2015 NCAA North Region

[WarhawkFan]

WashU Vball is not hosting either. Opens up the possibility for Wash U Men to host.

I believe WashU is in the same situation (both Vball and WSOC hosting)

WashU WSOC is not hosting, my guess was that MSOC is, but vball could throw a wrench into the mix.

Looking at the brackets it appeared that both were hosting (based on the top team in the group being the host) but neither were... apologies

[dontshootthegoose]

Looking at the North set up, I think the two best teams are in the Wheaton Quadrant with Wheaton and UWW.

Mac vs. CSS will be the best game of these teams. I think Mac has not really stepped outside of their comfort zone (their conference) and CSS has one of the easiest conferences in the nation. But I did watch CSS against Oshkosh, and if they play like that, this game could be a real good one.

St. Olaf and Oshkosh, I'm pretty confident in saying that the selection committee felt for Oshkosh. Not only by letting them in the tournament, but also for giving them Olaf. I think Oshkosh takes this one.

Wheaton vs. Lake Forest, this could be an ugly game. Lake forest is playing well, but it's tournament time at  Joe Bean Stadium for the Thunder.

UWW vs Rose. Don't know much about Rose, but glanced over their schedule and was highly unimpressed. I think the land of Caucasian water will win this one.

[lastguyoffthebench]

Good luck to the Duhawks this tournament.   Will the bracketology be set up yet again on the duhawk futbol page?

[D3 Scout]

Rose Hullman cannot be overlooked by UWW. This will be their second time traveling to Wheaton this year and you have to think the familiarity with the location will help them out. Looking at the box score of their earlier trip they were completely outplayed in front of 1300 fans. I think there might be 130 in the stands for this first round match and RH's experience against quality opponents (Wheaton, Chicago, DePauw) will help them out in this game.

All in all though I believe that UWW should take care of business in this first game. They have showed they can make the transition from grass to turf (beating Loras at Loras) and their ugly style of beating teams to death with long throws and free kicks transitions very well come tournament time.

UWW 1 Rose Hullman 0

A win by UWW and Wheaton will set up for a rematch of the second round last year. Wheaton thumped UWW 3-0.

[WarhawkFan]

Oshkosh got lucky to get in, but past results don't matter anymore and they've got one heck of a reason to want to make some noise in this tournament.  They're going to be a tough team to take down. 

CSS has a high powered offense and is always a wildcard since it's hard to judge how good they really are coming out of that conference.

Mac has the home field, which is incredibly helpful and only have 1 loss.  They've had 12 games decided by 1 or less goals (5 ties on the season) so it's always a game with them.

St. Olaf looks to be the team people might count out, but they're coming off a good MIAC tournament run in which they took down 2 teams they previously got beat by this season.  It's hard to beat a team twice in one season and if they get past UWO (who has a bit farther to travel) they could have the chance to take down a 3rd team who had beaten them in the regular season (Mac).

UWW who until the last week of their season looked to be targeting the spot that Loras is in (hosting/bye), ends up having to travel down to Wheaton where they were knocked out of the tournament last year.  They ended their season a little rough with a Tie @ UWO and a loss in OT @ UWP.  But they've taken down some good teams this year including each of the CCIW, MIAC, NACC and IIAC champions.  That plus seeing Loras get a bye should have them playing with a chip on their shoulder.

Rose Hulman is a team I'm not too familiar with but by the looks of their schedule they play to the ability of their opponent (1-1-1 vs tournament opponents all games decided by 1 or less goal... but not being able to easily handle weaker teams).  I expect them to give UWW a good game.

Lake Forest is the team I see as being 1 and done.  They didn't beat a single tournament team all season (although they did only fall 3-2 to UWW).  I don't think their schedule has prepared them for this caliber of soccer, and they drew Wheaton away. 

Wheaton at home is my favorite to come out of their group of 4.  Of their 6 blemishes (3 losses 3 ties) 4 of them (2 losses 2 ties) were against tournament teams and the 2 losses were to Loras (a bye team) and Wash U (a hosting team).  One of those ties was against Rose-Hulman who somehow hung in despite being outshot 34(15)-6(3).

Loras got the bye which I'm sure they were not expecting after their home loss to UWW, but they'll certainly take it. They beat 5 tournament teams during the season, and 2 of their 3 DIII losses were also against tournament teams.  Loras is a program that knows how to play in the NCAA tournament, and home field advantage should see them through this pod. 

Carthage is an unbelievably inconsistent team (that got lucky to make the tournament due to Wheaton losing in a shootout in the conference tournament) that beat Wash U, tied Chicago, and lost by 1 to UWW yet lost to teams like Concordia Moorhead and Illinois Tech.  Who knows which team shows up against Ohio Northern, but even if they manage to get past them, I doubt they put two good performances up in a row and Loras trounces them at home.

Ohio Northern is another team that didn't play a lot of tournament teams this year (although several teams that must have fallen just outside of the bubble).  I can see them taking Carthage, but again falling to Loras in the Rock Bowl.

[Footy23]

Rose Hulman is a team that finds success from working together. They like 9/10 players behind the ball and hold a low line of confrontation, but they have the ability to strike quickly from the counter. They are very disciplined and like to keep possession, but have no problem giving up possession to superior teams (Wheaton) in order to keep their shape. They have yet to play a team this year with the direct style of play like uww. They will be able to score once or twice off a counter from a uww set piece, but will it be enough in the end? I look forward to seeing two completely different styles of play going head to head.

Onu vs Carthage will be a matchup between two teams that have yet to consistently live up to the potential their teams possess. I have a feeling we will be seeing quite a few goals in Ada on Thursday with the polar bears coming out on top.

[Wisco21]

WarhawkFan and Goose, I like your predictions.

Regarding the decision to give UWO a bid, I just want to say one thing, put it to bed, and enjoy the feast of matches this month. While I acknowledge that the Titans may have been "lucky" or "pitied", I also believe they were deserving of a bid. Not trying to put words in your mouth and say you guys don't think they are. It's just that I can pick out 25-30 teams who are deserving of those 19 spots, and I wish that all had a chance to finish out their season in the dance. And for the record, even I counted out UWO after Macalester and others were upset in their conference tournaments!

Predictions for the weekend:

UWW 3, RH 1 - Like most of you, I haven't the slightest idea of Rose. Footy, appreciate the insight! I feel after a rocky end to the season, UWW finds their rhythm once again.

Wheaton 3, Lake Forest 0 - After a frustrating conference tournament, I believe (like UWW) Wheaton starts to really turn it on.

UWO 0, St. Olaf 0 - UWO's possession style gets caught in the physical MIAC muck. This match screams OT and penalties. I hope UWO can pull it off but I always get the heebee jeebees when it comes down to PK's. Undecided.

Macalester 2, CSS 2 - Have a feeling this one may get wild, always hard to beat a team twice. I think Mac's organization exposes the Saint's subpar defense, but Scholastica's attackers will find a way through as well. Taking CSS on penalties.

[WarhawkFan]

Wisco21 don't get me wrong, I actually think it gives the tournament a little extra excitement and they can definitely handle their own.  I'd like nothing more than for this to help them keep their program.  I think them losing their program is bad for the former WIAC, bad for local soccer, and bad for D3 soccer in general.  I would hate to see the rivalry that UWW and UWO have disappear as it was always the game I had marked on my schedule when I was playing.

[casualfan]

I too cannot believe that UW-Oshkosh made it in the tourney, but they've found themselves with a favorable pod in my opinion. I believe their pod is better draw than the pod that UW-Whitewater received. Wouldn't at all mind a UWW-UWO game in the Sweet 16!

UWW 2, Rose-Hulman 1 (OT) - I think Hottsmith finds himself in good positions for most of the match and comes away with at least 1 and a set piece goal to win in OT. UWW can be scored on through the counter & Footy31 mentions R-H can score through the counter-attack. Not at all confident in this pick.

Wheaton 2, Lake Forest 0 - Think this one is much worse than 2-0 but Lake Forest keeps it relatively close. Wheaton advances without much of a challenge.

UWO 1, St. Olaf 0 - Despite St. Olaf's improbable run to make it this far, I think UWO will have their way with them. UWO doesn't give up many goals, but I don't see them blowing St. Olaf out either.

Macalester 0, CSS 1 - Somewhat of an upset, but I've been waiting for CSS to put it together to make somewhat of a run in the tourney. I think this is their best chance thus far as Macalester seems to always find themselves in close games and CSS is a physical team who can score goals. Sounds like a bad matchup at this point in the year.

[dontshootthegoose]

Games for tomorrow,

UWW 2, Rose-Hulman 1. This will be a better game than I once thought. Did some research on Hulman and they don't get scored on easily. But they will struggle with UWW's dead balls and direct style. For being a highly ranked regional team, this was not a respectable draw for UWW.

Wheaton 4, Lake forest 0- I think this is one of the most lopsided games in the tournament. It's tournament time for the Thunder.

UWO 2, St. Olaf 0. UWO has a very stingy defense and they can move the ball well. Plus they have something to play for.

Ohio Wesleyan 3, MSOE 1. Although I think Wesleyan is a little overrated, MSOE plays 11v2 every game. The andryk brothers are extremely impressive, but that's all I can really say about MSOE.

[d3fan1]

How did Loras get a bye??

[KICKIN95]

How did Loras get a bye??

#1 in the region and a very high SOS.  You seem to think they aren't deserving of any credit or respect, but others with vast knowledge and history on these boards have them either winning it all or at least in the final 4

[d3fan1]

I knew that would get a rise out of you Kickin, I haven't been on here for a few years, so I thought I would start things off w.ith a bang. I know very well that Loras has a great program with a great tradition. I do wonder though how the number 1 team in the nation, Calvin, doesn't get a bye and has to travel to OWU.

[KICKIN95]

I knew that would get a rise out of you Kickin, I haven't been on here for a few years, so I thought I would start things off w.ith a bang. I know very well that Loras has a great program with a great tradition. I do wonder though how the number 1 team in the nation, Calvin, doesn't get a bye and has to travel to OWU.

My guess would be location (Calvin is a bit farther for the teams to travel and miles is money) and facilities for their lack of hosting.  All weather fields are getting the nod more often these days.

[d3fan1]

I will be at the Loras - Carthage game Sunday. Good luck to all you Duhawk fans, especially you Kickin. I expect to hear you going wild!