2016 Great Lakes Region

[PaulNewman]

GCC's high pressure pays off. GCC moves ahead 2-1. 5:00 to go.

That seems like a bit of a generous interpretation of what happened and the overall balance of play, but congrats on a good win!

[D3soccerwatcher]

Huge win for Grove City knocking off #17 CMU in a 2-1 battle.

[Domino1195]

As Craig Kilborne would say at the end of each episode of The Daily Show: "So what have we learned?"

The individual skills of the CM players was superior to that GC the players; their passing, their team play, their ability to receive a ball under pressure and find a teammate's feet - superior. They dominated the first 15 minutes of the game so much I thought it would be a blow-out after they got their goal. I can't point to "that" moment when GC got into the game, but they settled down and got the ball forward, taking advantage of one opportunity to level the game.  Second half pretty much a repeat of the first with CM controlling the initial part of the half, GC exerting more of their will on the game in the latter part.  And then one huge mistake - one that is drilled into U10 player's heads - you don't pass the ball back to the keeper on goal.

The will to win, taking advantage of mistakes, the 90 minute grind that is college soccer - all on display last night. I'm having some fun conversations with our freshman parents. They wonder where the "beautiful game" went - why possession is difficult to maintain versus club ball. It took me two years to understand - and accept - The Grind. I am starting to appreciate the qualities of teams that understand The Grind - tenacious pursuit of the ball when you don't have it, sharing the ball with teammates ( "black holes" are a common cause of losses in games I've seen this year - and THAT was not the problem for CM yesterday) - and perhaps most importantly - playing intensely for the full 90 minutes.

[Domino1195]

Half time at Thomas More - 6pm -  87 degrees in the shade . . . Cap with the only SOG for either team - scores a header off a corner 1-0.

[Domino1195]

Capital finishes the game 2-0. Second half got a little ugly with some very poor officiating - but credit to the players for not letting things boil over. Much better possession and movement for Cap in second half - TM without senior #12 all game - post game found out he had concussion symptoms after the Transy game - hope he returns soon.

TM vs Waynesberg in a couple weeks - minimum 2 red cards. Zero discipline by either coach to stem the crass trash talking by their teams - TM is too talented to resort to street tactics - until they get back to playing soccer they will continue to suffer.

OWU scores off a long serve (FK) and redirects into left corner for a 1-0 lead. With 20 seconds left the OWU keeper makes an ill-advised challenge for a ball at the top of the 18 - fails to win the ball and Denison scores into an empty net. Final 1-1. 45 combined shots - a grind in the midfield for the portion of the game I saw - OWU's lack of height could be a problem defending crosses in conference play.

Noticed Denison did not start #5 tonight. His selfish play, inability to even look at a teammate while he had the ball, finally was recognized by the coaching staff. Kudos to the staff for having the courage to bench a black hole. When #5 understands how to be a part of a team again (key contributor last year) Denison can finish in the top 4.

Oberlin takes a step forward in the battle for 3rd in the NCAC.

Otterbein wins 3-0 at Earlham - given the early results achieved by Earlham a tip of the cap to the Cards.

[D3soccerwatcher]

As Craig Kilborne would say at the end of each episode of The Daily Show: "So what have we learned?"

The individual skills of the CM players was superior to that GC the players; their passing, their team play, their ability to receive a ball under pressure and find a teammate's feet - superior. They dominated the first 15 minutes of the game so much I thought it would be a blow-out after they got their goal. I can't point to "that" moment when GC got into the game, but they settled down and got the ball forward, taking advantage of one opportunity to level the game.  Second half pretty much a repeat of the first with CM controlling the initial part of the half, GC exerting more of their will on the game in the latter part.  And then one huge mistake - one that is drilled into U10 player's heads - you don't pass the ball back to the keeper on goal.

The will to win, taking advantage of mistakes, the 90 minute grind that is college soccer - all on display last night. I'm having some fun conversations with our freshman parents. They wonder where the "beautiful game" went - why possession is difficult to maintain versus club ball. It took me two years to understand - and accept - The Grind. I am starting to appreciate the qualities of teams that understand The Grind - tenacious pursuit of the ball when you don't have it, sharing the ball with teammates ( "black holes" are a common cause of losses in games I've seen this year - and THAT was not the problem for CM yesterday) - and perhaps most importantly - playing intensely for the full 90 minutes.

For all your claimed superiority of CMU over GCC, the facts seem to paint a slightly different picture.   The game stats were remarkably even...with the only actual significant differences being final score and yellow cards issued.

FINAL SCORE:
GCC - 2
CMU - 1

SHOTS:
GCC - 8
CMU - 11

SOG:
GCC - 4
CMU - 4

SAVES:
GCC - 3
CM - 2

CORNER KICKS:
GCC - 3
CMU - 3

OFFSIDE:
GCC - 0
CMU - 2

YELLOW CARDS:
GCC- 0
CMU - 3

As for "that" turning point in the game, it happened in the first half.  Very shortly after CMU scored, GCC made what I thought was a difficult but very smart move.  They changed their system of play in the middle of the half and also applied increased pressure.  And that made a significant difference and got them back into the game.  CMU never countered the change, so GCC's tactical change paid off.   Changing your system of play mid-period takes planning and advanced team preparation, which it appeared GCC had done. 

[Domino1195]

"There are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies, and statistics."

As Craig Kilborne would say at the end of each episode of The Daily Show: "So what have we learned?"

The individual skills of the CM players was superior to that GC the players; their passing, their team play, their ability to receive a ball under pressure and find a teammate's feet - superior. They dominated the first 15 minutes of the game so much I thought it would be a blow-out after they got their goal. I can't point to "that" moment when GC got into the game, but they settled down and got the ball forward, taking advantage of one opportunity to level the game.  Second half pretty much a repeat of the first with CM controlling the initial part of the half, GC exerting more of their will on the game in the latter part.  And then one huge mistake - one that is drilled into U10 player's heads - you don't pass the ball back to the keeper on goal.

The will to win, taking advantage of mistakes, the 90 minute grind that is college soccer - all on display last night. I'm having some fun conversations with our freshman parents. They wonder where the "beautiful game" went - why possession is difficult to maintain versus club ball. It took me two years to understand - and accept - The Grind. I am starting to appreciate the qualities of teams that understand The Grind - tenacious pursuit of the ball when you don't have it, sharing the ball with teammates ( "black holes" are a common cause of losses in games I've seen this year - and THAT was not the problem for CM yesterday) - and perhaps most importantly - playing intensely for the full 90 minutes.

For all your claimed superiority of CMU over GCC, the facts seem to paint a slightly different picture.   The game stats were remarkably even...with the only actual significant differences being final score and yellow cards issued.

FINAL SCORE:
GCC - 2
CMU - 1

SHOTS:
GCC - 8
CMU - 11

SOG:
GCC - 4
CMU - 4

SAVES:
GCC - 3
CM - 2

CORNER KICKS:
GCC - 3
CMU - 3

OFFSIDE:
GCC - 0
CMU - 2

YELLOW CARDS:
GCC- 0
CMU - 3

As for "that" turning point in the game, it happened in the first half.  Very shortly after CMU scored, GCC made what I thought was a difficult but very smart move.  They changed their system of play in the middle of the half and also applied increased pressure.  And that made a significant difference and got them back into the game.  CMU never countered the change, so GCC's tactical change paid off.   Changing your system of play mid-period takes planning and advanced team preparation, which it appeared GCC had done. 

"There are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies, and statistics." As with most of my posts I comment on what I see on the field - how the teams play this year, right now.  Sorry if you took offense at the commentary about style of play, but CMU was much cleaner with their touches and individual skill - on this day.  Yet they lost . . .

I pointed to this game specifically as an example of a match-up of a historical presence versus a current presence. Every year some teams rise to outperform their history while historically dominant teams have a down year.  Muhlenberg in 2014 an example of the former, Wheaton Ill 2016, perhaps, an example of the latter?

Look at the qualifying phrases used by we pundits who write here for each type of team.  They amount to "I see what you are doing on the field Mr. 7-1 but I still don't believe in you".  GC "should" - or "could" run the table up to the TM game.  Based on the way TM is playing right now - that could be a very interesting game.

[D3soccerwatcher]

I presented facts. There really were 3 corner kicks per team.  CMU really did recieve 3 yellow cards.  The score really was 2-1. And so forth. These are facts, not "lies".

You presented your opinion.  Which you are entitled to, and which we all do from time to time on these boards. But to say (or at a minimum strongly imply) that the facts I presented were somehow inaccurate or full of "lies" is in and of itself a misrepresentation.  Your opinion, is simply that. I respect your point of view, and am happy that so many are willing to share their points-of-view in this forum. But the facts are still the facts. How we interpret the facts is up to each of us and part of what makes these conversations so interesting. But the facts themselves never change.

[Domino1195]

I presented facts. There really were 3 corner kicks per team.  CMU really did recieve 3 yellow cards.  The score really was 2-1. And so forth. These are facts, not "lies".

You presented your opinion.  Which you are entitled to, and which we all do from time to time on these boards. But to say (or at a minimum strongly imply) that the facts I presented were somehow inaccurate or full of "lies" is in and of itself a misrepresentation.  Your opinion, is simply that. I respect your point of view, and am happy that so many are willing to share their points-of-view in this forum. But the facts are still the facts. How we interpret the facts is up to each of us and part of what makes these conversations so interesting. But the facts themselves never change.

I was not calling you a liar - I thought the quote - attributed to Mark Twain (he said he got it from someone else) - would be understood for the humor it has always represented.  Here's another from every stats teacher: "Figures don't lie - but liars figure!" You and I might be in agreement  that many opinions/rankings are based on reading numbers versus watching games.  Numbers tell part of the story - seeing the performance of teams tells another.

I watched the entire game - I saw GC play twice, have seen CM play three times (including the entire game against John Carroll yesterday).  My only opinion is that the skill level of the CM players was superior - on this day, in this game, on that field.  They trapped better, their first touch was better, they passed better - based on what I saw.  I thought GC played better against PS-Behrand - and I had been saying all week that this game would be even. I think GC's will-to-win was the difference on Friday. I think - if they don't get ahead of themselves, suffer serious injury, etc. - they will not lose up to the TM game.  Based on how TM is playing right now - GC has a legitimate chance to win the PrAC.

[Ryan Harmanis]

I only caught the first half and a bit of the second of CMU-GC, but after watching I would put both teams well below Kenyon and Ohio Northern. So I'd say those two (Kenyon and ONU) have separated from the pack, and CMU, OWU, GC, and Oberlin are in the next group for now. Capital can stake a claim against OWU on Wednesday.

GC picked up a good win and showed they can play with better competition, which should give them momentum for conference play. It's always good to get a win when you pull a crowd, too, because they're more likely to come back. I still think, barring a perfect rest of the season, that a Pool C bid is off the table, if only because the SoS is going to be a train wreck.

[D3soccerwatcher]

Yes - GCC will probably need to win the conference to advance.  Doesn't the PAC usually only send one team to the tourney?  But I do agree -- GCC does have good momentum now which should help them as they enter conference play.

[PaulNewman]

Baldwin-Wallace (3-7) 1, Grove City 0

[Ryan Harmanis]

Baldwin-Wallace (3-7) 1, Grove City 0

Even stats too. Even accounting for a letdown game, losing to a 2-7 (at the time) team should put to bed any discussion of an at-large. Also knocks GC way down (or out of) the regional rankings, as B-W looks set to be at the bottom of the OAC.

[PaulNewman]

CWRU 1, Kenyon 0 OT

Memories of DePauw last year.  CWRU played an excellent game.  GK was very good although Lords blew a number of in-close chances.  Might have been CWRU's only shot on goal.

Kenyon presses so much and gets so many numbers up that when they go a couple of minutes on attack and/or up for set pieces they are really open on the counter. 

[Domino1195]

Baldwin-Wallace (3-7) 1, Grove City 0

Almost a reverse of their game against CMU - GCC had their way with possession for much of the first half, BW had everyone behind the ball. There were moments when GCC's backs were standing on the ball at midfield - even entering the attacking half - with no pressure from BW. BW played better in the second half - getting forward and creating sone chances. When GCC got forward they seemed to lose poise and patience, settling for a less dangerous shot.  A very quick counter attack outlet pass down the right wing - BW player cuts left into the area and curls a nice shot into the back corner. And that's all she wrote . . .