Mid-Atlantic Region 2016

[Falconer]

I finally saw a Messiah game in person last night, rather than streaming it.  Here's what I noticed.

First, McCarty is still trying various combinations to see what he likes best with a new roster.  This is business as usual for the first one-third to one-half of the season.  Partly the combinations were dictated by the major injury to freshman outside defender Shay Quintin (which happened vs Gettysburg) and the slowing of a couple of other guys, but partly I suspect it was just normal horse trading to see what happens.  Consequently another freshman defender, Cooper Robbins, started in the middle, a position he played quite often in high school, while freshman Brit Haseltine started at target--moving Nick West back to the wing where he played most of last year, and putting David Alejos on the bench for the first part of the game.  This latter move surprised me.  Alejos is probably the smallest player on the team, but he has about five different gears and he's usually very effective at breaking down outside defenders.  West might be just as fast, but he isn't as shifty.  It might be a way of getting more size into the overall lineup: Haseltine has plenty of bulk even though he's two steps slower than Alejos or West.  Or, it might be something less obvious.  We'll have to see what McCarty does next week vs Etown.

Echoing what Rudy said, Colby Thomas is a real presence.  After the health and injury problems he's had so far, it's great to see him at full speed.  He might be as fast as West and Alejos and no one has a better nose for the ball or a better knack of what to do with it when he has it.  He assisted on both of West's goals with perfect passes into or across the box, and his own goal was a rocket.  Colby is good at rockets.  IMO he is every bit as good as the best players on the great team of a few years ago, when he was given playing time mostly when Danny Brandt missed a month.  He doesn't have as many teammates at that level, but he's at that level and if he stays healthy his numbers are going to draw national attention.

[rudy]

I finally saw a Messiah game in person last night, rather than streaming it.  Here's what I noticed.

First, McCarty is still trying various combinations to see what he likes best with a new roster.  This is business as usual for the first one-third to one-half of the season.  Partly the combinations were dictated by the major injury to freshman outside defender Shay Quintin (which happened vs Gettysburg) and the slowing of a couple of other guys, but partly I suspect it was just normal horse trading to see what happens.  Consequently another freshman defender, Cooper Robbins, started in the middle, a position he played quite often in high school, while freshman Brit Haseltine started at target--moving Nick West back to the wing where he played most of last year, and putting David Alejos on the bench for the first part of the game.  This latter move surprised me.  Alejos is probably the smallest player on the team, but he has about five different gears and he's usually very effective at breaking down outside defenders.  West might be just as fast, but he isn't as shifty.  It might be a way of getting more size into the overall lineup: Haseltine has plenty of bulk even though he's two steps slower than Alejos or West.  Or, it might be something less obvious.  We'll have to see what McCarty does next week vs Etown.

Echoing what Rudy said, Colby Thomas is a real presence.  After the health and injury problems he's had so far, it's great to see him at full speed.  He might be as fast as West and Alejos and no one has a better nose for the ball or a better knack of what to do with it when he has it.  He assisted on both of West's goals with perfect passes into or across the box, and his own goal was a rocket.  Colby is good at rockets.  IMO he is every bit as good as the best players on the great team of a few years ago, when he was given playing time mostly when Danny Brandt missed a month.  He doesn't have as many teammates at that level, but he's at that level and if he stays healthy his numbers are going to draw national attention.

One thing I would like to see from Colby is a counter move. From all games I have watched he always goes wide using quick acceleration. Once defenders figure that out they will overplay him on that side. I have not seem him go inside or strike with his left foot. If he adds that dimension then he will really be a force

[rudy]

I finally saw a Messiah game in person last night, rather than streaming it.  Here's what I noticed.

First, McCarty is still trying various combinations to see what he likes best with a new roster.  This is business as usual for the first one-third to one-half of the season.  Partly the combinations were dictated by the major injury to freshman outside defender Shay Quintin (which happened vs Gettysburg) and the slowing of a couple of other guys, but partly I suspect it was just normal horse trading to see what happens.  Consequently another freshman defender, Cooper Robbins, started in the middle, a position he played quite often in high school, while freshman Brit Haseltine started at target--moving Nick West back to the wing where he played most of last year, and putting David Alejos on the bench for the first part of the game.  This latter move surprised me.  Alejos is probably the smallest player on the team, but he has about five different gears and he's usually very effective at breaking down outside defenders.  West might be just as fast, but he isn't as shifty.  It might be a way of getting more size into the overall lineup: Haseltine has plenty of bulk even though he's two steps slower than Alejos or West.  Or, it might be something less obvious.  We'll have to see what McCarty does next week vs Etown.

Echoing what Rudy said, Colby Thomas is a real presence.  After the health and injury problems he's had so far, it's great to see him at full speed.  He might be as fast as West and Alejos and no one has a better nose for the ball or a better knack of what to do with it when he has it.  He assisted on both of West's goals with perfect passes into or across the box, and his own goal was a rocket.  Colby is good at rockets.  IMO he is every bit as good as the best players on the great team of a few years ago, when he was given playing time mostly when Danny Brandt missed a month.  He doesn't have as many teammates at that level, but he's at that level and if he stays healthy his numbers are going to draw national attention.

One thing I would like to see from Colby is a counter move. From all games I have watched he always goes wide using quick acceleration. Once defenders figure that out they will overplay him on that side. I have not seem him go inside or strike with his left foot. If he adds that dimension then he will really be a force

I should say he may have that move but hasn't had to use it because his patented move has been working out quite well! I just have not seen it. A left foot shot would help with the angle ...si he could shoot or pass with right foot.

[Shooter McGavin]

F&M vs Rowan tonight might be the game of the year so far? I can't even predict the result. It definitely favors F&M to have it at home but WOW what a game this will be!

The other game to watch is Alvernia at Etown. Alvernia is desperate for a win and this might be the time they crack through. They will be playing an over confident Etown team so I am going with 2-1 in favor of Alvernia, despite the fact they have only scored 2 goals all season, have been shut out in their last 5 games and are 0-7 on the year. It's a bold pick but lets see if it pays off. This is a trap game for Etown as well, seeing that they are already looking ahead to their conference opener with Drew and the rivalry match with Messiah after that.

Other predictions...

Fords over Stockton 5-2
MW and Dickinson tie 2-2
Swat knocks of St. Marys 2-1

[rudy]

F&M vs Rowan tonight might be the game of the year so far? I can't even predict the result. It definitely favors F&M to have it at home but WOW what a game this will be!

The other game to watch is Alvernia at Etown. Alvernia is desperate for a win and this might be the time they crack through. They will be playing an over confident Etown team so I am going with 2-1 in favor of Alvernia, despite the fact they have only scored 2 goals all season, have been shut out in their last 5 games and are 0-7 on the year. It's a bold pick but lets see if it pays off. This is a trap game for Etown as well, seeing that they are already looking ahead to their conference opener with Drew and the rivalry match with Messiah after that.

Other predictions...

Fords over Stockton 5-2
MW and Dickinson tie 2-2
Swat knocks of St. Marys 2-1

I'm going with Rowan. Home field may save f&m but ..I think Rowan will overcome that. Does F&m play on grass or artificial?

[Mid-Atlantic Fan]

Rowan takes down F&M on the road 2-1 after trailing early. Both teams missed critical PKs in the final 10 minutes of play. Heck of a game but edge to Rowan throughout. They are a dangerous team.

Etown handled Alvernia with ease in a 2-0 route. Alvernia is almost to self-destruct mode if they haven't already hit it.

Fords survive another overtime thriller narrowly escaping Stockton with a 1-0 win in double overtime with 1 minute remaining. Heart breaker for Stockton who needed a signature result.

Dickinson thumps Mary Washington 3-1 and is starting to get back on track, but is it a little too late for the Red Devils?

Swat survives St. Marys 3-2.

[Shooter McGavin]

Guess I was way off on the predictions! 

I watched the Rowan/F&M game and it was a good one. It had an NCAA tournament vibe to it and it was great to see two heavy weights battling back and forth. I would give Rowan the slight edge but both teams are very talented.

[rudy]

Guess I was way off on the predictions! 

I watched the Rowan/F&M game and it was a good one. It had an NCAA tournament vibe to it and it was great to see two heavy weights battling back and forth. I would give Rowan the slight edge but both teams are very talented.

One really big injury for F&M...leading scorer went out with shoulder injury. If he misses more games we may see some more unexpected results from F&M. I thought f&m had better play in 2nd half and came very close several times with an equalizer. Rowan outplayed them in first half which was sloppy I thought.

[oldford]

Rowan takes down F&M on the road 2-1 after trailing early. Both teams missed critical PKs in the final 10 minutes of play. Heck of a game but edge to Rowan throughout. They are a dangerous team.

Etown handled Alvernia with ease in a 2-0 route. Alvernia is almost to self-destruct mode if they haven't already hit it.

Fords survive another overtime thriller narrowly escaping Stockton with a 1-0 win in double overtime with 1 minute remaining. Heart breaker for Stockton who needed a signature result.

Dickinson thumps Mary Washington 3-1 and is starting to get back on track, but is it a little too late for the Red Devils?

Swat survives St. Marys 3-2.

[oldford]

Fords have been without Corkery almost all season.

[Mid-Atlantic Fan]

Fords have been without Corkery almost all season.

Is he out for the year? I noticed he hadn't played this season.

[backyarddawg]

Heard he got hurt in the Brandeis game--

Anyone know the injury?

[rudy]

Messiah ties Misericordia, ETown ties Drew, and F&M ties Washington (a sub .500 team at home??). 
The day of the ties. 

[backyarddawg]

Poll predictions this week?

[Mid-Atlantic Fan]

Mid-Atlantic Predictions
1. F&M
2. Fords
3. Messiah
4. Scranton
5. Etown
6. Lycoming
7. Gettysburg
8. Eastern
9. Leb Val
10. JHU

MAF Power Rankings
1. F&M
2. Fords
3. Messiah
4. Lyco
5. Scranton
6. Etown
7. Gettysburg
8. Eastern
9. Leb Val
10. Swarthmore