2014 D3 Season: National Perspective

[Puerco Espin]

The Loras crowd seems more subdued than usual.  They remain positioned just fine while not blowing everyone out.  Is Loras vulnerable or are they just treading water until tourney time?  A big clash at home next Saturday with Luther looms.

I think a big part of Loras' results lately have been due to the loss of two of their best offensive players (Rummelhart and Bradley). They both are very difficult pieces to replace and combine that with the departure of Cavers/Figura/Milkent, this team is still making some adjustments.

Next Saturday will be an important game for the Duhawks, but I believe it will all come down to October 25 against Wartburg.

[PaulNewman]

Tasty Treats for the D3 Soccer Fan over the Next 10 Days

Tuesday

Medaille @ Penn St-Behrend -- A battle for top spot in the AMCC

Carleton @ Macalester -- The Northfield vs St Paul derby.

Amherst @ Drew -- Serpone goes home.

Wednesday

Calvin @ Kzoo -- Kalamazoo boasts one of the best video feeds in the country.

Wheaton (Ill) @ Carthage -- Trap game for Wheaton, or do the Thunder just keep rolling?

Kenyon @ Denison -- NCAC rivalry game under the lights on a less than stellar pitch.

Wabash @ OWU -- The Little Giants run into the Big Giants.  No storming the streets of Crawfordsville after this one.

Scranton @ Oneonta -- Landmark title contender Scranton looking to score a big-time non-conference win.

St Mary's @ Christopher Newport -- Good luck to the Seahawks facing a frustrated, flustered, and Frostburged Jalon Brown.

Virginia Wesleyan @ Lynchburg -- The ODAC conference title is still up for grabs.

Pomona-Pitzer @ Occidental -- I have no real interest in this one but wanted to use the word 'Sagehens.'

Friday

Carnegie Mellon @ Brandeis -- Huge weekend in the UAA as CMU catches Brandeis at the wrong time after the Judges' first loss.

Emory @ NYU -- 11:00 am on a Friday in the Big Apple?  Doesn't seem ideal for Emory, and this one is big for the Eagles after losing at home to Chicago and a trip to Brandeis 2 days later.

Cortland @ Brockport -- Brockport has gotten more ink but Cortland is in a position to perhaps claim a second bid for the SUNYAC if they can win this one.

Chicago @ Rochester -- Chicago looks to pull two upsets in a row while Rochester needs to consolidate a winning trend after the Brandeis victory.

Sewanee @ Rhodes -- Best barbecue in D3.

Saturday

Loras @ Luther -- Luther dropped a tough one at home to Wartburg and a win over Loras would make that a distant memory, but Loras is looking to surge into another gear.

Johns Hopkins @ F&M -- Hopkins tries to stay viable in the Centennial race but F&M is not inclined to lend a helping hand.

Amherst @ Wesleyan -- Wesleyan no doubt feels like they gave away precious points in Williamstown, and a result here is key to ensuring a NESCAC playoff home game and also for impressing the NCAA selection committee.  Will Wesleyan be "last four in" or "first four out" on selection day (if they don't win NESCAC tourney)?

Whitworth at Puget Sound -- The return match in the great Northwest.  PSU won the first one away and pulling the double would be sweet for the Loggers.

Kenyon @ Wabash -- If Wabash managed to get out of Delaware with a result (doubtful) then Mud Hollow Stadium will be more electric than a Wabash-DePauw football game for that Monen Bell or whatever it is.  Either way, one wonders if Kenyon will be looking ahead to OWU.

Calvin @ Hope -- Bigger game for Hope at this point and the Flying Dutchmen can probably wrap up a NCAA bid with a victory over the Knights who already are safe barring a total collapse.

North Park @ Dominican -- North Park would like a good insurance win out of conference and Dominican needs good wins in case they don't win their conference.

Vassar @ SLU -- SLU is looking to put the Liberty League race out of reach and the Brewers will try to horse-collar the Saints back to the pack.  Vassar also could use another really good win as they could fall to either side of the NCAA bubble.

Haverford @ Muhlenberg -- Are these two fighting for a 3rd bid for the Centennial?

Rutgers-Camden @ Montclair -- Montclair is surging but Rutgers-Camden surprisingly is still very much alive as the top spot in the NJAC remains up for grabs.

Coast Guard @ WPI -- These two surprising NEWMAC teams are probably battling with Babson for a second NEWMAC bid assuming Wheaton snares the automatic bid.

Scranton @ Catholic -- First place in the Landmark is at stake.

Williams @ Tufts -- One of the bigger NESCAC games of the year.  Tufts needs to get more than a draw against one of the usual heavyweights, especially at home.

UW-Whitewater @ UW-Superior -- The UW schools are too confusing for me to figure out.

Kean @ Rutgers-Newark -- Kean starts the week still in the NJAC race and back-to-back wins over Rutgers-C and Rutgers-N would cause a double-take.

Dickinson @ Gettysburg -- This one has lost some luster after a Gettysburg swoon, but they still must be playing for some kind of Jug or something.

Sunday

Emory @ Brandeis -- Two previously unbeaten powerhouses.  Enough said.

Salisbury @ Frostburg St -- Can Frostburg complete the double and get a result against the Sea Gulls?

Wash U @ Rochester -- Wash U is a really good team that plays a monster schedule and has lost close games against tough foes.  Unfortunately Rochester is in no position to feel sorry for them.

Berry @ Birm-Southern and Centre @ Rhodes -- Maybe we'll gain a little clarity out of the confusing picture in the SAA.

Bowdoin @ Babson -- A huge game for Babson to bolster a case for an at-large bid down the road.

Monday, October, 20th

Carleton @ Wartburg --- Despite 5 losses already, Carleton is still alive in the conference race with GAC and St Olaf, and an upset win at Wartburg would jumpstart some confidence.

Tuesday, October 21st

OWU @ Kenyon -- An odd early afternoon midweek game where Kenyon could still be fatigued from the long trip to Wabash, but make no mistake, both squads will be sky-high for this one, with a recent history of intense battles and reputations on the line.  Kenyon is hungry to take something that OWU doesn't intend to relinquish anytime soon.  They most likely will play again so the bragging rights may be brief.

Roanoke @ Lynchburg -- An ODAC classic with a regular season conference title potentially on the line.  If you haven't watched one of these tilts on video you should check it out.

Stevens @ Rutgers-Newark -- A non-conference New Jersey blockbuster with Stevens eager to prove they are still a serious contender on the national scene.

Wednesday, October 22nd

Christopher Newport @ Salisbury -- All I can I say is I hope Salisbury has good video because I expect to be tuned in.

DePauw @ Centre -- Yes, Centre is placed in the Great Lakes region so it is possible these two teams could be fighting tooth and nail over one of the last at large bids.

[lastguyoffthebench]

Good stuff again, NCAC.

Centre is actually in the South Atlantic region now (SAA also gets an AQ bid).

I definitely think the Centennial gets 3 in this year (unless a top 5-10 team does not win the AQ)...   

I don't think Emory's SOS has really been all thattt tough, but the UAA will certainly give us a better idea.  Even with the long road trip, they should and MUST beat NYU.  Brandeis, Rochester, and CMU is a tall order to fill.    Three should make it from the UAA this year as well.

[PaulNewman]

Very odd that Rochester beating Brandeis is leading as the biggest surprise upset in the latest poll when that game was BY FAR the most even matchup of all the games listed.

[Saint of Old]

I think a few teams still needed a good test (Brandeis/Oneonta etc) before Tourney and people wanted to know how good they really are.

Doensn't mean Brandeis wont get a second star on their chest this fall, but a good measuring stick.

[lastguyoffthebench]

Very odd that Rochester beating Brandeis is leading as the biggest surprise upset in the latest poll when that game was BY FAR the most even matchup of all the games listed.

I didn't really see any crazy upsets last week/end...  However, PSU-Harrisburg over Salisbury would be my pick.  CNU drawing Frostburg State a close second.  Albright over Lycoming isn't a shocker.  UAA is always close. 


On another note, NESCAC likely to get 3 teams, NEWMAC 2, Brandeis, and the CCC AQ.

[KnightFalcon]

Tasty Treats for the D3 Soccer Fan over the Next 10 Days


Saturday

Calvin @ Hope -- Bigger game for Hope at this point and the Flying Dutchmen can probably wrap up a NCAA bid with a victory over the Knights who already are safe barring a total collapse.

NCAC ...Thanks for the week ahead previews - great stuff. I would add that the Calvin-Hope game is at Hope which has one of the finest, if not the finest, soccer venues in all of D3. Throw in the intensity of the rivalry and this game will be played in an absolutely phenomenal atmosphere in front of a huge crowd. Worth the trip if you ever have the opportunity to go see.

[KnightFalcon]

The Loras crowd seems more subdued than usual.  They remain positioned just fine while not blowing everyone out.  Is Loras vulnerable or are they just treading water until tourney time?  A big clash at home next Saturday with Luther looms.

I think a big part of Loras' results lately have been due to the loss of two of their best offensive players (Rummelhart and Bradley). They both are very difficult pieces to replace and combine that with the departure of Cavers/Figura/Milkent, this team is still making some adjustments.

Next Saturday will be an important game for the Duhawks, but I believe it will all come down to October 25 against Wartburg.

Agree - I think the loss of Cavers especially has impacted Loras. Heard he was GA at Misericordia now. But their depth will always make them a factor. Some one will have to beat this team - they won't beat themselves.

[Off Pitch]

On another note, NESCAC likely to get 3 teams, NEWMAC 2, Brandeis, and the CCC AQ.

Hard to see NESCAC getting 3 in this year.  NESCAC only got 2 last year, and the conference is down this year compared to last.  Additionally, NESCAC is 1-2-2 head to head with the NEWMAC and NESCAC #3 Williams lost at home to NEWMAC #3 Babson.  NEWMAC is arguably more deserving this time around.

[SoccerFollower]

I don't completely disagree but a few games doesn't tell the full tale. NESCAC 9th best also beat NEWMAC 1st place just last Tuesday

[PaulNewman]

What are some of the other best D3 soccer venues?

KnightFalcon, thanks for your other comment.  I have really enjoyed learning more about all of the different colleges and their programs  across the United States.  I've actually learned a lot.  I tend to have an East Coast bias, along with a New Englandish bias for the US News Top 50 lists, and so to learn about all of these other great places, where kids achieve at such a high level and then go on to do great things and where the alumni feel so passionately about their schools, is something I really appreciate.  It's actually liberating to learn about all these other places where such wonderful things happen.

[Cheesehead Henry]

The Loras crowd seems more subdued than usual.  They remain positioned just fine while not blowing everyone out.  Is Loras vulnerable or are they just treading water until tourney time?  A big clash at home next Saturday with Luther looms.

I think a big part of Loras' results lately have been due to the loss of two of their best offensive players (Rummelhart and Bradley). They both are very difficult pieces to replace and combine that with the departure of Cavers/Figura/Milkent, this team is still making some adjustments.


Next Saturday will be an important game for the Duhawks, but I believe it will all come down to October 25 against Wartburg.

Agree - I think the loss of Cavers especially has impacted Loras. Heard he was GA at Misericordia now. But their depth will always make them a factor. Some one will have to beat this team - they won't beat themselves.

It will be interesting to see how Loras plays against Luther and Wartburg in the upcoming weeks. With Loras barely slipping past many of the teams on their schedule (whether having to come back from being down or struggling to find the net), Luther's also extremely respectable season with their only loss at the hands of Wartburg, and Wartburg being on a hot streak with only 2 losses earlier on in the season, these 3 IIAC teams will make the north region interesting this year.

This is especially considering Loras is usually the dominant powerhouse in the north region, with no teams getting the notoriety or an as impressive record as them. With them barely slipping past their competition, it makes the north region and the entire midwest as interesting as ever.

Also, with the MIAC being less clean-cut as it usually is, this could be the year that the IIAC takes dominance in the region and possibly Loras, Luther and Wartburg all get far in the tournament, if the natty tourney schedule permits. The MIAC's toughest teams in Gustavus and St. Olaf just don't have the caliber of teams to compete against the IIAC's big 3 this year. Not to mention the WIAC (or what is left of it) is a complete toss-up. I have no idea how to predict any of those games and how they can relate regionally to other games in the MIAC and IIAC. It seems the wisconsin schools will lose to a decent or at-par opponent and then have a decent win against a solid opponent. They're not very consistent from what I've seen and Wisconsin doesn't have a clear-cut winner.

Just my thoughts from what I've seen. Anybody else seeing anything similar, or different?

[Corazon]

Nice national preview, NCAC. I like how you're able to intelligently weave in interesting games from all over the country. I spend most of my time watching NESCAC but enjoy following other interesting story lines as well. A few of interest to me:

Can relentless recruiter coach LaFaurie and Occidental continue their turnaround vs the PP Sagehens?

Can Rutgers Camden savage their disappointing season by stopping freshman sensation Kyle Goodwin and the talented Montclair?

Can the UPS Loggers (sorry,pun intended) deliver a repeat win vs Whitworth?

Can Denison or OWU stop Kenyon in its quest for a perfect season?

[lastguyoffthebench]

Definitely a tough task playing a crazy schedule with the core that was lost; AA GK (d3soccer), 3 of 4 on the backline (4 at one point with Cutry missing 5 games), a solid ball-winning CDM with a great +/-, and AA Grotti.  Rutgers-Camden isn't as good defensively as they used to be, and MSU will definitely give them problems in the final 3rd.  Who knows how Camden will approach this game?  Defend with numbers and counter OR exchange punches all day in a high scoring affair.   First goal probably wins this one...  No prediction!

2013:   Camden 2, MSU 1                 at RUC (ELITE 8)
2013:   Camden 0, MSU 0                 at RUC
2012:   MSU 4, Camden 3 (1 ot)   at MSU
2011:   Camden 1, MSU 0                 at RUC (NJAC FINAL)
2011:   Camden 3, MSU 1                 at RUC
2010:   MSU 2, Camden 1 (2 ot)   at MSU
2009:   MSU 2, Camden 1                 at RUC
2008:   MSU 4, Camden 1              at MSU
2008:   MSU 1, Camden 0               at MSU (NJAC FINAL)

[lastguyoffthebench]

NSCAA Projections:

1)   Messiah
2)   Kenyon
3)   Trinity
4)   Oneonta St (bumps up after Brandeis loss)
5)   F&M
6)   Brandeis (slips below the undefeated teams but stays #1 in NE over Amherst)
7)   Emory
8)   Wheaton
9)   Loras
10   Amherst (even though unbeaten, don't see them jumping Loras)
11   CNU  (drops two spots after the draw to Frostburg St)
12   Calvin
13   St. Lawrence
14   Wabash  (here because of unbeaten, but 16 should be their likely slot)
15   Wartburg
16   Colorado (still should be 2nd in the West)
17   Rutgers-Newark (maybe bump Luther even though they didn't lose either)
18   Luther
19   RPI
20   Dickinson  (could bump RPI and be 18 or 19th)
21   Pomona-Pitzer  (moves up as a result of North Park loss)
22   John Carroll
23   Coast Guard Academy (benefits from Wheaton MA loss)
24   North Park  (falls after loss, but still remains #3 over Hope)
25   Cortland St

RV  Wheaton MA, Muhlenberg, OWU, Salisbury, Hope