2015 D3 Season: NATIONAL PERSPECTIVE

[lastguyoffthebench]

1.  Tufts (team typically stays there until a blemish)
2.  Trinity (quality win over Brandeis)
3.  Loras. (Slightly more votes due to SOS).
4.  Oneonta St
5.  Ohio Wesleyan
6.  F&M
7.  Christopher Newport
8.  Calvin
9.  CMU (slightly bumps Kenyon solely based on Messiah W)
10. Montclair St

ECSU shooting their load out the gate with 3 quality wins over Babson, Mules, and Wesleyan.  They are deserving of a top 10 ranking based on results alone.

Up for debate, but they would be my NSCAA rankings at this point

[Dubuquer]

I didn't have roster in front of me to see who was who for the Thunder but I think Loras had the better athletes and played with more intensity.  Players on opposing teams struggle facing the swarming play of Loras and I could see a team with some youth and inexperience getting shell shocked, especially facing the swarm that early in the season before they build the organization that a team like Wheaton usually has later on in October and November.  I usually think of Wheaton as being a pretty organized, patient and disciplined team (admittedly I haven't seen them a lot) but it looked like Loras forced them into playing the Loras style and Wheaton never got into any rhythm.  Wheaton's Hollingsworth was dangerous at times but was largely held in check for most of the game, which I'm sure contributed to the Thunder's failure to get anything going.  I agree that the referee had a lot of no-calls and that potentially affected the game.  With a few more whistles I think Loras might have netted another.

[Mr.Right]

I absolutely love the way Loras plays, they are an easy team to root for. I wish more teams were as committed to working that hard and never taking plays/ minutes off

[Domino1195]

Saying Wheaton doesn't play with passion or belief after seeing them play a 90 minute match tonight is a little too judgmental for my taste. To each their own though.

If rankings did come out this week I'm sure Wheaton would have moved down to the 8-10 spots. Does Loras really deserve to move to #1 or 2 with a win over a presumed #8-10 team? No doubt they are good, but that's a lofty jump.

"And the fact that they would lay down and die for their teammates and coaches is a huge reason for their continued success...." Now I'm sure you're trying to paint a picture that they all like each other and get along great and have phenomenal team camaraderie, which, isn't all that surprising. I'd say most top programs have that same kind of locker room.

Recall OWU's start last year, having had to replace 11 seniors.  That #1 ranked senior team loses first round to Rose-Hulman, at home; the poor starting 2014 team goes to the final four.  The X factor of programs that have a history and tradition of winning is that even a team of freshman will "figure it out". These early losses become teaching moments for the coaching staff.

[lastguyoffthebench]

http://herosports.com/college-rankings/d3-mens-soccer-rankings/

Bennett Rankings.

[Midwest Soccer]

Saying Wheaton doesn't play with passion or belief after seeing them play a 90 minute match tonight is a little too judgmental for my taste. To each their own though.

If rankings did come out this week I'm sure Wheaton would have moved down to the 8-10 spots. Does Loras really deserve to move to #1 or 2 with a win over a presumed #8-10 team? No doubt they are good, but that's a lofty jump.

"And the fact that they would lay down and die for their teammates and coaches is a huge reason for their continued success...." Now I'm sure you're trying to paint a picture that they all like each other and get along great and have phenomenal team camaraderie, which, isn't all that surprising. I'd say most top programs have that same kind of locker room.

Recall OWU's start last year, having had to replace 11 seniors.  That #1 ranked senior team loses first round to Rose-Hulman, at home; the poor starting 2014 team goes to the final four.  The X factor of programs that have a history and tradition of winning is that even a team of freshman will "figure it out". These early losses become teaching moments for the coaching staff.

Well said Domino. Same with Messiah in 2008, which in my opinion, is still their most impressive National Championship considering the way they navigated the tournament, winning every game on the road, OT vs Medaille, 1-0 vs Rochester, OT vs Montclair, OT vs CNU, 3 or 4-0 over Loras, PK's over Stevens. I believe that was the last season they lost a regular season game in their conference.

[lastguyoffthebench]

The almost offsides goal vs Medaille, Binger the savior in dying moments vs CNU, and Blossey stepping in and stopping 3 straight PKs.   

[Midwest Soccer]

I don't want to get too off topic but was Pezon's goal actually offside?

He played it forward to no one and then ran around the whole defense and beat the GK and slid it home? I may be wrong though

[lastguyoffthebench]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kda6u_Y-W10

4:50 in...

Pezon plays the ball in the area of Messiah player who does not attempt to collect (but the ball was definitely played to him).   Every player on Medaille paused, but I would not call that offsides...

[Mr.Right]

Williams up 1-0 at the half v Oneonta...Williams has had some very nice chances in this game so far. Oneonta I was not impressed with at all in the 1st half. I know they lost 2 of their best players to graduation but I was expecting a little more firepower. Let's see if we see that in the 2nd half.

[PaulNewman]

Can't get Williams video to go live....any hints?

[Mr.Right]

2nd half I cannot watch either...

[PaulNewman]

7 goals in 1st half with Newport and NC Wesleyan and none in 2nd with 13 to go....4-3 CNU.

Rankings seem a little bizarre.  Don't see any reason CNU would be #1.  CMU at #3 after Muskingum, LaRoche and a very fortunate win against Messiah?  Maybe break into top 12-15 but not #3.  Salisbury at #8?  And great start for ECSU but not sold yet with very tight wins vs Muhlenberg and Wesleyan that easily could have gone the other way.

Tufts and Loras should be #1 and #2.....Trinity (maybe).  I understand poll doesn't include games last night.

[PaulNewman]

Congrats Mr.Right!  Looks like Sullivan knew what he was doing.

[Mr.Right]

Congrats Mr.Right!  Looks like Sullivan knew what he was doing.

Well I only saw the 1st half but I thought Williams looked good. I also like the fact that they are still trying to play futbol as I thought with Russo's departure that might fade away a bit but they seemed to have some good combinations. Very good win for November. I will say I think Oneonta is not as strong as 2014