Mid-Atlantic Region

[Flying Weasel]

Widener took care of business against it's second straight MAC Freedom minnow, besting Hood in Historic Old Town Frederick on Saturday night by a convincing 4-0 margin.

Correction: Widener, Messiah and co. are in the MAC Commonwealth. 

[camosfan]

I think Alvernia is a better team than Widner, much quicker and does more with possession, think they will beat Widner.

[Hopkins92]

HA!! Coach Jeff...

I'm in no way calling for that upset. Winning on Tuesday against Alvernia would really cement this as one of their better years in quite some time, but beating Messiah? In a game that actually has some significance? (I actually think beating Alvernia would almost be considered an upset, but just barely.)

As you said, that would be up there with upset of the year. The only little nugget that really plays in their favor is the fact that both of these games are at home. Though, really, none of these schools are all that far from each other, so it's not a HUGE deal. And I'm not familiar with modern day Widener and whether that homefield yields much of an advantage.

=-==-=-=-=-=

While deep diving on Widener, it's always interesting to me when you look back through a decade or so of results and you see an obvious sea change. Well, the Pride are a perfect example... In 2019/20, they hired Ross Liberati away from being a Bucknell assistant to lead the Pride program. In the years leading up to that change, Widener stumbled through some back to back 3 win seasons, which was a sharp decline from around 2014-15 when they had some measured success.

This coach really seems to be on to something, having created a leadership program for students across all varsity sports. He's put together an overall record of 28-22-3 (I don't count COVID year) and really seems to be trending in the right direction. 

[Hopkins92]

Widener took care of business against it's second straight MAC Freedom minnow, besting Hood in Historic Old Town Frederick on Saturday night by a convincing 4-0 margin.

Correction: Widener, Messiah and co. are in the MAC Commonwealth.

Yeah, I'm constantly flipping those two. Just figured out a pneumonic device to solve it once and for all.

[Flying Weasel]

Every once in a while Widener has managed to make Messiah sweat out a 1-0 result despite dominating the game (in 2012 it took a Jeremy Payne OT goal to get the "W"), but in the end, Widener rarely has been able to generate much offense as they've been outscored by the Falcons 117-6 and have lost all 29 times they have met. Given how Messiah is humming this season, it's hard to imagine even an improved Widener stopping them, but soccer is a funny sport and the Pride did keep the Stevens game close.  Maybe Fatiga can give Widener their first goal against the Falcons in over 10 years.

[camosfan]

HA!! Coach Jeff...

I'm in no way calling for that upset. Winning on Tuesday against Alvernia would really cement this as one of their better years in quite some time, but beating Messiah? In a game that actually has some significance? (I actually think beating Alvernia would almost be considered an upset, but just barely.)

As you said, that would be up there with upset of the year. The only little nugget that really plays in their favor is the fact that both of these games are at home. Though, really, none of these schools are all that far from each other, so it's not a HUGE deal. And I'm not familiar with modern day Widener and whether that homefield yields much of an advantage.

=-==-=-=-=-=

While deep diving on Widener, it's always interesting to me when you look back through a decade or so of results and you see an obvious sea change. Well, the Pride are a perfect example... In 2019/20, they hired Ross Liberati away from being a Bucknell assistant to lead the Pride program. In the years leading up to that change, Widener stumbled through some back to back 3 win seasons, which was a sharp decline from around 2014-15 when they had some measured success.

This coach really seems to be on to something, having created a leadership program for students across all varsity sports. He's put together an overall record of 28-22-3 (I don't count COVID year) and really seems to be trending in the right direction.

that is the type of growth you like to see in a program.

[Coach Jeff]

HA!! Coach Jeff...

I'm in no way calling for that upset. Winning on Tuesday against Alvernia would really cement this as one of their better years in quite some time, but beating Messiah? In a game that actually has some significance? (I actually think beating Alvernia would almost be considered an upset, but just barely.)

As you said, that would be up there with upset of the year. The only little nugget that really plays in their favor is the fact that both of these games are at home. Though, really, none of these schools are all that far from each other, so it's not a HUGE deal. And I'm not familiar with modern day Widener and whether that homefield yields much of an advantage.

=-==-=-=-=-=

While deep diving on Widener, it's always interesting to me when you look back through a decade or so of results and you see an obvious sea change. Well, the Pride are a perfect example... In 2019/20, they hired Ross Liberati away from being a Bucknell assistant to lead the Pride program. In the years leading up to that change, Widener stumbled through some back to back 3 win seasons, which was a sharp decline from around 2014-15 when they had some measured success.

This coach really seems to be on to something, having created a leadership program for students across all varsity sports. He's put together an overall record of 28-22-3 (I don't count COVID year) and really seems to be trending in the right direction.

that is the type of growth you like to see in a program.

I agree that Coach Ross has definitely turned the program around. Just hope he stays long enough to see them to the next level.  NCAA tournament participant.

[Mid-Atlantic Fan]

Some regional games to watch this evening:

Messiah @ LVC
Kings @ Misericordia
Lyco @ Gettysburg
Wilkes @ FDU
Alvernia @ Widener
Stevens @ Arcadia

[Hopkins92]

Lots of out of conference games going on tonight.

Alvernia @ Widener is a major tilt, both for the MAC-C playoffs, but also possible NCAA Pool C bids. There is some jockeying to be done in the Commonwealth, but the top 5 teams make the playoffs and neither of these two team are in danger of dropping out, though Alvernia could get got if they collapse (2 losses) and two of the teams below them go on a tear (York, Leb Valley, Eastern). I don't feel like looking if that's even possible given the remaining schedule. Bottom line: This game has major post-season ramifications, probably a must-win for Widener on this front.

The other game that pops off (to me) is the Gettysburg vs. Lycoming game. Both are bubble teams and REALLY need a RvR win under their belt to have any chance at a Pool C. You don't want to have to win the conference tourney to secure your bid if you are either team.

[Hopkins92]

Some regional games to watch this evening:

Messiah @ LVC
Kings @ Misericordia
Lyco @ Gettysburg
Wilkes @ FDU
Alvernia @ Widener
Stevens @ Arcadia

While I was scanning, noticed that the Messiah game is at 3:30... In case folks were looking for a procrastination vehicle.

https://gomacsports.tv/flyingdutchmen/

[paclassic89]

LVC needs to get at least a point from the Messiah game somehow or their season is over.  If they lose to Messiah and then beat York, they will be tied with Eastern on points (assuming Eastern gets the win against Albright) and Eastern holds the tiebreaker.  If LVC loses today, they need to hope Eastern draws or loses against Albright (highly unlikely)

LVC has 1 win all time against Messiah.  2008 at LVC.  So, it's not impossible I guess

[Hopkins92]

Under-rated aspect of Messiah?

Set-pieces. They sure are clinical with the ball in the air.

1-0 over LVC early 2nd half.

And, wow, very much against the run of play, LVC ties it up with a nice ball played down the wing that got flipped across the box, re-crossed and found a dude wide open on the back post GK with an incredible point blank save, but the rebound is stuffed in... 1-1 with about 20 minutes left.

Also, props to the LVC student/fans... That's a really good turnout for a somewhat random Tuesday afternoon match!

[Hopkins92]

And the Falcons do what they do... 5 minutes to go and they slam home a header from around 8 yards out. Ball game.

[MessageBoardMessi]

Under-rated aspect of Messiah?

Set-pieces. They sure are clinical with the ball in the air.

1-0 over LVC early 2nd half.

And, wow, very much against the run of play, LVC ties it up with a nice ball played down the wing that got flipped across the box, re-crossed and found a dude wide open on the back post GK with an incredible point blank save, but the rebound is stuffed in... 1-1 with about 20 minutes left.

Also, props to the LVC student/fans... That's a really good turnout for a somewhat random Tuesday afternoon match!

And the Falcons do what they do... 5 minutes to go and they slam home a header from around 8 yards out. Ball game.

exciting game to watch - and is a great example of what can and will happen in one and done games......LVC had to get a point to have a hope for the conference tourney - hence my comparison.  And yes - they brought a crowd - and a lot of energy and urgency.  Messiah is trouble on set pieces - and made that their strategy as evidenced by a lot of Leitzel time in the second half.....paid off. 

[paclassic89]

Under-rated aspect of Messiah?

Set-pieces. They sure are clinical with the ball in the air.

1-0 over LVC early 2nd half.

And, wow, very much against the run of play, LVC ties it up with a nice ball played down the wing that got flipped across the box, re-crossed and found a dude wide open on the back post GK with an incredible point blank save, but the rebound is stuffed in... 1-1 with about 20 minutes left.

Also, props to the LVC student/fans... That's a really good turnout for a somewhat random Tuesday afternoon match!

LVC is top 5 in attendance for D3 so they usually have a decent turnout/atmosphere for their home games!  Something to keep an eye on is McDonald had reduced minutes in the 2nd half and didn't finish the game. I think it was for tactical reasons but there's a chance he picked up a knock at some point.  He's important for them heading into postseason play so hopefully it's nothing major