2017 Season - National Perspective

[Saint of Old]

Teams normally have a 4 year window to do serious damage.
I am not saying the window has closed yet on the Fords, but it is extremely difficult to stay on top for much past that4 year span because the window eventually closes.
Now there are a very few teams that manage to kick down the door and win a title before that window closes (Tufts comes to mind) and if you do then you are talking a decade or more of dominance.

I always felt like Calvin should have won a title over the last 6 years and unfortunately fell short.
I think the last 2-3 years the Fords were on a very serious mission in the Mid Atlantic and Nationally, but with the reemergence of Messiah and Lycoming looking legit it might be a tougher road for them the next few years.

They are now, in my opinion atleast, seen in the same light as the big boyz in the region.

[firstplaceloser]

Overtime in camden 0-0. camden put the pressure on in the 2nd half

[truenorth]

In the bigger picture beyond college soccer, I remain optimistic about the long-term future of the USMNT.  It's always two steps forward and one step back, but I believe the talent pool is growing and we'll become increasingly competitive.  Here's an article my son just sent me.

https://www.theringer.com/2017/10/5/16425234/usmnt-u17-world-cup-josh-sargent-tim-weah-andrew-carleton

[blooter442]

In the bigger picture beyond college soccer, I remain optimistic about the long-term future of the USMNT.  It's always two steps forward and one step back, but I believe the talent pool is growing and we'll become increasingly competitive.  Here's an article my son just sent me.

https://www.theringer.com/2017/10/5/16425234/usmnt-u17-world-cup-josh-sargent-tim-weah-andrew-carleton

Great read -- thanks for sharing this, truenorth. I fully agree that the talent pool is growing, along with the writer's assertion that "formalizing" the process (and providing opportunities) for young players to makes it easier for talent to be identified and developed, particularly the belief that the "next Pulisic" will be identified in less time than the gap between Donovan and Pulisic.

[Hopkins92]

Hopkins manages to score in the 2 OT on a very nice combination to get a wide open shot, thus beating the Muhls 1-0. I didn't see all of this one, walking away several times to get some chores done, so my opinion isn't worth much. Also, there was a strong wind that made scoring tougher on one end of the field. With those qualifications stated, Hopkins really didn't look as good as their ranking. This year Muhlenberg isn't a very good team, and they were able consistently to frustrate Hopkins while still being dangerous once in a while. In the latter part of the first half, both teams were playing a lot kickball.

On a different day, I imagine Hopkins would have looked quite a bit better. Definitely not impressive today.

Saturday was alumni day, where the old farts form up teams and play on the turf the morning of the game. Second year they've done this formally. I had to miss it this year, but went last year and got a number of reports back from 'mates.

I'm torn on this brand of soccer they play. They employ it fairly successfully against decent teams (beat Haverford, lost to Messiah), but it's just very reliant on pretty much putting the other team in bunker mode and then methodically trying to break down the wall. That's just a) hard to watch (boo hoo) and b) asking for trouble against patient/well-coached teams.

[Mr.Right]

Hopkins manages to score in the 2 OT on a very nice combination to get a wide open shot, thus beating the Muhls 1-0. I didn't see all of this one, walking away several times to get some chores done, so my opinion isn't worth much. Also, there was a strong wind that made scoring tougher on one end of the field. With those qualifications stated, Hopkins really didn't look as good as their ranking. This year Muhlenberg isn't a very good team, and they were able consistently to frustrate Hopkins while still being dangerous once in a while. In the latter part of the first half, both teams were playing a lot kickball.

On a different day, I imagine Hopkins would have looked quite a bit better. Definitely not impressive today.

Saturday was alumni day, where the old farts form up teams and play on the turf the morning of the game. Second year they've done this formally. I had to miss it this year, but went last year and got a number of reports back from 'mates.

I'm torn on this brand of soccer they play. They employ it fairly successfully against decent teams (beat Haverford, lost to Messiah), but it's just very reliant on pretty much putting the other team in bunker mode and then methodically trying to break down the wall. That's just a) hard to watch (boo hoo) and b) asking for trouble against patient/well-coached teams.

I have not seen Hopkins play this year but am intrigued after reading some of these posts..I am confused about this post though. How exactly would you want them to play? It is very difficult for any team to break down a well organized defense that has the ability to counter with talent like Messiah has. I guess my question is how would you rather they play against this? In the NCAA's and in their conference tournament they will be seeing this every game

[Falconer]

Chicago loses 3-0 to Emory, and none of the goals came late in the game.

Did anyone see this coming?

Did anyone see the game who can offer comments?

This has to put Chicago out of the top five and move others up. Messiah and Hopkins should both leapfrog Chicago for the time being.

[Mr.Right]

What about 10-1-2 Buffalo State giving Cortland a 1-0 loss today and out shooting them. That gives Buff State a win over a regionally ranked team. the problem is their out of conference schedule looks really weak. They might need a result v Oneonta  or even a draw and will find themselves regionally ranked in 2 weeks with a good shot for a Pool C.

[Shooter McGavin]

Shooter's Top 15

1. Calvin (12-0-0)---They just keep cruising along. Can't see them dropping a game which may hurt them come NCAA's.
2. Messiah (11-1-0)---Hard not to slot the Falcons here. 2 tough ones remaining with Lyco & LVC back to back.
3. Newark (14-1-0)---4 of the last 5 will really show us how good this team is. For now they are top 5 worthy to me.
4. St. Thomas (11-1-0)---Not a lot of love for the Tommies but I think they are as good as anybody right now!
5. Tufts (8-1-1)---They are the defending champs. Can't leave them outside the top 5 with the current resume.
6. Chicago (11-1-0)---Some holes need patched up as Emory dismantled them over the weekend. Not a far drop but I am cautious.
7. Lycoming (12-1-0)---Similar to St. Thomas, Lyco is flying under the radar which is exactly what they like. 9 days until a dance with Messiah.
8. Amherst (5-1-2)---This team is a roller coaster right now. Always a tough out but need to see more consistent play.
9. Hopkins (11-1-1)---A rough week of results sees JHU trending the wrong way.
10. Oneonta St. (9-1-1)---Cortland's slip up allows the Red Dragons to fly forward.
11. Drew (12-0-1)---This might be the biggest surprise of the season. Look for Drew to run the table in conference play.
12. Rowan (12-2-0)---Hard to fault them for 2 top 10 losses but they won't jump into the top 10 anytime soon.
13. Cortland St. (11-2-0)---Still believe they are going to be Elite 8 good come NCAA's.
14. Brandeis (9-2-0)---Like a fine wine they get better with age, or in this case as the season goes on. Final 4 talent on this team!
15. Trinity Tx (11-1-0)---A few tight results make me question how good they are this year.

RV: Lynchburg (10-1-1), John Carroll (10-1-1), CT College (8-0-3), Springfield (10-0-0), Buffalo St (10-1-2), CNU (9-2-0), Emory (9-2-0), CMU (8-2-1), Kenyon (8-2-2), St. Joseph's (10-0-1)

[Mid-Atlantic Fan]

For comparison purposes as rankings will be released tomorrow afternoon.

Massey Top 15
1. Messiah
2. Tufts
3. Calvin
4. Springfield
5. Chicago
6. Lycoming
7. CT College
8. Rowan
9. Brandeis
10. John Carroll
11. Oneonta St
12. Hopkins
13. Lynchburg
14. Cortland St
15. Amherst
---------------------------
Drew, Newark, CMU, Trinity, Emory

Hero Sports Top 15
1. Messiah
2. Chicago
3. Calvin
4. Oneonta St
5. North Park
6. Lycoming
7. Tufts
8. Rowan
9. John Carroll
10. Trinity
11. Emory
12. Springfield
13. CMU
14. CT College
15. Hopkins
-----------------------
Drew, Brandeis, Cortland, Ogelthorpe, Gettysburg

[Mid-Atlantic Fan]

Shooter's Top 15

1. Calvin (12-0-0)---They just keep cruising along. Can't see them dropping a game which may hurt them come NCAA's.
2. Messiah (11-1-0)---Hard not to slot the Falcons here. 2 tough ones remaining with Lyco & LVC back to back.
3. Newark (14-1-0)---4 of the last 5 will really show us how good this team is. For now they are top 5 worthy to me.
4. St. Thomas (11-1-0)---Not a lot of love for the Tommies but I think they are as good as anybody right now!
5. Tufts (8-1-1)---They are the defending champs. Can't leave them outside the top 5 with the current resume.
6. Chicago (11-1-0)---Some holes need patched up as Emory dismantled them over the weekend. Not a far drop but I am cautious.
7. Lycoming (12-1-0)---Similar to St. Thomas, Lyco is flying under the radar which is exactly what they like. 9 days until a dance with Messiah.
8. Amherst (5-1-2)---This team is a roller coaster right now. Always a tough out but need to see more consistent play.
9. Hopkins (11-1-1)---A rough week of results sees JHU trending the wrong way.
10. Oneonta St. (9-1-1)---Cortland's slip up allows the Red Dragons to fly forward.
11. Drew (12-0-1)---This might be the biggest surprise of the season. Look for Drew to run the table in conference play.
12. Rowan (12-2-0)---Hard to fault them for 2 top 10 losses but they won't jump into the top 10 anytime soon.
13. Cortland St. (11-2-0)---Still believe they are going to be Elite 8 good come NCAA's.
14. Brandeis (9-2-0)---Like a fine wine they get better with age, or in this case as the season goes on. Final 4 talent on this team!
15. Trinity Tx (11-1-0)---A few tight results make me question how good they are this year.

RV: Lynchburg (10-1-1), John Carroll (10-1-1), CT College (8-0-3), Springfield (10-0-0), Buffalo St (10-1-2), CNU (9-2-0), Emory (9-2-0), CMU (8-2-1), Kenyon (8-2-2), St. Joseph's (10-0-1)

Nice list Shooter. I won't have St. Thomas that high in my rankings but your logic makes sense.

MAF Power Rankings 10/9
1. Calvin
2. Messiah
3. Tufts
4. Chicago
5. Oneonta St
6. Amherst
7. Newark
8. Lycoming
9. Rowan
10. Trinity
11. St. Thomas
12. St. Joseph's
13. Heidelberg
14. Springfield
15. John Carroll
-----------------------
Next 10 (no order): Drew, Simpson, Transylvania, CT College, Dean, Hopkins, Brandeis, Kenyon, Lynchburg, Cortland St

RV: Gettysburg, Mary Wash, Buffalo St, Bowdoin, Johnson & Wales, North Park, Maryville, Mary-Hardin Baylor, CNU, CMU, Geneva, Ogelthorpe, Otterbein, St. Norbert, Emory, Redlands, Dickinson, Rochester, UMass-Boston, Williams, UW-Platteville   

[backyarddawg]

Overtime in camden 0-0. camden put the pressure on in the 2nd half

Not sure if we watched the same game but thought Camden got lucky to draw vs Haverford. They have not been great his year but to be 7-2-3 with their schedule and a lack of goal scoring shows they have some grit.  Not sure any team in the region has played their schedule.

vs Messiah, Neutral vs Etown, vs Steven's, @ Hopkins, @ Scranton, @ Getty, vs F&M, @ Muhl's, @ Camden, @ Drew, @ Dickinson
Many teams with this schedule would have more then 2 losses.

If they can find the back of the net, they will become dangerous late.  Big week for them @ Drew and @ WAC.

[Hopkins92]

Hopkins manages to score in the 2 OT on a very nice combination to get a wide open shot, thus beating the Muhls 1-0. I didn't see all of this one, walking away several times to get some chores done, so my opinion isn't worth much. Also, there was a strong wind that made scoring tougher on one end of the field. With those qualifications stated, Hopkins really didn't look as good as their ranking. This year Muhlenberg isn't a very good team, and they were able consistently to frustrate Hopkins while still being dangerous once in a while. In the latter part of the first half, both teams were playing a lot kickball.

On a different day, I imagine Hopkins would have looked quite a bit better. Definitely not impressive today.

Saturday was alumni day, where the old farts form up teams and play on the turf the morning of the game. Second year they've done this formally. I had to miss it this year, but went last year and got a number of reports back from 'mates.

I'm torn on this brand of soccer they play. They employ it fairly successfully against decent teams (beat Haverford, lost to Messiah), but it's just very reliant on pretty much putting the other team in bunker mode and then methodically trying to break down the wall. That's just a) hard to watch (boo hoo) and b) asking for trouble against patient/well-coached teams.

I have not seen Hopkins play this year but am intrigued after reading some of these posts..I am confused about this post though. How exactly would you want them to play? It is very difficult for any team to break down a well organized defense that has the ability to counter with talent like Messiah has. I guess my question is how would you rather they play against this? In the NCAA's and in their conference tournament they will be seeing this every game

Well, you kind of have to watch it, but I'll take a stab:

It's TOO methodical. And by just having the 2 backs pass it 30-40 yards, you aren't allowing for the option of a center back cutting off the pass and testing the middle. By the time the ball is switched, a decent tandem of strikers is going to shut it down and funnel to the wings, or force the guy receiving the ball to cut inside to a waiting central middie.

They are basically trying to sneak past guarded gates, with those guards fully aware of what you are doing. And by the time they're over half-field, there's not enough movement off the ball in the middle and final third and they get snuffed out against a decently organized back line.

And they don't really shift tactics--it's not like they decided to play this way against a tough Messiah team. This is just what they do under this coach.

When you see a scoreless draw against a not very good Swat and barely eking out a 1-0 2OT win at home to Muhlenberg, you see the downside of this system. There's just not a lot of margin for error when you play a system that is so predictable.

[bestfancle]

D3Soccer.com Rankings:

#   School (1st Pl. Votes)   Record   Pts.   Prev.
1   Calvin (20)       12-0-0   1000   1
2   Messiah   11-1-0   942   5
3   Trinity (Texas)   12-1-0   824   7
4   Chicago   11-1-0   800   2
5   Tufts   8-1-1   768   10
6   Rutgers-Newark   14-1-0   758   8
7   Johns Hopkins   11-1-1   729   3
8   Lycoming   12-1-0   702   11
9   Amherst   5-1-2   624   9
10   John Carroll   10-1-1   592   4
11   Oneonta State   9-1-1   572   13
12   Cortland State   11-2-0   570   6
13   St. Thomas   12-1-0   514   14
14   Rowan   12-2-0   512   15
15   Brandeis   9-2-0   448   18
16   Springfield   10-0-0   430   16
17   Drew   12-0-1   418   17
18   Heidelberg   9-0-1   358   20
19   Connecticut Col.   8-0-3   346   19
20   Carnegie Mellon   8-2-1   317   12
21   Lynchburg   10-1-1   210   22
22   Kenyon   8-2-2   201   21
23   Emory   9-2-0   156   —
24   Gettysburg   9-2-0   150   23
25   North Park   10-1-0   80   —
Dropped out: No. 24 Washington and Lee, No. 25 Haverford

Receiving Votes: Transylvania 66, Simpson 44, Christopher Newport 38, Bowdoin 34, St. Joseph's (Maine) 22, Redlands 18, Haverford 10, Buffalo State 8, Mary Hardin-Baylor 4, Maryville (Tenn.) 4, University of Dallas 2

The D3soccer.com Top 25 is voted on by a panel of coaches, Sports Information Directors and D3soccer.com staff, and is published weekly

[PaulNewman]

Among recent (last decade) prominent programs, has there been any player(s) who were an All-American at CB one year and then an AA as a striker the next?

Kenyon's Henry Myers has a chance and at minimum will be first team all conference and the favorite for NCAC POY.

Maybe Coach Brown knows a little more than me, after all .