2015 D3 Season: NATIONAL PERSPECTIVE

[PaulNewman]

Ah, you can feel the season coming in the air.  A melancholy time I imagine for guys who graduated in May (and of course their parents who spent the last 15 or so years watching theirs kids play every year).  Would be interesting to see guys like RH, S Noon, G Wirz, one of the Messiah guys, etc write about their experiences of being done and not playing those first couple of years.  I might write a piece myself eventually.  There's not much better than traveling to games and spending a couple of days hanging out on a beautiful college campus and getting to see your kid play in some quality D3 college action.

My college playing days are long over, but my youngest son just finished playing at my alma mater.  First time since 2002 that I won't be watching one of my kids play college games (D-I girl; 2 D-III boys).  I'm deep in the throes of withdrawal . . .

Yep.  I'm lost, lol.  Used to sit in the coffee shop on campus and stream a bunch of other games waiting for "our" game.  And then I would stream more games after "our" game.

[PaulNewman]

Don't count out Brandeis.  Robbie Lynch coming back for a 5th year.  Interesting note is that Savonen stays on as graduate assistant.

[Nutmeg]

I agree the NCAC should be in the list...

[Mr.Right]

After taking a look at Haverford's overall schedule I would give that a Top 3 vote for toughest in the country. You can bet they will have a SOS of about .615-.620. Now all they need is a couple wins in some of those games and to take care of business in the others. So they have Centennial and half of the NJAC plus Wesleyan and Stevens

Highlights of the Non-Conf

vs Scranton
at Stevens
vs Wesleyan
at Montclair St
at Rutgers Camden
vs Catholic
vs Stockton

On top of the very challenging Centennial conference.

The only cupcake is at Rosemont

[lastguyoffthebench]

Mr.Right.... almost identical post on page 18 of thread #268, in reference to Haverford.

[Mr.Right]

Haha...My bad...We are in agreement on that one

[SoccerTalk]

Was looking to get some insight into the Wheaton Thunder this year. New Coach and looks like they lost some guys to graduation last year, but are still returning some pretty big names. I also see they dropped a late pre-season scrimmage the other night to local D3 Dominican so was wondering if that is just an anomaly or if some changes have been instilled and there will be some growing pains after the run they had last year.

[D3soccerwatcher]

Expectations are EXTREMELY HIGH for the Thunder.  They return a large number of quality players from last year's national runner-up team, including Golz up top and Borge in the midfield...and their most heralded player Marshall Hollingsworth (a early favorite for NPOY), not to mention a very solid group of returning underclassmen.  They have also brought in a host of potentially impactful freshmen from around the country.  Time will tell if their new coach can harness this deep level of talent and convert it into a championship season.  They have been picked to win the CCIW in the pre-season coaches poll.

[Nutmeg]

Expectations are EXTREMELY HIGH for the Thunder.  They return a large number of quality players from last year's national runner-up team, including Golz up top and Borge in the midfield...and their most heralded player Marshall Hollingsworth (a early favorite for NPOY), not to mention a very solid group of returning underclassmen.  They have also brought in a host of potentially impactful freshmen from around the country.  Time will tell if their new coach can harness this deep level of talent and convert it into a championship season.  They have been picked to win the CCIW in the pre-season coaches poll.

How is Hollingsworth doing after his 3rd knee surgery in 3 years? Hopefully, he is in good form as he is exciting to watch...

[D3soccerwatcher]

I understand he played for Bridges FC this summer...so I think he is ready to go.

[Nutmeg]

I understand he played for Bridges FC this summer...so I think he is ready to go.

That's good news!

[D3soccerwatcher]

The start of the D3 2015 soccer season is today.  Looking forward to a fun and exciting season.

Good luck to all!

[Gotberg]

Looking forward to seeing my Vikings of North Park play this evening.  They should be pretty strong, but will be inexperienced in the GK position.  It appears their all-conference (I think and too lazy to look) GK is not on the roster for his senior season.

[NEPAFAN]

Looking forward to seeing my Vikings of North Park play this evening.  They should be pretty strong, but will be inexperienced in the GK position.  It appears their all-conference (I think and too lazy to look) GK is not on the roster for his senior season.

Too lazy to look, but not lazy enough to post. Classic.

[PaulNewman]

Let's Go........LORDS!!!


Today keeping my eye on...

Wittenberg @ Thomas More
Allegheny @ Grove City
Greensboro @ W&L
Scranton @ Haverford
DePauw @ Hanover
Transy @ Wooster
Centre @ RHIT
Oneonta @ Morrisville
JCU @ Denison
Rochester @ Geneseo
KZoo @ Elmhurst
Oberlin @ Otterbein
Dominican @ Chicago