Mid-Atlantic Region

[Hopkins Walk-On]

Hopkins' grad transfers have been a mixed blessing this year. They are very good players but it's taken a while for everyone to figure out their roles and adjust. They seem to have done so now. Unclear what the effects will be next year. Good players, such as Ian Whamond and Tyler White, are not seeing as much playing time as one would have expected based on previous years' performances.

[SierraFD3soccer]

Hopkins' grad transfers have been a mixed blessing this year. They are very good players but it's taken a while for everyone to figure out their roles and adjust. They seem to have done so now. Unclear what the effects will be next year. Good players, such as Ian Whamond and Tyler White, are not seeing as much playing time as one would have expected based on previous years' performances.

The JHU women's mowed D3 down with their grad transfers last year if I remember correctly. 

So long term for JHU and only speculation, why would a recruit want to go to JHU if they see that this grad school situation? I know the phenomenon will slow down, but why would a talented freshman (especially keeper) want to be part of that?  I also realize that JHU is a great college and playing time is never guaranteed.

[camosfan]

Most grad students will play a year or two should be enough time for the other recruits

[Hopkins92]

Widener Watch!!

The Pride took down York at home in Chester PA on the weekend. After a slightly slow start, Sean Fatiga rips through a hat-trick and is now sitting on 12 goals with 8 games remaining on the regular season schedule. They travel up to Jersey for a mid-week game against Stockton prior to this weekend's much-anticipated tilt with the Falcons. Stockton is a classic trap game, as they are a tough NJAC outfit. They are 4-2-4 but have had some not so great games the last few weeks.

For reference, Fatiga has 13 Gs and 2 As last season. So... Well ahead of that pace. Also of note, the Pride have only given up 6 goals in 7 games. While that's not off the charts stinginess, it's not like they are throwing open the doors at the expense of their defense.

[paclassic89]

Yep, trap game for sure.  Especially with the game at Messiah (on Messiah's homecoming no less) looming on Saturday.

[Mid-Atlantic Fan]

Recapping here as it seems I didn't post anything afterwards. Messiah emerges victorious with a 2-0 win. A good game for the fans to watch and I was impressed with Lycoming and their athleticism. They caused Messiah fits at times, but Messiah was the better team. 2-0 seems fair and one of them coming from a PK. Looking for Messiah to run the table at this point pending their result with Widener. I don't see them losing a game until NCAAs.

Messiah vs Lycoming is the one I will be watching. The Warriors have gotten the better of the Falcons a few times (4 or 5 if I recall correctly) before departing the MAC Commonwealth. Since then these teams have continued to face-off in non-conference play with the Falcons getting their revenge the last few years. It's always a game I enjoy watching as the two styles of play are vastly different.

After watching both teams this season I'd think that Messiah is the clear favorite, and by a hefty margin, but Lycoming has always been a thorn in their side. My prediction is 4-1 Falcons. 

Midweek Games of Note (not comprehensive, just a quick scan):

- Widener is now 7-0 after soundly defeating Misericordia 4-1 on the weekend. Sean Fatiga with a hat trick. They host Stevens (3-1-3) tonight at home @ 7p. The Pride beat Swat early in the campaign, but this is likely the biggest "show me" game on the slate so far.

- Hopkins with an important CC road game against Western Maryland (mcdaniel) tomorrow @ 4pm.

- Messiah hosts Lycoming who have had a weird season, just glancing at their schedule. Should be a tap in, but we've talked about Messiah playing down to the opponent on occasion.

- F&M travel to Ursinus. We'll see if the Bears can keep things rolling.  All of the CC squares off on Wednesday, so we'll see if anybody wants to pull ahead of the pack.

- Over in the Landmark, eyes are probably turning to this weekend when Scranton hosts Catholic. Looks like mostly OOC midweek and nothing is jumping out of the screen to me, but, again.. quick scan.

[Mid-Atlantic Fan]

MAF Power Rankings (10/2)

Region 4
1. Montclair
2. Leb Val
3. Rowan
4. Stevens
5. Kean
6. Rutgers Camden
7. Stockton

Region 5
1. Messiah
2. F&M
3. JHU
4. Widener
T5. Scranton
T5. Muhles
7. Wash Coll

[SierraFD3soccer]

I know nobody is watching the F&M v. Alvernia game which makes sense.

Alvernia is camping 9 plus players in their half.  They actually had two good opportunities on counters, but were basically caught ball watching and gave up a nice goal to F&M. 1-0.  F&M is now just dominating.

What is very nice is the student commentators. Both are trying very, very hard to make it professional and are doing well. Camera work is really rough, but that is pretty typical.

[Hopkins92]

Thanks for the heads up... I tuned in right as the Dips put a banger of a second goal in the back of the net. I couldn't help but chuckle... That goal left no doubt. Monday night after a Saturday game is a little weird, but whatever.

[SierraFD3soccer]

Thanks for the heads up... I tuned in right as the Dips put a banger of a second goal in the back of the net. I couldn't help but chuckle... That goal left no doubt. Monday night after a Saturday game is a little weird, but whatever.

Thanks, that was Koa Kaliebe who is really talented and very quick.  If he was maybe 5 inches taller with his skill and speed, he would have been a D1 talent easily.

F&M has been doing this usually once or twice a season (Sat. and then Monday game) for several seasons.  They play the Muhls this Saturday so have a lot more time to set up for a huge game. After the Muhlenburg game, they play Lancaster Bible on Monday, which was a decent team last year 0-0 tie. Probably not as good this year.  After the Monday night game they play JHU on Saturday. Having a relatively deep bench helps as well.

[Freddyfud]

Thanks for the heads up... I tuned in right as the Dips put a banger of a second goal in the back of the net. I couldn't help but chuckle... That goal left no doubt. Monday night after a Saturday game is a little weird, but whatever.

Thanks, that was Koa Kaliebe who is really talented and very quick.  If he was maybe 5 inches taller with his skill and speed, he would have been a D1 talent easily.

F&M has been doing this usually once or twice a season (Sat. and then Monday game) for several seasons.  They play the Muhls this Saturday so have a lot more time to set up for a huge game. After the Muhlenburg game, they play Lancaster Bible on Monday, which was a decent team last year 0-0 tie. Probably not as good this year.  After the Monday night game they play JHU on Saturday. Having a relatively deep bench helps as well.

Dude just ball rolled the keeper for another goal. Pretty nice.  Very one-sided.  Pace of play is still like 500 mph.  Not sure why they don't slow it down up 3-0.

[Hopkins92]

Freddy, see Sierra's post about the bench.

I hear ya, but I feel like the Dips are gonna Dip.

[SierraFD3soccer]

Thanks for the heads up... I tuned in right as the Dips put a banger of a second goal in the back of the net. I couldn't help but chuckle... That goal left no doubt. Monday night after a Saturday game is a little weird, but whatever.

Thanks, that was Koa Kaliebe who is really talented and very quick.  If he was maybe 5 inches taller with his skill and speed, he would have been a D1 talent easily.

F&M has been doing this usually once or twice a season (Sat. and then Monday game) for several seasons.  They play the Muhls this Saturday so have a lot more time to set up for a huge game. After the Muhlenburg game, they play Lancaster Bible on Monday, which was a decent team last year 0-0 tie. Probably not as good this year.  After the Monday night game they play JHU on Saturday. Having a relatively deep bench helps as well.

Hope you just saw Koa's super dirty goal at the at min 5 or so of the 2nd half. Just dispossessed the the back right out outside of keeper box and easily slotted it in.

[SierraFD3soccer]

Thanks for the heads up... I tuned in right as the Dips put a banger of a second goal in the back of the net. I couldn't help but chuckle... That goal left no doubt. Monday night after a Saturday game is a little weird, but whatever.

Thanks, that was Koa Kaliebe who is really talented and very quick.  If he was maybe 5 inches taller with his skill and speed, he would have been a D1 talent easily.

F&M has been doing this usually once or twice a season (Sat. and then Monday game) for several seasons.  They play the Muhls this Saturday so have a lot more time to set up for a huge game. After the Muhlenburg game, they play Lancaster Bible on Monday, which was a decent team last year 0-0 tie. Probably not as good this year.  After the Monday night game they play JHU on Saturday. Having a relatively deep bench helps as well.

Dude just ball rolled the keeper for another goal. Pretty nice.  Very one-sided.  Pace of play is still like 500 mph.  Not sure why they don't slow it down up 3-0.

Pretty much know only one speed. If it was 5-0, it might be different.  So many chances.

[SierraFD3soccer]

Dude just ball rolled the keeper for another goal. Pretty nice.  Very one-sided.  Pace of play is still like 500 mph.  Not sure why they don't slow it down up 3-0.

So, previous 2 years, 1-0 or 2-1 wins were pretty much the way they won games.  In 2021 6 wins 1-0 (4 in a row), in 2022 they had 5 1-0 and 2 0-0 games.  This year they have broken out of their low scoring trend and in their loss and 2 ties they had many many times to finish.  They've scored 27 goals over 11 games along with 4 come from behind wins. Question will be how well will F&M's defense stand up. The 2 ties and loss the other teams had very, very few chances.

Also note Alvernia lost to Montclair State 2-1 and Univ. of Paywall 2-1, but I would say that they must have been much, much better on those nights.