2014 D3 Season: National Perspective

[Ryan Harmanis]

The Top 25 is starting to show some stickiness or lag between results and changes in where teams are ranked.  It's a common phenomenon - once voters have a general opinion of where a team stands or how "good" they are, it probably takes more evidence than it should to change that opinion.  Some examples in this year's poll would be Tufts (still unranked), Christopher Newport moving up despite a draw, OWU being ranked consistently despite some bad losses, etc.  That could be the only thing (aside from a Kenyon blemish) that keeps Messiah at #1.

Eastern did receive a few votes this week, so they are starting to come into voters' minds.  If they keep winning they'll find a spot in the poll, even if it is late in coming - Wabash, Coast Guard and Rutgers-Newark are evidence of that.

If Kenyon wins this week they'll be #1, and deservedly so.  You can only beat the teams in front of you, and Wabash is now ranked in both polls so that will help.  But, Denison has had a nasty habit of derailing Kenyon in recent years.  Also, Wabash plays at OWU tonight - OWU is 21-0-1 all time, having won 21 straight, so unless Wabash changes major history that takes some shine off Wabash-Kenyon.

As for Kenyon-OWU, without providing bulletin board material I'll say Kenyon will be facing some internal demons as much as OWU.  Add in the pressure of a #1 ranking, and that will be a serious test of credentials. 

Finally, just wanted to give another vote for Newport and add Trinity (Texas) in the list of venues.  At the 2011 Final Four we played an alumni game there the day of the final, and it's a pretty cool setup with coliseum seating and a deep inset field.  A night game with that weather and a big crowd would be fun. 

[lastguyoffthebench]

By the time next week's polls come out, if Kenyon wins at rival Denison tomorrow and then at #16 Wabash on Saturday, I wouldn't be surprised to see them at #1, but I wouldn't be surprised to see Messiah retain #1 either.

It's unlikely that Messiah drops in either poll.  The only way they will drop is with a loss.   How does Wheaton jump still unbeaten F&M (2-0 week) in NSCAA?  How does North Park not slip for losing to an unranked team? 

Eastern is having a solid year, but it's clear that York and Camden are on down years.   With the Mid-Atlantic being Centennial dominated, I hope Eastern can win the MACF and get that AQ.   

[lastguyoffthebench]

Anyone out there with some insight on the Landmark.  Looks like a wide open year. 

Catholic has tied Salisbury and Drew, but not any really wins that standout.   4-0 L to Messiah, 3-0 L to Dickinson

Scranton doesnt really have any big wins either.  4-1 L to Newark, 1-0 L to Cortland St.

E-town game vs Messiah cancelled. 

Merchant Marine or Drew?  Drew has played a decent schedule with a T vs Mules and Drew.   1 goal loses to Camden, Amherst and 3-1 loss to Eastern.

[PaulNewman]

Ryan H, good post.  I agree that if Kenyon is still unbeaten that the OWU game will be a major test, and from the poll standpoint it's too bad that the OWU game comes right after the polls come out instead of before.  What you called "internal demons" I would call more the "aura" or psychological barrier that a couple of my NESCAC friends seem to dismiss.  Where I would tend to disagree is that with OWU I don't think that just applies to Kenyon.  OWU has had the better team in all of the recent years.  It's easy to look at last season (after Kenyon's NCAA run) in hindsight, but let's not forget that OWU was ranked #1 most of the year and all the way up to the shock tournament loss to RHIT.  This is the first year that one could arguably say that Kenyon has the stronger team, and even saying that we both know that OWU is talented enough to beat any team in the country on a given day.  Also agree with you about Denison, and as I've said Denison is probably the tougher game in comparison to Wabash.  That said, Kenyon should be able to handle Denison.

Lastguy, I disagree with you about Messiah, if Kenyon, F&M or Trinity win out this week.  A draw with a pretty middling Stevenson team, right after a bit of struggle with Lebanon Valley, seems enough to drop them a spot.  Yes, Messiah completely dominated Stevenson and it is miraculous that Messiah didn't score, but the same was true when they lost in PKs to Lycoming.  The result still counts.  And even though Stevenson packed it in and essentially just tried to clear the ball anywhere 90% of the time they did have a couple of good chances and one great chance to actually win (as Stevenson blew a point black header inside the 6 yard box in OT).  Anyway, again, the rankings are not always about who we think is the best team.  Look at Wabash being ranked in both polls and show me one non-Wabash observer who thinks they are going to win tonight at currently lesser rated OWU.

[lastguyoffthebench]

F&M tied ALVERNIA at home, whereas Messiah was atleast on the road.  Still has quality wins over Dickinson, Montclair St, (York), (Miseri).   Messiah SOS also stronger (on both Massey and Bennett rankings).

About the "struggle" vs LVC...  F&M only beat DSU 1-0 and Ursinus 2-1.  Kenyon only recently beat Allegheny 1-0.  A win is still a win, regardless of margin...
   
Wasn't there a point where OWU had 3 draws to RU-C's two and still remained #1?  There have been seasons where Messiah or Trinity had a draw to an unbeaten/untied team and still remained #1.  I guess my point is that Messiah should be #1 until they lose.  On the other hand, I do remember SLU was #1 2011 when Messiah had an early draw in the year... so who knowsss?!

[NEPAFAN]

Anyone out there with some insight on the Landmark.  Looks like a wide open year. 

Catholic has tied Salisbury and Drew, but not any really wins that standout.   4-0 L to Messiah, 3-0 L to Dickinson

Scranton doesnt really have any big wins either.  4-1 L to Newark, 1-0 L to Cortland St.

E-town game vs Messiah cancelled. 

Merchant Marine or Drew?  Drew has played a decent schedule with a T vs Mules and Drew.   1 goal loses to Camden, Amherst and 3-1 loss to Eastern.

Scranton vs Catholic on Saturday should tell us something. Lots of cancellations today, including Scranton against Oneonta.

[Soccergeek]

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.

Was hoping someone would pose the best venues question. In addition to Hope, I'd include:
Messiah's Shoemaker field - great crowds, excellent surface and the mystique that goes with all those national titles. Plus, the sunsets at game time are unforgettable. A great experience all the way around.
Wheaton (IL) Joe Bean field - nothing like having trains go by during the game and getting hit by a ball kicked out of bounds
The Rock Pile at Loras is another tough place to play - I will get there myself someday to see a match
OWU is a legendary venue too with a very nice structure

Any others?

Kalamazoo College has a terrific, soccer-specific stadium built just three years ago.  They are hosting Calvin tonight in what should be a great matchup between the Hornets' stingy defense and the Knights' potent offense (led by All America forward Travis Vegter).

[PaulNewman]

Kzoo has some of the best video I have seen.  RPI also very good.

Based on video, SLU has a gorgeous field.  Wabash's new facility is also very nice.

The Messiah venue is superb.  OWU has a great set-up and soccer-specific site although I would describe the field itself as good but not great.  The Kenyon field itself is very good.  Oberlin seems to have a good set-up.  I would guess there are some very nice fields in the South where the weather is more cooperative.

What is the best field in the NESCAC?

[lastguyoffthebench]

Yes, SLU's field is amazing.   

http://www.saintsathletics.com/documents/2013/9/4/macallaster_field_2.pdf

[blooter442]

What is the best field in the NESCAC?

My vote is for Hitchcock, with Bowdoin's Pickard Field a close second.

[D3soccerwatcher]

I think a soccer pitch has to have a natural surface (ie grass) to be considered the top venue.

[casualfan]

I think a soccer pitch has to have a natural surface (ie grass) to be considered the top venue.

Agreed 1000%

[lastguyoffthebench]

York falls to Frostburg St. 3-2...

[backyarddawg]

York- falling apart.

The CAC is wide open.

A lot of cancellations today could cause some interesting make up dates.  How do the teams strategize?

[Flying Weasel]

York falls to Frostburg St. 3-2...

York is now flirting with missing out on the CAC six-team tournament.  UN-believable!