2015 NCAA Tournament Dark Horse Predictions

[WarhawkFan]

My Dark Horse pick for this tournament is MSOE.  They have one of the more difficult paths IMO but they've got something special this year and I'm pulling for them to make a run.  Last year was their first ever tournament appearance and they had an early exit due to a PK loss against hosting Wartburg in the first round.  They're a little more experienced this year and this won't be the first NCAA game (which is always intimidating) for many of their players. 

The Andryk brothers are a two-headed monster who are BOTH averaging over a goal a game (Logan is averaging over 3 points per game, and Braden is averaging over 2.5 points per game).  If you want to beat MSOE you're going to have to keep them off the score sheet which is no easy task.  This is Logan's last year so you can bet he and his brother (and a team that's learned to rely on him for 4 years) are going to leave everything on the field. MSOE might not see 2 players of his/his brother's caliber in the same year again for some time. 

[Footy23]

St. Scholastica has been knocking on the door for a few years now and this looks like their year to make some noise.

Thomas More (can they be considered a dark horse??)...Still haven't gotten over witnessing their throttling of OWU back in September (I know, awhile ago) plus they just have that swagger to them that they are destined for big things. This should be the year for them to prove to everyone that they are the real deal come November. 6th straight ncaa appearance and they have not gotten out of the second round yet with each loss during this span coming by a goal or on pk's

[lastguyoffthebench]

MSOE over Calvin

Might seem like I'm hating on Calvin, but that is not the case.   The incredibly impressive win streak stays in tact though by way of PKs

Cabrini is my dark horse.  They are organized and can be tough to break down.  Philly kids can bang with Amherst style of play...

W&L has some fire power and I think they take the Fords to OT...

Gotta go with RPI as a dark-horse as well even though they have been falling off.

[D3 Scout]

University of Wisconsin Whitewater is my dark horse. After making a couple brief appearances in the top ten this year they have dropped down a bit and have been sent to Wheaton for their first two games. This team has beaten tournament teams Loras, MSOE, St. Olaf and Carthage (all of whom won their respective conferences).

UWW plays a direct style that is ugly at times but frustrates the best of teams. Countless numbers of free kicks and long throws pumped into the box all aimed at 6' 7" center back Justin Stanko will give any opposing coach nightmares.

The real difference this year from past years is that UWW has someone to lead the attack. Dylan Hottsmith has been a breath of fresh air for the Warhawks up top. He has 7g and 7a on the year and can create something out of nothing. Just ask Loras fans what they think of him after he single handedly beat 3 defenders and won the game in the last five minutes at the dreaded Rock Bowl. 

[Shooter McGavin]

Lycoming can knock off Amherst. They need to get through the weekend though.

[NEsoccerfan]

Depauw - when playing determined and motivated - can hang with any team in the country. I could see them making a run.

[Mr.Right]

Lycoming can knock off Amherst. They need to get through the weekend though.

I do not think so. Lycoming will play right into Amherst's hands. They lack the athleticism that Amherst has and the firepower. I could see a 3-0 or 4-1 scoreline. They will not know what hit them.

[Shooter McGavin]

Lycoming can knock off Amherst. They need to get through the weekend though.

I do not think so. Lycoming will play right into Amherst's hands. They lack the athleticism that Amherst has and the firepower. I could see a 3-0 or 4-1 scoreline. They will not know what hit them.

I disagree. Lycoming is athletic, fast, defends better than mostly anyone I have seen play over the past couple of years since Gibboney took over and they are tough. They can mix up their style to get the job done. I think that Amherst is overall bigger and better and probably more technical than any of the other teams in this pod, but I think it's an instant classic if these 2 teams meet (Amherst vs Lycoming) and I hope it happens. Lycoming hasn't given up more than 2 goals in a game all season and they have only conceded 2 goals twice this year. Add on the 12 shutouts and I would take them against most teams defensively. Amherst has firepower which is why I think it would be a great match-up. I would not anticipate a 3-0 or 4-1 scoreline.

Also I am sure most anticipated Lycoming to lose 3-0 or 4-0 vs Messiah in 2013 but they held them to a 0-0 draw and won in PKs. The regular season game that year vs Messiah was a 2-1 game so even against the best team in the country that year they only gave up a total of 2 goals in 2 games against the eventual national champions...and 2 years later some of those same players are still on this team which is far better than the 2013 team that beat Messiah. This will help them with the experience portion of the game which can be a big factor when teams have a lot of young players.

And to be clear I did not say Lycoming will beat Amherst...I said they could knock them off if they survive the weekend. 

[Mr.Right]

I do not think Lycoming gets by the winner of Rowan / Dickinson. If they do they better step on the field ready to battle for 90 minutes against Amherst or it will be like getting hit by a train as they will not be used to a team that are more athletic, more physical and have more weapons up top. When Amherst hits they hit hard and early goals are the norm. If Lycoming gives up a goal or 2 early forget it they will be cooked.

[SandyMac]

It's obviously a homer pick, but I really think SLU can make a run this year.  Seems like most poeple have them making it to the sweet 16 and falling to Haverford, but I could easily see them getting through the second weekend with a rock solid D and some pretty electric strikers.  Good mix of youth along the backline and young attacking talent.

Here we go Saints!

[Shooter McGavin]

I do not think Lycoming gets by the winner of Rowan / Dickinson. If they do they better step on the field ready to battle for 90 minutes against Amherst or it will be like getting hit by a train as they will not be used to a team that are more athletic, more physical and have more weapons up top. When Amherst hits they hit hard and early goals are the norm. If Lycoming gives up a goal or 2 early forget it they will be cooked.

As I said they need to survive the weekend. 

[d3fan1]

Carthage is very inconsistent, but I think they will beat Loras who is over rated and should have never gotten a bye!

[stlawus]

It's obviously a homer pick, but I really think SLU can make a run this year.  Seems like most poeple have them making it to the sweet 16 and falling to Haverford, but I could easily see them getting through the second weekend with a rock solid D and some pretty electric strikers.  Good mix of youth along the backline and young attacking talent.

Here we go Saints!

As our brother Saint of Old keeps saying, our depth gives us a HUGE advantage going into the tournament.  Our entire front 3 as well as the starting CMs are completely interchangeable off the bench.  When a lot of teams are wearing down at this point in the season, we still have the fresh legs. 

[NEPAFAN]

It's obviously a homer pick, but I really think SLU can make a run this year.  Seems like most poeple have them making it to the sweet 16 and falling to Haverford, but I could easily see them getting through the second weekend with a rock solid D and some pretty electric strikers.  Good mix of youth along the backline and young attacking talent.

Here we go Saints!

As our brother Saint of Old keeps saying, our depth gives us a HUGE advantage going into the tournament.  Our entire front 3 as well as the starting CMs are completely interchangeable off the bench.  When a lot of teams are wearing down at this point in the season, we still have the fresh legs.

Why are they playing at 11am and not "prime time" at 130?

[stlawus]

They've always played at 11 in the opening round, not sure why but it's been like that every year.