UAA 2017

[4samuy]

How many teams will be coming out of the UAA this year? 4? 5? 3?

Most likely: Chicago, Brandeis, Emory, CMU

Maybe: Rochester

Stretch: Wash U, NYU

Out: Case Western

I caught the Emory game at Chicago last week.  Although Chicago didn't seem to play all that well, in my opinion it was a loss that was probably good for them in the long run.  That being said Emory looked absolutely legit.  Big, strong and pretty athletic with upper class men at important spots on the pitch.

[Mr.Right]

Emory pounding NYU 5-0 in the 2nd Half....I am interested in checking out this Chicago v CMU match now.

[Mr.Right]

Case up 1-0 at Wash U in the 1st Half

[Mr.Right]

I did not realize how young Chicago is..Only 2 seniors and 1 of them gets very little action...Bright future in Chicago...

[Mr.Right]

Chicago's #9 Lopez is very active...Kid looks like a player for sure

[Mr.Right]

Chicago all over CMU and have a couple dangerous looks..This is how CMU looked at Brandeis last weekend to start the match as well...Flat, not working very hard, and uninterested. I will say Chicago looks to have more talent but CMU looked pretty good 2nd half at Brandeis..I like this #17 Adeosun as he is quite an athlete will skill...

[Mr.Right]

Ok now CMU starting to pick it up as they have had a couple good chances now. 0-0 about 25 minutes in.

[Mr.Right]

Chicago v CMU is 0-0 at the Half..First 20 minutes Chicago was all over CMU and had a couple decent chances but nothing really dangerous. The last 25 minutes have been relatively even. Game does not have a ton of flow right now because there have been a ton of fouls as both teams playing physically. When Chicago went to its bench their play dropped off a bit. Both teams look a bit thin on their benches. Chicago is a legit team with tons of athleticism and a couple guys like Lopez and Adeosun with legit skill. Lopez looks like a natural striker with athleticism, speed and looks like a finisher. They are solid and athletic in the back and have decent size. Not sure how skilled some of the backs are as a couple times they just whacked it when a short diagonal ball would have worked. Their GK came out of net to stop a 1/2 breakaway of sorts but other than that he has not been tested so I cannot tell if he is a strong GK. Chicago is a legit team but if they had maybe 1 more creative midfielder or a 1v1 guy on the flank they would be that much better. Let's see what the 2nd half brings and if CMU picks it up a bit.

[Mr.Right]

Chicago goes up 1-0 w minutes into the 2nd Half. Maybe I was wrong as #10 Koh looks like that other creative midfielder I was looking for..Off a giveaway by CMU Koh gives a great thru ball to #13 Holquist who finishes nicely with his left foot..Let's see if Chicago can keep its foot on the gas. Koh is playing well to start the half as he did not do much 1st half.

[Mr.Right]

CMU's #18 Gulli with a dangerous free kick that was heading into the net but a nice save by Chicago's GK

[Mr.Right]

Horrible foul by CMU in the box off a set piece and it gives Chicago a PK.  #10 Koh rips it right down the middle which takes guts and buries it...2-0 Chicago 35 minutes left and Chicago oin total control right now. CMU will start to have to push numbers forward to get back into this game. Chicago is the better team and frankly if CMU plays like this they are not an NCAA team IMO and do not have the resume to get in.

[Mr.Right]

Man Chicago;s Lopez has some legit skill..he looks like 1 of the best D3 players in the country especially with his skill, speed, athleticism. If he is finishing his chances than you would have to say he is one of the best players in D3.

[Mr.Right]

CMU goes down to 10 men when #6 Bellwoar gets his 2nd yellow. Pretty dirty challenge and CMU is starting to get more chippy as they know they are not winning this game. 2-0 Chicago about 15 minutes left

[Mr.Right]

Chicago beats CMU 3-0 in total domination.

Chicago tacks on another as #10 Koh gets his 2nd goal of the game with a nice finish on his left peg..Also, a nice dummy by #12 Scofield for Koh to then finish. Chicago has really dominated this game and I am very impressed with this Chicago side as with Lopez, Adeosun, Koh and Scofield they have plenty of skill. I would like to watch them again as I want to get another look before I predict a deep NCAA run. I would love to see them against a side that would press their backs more and see how they handle that. CMU a disappointing showing and their season at 8-3-1 (1-2-0) is hanging by a thread. They did not look particularly good tonight. Looking forward to the Chicago at Brandeis game in 2 weeks in Waltham.

In other UAA action:

Emory rolls over NYU 5-0.

UR gets a big win over Brandeis 1-0. UR at 8-2-2(2-1-0) are right back in the conversation with a win against a regionally ranked team. However, after their game v NYU on Sunday they do finish with 4 difficult road games at Brockport, at CMU, at Case and at Emory.

Wash U comes back from 1-0 down to beat Case 2-1 to end their 3 game losing streak and keep their season alive. That might just have put the nail in Case's season at 5-6-2 and 1-2-0 unless they win their last 5 games starting with Chicago on Sunday their final 5 games will be against teams that will all be regionally ranked. I seriously doubt they can accomplish that as the team that I predict will have the best SOS at the end of the season will not get a Pool C as they could not win enough games.

[blue_jays]

Ahead of conference play starting this weekend, I am interested to see everyone's predictions for what the standings will look like at the end. My predictions:

1. Chicago - Only graduating Desai and returning Koh & Lopez up top is scary. Along with Drablos, Capatosto and Bonin, I don't see Chicago not winning the UAA outright.
2. Carnegie Mellon - Watched two of their games so far and they look impressive. Very young team but don't see them topping Chicago over 7 games. Make an alum proud 
3. Brandeis - Ocel, Hernandez and Flahive should be able to show some leadership and lead the Judges into the tournament come November. Interested to see how their style of play will change with Coven gone.
4. Wash U - Have won some big games this season so far and have shown they can hang with the best. Watched their game (win) against Wheaton, a quality opponent, and was not impressed with their style of play. However, style of play doesn't win games, goals do.
5. Emory - Not much competition down south for out of conference games but they always seem to show up in the UAA.
6. CWRU - Similar to Wash U in the sense that have shown up for games against great teams, but differ in that they don't get results. That won't help against teams like Chicago, Brandeis and CMU.
7. Rochester - Haven't watched them yet, and at the same time, have not heard about them yet. Graduated a few good seniors so this may be a rebuilding year for the Yellow Jackets.
8. NYU - Haven't seem them either. But after seeing they tied a team CWRU beat 10-0, it's hard to not list them at the bottom.

Again, these are PREDICTIONS!!! Best of luck to the teams in one of the top conferences in the country! Please reply with your predictions!

My Predictions:

1. Chicago: Unlike last year, when this team was ranked number 1, and got a bit nervous of the spotlight in their game against Brandeis, this team is older and has been here before. They are the clear favorites to hold the title, but it is very difficult to repeat as champions.
2. Brandeis: This team is doing well, and have won the games they should have. Have been tested by Cortland and Tufts, and played pretty well. This team is deep, and can play good soccer. I think they will challenge Chicago along with Wash U.
3. Wash U: This team faded along the homestretch last year, but they bring lots of talent to the table. Their biggest games are where they decide their place in this league, namely Chicago and Brandeis.
4. Carnegie Mellon: The Tartans are young, but promising. Again, their second game of the league @ Brandeis will be a big test for where they want to be.
5: Emory: They used to be a powerhouse, a team to be feared. Having dropped that part of them, can they reclaim it and not lose on their home field in league play? That will be a good goal for them.
6: CWRU: When I have seen them play, they seem lax on the ball, and not playing with a purpose. Haven't seen them play this year, but heard some good and some bad. They falter in the UAA usually, so they're down here.
7. Rochester: Rebuilding, and just don't have the firepower to be a contender.
8. NYU: With a last place finish this year, the coach could be on the hot seat. Petr gone, season gone.


When all is said and done, I can see 5 teams making the tournament again. Chicago, Brandeis, Wash U, Carnegie, and Emory may just sneak in.

Prediction: CMU is the second-best team in the conference, mark it down now. I feel confident that this will be true in the final standings on Nov. 5.

After tonight's result, taking this one back...