2015 NCAA North Region

[casualfan]

I'm still not sure if the UW's have an advantage or disadvantage by not having a conference tourney and staying idle during the last 1-1.5 weeks of the season. Although a strong win would help them, a bad loss hurts them tremendously.

So I think UWW benefits from not playing as they are firmly the Pool B bid in many minds.
But I think both UWO & UWP may become an afterthought with the upsets that are occurring throughout the North/Central regions. As it stands, I would also predict that UWO & UWP fall short of the tournament.

Could be a very disappointing end to a strong program at UWO and a frustrating one for UWP who defeated both UWO & UWW.

[KICKIN95]

I think Loras is a lock for hosting Regional rounds and a good possibly they could host the Sectional as well.

wanted to shout out a big "Atta Boy" to Coach Klosterman at North Central for taking out the Thunder in PK's!

[Medicated Pete]

I think Loras is a lock for hosting Regional rounds and a good possibly they could host the Sectional as well.

wanted to shout out a big "Atta Boy" to Coach Klosterman at North Central for taking out the Thunder in PK's!

..and to a fellow Duhawk, Dylan Milkent, Graduate Assistant Men's Soccer Coach at NC

[KICKIN95]

I think Loras is a lock for hosting Regional rounds and a good possibly they could host the Sectional as well.

wanted to shout out a big "Atta Boy" to Coach Klosterman at North Central for taking out the Thunder in PK's!

..and to a fellow Duhawk, Dylan Milkent, Graduate Assistant Men's Soccer Coach at NC

True, I inadvertently left him out

[Wisco21]

I'm still not sure if the UW's have an advantage or disadvantage by not having a conference tourney and staying idle during the last 1-1.5 weeks of the season. Although a strong win would help them, a bad loss hurts them tremendously.

So I think UWW benefits from not playing as they are firmly the Pool B bid in many minds.
But I think both UWO & UWP may become an afterthought with the upsets that are occurring throughout the North/Central regions. As it stands, I would also predict that UWO & UWP fall short of the tournament.

Could be a very disappointing end to a strong program at UWO and a frustrating one for UWP who defeated both UWO & UWW.

I wish the NCAA had the ability to implement a play-off between Pool B candidates (would never happen due to geography). With the Macalester and Wheaton loss last night, that more than likely pushes UWO and UWP out of the NCAA tournament picture. As a player, that would be extremely frustrating knowing you didn't make the tournament due to another team not taking care of business. Yes, one could argue: "as a Pool B candidate, they should have gotten results against big teams during their regular season schedule....they should of known" type deal, but I guess it's just not sitting well with me. Partially due to my bias with UWO, partially due to my knowledge that any of the Wisconsin schools could have made some noise in an NCAA tournament setting.

But, I digress. I'm thankful that I'm not part of the NCAA committee that has to piece together the tournament this year- my eagerness levels are through the roof these next couple of days. Best time of the year boys!

[D3 Scout]

If Carthage goes on to win the CCIW, St. Olaf the MIAC and MSOE the NACC. Then UWW will have beat the IIAC, CCIW, MIAC and NACC conference champions.

As for hosting a sectional I believe that UWW should get the nod over Loras. They have a grass field (like the final four is played on) and they have a soccer specific (no football lines). Add the head to head win at Loras and I think it is a no brainer.

[lastguyoffthebench]

North Region SOS

602   Loras
595   UW-W
577   Luther
571   St. John's (MN)
567   Dubuque
565   UW-O
564   Hamline
561   Macalester
559   St. Olaf
556   UW-P
554   St. Thomas
542   Augsburg
542   Carleton
535   Wartburg
532   GAC
525   Concordia-M'head
524   Simpson
521   Central (IA)
520   St. Norbert
519   Carroll (WI)
519   St. Mary's (MN)
509   Bethel (MN)
496   Lawrence
488   CSS
485   Monmounth (IL)
485   UW-S
479   Coe
478   Knox
477   Lake Forest
475   Grinnell
471   Minn-Morris
455   Buena Vista
453   Northwestern-St. Paul
449   Neb Wesleyan
444   Beloit
444   Illinois College
433   Cornell College
423   Northland
419   Bethany Lutheran
413   Ripon
409   Crown (MN)
405   North Central (MN)
398   Martin Luther
366   Finlandia

[dontshootthegoose]

These are my teams that will make the tournament:

Loras (AQ/Pool C)
UWW (Pool B)
Macalester (Pool C)
MAC AQ (St. Olaf/St. Thomas)
CSS (AQ)
Midwest Conference Champion (Knox, Carroll, St. Norbert's, Lake Forest)

As far as any other Pool C's, I think Dubuque has the only other shot of winning in the Rock Bowl Saturday Night.

Luther/St. John's lost their bid yesterday with a first round lost.
UWO/UWP were screwed with not having a tournament.

[KICKIN95]

If Carthage goes on to win the CCIW, St. Olaf the MIAC and MSOE the NACC. Then UWW will have beat the IIAC, CCIW, MIAC and NACC conference champions.

As for hosting a sectional I believe that UWW should get the nod over Loras. They have a grass field (like the final four is played on) and they have a soccer specific (no football lines). Add the head to head win at Loras and I think it is a no brainer.

Loras is #1 in the region so they will receive the hosting duties.  They have hosted multiple times with no complaints by the NCAA.  Field Turf is not loved by everyone, but for this climate at this time of year with the amount of games to be played in a short span it is a more logical choice.

[Puerco Espin]

Correct me if I'm wrong, UWW does not have the ability to stream their games at Fiskum Field. I don't know if this is a requirement to host, but seems silly to put NCAA Tournament games at a location that won't be able to stream.

Loras gets the +1 there for sure.

[PaulNewman]

Loras would be perfect if got rid of those football lines.

[KICKIN95]

Loras would be perfect if got rid of those football lines.

Let get out some spray paint and make it happen Puerco!

The lines do make it easy for the Center Official to step off his 10, though I have witnessed many times even with a kick directly in the center of the field where he will step it off and be a yard off and refuse to be shown the facts right on the ground in front of him.

[dontshootthegoose]

CSS destroys Superior 5-0, St. Olaf up 1-0 at half to St. Thomas, Lake Forest beats knox 2-1. MSOE beats Dominican 3-1 (central region but could play in NCAA tournament)

For sure in: Loras, UWW, CSS, Lake Forest, St. Olaf/St. Thomas

Macalester with the only AQ

6 teams from the North region

[dontshootthegoose]

St. Olaf wins 2-0 against St. Thomas.

AQ's: Loras, CSS, Lake Forest, St. Olaf

Pool B: UWW

Pool C: Macalester

Whoever draws Lake Forest/St.Olaf will have a pretty favorable opening game.

On a side note, UWW beat the IIAC, MAC, MCC, NACC conferences champions! With a possibility of the CCIW champion tonight (Carthage)

[WarhawkFan]

Correct me if I'm wrong, UWW does not have the ability to stream their games at Fiskum Field. I don't know if this is a requirement to host, but seems silly to put NCAA Tournament games at a location that won't be able to stream.

Loras gets the +1 there for sure.

It's not a requirement to host.  They've hosted NCAA tournament games in 3 out of the last 8 years.

Personal feelings aside (I hate turf, especially bad turf which Loras has) with the regional rankings as they are (and Loras winning 2 games since the last rankings) I would expect Loras to get the nod over UW-W.  However, every year I seem to be surprised by some of the hosting decisions made by the NCAA so who knows!