2015 D3 Season: NATIONAL PERSPECTIVE

[D3soccerwatcher]

Of course it is very early to start talking about the 2015 season.  But with National Signing Day behind us now, we are probably only about a month away from official school announcements of incoming freshmen players.  What are your thoughts on pre-season favorites/standings/rankings.

I think Wheaton (IL) may be ranked number one going into the season.  They finished as national runners-up and they return three All-Region players and two All-Americans, plus a host of other starters and major contributors.  We will have to see what their incoming class looks like and of course it may take some time for their new coach to gain traction.  But on paper based on pure known talent and player experience they may well be placed at the top.

Of course, we expect Tufts, the reigning champions to be right there too.

The other normal cast of characters will probably be present towards the top too, including...SUNY Oneonta, OWU, Brandeis, Trinity, Kenyon, F&M, Christopher Newport and others.  I know I'm missing several potential pre-season favorites, so please chime in.

It will be interesting to see where Messiah gets placed pre-season.  Returning only 3 or 4 starters from last year, that includes I believe just two all-conference players, it will be interesting to see what people think of them prior to the season.  As others have pointed out on this site before, Messiah has faced "re-buidling" years before and bounced right back with a vengeance.  So you can never, ever count them out.  And honestly, even given the large senior class that they lost, I expect to see them placed somewhere near the top before the season begins.

My dark horse... Gordon College.  I don't think they will be top national caliber yet, but with the multi-year signing of Derek Potteiger at the helm, I think we will see them continue to gain momentum and possibly make the big dance this year.  A lot will depend on the strength of their incoming freshmen players.  It's my dark horse, so time will tell and we will see.

Looking forward to seeing others thoughts and comments as we start to think about the 2015 season.

[Nutmeg]

Too early to tell until announcements come out....both wheaton and tufts lost key players and return key starters. Tufts plays in a difficult conference where teams tend to beat each other up so their path may be a bit more difficult...but they are talented and have a fantastic midfield. Messiah will be strong... I liken them to Kentucky basketball...retooling every year....

[4231CenterBack]

I think you're right, Wheaton and Messiah will be the two best teams in the country at least in the preseason or on paper. Wheaton is returning most of its very good players from arguably the second most talented team in the country last year after Messiah. Even having graduated their "best class ever" Messiah will always reload.... they had a lot of fantastic players on the bench and I'm sure they'll bring in another top recruiting class.   I think Wheaton is the favorite though...Senior/Junior talent.

I don't see Tufts being as good or doing anything close to what happened this year. They lost almost all of their notable players and that's hard to come back from. I'm sure they'll be able to leverage the national championship for recruiting purposes, but to what degree is the question.  They were excellent but that run last year was at least one part magic.

Gordon should be very good and I would be very surprised if they don't win their conference this coming year.  They will be in the clear favorites again and hope to avoid something like last year's hiccup. They are bringing an excellent new class.... I understand that announcement should be coming out soon. They are returning 12 of their 14 top players this year. 

Interestingly Tufts is playing Gordon early this coming season. We will get a good read on how good Gordon is, if they can make a run in the tournament, rather than just making the tournament.....and if Tufts is as powerful and can compete for the nescac title again. I'm sure Mr. Right would have an opinion about how this match will turn out.....

[Nutmeg]

I think you're right, Wheaton and Messiah will be the two best teams in the country at least in the preseason or on paper. Wheaton is returning most of its very good players from arguably the second most talented team in the country last year after Messiah. Even having graduated their "best class ever" Messiah will always reload.... they had a lot of fantastic players on the bench and I'm sure they'll bring in another top recruiting class.   I think Wheaton is the favorite though...Senior/Junior talent.

I don't see Tufts being as good or doing anything close to what happened this year. They lost almost all of their notable players and that's hard to come back from. I'm sure they'll be able to leverage the national championship for recruiting purposes, but to what degree is the question.  They were excellent but that run last year was at least one part magic.

Gordon should be very good and I would be very surprised if they don't win their conference this coming year.  They will be in the clear favorites again and hope to avoid something like last year's hiccup. They are bringing an excellent new class.... I understand that announcement should be coming out soon. They are returning 12 of their 14 top players this year. 

Interestingly Tufts is playing Gordon early this coming season. We will get a good read on how good Gordon is, if they can make a run in the tournament, rather than just making the tournament.....and if Tufts is as powerful and can compete for the nescac title again. I'm sure Mr. Right would have an opinion about how this match will turn out.....

Tufts is returning their second and third leading scorers and one of their stud defenders is supposedly returning for a 5th year.  Tufts goalie returns.  Wheaton's goalie isn't anything close to being as talented.Also, Tufts was better than Wheaton last year. Don't know how you say Wheaton was more talented. Tufts beat Messiah. Tufts beat Wheaton pretty handily.  Given this, I do think it will be more difficult for Tufts than Wheaton. They play a harder schedule and are in a better conference...

[4231CenterBack]

Yes, Tufts beat Messiah but Messiah was certainly more talented. Yes, Tufts beat Wheaton but I believe Wheaton was more talented.  Wheaton had the majority of the possession and bossed the game for signifcant parts of the match. I give full credit to Tufts. They were defensively well organized and countered brilliantly.  It was a pleasure to watch them shock both teams..... Especially Messiah....and good for D3 college soccer.  Again in my opinion, if they played 10 times Wheaton wins 7-10 and Messiah maybe 8-10.

[4231CenterBack]

Also, if you saw the final match the Tufts goalkeeper made a huge save with the score at 3-2. Had he not made that save Tufts was in big trouble.  The 4th goal was a great counter that happened as a result of Wheaton's pressing for the equalizer.  Again, I am happy Tufts won, but it was far from easy.

[Nutmeg]

Yes, Tufts beat Messiah but Messiah was certainly more talented. Yes, Tufts beat Wheaton but I believe Wheaton was more talented.  Wheaton had the majority of the possession and bossed the game for signifcant parts of the match. I give full credit to Tufts. They were defensively well organized and countered brilliantly.  It was a pleasure to watch them shock both teams..... Especially Messiah....and good for D3 college soccer.  Again in my opinion, if they played 10 times Wheaton wins 7-10 and Messiah maybe 8-10.

Tufts went  up 3-0 against Wheaton at half and then sat back to defend, a strategy I don't always agree on. So, naturally Wheaton had possession.. I think Tufts wins 8 of 10, especially given Wheaton's shaky goaltending.  And, if you watched tufts v messiah, tufts outplayed them in the second half. I do agree that messiah had more talent.  I think messiah and tufts had the best midfield groups, that is all 4 players....

[Nutmeg]

Also, if you saw the final match the Tufts goalkeeper made a huge save with the score at 3-2. Had he not made that save Tufts was in big trouble.  The 4th goal was a great counter that happened as a result of Wheaton's pressing for the equalizer.  Again, I am happy Tufts won, but it was far from easy.

Yes, and tufts missed 2 easy breakaways... Hoopenot shot right at the goalie and majumder missed on a feed from Kayne....

[4231CenterBack]

We will have to agree to disagree on the relative talent levels of the two teams. I do hope Tufts is good again. Lord knows I can't stand watching Amherst beat up on the NESCAC. It's good to have another team that can contend while playing good soccer.

[Nutmeg]

We will have to agree to disagree on the relative talent levels of the two teams. I do hope Tufts is good again. Lord knows I can't stand watching Amherst beat up on the NESCAC. It's good to have another team that can contend while playing good soccer.

I agree on that one!  😀

[D3soccerwatcher]

Nutmeg and Centerback,

Agree 100% on the Wheaton goalkeeping being suspect.  Their keeper last season was a senior and it looks like they have two bigger heavyweights lurking in the wings - that might be an area where they actually improve.

I too hope Tufts can have a good season.  It's sustained success over time that earns respect for a program.  One-hit-wonders can happen anytime (kinda like Rutgers-Camden) - hope that is not the case for Tufts.  The Tufts-Gordon game with be  a good measuring stick.

[Nutmeg]

Nutmeg and Centerback,

Agree 100% on the Wheaton goalkeeping being suspect.  Their keeper last season was a senior and it looks like they have two bigger heavyweights lurking in the wings - that might be an area where they actually improve.

I too hope Tufts can have a good season.  It's sustained success over time that earns respect for a program.  One-hit-wonders can happen anytime (kinda like Rutgers-Camden) - hope that is not the case for Tufts.  The Tufts-Gordon game with be  a good measuring stick.

Agreed...but the NESCAC presents tough challenges....teams often beat up on each other. You never know what team will come out....

[lastguyoffthebench]

It wouldn't shock me if Messiah failed to win the Commonwealth this year.   Granted, they would still get an at large, but I could see it happening.   IMO, Wheaton is the preseason #1 with Hollingsworth as the odds on favorite for NSCAA and D3soccer POY.


Teams that could fall into this "Rutgers-Camden" status would be:  F&M and Muhlenberg- two teams on the up and up playing some really tough out of conference games and recent tournament success.  However, it's not really fair to call Rutgers-Camden a one hit wonder.  It's wayyyy to small of a sample size to justify that.  They have been on the map the last 5-6 years and played an extremely rough schedule in 2014 after losing 7 starters.  Had it been on the soft side like Salisbury or Newark (they would have had the chance to make a run).   The program is more than capable of rebuilding and making it back to the NCAA tournament for 2015...  The South Atlantic region should be wide open with CNU losing some quality players. 


Teams that actually fall into one hit wonder would be Whitworth and Coast Guard.  Sure, Whitworth has had respectable seasons over the years, but not enough exposure or NCAA appearances.

[lastguyoffthebench]

Probably should have started another thread for schedules, but Rutgers-Camden is posted on their website:

Notable games aside from NJAC:

Sea Gull Invitational
Sat. 9/5/2015        St. Mary's College of Maryland  Neutral   
Sun. 9/6/2015       Salisbury University                  Away   
Cialella Soccer Classic
Sun. 9/13/2015     Christopher Newport University  Home   

Wed. 9/23/2015    Misericordia University  Away   
Wed. 10/7/2015    Haverford College         Away   
Wed. 10/21/2015  Swarthmore College      Away   


My guess is Messiah, Loras, Wheaton, Trinity, SUNY Oneonta, and NESCAC schools will start posting them in mid March?

[Corazon]

I don't believe NESCAC posts their schedules until August.