MIAC 2014

[KnightRider23]

Ok. Let's move away from Carleton beating St. Zero (again... ) and talk about Tuesday's matches.

First of all, both games are starting at 11:30 am CST, which is incredibly early compared to usual start times in the MIAC. Almost ridiculously early, but the MIAC are in a bind with both Carleton hosting two matches that day and St. John's hosting the St. Ben's match as well that day. At least the two fields that are hosting matches (SJU/Carleton) have good grass fields that won't turn into mush at the first sign of rain/snow (cough Olaf cough), so at least the play on the field shouldn't be dictated by bad conditions.

Carleton vs St. Thomas (#3 vs #6): St. Thomas won their first game in nearly a month yesterday to qualify for the playoffs. Their record in October was a respectable 1-4-2, worthy enough of having an opportunity to go to the NCAA Tournament. And Carleton hasn't lost to St. Thomas since 2005. I'll lay off the lists this time (but boy a lot of stuff went down in '05...World Series champs Chicago White Sox!!!), but here's something that occurred in '05 (besides my inconceivable amount of high school awkwardness): YouTube was created. Without YouTube, we could never have watched this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l7DZnw4S5_I

Carleton wins 2-0. McGarrity and Jordy with the goals.

SJU vs Mac (4th vs 5th): An intriguing game. I've only seen a bit of each team this year (both playing Carleton), so I won't pretend I know too much outside of those games. Mac is a solid unit that has steadily improved from last year, and it's nice to see them in the playoffs again. Previous game between these two sides ended up 2-1 to the Johnnies. I could honestly see it going both ways, but I'll go with the Johnnies in OT 2-1.

[repete]

I watched the first SJU/Mac game and it has me a bit scared. It was the familiar tale of two halves with SJU starting strong and Mac storming the nets in the second half.

On video, the SJU field looks great but slow, at least compared to the Bermuda I see on natural fields in the Mid-Atlantic. Mac's slow start might have been making that adjustment, but it's hard to tell over the video.

[gustiefan04]

SJU defeats MAC 2-0 and CarlEton puts St. Thomas out of their misery also by a score of 2-0.

Sets the stage for a couple of great semi-final matches tomorrow afternoon.

CarlEton will travel to St. Peter to face off against the Gusties. I'm anticipating a much closer match this time around than we saw in the regular season match up.

SJU Heads to St. Olaf to play on that garbage field. Oles should be able to come away with a win this match.

[repete]

Not a great game in Collegeville, but SJU was clearly better. Here's hoping the Um Ya Ya boys will wet themselves like their football squad did so spectacularly Saturday vs. that noted gridiron powerhouse, Hamline.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=mwtSD_viv4E

[jimmy92]

Here's hoping the Um Ya Ya boys will wet themselves like their football squad did so spectacularly Saturday vs. that noted gridiron powerhouse, Hamline.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=mwtSD_viv4E

No matter what happens in this game, the soccer team will never be able to be quite as inept as the St. Olaf football team. Should be an interesting game. St. John's went down early last time against the Oles and dominated the second half. They were unlucky not to level the game at 2-2.
The Oles like playing a physical game and St. John's will bring exactly that. I'm not expecting a pretty contest tomorrow, but then again it's playoffs and it's not about playing pretty. It's about getting results and these two teams are very good at doing just that.
I think St. John's will spring an upset and win 1-0.

As for the other clash, I think the Gusties will be too classy for the Noughts and will win 3-1.

[GarbageGoals33]

The Saint Johns vs. St. Olaf game will be interesting.  The sloppy field conditions favor the SJU physical style of play, but the Oles play on that field regularly...  I think St. Olaf wins this one 2-1 because they are certainly more skilled than SJU and they are at home.

The GAC vs. CarlEton match will be a good one.  I caught bits and pieces of the UST/Car match today and I wasn't impressed by either team.  The CarlEton backs do not have the ability to help the team keep possession, mucho kick ball.  GAC should have plenty of possession in the CarlEton half tomorrow.  I anticipate a Gustavus 4-1 win with goals from Zach Brown (2), Eli Bjerk, and Chuck Adams.  In scoring 4 goals I assume that David Lilly will have at least 2 dimes.  I cannot predict the future, and am usually way more conservative in my predictions, but I have a good feeling about tomorrow.

[KnightRider23]

SJU and Olaf should be a slugfest. That landfill that they call a field should be in decent shape (relative to last year's sham of a field), so there'll be plenty of times for the Johnnies to get their hips dirty. I think Olaf pulls it off 2-1 as well, but I can see it going either way. The day of recovery gives Olaf another edge in what should be a tight game.

GAC vs Carleton should be a tight one too, but GG i think you are underestimating how bad Carleton were in this game earlier in the season. I think the gameplan against GAC is pretty simple: Stay compact defensively and keep that physical edge, especially in the midfield. SJU has proved how effective that can be in their last two matchups. And Carleton has significantly changed their style of play since that game, and that has led to much tighter games. The big question is how GAC utilizes that possession that they have. Carleton had good moments of possession today in addition to being direct, which is always a nice balance to have. Worked in 2012 and 2013 for Carleton. No reason it can't work now, especially with that backline being GAC's weakest point to attack. I think it's tied going into halftime, and the Knights pull it out 2-1 or 1-1 in PKs.

[miac2014]

Olaf beat Carleton on Bell Field in the playoffs in 2007. Knightrider23, you will have to find some different fun facts.

[GarbageGoals33]

KnightRider23, I've been making MIAC score predictions since long before anyone paid me to make MIAC score predictions...  I do appreciate your fun facts though, whether they are correct or not.

Forecast for  kickoff in Saint Peter is 50 degrees, with some potential rain.  COYG!

[KnightRider23]

I'm glad that a novelty account that will be outdated as soon as next season rolls around was created to highlight a mistake I made. Must mean I've really made it here on the boards...I'm honored 

Looks like I'm going to have to update the lists to make them current. Hopefully it'll be all together in a post lauding a Carleton win and previewing a MIAC championship in Northfield.

GG, there's no hate from my end. I was just commenting on how bad Carleton was in the previous game this year between these two teams. Everyone's entitled to a prediction that will ultimately blow up in their face (myself included). Just hoping there isn't any bad refereeing that spoils the game for either side. Other than that I don't think anyone can rule out anything from happening.

[KnightRider23]

I also will add that the '04 fact was strictly about regular season games on Bell Field (since the lists were specifically about that game). Playoffs are a whole different animal so I wasn't technically wrong.

[GarbageGoals33]

GAC takes the 1-0 lead on a Zach Brown goal assisted by Roth.  McGarrity looks like a man on a mission for the CarlE's. 

SJU beating Olaf 3-0?!?!?!!?

[DoubleDeuce]

Odd 1st half, IMO.  GAC scores against the run of play then seemed to settle-in and control comfortably.  CarlEton looked great early then pretty flat after letting in that goal.  Roth and Adams stood out for GAC.   McGarrity looking legit, as per usual.  1-0 is probably a fair half-time score.  Certainly still anyone's game. 

[gustiefan04]

Hopefully GAC can put another in the next early in the 2nd half to seal the deal.

What the heck is going on in the SJU vs. St. Olaf game?! Oles could be in serious trouble. This could end their post season hopes!

[GarbageGoals33]

HUGE full stretch save by Ylonen on a shot from the top of the box.  The little man is coming to play today!