2015 D3 Season: NATIONAL PERSPECTIVE

[Mr.Right]

Also, Stevens v Vassar could be a big one come November for Vassar. Anyone seen Stevens yet this year? I watched them a couple times last year and were impressed with their athleticism and speed.

[deutschfan]

Agreed.  Last year at home Stevens held Vassar to 1 shot, lowest probably ever.  Last year Vassar also went down 4-0 to Oneonta before a goal in garbage time.  This year it all depends which Vassar team shows up--the one that blew out Roger Williams in Rhode Island or tied Oneonta, or the one that can put one shot on goal in the second half against Manhattanville while making a host of defensive blunders.  For teams like Vassar, Skidmore, and surprisingly SLU, consistency come league is going to be the key to their seasons. 

[stlawus]

Agreed.  Last year at home Stevens held Vassar to 1 shot, lowest probably ever.  Last year Vassar also went down 4-0 to Oneonta before a goal in garbage time.  This year it all depends which Vassar team shows up--the one that blew out Roger Williams in Rhode Island or tied Oneonta, or the one that can put one shot on goal in the second half against Manhattanville while making a host of defensive blunders.  For teams like Vassar, Skidmore, and surprisingly SLU, consistency come league is going to be the key to their seasons.

The Liberty League could be quite competitive this year.  SLU is having what is now traditional early season injury problems and in combination with a new coach does not appear as stable as years past.  Things usually smooth out by the time league play arrives but you never know.  RPI is extremely strong, and I would definitely count on Skidmore and Vassar to throw a monkey wrench in there and disrupt the standings making runs of their own. 

[Mr.Right]

The way Skidmore played Williams they absolutely make it very difficult to break them down. They are an athletic bunch up the spine and are well coached. They man mark your best players all over the field and the minute they lose the ball in their offensive 1/3 of the field ALL 10 PLAYERS drop significantly. Weaker teams try to do this against better competition but usually are not athletic enough to withstand the pressure for 90 minutes. Skidmore is talented enough and committed enough to this conservative style to make it work against the best in D3. However, if you score a goal or 2 early in the game they would be hard pressed to score enough against the best in D3 to claw back into the game. I am most interested to follow them this season. I assumed with the loss of #7 Beek they would drop significantly but with that athletic squad up the backbone plus a 6'3 very solid GK they are a very tough out

[swibbles]

Can't see Chicago slipping up against Loras.  Never been impressed with Loras and Chicago is humming at the moment. 

Loving the Northwest discussion.  I've got Whitworth, UPS, and Willamette as my top three from that conference.

[PaulNewman]

swibbles, that is some bold talk.  Looking forward to your 9th post (presumably after the game).

[Letthekidsplay59]

I have to admit, I'm no fan of the way Loras play either. Haven't seen Chicago play so I can't say whether they're the real deal, but I guess we'll find out tonight.

[swibbles]

swibbles, that is some bold talk.  Looking forward to your 9th post (presumably after the game).

I'll be sure to check back in for ya, NCAC, and I'll be the first to admit it if I'm dead wrong.  Who do you like in that game? Your post count suggests you know more about this than I do  :^)

[pelinho5]

swibbles, that is some bold talk.  Looking forward to your 9th post (presumably after the game).

frequency doesn't merit quality. As the great Deepak chora once said, "the intention to live as long as possible isn't one of the mind's best intentions, because quantity isn't the same as quality" Squibbles, keep on doing your thing, don't worry about d3 soccer blog legends like NCAC bossing you around. But looking at the uchicago roster it seems like they have a really young team, young = inconsistent? Doesn't look like it thus far (5-0), we will see soon enough. Will be tuned to the boards for this exciting preemptive post season match up.

[Letthekidsplay59]

"the intention to live as long as possible isn't one of the mind's best intentions, because quantity isn't the same as quality"

Love this quote... but not as much as I like Loras chances of slipping up tonight. They're always much better at home (The Rock Bowl has been a fortress in recent years) and I think they'll take Chicago for granted after beating them last year.

[pelinho5]

"the intention to live as long as possible isn't one of the mind's best intentions, because quantity isn't the same as quality"

Love this quote... but not as much as I like Loras chances of slipping up tonight. They're always much better at home (The Rock Bowl has been a fortress in recent years) and I think they'll take Chicago for granted after beating them last year.

In fact I love Deepak chopra! He has lots of great quotes, like this one, "the less you open your heart to others, the more your heart suffers". It basically is telling us to open our hearts! Share what we are feeling! I feel like there is going to be quite a lot of sharing in the Loras Chicago game tonight. The real question is whose heart will suffer?

[SuperSub15]

For my third post I would have to agree. No doubt Lora's will play a high paced 90 minutes however I think Chicago's possession based play will result I a W, especially at Home. Should be an exciting match to watch.

[gustiefan04]

While Loras' style is certainly not my favorite, its quite effective. I saw how it effected an experienced and strong possession side in Gustavus last year in the NCAA's.

Should be an exciting game tonight. Not gonna lie, would love to see Chicago come away with a W, but Loras is definitely the favorite going into the match.

[PaulNewman]

swibbles, that is some bold talk.  Looking forward to your 9th post (presumably after the game).

frequency doesn't merit quality. As the great Deepak chora once said, "the intention to live as long as possible isn't one of the mind's best intentions, because quantity isn't the same as quality" Squibbles, keep on doing your thing, don't worry about d3 soccer blog legends like NCAC bossing you around. But looking at the uchicago roster it seems like they have a really young team, young = inconsistent? Doesn't look like it thus far (5-0), we will see soon enough. Will be tuned to the boards for this exciting preemptive post season match up.

Haha.  Nothing provocative intended by reference to the 9th post other than looking forward to how the game turns out and hearing the thoughts of the poster later either way.  Certainly no bullying intended.  I hope swibbles has a long and prosperous D3soccer.com career.  And you as well.  Love your quote, although I will fully admit to hoping to live a long time.

[Mr.Right]

Stevens 4-2 over Vassar....Vassar had two leads in this game and it seems like it was a wild game.Did anyone watch this one? 1. Was it like the recap suggests a wild one? 6 goals, a couple breakaway's and 2 lead changes..This one might sting Vassar later on but my questions is Stevens as good as last year or even better? I was not able to catch this game