's a good problem to have but we sometimes forget that it's tough to do year in and year out because you have a bullseye on your shirt. I hope these guys can make a run but as we all know a 3 peat is very difficult to do in any sport.

Saint of Old · October 18, 2023, 11:45:07 AM

I wanted to chime in on the match of the day (only match) The SLUnion bowl.
Before we get there it looks like Vassar has to beat Ithaca on Friday to avoid a must win game against RPI who might also be playing for their lives in that match up.
This league is super tight with only RIT and Bard looking to be completely out of it.

Union is on fire this season and I am sure the Saint fans are happy to be on Sandy today.
Goldfinger is one of the best goalies I have seen from the program in a while.
Kid can really be seen as having an Era as the SLU #1. He has improved each year and that Penalty win in NCAA's has really put his confidence at a new level.