UAA 2017

[Ommadawn]

It's interesting to see how well WUSTL has started off the year in comparison to Harvard after both teams experienced similar scandals last year (Harvard's definitely garnered more attention and occurred during--instead of after--the season).  If anything, WUSTL is doing better than last year, while Harvard is doing substantially worse.

One of the primary differences is that whatever the Washington University men did dates back to the Fall 2015.  The team was ultimately cleared by the community standards office.

That's good to know.  Exoneration usually generates less press than accusation.  Harvard's situation dated back even earlier, but was sustained over a number of years and resulted in at least one transfer.  Kudos to the WUSTL coaching staff for keeping the team focused.

[wemcap]

As far as predictions go UC is the clear favorite this year, and it seems like the consensus next three are Brandeis, Carnegie, and WashU in some order. But one thing to point out is that it is very hard to win on the road in this league, and Brandeis hosts all three of these teams this year. If I had to pick anyone other than Chicago I'd have to go with Brandeis due to the home field advantage in these matchups as well as the experience factor of having many players who played key roles in both the final four run last year as well as the 2015 team that went 6-1 in UAA play.

[Laserpen123]

As far as predictions go UC is the clear favorite this year, and it seems like the consensus next three are Brandeis, Carnegie, and WashU in some order. But one thing to point out is that it is very hard to win on the road in this league, and Brandeis hosts all three of these teams this year. If I had to pick anyone other than Chicago I'd have to go with Brandeis due to the home field advantage in these matchups as well as the experience factor of having many players who played key roles in both the final four run last year as well as the 2015 team that went 6-1 in UAA play.

This is true. That year when they won the UAA they dominated Carnegie and overwhelmed them from the start, they hung on against a Chicago team that pushed them to limit, but were able to win it in the dying minutes off a counter, and then lost to a strong Wash U team. Also a big road trip double against Emory and Rochester along the way.

[blooter442]

WOW! Chicago up 4-0 at Rochester at the half! Regardless of record, UR is usually a tough side to play against, and, last year, they actually led Chicago 1-0 at half (at Chicago) before losing 2-1. Today, it's two for Koh, and one each for Abedian and Lopez.

[Mr.Right]

Nice win for Brandeis over Case 1-0. I did not catch the game but am wondering what the reason was for the GK switch at halftime for Margolis?

[blooter442]

Nice win for Brandeis over Case 1-0. I did not catch the game but am wondering what the reason was for the GK switch at halftime for Margolis?

Don't know, but Woodhouse only had 1 save to make the whole game, and aside from the very end I felt that Brandeis was pretty well in control. Perhaps to get Irwin ready for next year? Woodhouse has been a three-year starter, so they probably want to make sure the next guy coming in has been somewhat battle-tested. I would have assumed injury had it not been made exactly at half-time, but thankfully that doesn't appear to be the case.

[WUPHF]

Exoneration usually generates less press than accusation.  Harvard's situation dated back even earlier, but was sustained over a number of years and resulted in at least one transfer.  Kudos to the WUSTL coaching staff for keeping the team focused.

I did not realize that about the Harvard story.  Thanks for the clarification.

Washington University has dropped two in Atlanta with a 2-1 loss at Emory and a 3-1 loss at Oglethorpe earlier today.  I thought Washington University outplayed Emory during the stretches I watched.  Not the case today as far as the stats are concerned.

Four home games for the Bears to get things back together before the final three games on the road.

[Mr.Right]

Nice win for Brandeis over Case 1-0. I did not catch the game but am wondering what the reason was for the GK switch at halftime for Margolis?

Don't know, but Woodhouse only had 1 save to make the whole game, and aside from the very end I felt that Brandeis was pretty well in control. Perhaps to get Irwin ready for next year? Woodhouse has been a three-year starter, so they probably want to make sure the next guy coming in has been somewhat battle-tested. I would have assumed injury had it not been made exactly at half-time, but thankfully that doesn't appear to be the case.

While I usually agree with your judgement I cannot possibly see this happening. So Margolis is going to put a GK in waiting in the 1st game of the UAA in the 2nd Half just to give him a look? Doubtful...Had to be injury or he actually benched him. Also, maybe in practice he really has been showing well and Margolis felt it was time to make a switch. A 1-0 lead as you know against anyone in soccer let alone a good team in your own league is not a comfortable lead.

[blooter442]

While I usually agree with your judgement I cannot possibly see this happening. So Margolis is going to put a GK in waiting in the 1st game of the UAA in the 2nd Half just to give him a look? Doubtful...Had to be injury or he actually benched him. Also, maybe in practice he really has been showing well and Margolis felt it was time to make a switch. A 1-0 lead as you know against anyone in soccer let alone a good team in your own league is not a comfortable lead.

Yeah no idea, you are probably correct. Though if he was going to bench him though for performance reasons you think the other guy would have gotten the nod from the start? When Amherst swapped out Owen for Hope-Gund I thought it might have been because Owen was very late on the dive for Williams' goal, although in his defense it was a scrum close in so not much you can do. Even so I remember seeing him hesitate and react late when he got beat from 30 yards off a free kick at MIT last year so perhaps there is precedent. For what it's worth, I think Hope-Gund has done very well since coming in.

The reason I speculated about the experience bit was that I remember when Thales Brito was brought in to replace Lanahan at CB. He had 70 minutes of time in his first three years and he had a pretty rough first half of the season, making mistakes including giving away the PK in 2OT at Babson and getting caught out for Chicago's 2OT winner. Once he got his feet under him he looked much more solid, and Brandeis had a few key attackers struggling for fitness at the time (and they returned to fitness in the second half of the season), but the "bedding-in" process in terms of defense took longer than I think most anticipated. Not trying to start a conspiracy theory, but just my observations.

[Mr.Right]

I see your point but IMO field players and GK's are two different animals. Usually, unless the coach was a GK they can be pretty fickle with field players but not GK's. I will cede that replacing Lanahan took guts though

[4samuy]

Interesting non conference result in the UAA this afternoon.

at Ogelthorpe

Ogelthorpe 3
WashU       1

From the box,  looks as if Ogelthorpe really took it to them.

[blooter442]

Interesting non conference result in the UAA this afternoon.

at Ogelthorpe

Ogelthorpe 3
WashU       1

From the box,  looks as if Ogelthorpe really took it to them.

I saw that as well. Oglethorpe is 7-2-1 so, while I didn't see a ton of heavy hitters in their schedule, they seem to be a decent side.

[swibbles]

UAA Oracle - matchup week 2
Carnegie 0-3 Brandeis
Case 2-2 NYU
Emory 0-2 Chicago
Wash 3-1 Rochester

[Mr.Right]

UAA Oracle - matchup week 2
Carnegie 0-3 Brandeis
Case 2-2 NYU
Emory 0-2 Chicago
Wash 3-1 Rochester

Wow...I am not a UAA expert but Brandeis beating CMU 3-0? I will be tuning in tomorrow morning at 11am for that match but I thought CMU were very good defensively? I have not seen them play this year but will be interested to getting a look tomorrow

[Buck O.]

UAA Oracle - matchup week 2
Carnegie 0-3 Brandeis
Case 2-2 NYU
Emory 0-2 Chicago
Wash 3-1 Rochester

Wow...I am not a UAA expert but Brandeis beating CMU 3-0? I will be tuning in tomorrow morning at 11am for that match but I thought CMU were very good defensively? I have not seen them play this year but will be interested to getting a look tomorrow

I don't see that happening either.  Massey has CMU at #14 and Brandeis at #16.  CMU's only loss is at Kenyon and their only tie is against John Carroll.  They've won every other game, including at Redlands, and they haven't allowed more than one goal in any game.  Brandeis should be narrowly favored, but only because they're at home.  I'm going to the game, and I don't see any reason to expect a blowout.