2014 D3 Season: National Perspective

[Midwest Soccer]

Yep they are all forwards except Sam Justice, a centerback. I did that based on who the most recent recipients have been. 2010 when Geoff Pezon won it was the last time a non-forward won it but he put up stats like he was a forward.

I never think a goalie should get the National Player of the Year award...that  may be just me but I'm pretty adamant about that.

If you go by midfielders I think Jack Thompson and Brian Ramirez are both very worthy candidates but I don't know how likely they are to be selected.

I just threw those names out there to get the conversation started, didn't have any ranking behind them or anything.

[Brother Flounder]

Yep they are all forwards except Sam Justice, a centerback. I did that based on who the most recent recipients have been. 2010 when Geoff Pezon won it was the last time a non-forward won it but he put up stats like he was a forward.

I never think a goalie should get the National Player of the Year award...that  may be just me but I'm pretty adamant about that.

If you go by midfielders I think Jack Thompson and Brian Ramirez are both very worthy candidates but I don't know how likely they are to be selected.

I just threw those names out there to get the conversation started, didn't have any ranking behind them or anything.

I can appreciate it and can see why the highest scorers are often listed.  It's easy to quantify that way....

[PaulNewman]

Sounds like Tufts is a similar team to Kenyon in terms of style of play and physicality so their 3 match ups with Kenyon this year will have prepared them well for Tufts.

Midwest, I was thinking about this today.  I think what may be even more important is that Tufts' game with Messiah will have them prepared for OWU...not just in terms of the massive shot of confidence, but also because OWU is a less imposing version of Messiah.  Of course less imposing shouldn't necessarily be construed as less dangerous, as in some ways OWU can catch you off guard because you look out there and except for two tall CBs and a physically strong holding mid you are tempted to underestimate them.  Even Bloecher is not a particularly big kid although he is physically athletic and just a knack for big plays.  Style-wise they are the closest to Messiah that I have seen with excellent combination passing and creation of great looks at close range in tight spaces.

[KnightFalcon]

NCAC that's a great point. OWU is exceptional at combination passing and that will be critical for them to break through the Tufts D. Messiah was most effective when they strung 3 or 4 quick one touches together before Tufts could close them ...they just were never able to get the last touch to go in the net. But when Payne tried to receive and do a quick turn there was always a second defender in the way.
Tufts will be able to "turn the corner" on the OWU defenders I think. Calvin did it pretty consistently but just finished poorly.

[Mr.Right]

In the last 5 years...

1.) Messiah: No argument here. Very clear cut.

2.) OWU: 2 Final 4's, a Championship, an Elite 8 run.

3.) Loras: 2 Final 4's and numerous Sweet 16 appearances.

4.) Trinity: 3 or 4 Elite 8 losses for these guys. They play a great brand, just need to get back to the Final 4!

5.) Oneonta St: "New Kids on the block" featuring in their 2nd Final 4 in 4 years. Have proven over the last 4 years they can play with anyone and nobody has beaten them yet this year.

6.) Amherst: Consistent Elite 8 and Sweet 16 appearances.

7.) SLU: Every year their name is in the hat to make a serious run at it. They've been tripped up by Amherst the last couple years but that shouldn't take away from the fact that they are a very good program who play a great brand.

8.) Wheaton/Williams: Williams does have 3 Final 4's to their name so they should probably be higher but I'm more of a fan of the other teams ahead of them. Wheaton hasn't gotten to the Final 4 since 2006 but they're Wheaton and usually in the thick of things. Made an Elite 8 run in 2012.

9.) Calvin

You have Amherst ahead of SLU and SLU ahead of Williams. You claim to have based this on style? You would never pick Amherst ahead of these schools for style. If it is substance Williams has beaten Amherst the last 2 years to get into their 3rd Final 4 in 5 years. SLU has not beaten a Nescac since 2002 and Williams just beat them in 2012. Oneonta has been to 2 Final 4's in 5 years and will get quickly bounced this year. So Trinity's brand gets them a #4 ranking? They have not been to one Final 4 since 2007.....How many times do you watch D3 soccer out of your confort zone of the Midwest? Without that NCAA win OWU is not even on this list Please do your homework before trying a list like this without getting your facts or parameters set

[Mr.Right]

Sounds like Tufts is a similar team to Kenyon in terms of style of play and physicality so their 3 match ups with Kenyon this year will have prepared them well for Tufts.

Midwest, I was thinking about this today.  I think what may be even more important is that Tufts' game with Messiah will have them prepared for OWU...not just in terms of the massive shot of confidence, but also because OWU is a less imposing version of Messiah.  Of course less imposing shouldn't necessarily be construed as less dangerous, as in some ways OWU can catch you off guard because you look out there and except for two tall CBs and a physically strong holding mid you are tempted to underestimate them.  Even Bloecher is not a particularly big kid although he is physically athletic and just a knack for big plays.  Style-wise they are the closest to Messiah that I have seen with excellent combination passing and creation of great looks at close range in tight spaces.










OWU against CNU was whackin it for a good chunk of the game. I saw individual skill but CNU were knockin it around the field compared to OWU. OWU might shock Tufts with their athleticism

[Mr.Right]

It is becoming clearer that the first four in this year off the bubble were Coast Guard, Dickinson, North Park, Salisbury and a 5th UT Dallas.

[PaulNewman]

Thanks for coming into all the threads and setting us all straight, Mr.Right.

You'll "give me" 2011?  You mean when they won the title, the only non-Messiah school to do so in how many years?  The year the current seniors were frosh on that team?  And now two Final Fours in four years.  And they spent almost all of 2013 undefeated and ranked #1 in the country.  And they've been a NCAA tournament team for how many years in a row?  You're gonna give Tufts the advantage on playing big games?

Look, I'm leaning towards Tufts in this game, but to suggest OWU hasn't played any big games is pretty ludicrous.  Do you think Tufts' SOS, as a predictive factor, trumps all of the OWU experience and tradition?  Is the SOS the reason you think Tufts may win?  BTW, during that span, OWU has played Messiah, CNU, Ohio Northern every year including the ONU runner-up year, Calvin 4 times, Hope, DePauw's NCAA teams, Kenyon a bunch of times but I'm sure those don't count, and I bet I'm missing a few.

I think Tufts' attacking players are going to cause problems and Tufts has good size in the back that may trouble OWU.  But OWU also can get under your skin, and we have to see how Tufts will handle adversity (if that happens).  If Tufts doesn't score in 1st minute against Messiah, do we really think they would have won?  And, fun fact, OWU has been awarded a PK three games in a row.  Should be a good game between two teams that try to play good soccer.

[Mr.Right]

I never suggested Tufts played more "competitive" games whatever that means but do you really think OWU wins in 2011 if Messiah did not get knocked out? When was the last time OWU beat Messiah...right never...Tufts just beat them so that might trump all your "competitive games"

[PaulNewman]

Mr.Right, did you notice that OWU is #1 all time in NCAA appearances?  They are easily #2, and certainly no lower than #3 all time.

And would you be willing to admit that Williams' last two Final Four entries were the weakest Final Four teams in the last 5 years?  How many losses did they have each of those seasons?  You ought to get out more.

[Mr.Right]

NO Williams was not...Last year they were but not 2012....Somehow they managed to get there...Didnt sniff that academic powerhouse Kenyon there

[PaulNewman]

I never suggested Tufts played more "competitive" games whatever that means but do you really think OWU wins in 2011 if Messiah did not get knocked out? When was the last time OWU beat Messiah...right never...Tufts just beat them so that might trump all your "competitive games"

You are the one who challenged the idea that they have ever played in any big games.  And I rattled off 15+ just off the top of my head.

[Mr.Right]

I did not suggest they do not play any competitive games but the actual implementation that some games are more competitive than others I would surmise that Nescac games are more competitive than NCAC games.  This argument is boring but I will continue to fly in and correct you when necessary

[PaulNewman]

I did not suggest they do not play any competitive games but the actual implementation that some games are more competitive than others I would surmise that Nescac games are more competitive than NCAC games.  This argument is boring but I will continue to fly in and correct you when necessary

Did you post this -- "What huge games? The last 2 years they have been knocked out in the 1st round. Ill give you 2011 but that was 3 years ago" -- or do I have the wrong person?  Did you post that OWU wouldn't even be on the list without 2011?

Try posting without the vengeance and rage.

[Mr.Right]

I will post the way I post.Do not tell me what or how to post. I do not get offended by your lack of knowledge about the games you are watching