Liberty League

stlawus · October 21, 2024, 02:21:09 PM

Vassar took a decent hit in the NPI this week after only a 2 point weekend in the north country. As of today would still get a pool C but anymore slip ups puts them firmly in the danger zone, especially with weaker remaining regular season opponents.

A well deserved offensive player of the week honor for Henry Brown as well.

Saint_Dad · October 21, 2024, 03:49:42 PM

Vassar looks like a very good team. They will be tough to beat, especially on their home field. St Lawrence and the LL don't get any respect in the polls. Perhaps deservedly? But SLU moved lower in the massey poll in each of the last two weeks. They are undefeated in their last 10 games. Even Union moved past them in the last week. A huge game Wednesday against them. I believe the fast turf will favor the speed and posession game of SLU. Especially the speed and technical skills of the wingers, Mogul and Campbell. SLU now has the leading goal scorer and assist giver in LL games in Brown and Mogul, respectively. Look for SLU to show up and continue their scoring ways. It looks like Tosh shaking up the lineup vs Vassar putting Brown out on the wing and Pijpers up top was spot on, with Pijpers scoring from the striker position in quick order. Brown got some experience on the wing and eventually moved back to his striker position and made the most of his chances in the box, where he is the most dangerous. Pijpers seems to have his shot and confidence, and Mogul had a three assist weekend, and continues to set things up for this team. Unheralded Ryan Campbell has been great off the bench, and Gustav continues to improve, especially as he comes forward and plays accurate long balls to his wingers. I'm hoping to see the strong midfielder Petrone, sending some through balls to his speedy wingers and striker. I think this will come on the turf vs Union.

SKUD · October 21, 2024, 03:56:37 PM

Massey is clunky and outdated and gives too much value to history vs current. Becomes a self fulfilling prophecy.

Saint_Dad · October 23, 2024, 11:03:15 AM

Quote from: SKUD on October 21, 2024, 03:56:37 PMMassey is clunky and outdated and gives too much value to history vs current. Becomes a self fulfilling prophecy.

Thanks. I see NPI with much different rankings. SLU ranked much higher than Union in this one. Big game today. SLU would love to have two wins this week to secure second place and a bye in the LL playoffs.

kevdog · October 23, 2024, 04:57:28 PM

Brown is an opportunist and that is what good goal scorers have to be. He always moving in the box and he needs to be accountable at all times or defenses will pay the price. Nice goal by him.

stlawus · October 23, 2024, 06:46:09 PM

10 goals for Brown on the season, Mogul finally gets one, first year Gilmer gets his first on a beauty of a shot and the Saints roll through Schenectady to get a crucial 3 points in a place that is always difficult to play. Good call by Saint Dad on the team using the turf to their advantage. Last year the Saints only won one true road game. This season they are currently on a 5 game road win streak.

Saint_Dad · October 24, 2024, 12:41:10 AM

SLU started with a different formation which didn't seem to work too well. Gustav was playing out wide and Baker further up. This did not play into their strengths. The team could not get anything going on offense. The midfielders were not controlling the ball on the turf. They continually played backwards, not taking advantage of their speedy wingers. They had just one shot the entire first half, and Brown again made Union play. Brown may not be the most technical dribbler or best passer, but like Kevdog said, if he gets the ball near the spot, he is deadly. He had one shot today, and one goal. He had another goal called back on a beautiful pass from Mogul. Was great to see the two of them connecting and would like to see more of it. Of course I'm a bit based for SLU, but right now I would say they are the co-players of the year. (Brown the best scorer, and Mogul the best overall player). Mogul was magic out there in the second half, and finally got his first goal (hard to believe), as he leads the league in shots (in conference). Pijpers had a good game with two assists and a beautiful gutsy goal. And as Stlawus said, a beautiful goal (and assist) by freshman Gilmore. The goals are coming for this team and there is no reason not to expect a few more in Saratoga on Saturday to clinch at least second place in the LL.

stlawus · October 26, 2024, 05:06:09 PM

SLU now with a good chance to finish in 1st place. If SLU wins next Saturday, they clinch home field advantage throughout the tournament. If SLU ties on Saturday and Vassar wins their remaining 2 games Vassar will finish 1st. Any points dropped by Vassar means SLU just needs a tie for home field. SLU loss means Vassar will need a tie and win for 1st place. SLU cannot finish any lower than 2nd.

Not really sure what was going on after SLU's goal today, almost looked like a VAR check or something. Team could be dangerous going forward if Mogul keeps it up. SLU will be without Pijpers next Tuesday against Plattsburgh due to yellow card accumulation. Big game for both teams. Last 2 games against Plattsburgh SLU has rotated a lot of players since the final league fixture has had major standings implications, which is yet again the case next week.

Saint_Dad · October 26, 2024, 07:24:52 PM

Thanks for the update STLAWUS. Re the time delay after the goal.i believe the ref was talking to one linesman to see if SLU was offsides, and then the linesman on the other end to see if there should have been a PK offered on the previous play. That would have been a crazy situation.
Yellow card accumulation starts to play a roll. I'm sure Pijpers didn't mind getting his fifth and missing a game vs Plattsburg that has no meaning for SLU, as they have no chance at an at large bid. Plattsburg however still has an outside chance at one and will be going for the win. I would imagine we see a big rotation Tuesday.
I agree with STLAWUS that SLU is much more dangerous with Mogul turning it on. It's almost time for win or go home.

stlawus · October 26, 2024, 07:34:49 PM

I figured they might have been checking about a PK, but I watched the replay a few times and the Skidmore player fell down on his own accord. Heard some Skid parents going apoplectic the whole game which was dialed up after that dive.

Saint_Dad · October 26, 2024, 07:58:17 PM

Yes. They pretty much lost their minds. Screaming for the offsides as well. But a good win. A dangerous Ithaca beats Vassar. Their throw ins are a goal threat every time.

Saint_Dad · October 28, 2024, 04:37:06 PM

Max Mogul and George Charalambous from SLU get the honors this week along with rookie Brady Leitner from Hobart. Congrats!

stlawus · October 28, 2024, 06:00:39 PM

Looking at NPI I do believe tomorrow's SLU-Plattsburgh game has significant implications for both teams. Plattsburgh is right there on the Pool C bubble, and SLU jumped 30 spots in the NPI after this weekend. Don't get me wrong, SLU is most assuredly on the far outside looking in at the moment. However, a win for each team is likely a quality win bonus for both, and that metric seems to be doing a lot of heavy lifting in the NPI calculations.

Saint_Dad · October 29, 2024, 12:56:13 AM

That's interesting STLAWUS. Right now if all of the favorites won their conference, a team would have to be approximately ranked 38 or higher to get a pool C. With some upsets, this will most certainly move to close to top 30. If SLU beats Plattsburg and Hobart, wins their first playoff game, and then loses to Vassar in PKs, do you think they would move up to #30? It seems like a stretch from #74. If that's the case, I guess they should go for it. I assumed they would rest some of their starters with injuries and those with 3 yellow cards. Plattsburg will be all out for the win.

stlawus · October 29, 2024, 02:00:34 AM

I really don't know, being the first year of NPI there's no way to know how the numbers will move the last two weeks. The 10 win threshold helps a team with no remaining games against bottom tier teams which is the case for SLU right now, and the dials set to heavily emphasize SOS is also favorable in these conditions. If I were a betting man I'd say it's too little too late, but given the extremely volatile swings just this past week I won't count anything out yet.