Mid-Atlantic Region

[Flying Weasel]

And with Messiah hosting LVC and Dickinson hosting Haverford on Saturday, the RvR for those four teams will change for next week's rankings.  Messiah could have a 7-1-0 RvR.  They could very well lose a win or two by selection Monday depending if some teams would drop out of the rankings, but--stating the obvious--Messiah is a Pool C lock with that SOS and probably assured of 5 wins vs. ranked teams even if they would lose to LVC Saturday and lose in the Commonwealth playoffs.

[Shooter McGavin]

And with Messiah hosting LVC and Dickinson hosting Haverford on Saturday, the RvR for those four teams will change for next week's rankings.  Messiah could have a 7-1-0 RvR.  They could very well lose a win or two by selection Monday depending if some teams would drop out of the rankings, but--stating the obvious--Messiah is a Pool C lock with that SOS and probably assured of 5 wins vs. ranked teams even if they would lose to LVC Saturday and lose in the Commonwealth playoffs.

Messiah is most certainly a lock! Gettysburg with a huge loss last night and that will hurt them even more if F&M would end up getting ranked somehow by the third rankings. Haverford and Dickinson game is big for both teams and jostling for position in the rankings.

[Mid-Atlantic Fan]

Games to Watch
Lycoming at Stevenson (Friday)
Leb Val at Messiah
Hopkins at Ursinus
Drew at Catholic
Gettysburg at Swat
Eastern at Wilkes
DeSales at Kings
Scranton at Goucher
Haverford at Dickinson
Susquehanna at Etown
F&M at Washington

[Ejay]

Games to Watch
Lycoming at Stevenson (Friday)
Leb Val at Messiah
Hopkins at Ursinus
Drew at Catholic
Gettysburg at Swat
Eastern at Wilkes
DeSales at Kings
Scranton at Goucher
Haverford at Dickinson
Susquehanna at Etown
F&M at Washington

I'll take a stab...
Lycoming (2) at Stevenson (Friday) (0)
Leb Val (0) at Messiah (1)
Hopkins (3) at Ursinus (0)
Drew (2) at Catholic (1)
Gettysburg (2) at Swat (0)
Eastern (2) at Wilkes (1)
DeSales (2) at Kings (1)
Scranton (1) at Goucher (0)
Haverford (1) at Dickinson (2) OT
Susquehanna (1) at Etown (1)
F&M (1) at Washington (0)

[Shooter McGavin]

I will try too EB!

Lycoming at Stevenson---3-1 Lycoming
Leb Val at Messiah---3-0 Messiah
Hopkins at Ursinus---2-1 Hopkins
Drew at Catholic---5-0 Drew
Gettysburg at Swat---Tie 2-2
Eastern at Wilkes---Eastern 4-2
DeSales at Kings---Kings 1-0 OT
Scranton at Goucher---Scranton 2-1 OT
Haverford at Dickinson---Tie 2-2
Susquehanna at Etown---Etown 3-2 OT
F&M at Washington---F&M 2-0

[Falconer]

Messiah gets a golden goal in 2 OT to beat LVC, 2-1. All things considered, it's good to have two very tough conference opponents (Lycoming of course is the other) in the wake of Etown leaving the conference a few years ago. LVC had multiple chances to win this one, just as Messiah had multiple chances for more goals only to be skunked by Cam Avery, LVC's excellent keeper. Conner Bell for the Falcons also saved their bacon more than once. A back and forth game, though Messiah did have the bulk of possession.

Kirby Robbins got both goals, and both were highly skilled shots with his left foot. He has emerged as the missing Falcon finisher at just the right point in the season. He gets the game ball, with honorable mention to keeper Bell and both outside backs, Quintin and Bender. The defense definitely looked shakier tonight than in some other recent games, but that's partly owing to the greatly improved attack that LVC now has. They can be relied upon to score goals against excellent teams. This year they had 2 vs Gettysburg, 1 vs Messiah, and almost 1 (a missed PK) vs Lycoming. Can't figure out how they lost to a not very good Muhlenberg side to open the season. If that one went the other way, their only losses would be to Lycoming and Messiah. Rowan can say the same thing, but I don't really think they are nearly as good as Rowan. Will be interesting to see how they do in the conference tourney, now less than two weeks away.

A huge crowd for homecoming in Grantham, upwards of 3000 for sure. Earlier today I saw attendance figures for 2015 NCAA soccer in all 3 divisions. Messiah obviously led D3 by almost a 2-1 margin, but they also would have led D2 in attendance. In D1 they would have finished 15th in average attendance, right behind UVA. 

[Ejay]

Weekend Results

Lycoming at Stevenson---Lycoming 4-1
Leb Val at Messiah---Messiah 2-1
Hopkins at Ursinus---Hopkins 6-0
Drew at Catholic---Drew 1-0
Gettysburg at Swat---G'Burg 3-1
Eastern at Wilkes---Wilkes 1-0
DeSales at Kings---DeSales 3-2
Scranton at Goucher---Scranton 3-1
Haverford at Dickinson---Dickinson 3-2
Susquehanna at Etown---Etown 1-0
F&M at Washington---F&M 5-0

Predicted Results:
EB = 9-2
Shooter = 7-4

Better luck next time 

[redsoccer06]

Messiah gets a golden goal in 2 OT to beat LVC, 2-1. All things considered, it's good to have two very tough conference opponents (Lycoming of course is the other) in the wake of Etown leaving the conference a few years ago. LVC had multiple chances to win this one, just as Messiah had multiple chances for more goals only to be skunked by Cam Avery, LVC's excellent keeper. Conner Bell for the Falcons also saved their bacon more than once. A back and forth game, though Messiah did have the bulk of possession.

Kirby Robbins got both goals, and both were highly skilled shots with his left foot. He has emerged as the missing Falcon finisher at just the right point in the season. He gets the game ball, with honorable mention to keeper Bell and both outside backs, Quintin and Bender. The defense definitely looked shakier tonight than in some other recent games, but that's partly owing to the greatly improved attack that LVC now has. They can be relied upon to score goals against excellent teams. This year they had 2 vs Gettysburg, 1 vs Messiah, and almost 1 (a missed PK) vs Lycoming. Can't figure out how they lost to a not very good Muhlenberg side to open the season. If that one went the other way, their only losses would be to Lycoming and Messiah. Rowan can say the same thing, but I don't really think they are nearly as good as Rowan. Will be interesting to see how they do in the conference tourney, now less than two weeks away.

A huge crowd for homecoming in Grantham, upwards of 3000 for sure. Earlier today I saw attendance figures for 2015 NCAA soccer in all 3 divisions. Messiah obviously led D3 by almost a 2-1 margin, but they also would have led D2 in attendance. In D1 they would have finished 15th in average attendance, right behind UVA.

Messiah definitely isn't the offense juggernaut that they were in the past. In 2013, they had SEVEN different players finish the season with 15+ points. This year, they have three, and have a chance for four at best by season's end. They're also not getting help from their second group. I haven't had a chance to watch Messiah much this year... Are they subbing less or is their second group just not getting it done?

[PaulNewman]

Falconer, could you post the top 5-10 for attendance in D3?  I'm curious to see who comes after Messiah.  I would assume OWU is up there, and probably historically Wheaton (Ill), maybe Trinity (TX), maybe Loras, probably CNU, maybe a Roanoke and/or Lynchburg, maybe a Centennial school.  SLU?  Calvin?  Hope?

[rudy]

Messiah gets a golden goal in 2 OT to beat LVC, 2-1. All things considered, it's good to have two very tough conference opponents (Lycoming of course is the other) in the wake of Etown leaving the conference a few years ago. LVC had multiple chances to win this one, just as Messiah had multiple chances for more goals only to be skunked by Cam Avery, LVC's excellent keeper. Conner Bell for the Falcons also saved their bacon more than once. A back and forth game, though Messiah did have the bulk of possession.

Kirby Robbins got both goals, and both were highly skilled shots with his left foot. He has emerged as the missing Falcon finisher at just the right point in the season. He gets the game ball, with honorable mention to keeper Bell and both outside backs, Quintin and Bender. The defense definitely looked shakier tonight than in some other recent games, but that's partly owing to the greatly improved attack that LVC now has. They can be relied upon to score goals against excellent teams. This year they had 2 vs Gettysburg, 1 vs Messiah, and almost 1 (a missed PK) vs Lycoming. Can't figure out how they lost to a not very good Muhlenberg side to open the season. If that one went the other way, their only losses would be to Lycoming and Messiah. Rowan can say the same thing, but I don't really think they are nearly as good as Rowan. Will be interesting to see how they do in the conference tourney, now less than two weeks away.

A huge crowd for homecoming in Grantham, upwards of 3000 for sure. Earlier today I saw attendance figures for 2015 NCAA soccer in all 3 divisions. Messiah obviously led D3 by almost a 2-1 margin, but they also would have led D2 in attendance. In D1 they would have finished 15th in average attendance, right behind UVA.

Messiah definitely isn't the offense juggernaut that they were in the past. In 2013, they had SEVEN different players finish the season with 15+ points. This year, they have three, and have a chance for four at best by season's end. They're also not getting help from their second group. I haven't had a chance to watch Messiah much this year... Are they subbing less or is their second group just not getting it done?

The second line has a soph that can definitely score but maybe not getting as much time as he could. Hastletine has 2 goals in limited action. Last year I think he had 4 goals. He definitely is a scorer. On goal on a header and the other off his foot. I expect next year with graduation he may get opportunity.  Plaza can also score but has not shot much this year

[Ejay]

Falconer, could you post the top 5-10 for attendance in D3?  I'm curious to see who comes after Messiah.  I would assume OWU is up there, and probably historically Wheaton (Ill), maybe Trinity (TX), maybe Loras, probably CNU, maybe a Roanoke and/or Lynchburg, maybe a Centennial school.  SLU?  Calvin?  Hope?

I was actually looking at this the other day (for 2015 stats):

1. Messiah - 11 - 19,187 - 1,744
2. Wheaton (IL) - 13 - 11,393 - 876
3. Ohio Wesleyan - 13 - 11,036 - 848
4. Chris. Newport - 8 - 6,112 - 764
5. SUNY Canton - 6 - 3,495 - 582
6. Mary Washington - 10 - 5,770 - 577
7. North Park - 10 - 5,615 - 561
8. Hope - 10 - 5,486 - 548
9. Elizabethtown - 12 - 5,659 - 471
10. Lynchburg - 8 - 3,349 - 418

Single-game Attendance Highs
4,000 - Messiah vs. Rowan - Sept. 19, 2015
3,421 - Messiah vs. Arcadia - Oct. 17, 2015
3,150 - Messiah vs. Randolph - Sept. 11, 2015
3,000 - Mary Washington vs. Chris. Newport - Oct. 24, 2015


http://fs.ncaa.org/Docs/stats/m_soccer_RB/2016/2015attendance.pdf

[Flying Weasel]

Falconer, could you post the top 5-10 for attendance in D3?  I'm curious to see who comes after Messiah.  I would assume OWU is up there, and probably historically Wheaton (Ill), maybe Trinity (TX), maybe Loras, probably CNU, maybe a Roanoke and/or Lynchburg, maybe a Centennial school.  SLU?  Calvin?  Hope?

2017 NCAA MEN'S SOCCER ATTENDANCE RECORDS
(D3soccer.com > Resources > NCAA Record Books > Men's Attendance Records)

for the 2016 season . . .

Average Home Attendance
Team Games Total Avg.
1. Messiah 14 21,484 1,534
2. Ohio Wesleyan 11 11,003 1,000
3. Chris. Newport 11 7,695 699
4. Loras 10 5,449 544
5. Wheaton (IL) 8 4,232 529
6. Hope 10 5,237 523
7. Roanoke 9 4,651 516
8. Frank. & Marsh. 12 6,051 504
9. York (PA) 7 3,382 483
10. St. Lawrence 8 3,591 448
11. Calvin 11 4,763 433
12. Texas-Dallas 8 3,336 417
13. Geneva 12 4,936 411
14. Trinity (TX) 13 5,146 395
15. Va. Wesleyan 7 2,748 392
16. Elizabethtown 11 4,292 390
17. Immaculata 10 3,872 387
18. Kalamazoo 7 2,671 381
19. SUNY Cortland 15 5,677 378
20. Rowan 11 4,147 377

[Flying Weasel]

However, keep in mind that these numbers are all self-reported and who knows how often they come form a true count versus an estimate since regular season games often are free.  And how accurate those estimates are probably varies considerably.

If you look at the single-game attendance highs which are primarily Messiah's, I honestly have no idea how Messiah reports attendances so precisely since the games are free until conference and NCAA tournament games.  I would think rounding to the nearest 100 would be the best you could really do most nights.

[Hopkins92]

However, keep in mind that these numbers are all self-reported and who knows how often they come form a true count versus an estimate since regular season games often are free.  And how accurate those estimates are probably varies considerably.

If you look at the single-game attendance highs which are primarily Messiah's, I honestly have no idea how Messiah reports attendances so precisely since the games are free until conference and NCAA tournament games.  I would think rounding to the nearest 100 would be the best you could really do most nights.

I was going to chime in on this point. One of the running gags at Hopkins was to try and sell Freshmen on a sweet season ticket deal for the regular season. Ha ha ha.

Anyways, seems like looking around and seeing a relatively full stands is roughly equivalent to holding your finger in the air to gauge the temperature.

Not taking anything away from the schools listed. Having played at E-town, Rowan and others on that list, those crowds were pretty amazing. (Swat and Haverford used to bring it, too. Great crowds to play in front of.)

[Hopkins92]

Messiah gets a golden goal in 2 OT to beat LVC, 2-1. All things considered, it's good to have two very tough conference opponents (Lycoming of course is the other) in the wake of Etown leaving the conference a few years ago. LVC had multiple chances to win this one, just as Messiah had multiple chances for more goals only to be skunked by Cam Avery, LVC's excellent keeper. Conner Bell for the Falcons also saved their bacon more than once. A back and forth game, though Messiah did have the bulk of possession.

Kirby Robbins got both goals, and both were highly skilled shots with his left foot. He has emerged as the missing Falcon finisher at just the right point in the season. He gets the game ball, with honorable mention to keeper Bell and both outside backs, Quintin and Bender. The defense definitely looked shakier tonight than in some other recent games, but that's partly owing to the greatly improved attack that LVC now has. They can be relied upon to score goals against excellent teams. This year they had 2 vs Gettysburg, 1 vs Messiah, and almost 1 (a missed PK) vs Lycoming. Can't figure out how they lost to a not very good Muhlenberg side to open the season. If that one went the other way, their only losses would be to Lycoming and Messiah. Rowan can say the same thing, but I don't really think they are nearly as good as Rowan. Will be interesting to see how they do in the conference tourney, now less than two weeks away.

A huge crowd for homecoming in Grantham, upwards of 3000 for sure. Earlier today I saw attendance figures for 2015 NCAA soccer in all 3 divisions. Messiah obviously led D3 by almost a 2-1 margin, but they also would have led D2 in attendance. In D1 they would have finished 15th in average attendance, right behind UVA.

Messiah definitely isn't the offense juggernaut that they were in the past. In 2013, they had SEVEN different players finish the season with 15+ points. This year, they have three, and have a chance for four at best by season's end. They're also not getting help from their second group. I haven't had a chance to watch Messiah much this year... Are they subbing less or is their second group just not getting it done?

The second line has a soph that can definitely score but maybe not getting as much time as he could. Hastletine has 2 goals in limited action. Last year I think he had 4 goals. He definitely is a scorer. On goal on a header and the other off his foot. I expect next year with graduation he may get opportunity.  Plaza can also score but has not shot much this year

In my extremely limited sample (2nd half of the Hopkins game), my observation was that the subs were a very noticeable drop-off from the top unit. An overall lack of technical skill had them pretty much giving the ball back to Hopkins and then Messiah dropped back into a shell (zone.)

Just one game against a pretty decent opponent, but it was a pretty stark contrast when the top guys got back in and started flying around. (Also, to be fair, the subs were obviously getting gassed, as the game went a pretty long stretch with no stoppage/opp. to sub.)