2015 Mid Atlantic Region

[PaulNewman]

Will be somewhere between very surprised and stunned if Messiah doesn't win the AQ.  And riding that momentum no one will want to play them.  I'm sure all Messiah teams face pressure to live up to the reputation of the program, but one would think the pressure would be different this year, coming at the tournament in more of a dangerous underdog role instead of a Messiah 50/50 versus the rest of the field. 

[Mr.Right]

Alot of pipe dreams being thrown around in this region which I understand because of loyalties to teams.

Camden MUST get the AQ. Same as last year, mid season swoon killed them. Playing like one of the best NJAC teams now but they must win AQ.

W&L with that weak SOS I would find VERY hard to argue they will get ranked.

Dickinson can control it's own destiny a bit liked I talked about in the UAA thread because of the opportunities presented to them with playing ranked teams in the coming weeks. However, I do not think they can win those games realistically.

Messiah with a nice SOS might have a chance but not w/o that ranked win.

[D3soccerwatcher]

In the 29 times Messiah has played Lycoming in program history, Lycoming has won 3 times and never beaten Messiah twice in the same season. As good as Lycoming is right now they do not have experience in big games and Messiah has tons of it. Plus Messiah is coming in as bit of an underdog...an extra motivational factor given the expectations year in and year out on this program. I think Messiah will win the AQ. Lycoming will still get it in Pool C. That's my thoughts. But conversely the conf final will be on that small field at Lycoming and they are one of the top fouling teams in the nation so there will be little room for Messiah to avoid the physical play, so Lycoming will be able to play their game.  Lycoming has virtually the same number of fouls as they do total shots for the season (they are also among the top teams in the nation in yellow cards averaging over 2 per game)- that speaks to style of play that many purists don't like but has and could continue to help them win. We will know the real answer to all this one week from now. It should be interesting.

[Mr.Right]

This is my point about Midd and Amherst and I guess Lycoming who I have not seen play. Teams that play physical and are fouling can / will take more skillful teams out of their rhythm.

[Mid-Atlantic Fan]

This is my point about Midd and Amherst and I guess Lycoming who I have not seen play. Teams that play physical and are fouling can / will take more skillful teams out of their rhythm.

Agreed Mr. Right. I've seen most of the teams in this region and by no means is Lycoming a dirty team. They press defensively and turn opponents over and maybe get a foul called when they miss a tackle but to insinuate that they are dirty is childish. No wonder you have -45 karma.

[Mr.Right]

I didn't say they were "dirty". IThe other guy did. I have not seen them play yet. I will say I LOVE teams that press and work extremely hard and if there are fouls then so be it. That is different than what the other guy was implying

[Mid-Atlantic Fan]

And if you can find a team that has beaten Measiah twice in the same season in the last 15 years by all mean share but that's a fact that means nothing seeing that no one has probably beaten Messih twice in the same season or even get to face them twice in the same season. You're ruining the boards with this bogus stuff.

[Mid-Atlantic Fan]

I didn't say they were "dirty". IThe other guy did. I have not seen them play yet. I will say I LOVE teams that press and work extremely hard and if there are fouls then so be it. That is different than what the other guy was implying

Oh i know my first part where I agreed with you was for you the other part was for D3 soccer watcher. Should have been more clear with that my mistake. That's why I put-45 karma in which you don't have but he does. Thought that was enough clarification 

[D3soccerwatcher]

Please read my post again.  I never said Lycoming was dirty and never placed any kind of judgment on the facts (I try very hard to only post accurate facts).  I don't make up the stats I just report them.  To what extent a team's stats reflect their play...you'll have to determine that for yourself.  I did describe they play as "physical", but we probably agree on that.  Also I did say soccer purist probably won't like the fouling/YC's - and I'm sure we can agree that is true.  But I also acknowledge that this type of play can and does work and it can have an impact.  It's very viable and there's nothing "wrong" with it.  It's a part of the game.  You interpret the style as high defensive energy and pressing and that's a very valid opinion.  I never actually gave my opinion...you assumed I had an opinion and you tried to articulate for me.

Lycoming is a very good team who have a ton of quality wins this season...they also have been called for a lot of fouls and been issued a lot of yellow cards relative to the other hundreds of D3 soccer teams this year (that's simply a fact).   Interpretation of what that may or may not mean is up to you.  I'll just keep trying to report the facts.

[D3soccerwatcher]

And if you can find a team that has beaten Measiah twice in the same season in the last 15 years by all mean share but that's a fact that means nothing seeing that no one has probably beaten Messih twice in the same season or even get to face them twice in the same season. You're ruining the boards with this bogus stuff.

Teams that have played Messiah twice in the same year...
2014 - Alvernia, Lycoming
2013 - Lycoming,
2012 - Alvernia, LVC
2011 - Elizabethtown, Alvernia
2010 - Elizabethtown, LVC
2009 - LVC, Arcadia
2008 - Lycoming, Widener

I'll stop there, but there are many more.  You are correct, as least in the past 7 seasons that I researched here, no one has beaten Messiah twice.   But many have had the opportunity, including Lycoming (three times), and no one has done it (yet) - that was my point.  I'm not saying it can't happen.  I'm just saying history says it is very hard for anyone  to do.  And I sided with history when giving my opinion of how the conf play-offs might pan out.  There's nothing "bogus" about that.

[Mid-Atlantic Fan]

Please read my post again.  I never said Lycoming was dirty and never placed any kind of judgment on the facts (I try very hard to only post accurate facts).  I don't make up the stats I just report them.  To what extent a team's stats reflect their play...you'll have to determine that for yourself.  I did describe they play as "physical", but we probably agree on that.  Also I did say soccer purist probably won't like the fouling/YC's - and I'm sure we can agree that is true.  But I also acknowledge that this type of play can and does work and it can have an impact.  It's very viable and there's nothing "wrong" with it.  It's a part of the game.  You interpret the style as high defensive energy and pressing and that's a very valid opinion.  I never actually gave my opinion...you assumed I had an opinion and you tried to articulate for me.

Lycoming is a very good team who have a ton of quality wins this season...they also have been called for a lot of fouls and been issued a lot of yellow cards relative to the other hundreds of D3 soccer teams this year (that's simply a fact).   Interpretation of what that may or may not mean is up to you.  I'll just keep trying to report the facts.

Nice cover up. You would be a good journalist. This is the 4th or 5th time you have brought up this same topic/point about Lycoming. And as i said you are "insinuating" that they are a dirty team or else there would be no need to keep mentioning this. I have finally taken the bait on it so let us discuss it then?

And as for the teams who have played them twice its been all conference opponents who then face them again in the conference tournament. And I asked if you could find a team that has beaten Messiah twice in the last 15...not a list of who they played regular season and conference playoffs. The closest to that happening was probably in 2013.

You are entitled to your opinion by all means so here is mine...you're a Messiah bias and anti-any other school besides Messiah. You are singling out Lycoming in particular because you feel threatened by them. They have taken down your Messiah twice in the last 3 years which isn't a typical occurrence. All of that is fine but I own up to a team I follow when they struggle or slip up. I do not try and cover for them. If you read previously I attended grad school at Eastern...so I tend to cheer for them. But I have no problem saying they have struggled as of late and really botched their chances. Their SOS is horrid, record is outstanding and RvR is solid. But they also will now be the #2 seed in the Freedom playoffs and have to travel to Kings again if they both make the final...a place that they just lost. I am worried about them in playoffs because I do not think their resume is good enough for an at-large berth this year. I have no problem saying that. But you my friend still think this is the Messiah of old and I can assure you they are not. Trust me I think they will get to that level again in the next 2 years, but not right now.

And to say that Lycoming does not have the experience that Messiah has is absurd. Both teams faced off in the conference final last year. Currently there are players on Lycoming's roster that were on the team and played against Messiah in 2013 when they upset them. Is that not experience? Also, both teams graduated arguably their best classes in each program's history. So IMO, both are equals in that category.

Don't make outrageous claims then expect no one to put you in your place. Anybody that has read my posts this season knows that I do not respond in this tone, but when you shout clueless ideas around you get a good response. There is a ton of soccer to be played yet so to even say there will be a Lycoming Messiah final is pushing it as anything can happen and to say Lycoming will host also comes down to today's matches. Bite your tongue before you speak next time.

[Shooter McGavin]

I didn't say they were "dirty". IThe other guy did. I have not seen them play yet. I will say I LOVE teams that press and work extremely hard and if there are fouls then so be it. That is different than what the other guy was implying

I have seen Lycoming play Mr. Right and I think you would enjoy their style of play. As for D3soccerwatcher guy...you're a loser man. MAF don't feed into his idiocracy. It's not worth anyone's time.

[lastguyoffthebench]

Drew stumbles vs Moravian.   Catholic steals 4th seed in Landmark

[lastguyoffthebench]

Eastern loses to FDU Florham and will likely be the 3 seed.  Miseri must win or Manhattanville earns th 4th seed

[lastguyoffthebench]

Kings vs Manhattanville
FDU-Florham vs Eastern