2018 Season - National Perspective

[Brother Flounder]

At first I was just inclined to respond to BF's question with a meme (any ambiguity on his preferences should be erased by the pending trademark on "Giant Slayer Goal") but I'll bite.

Last 5 years:
NESCAC
Messiah (#1)
Tufts (#1A)

I will probably catch a lot of flak for denoting Tufts 1A, but I think I've given the Jumbos enough praise on these boards over the years, so pipe down.

Last 10 years:
NESCAC
Messiah

This year (conference): If we were asking this question last year (even considering Brandeis' 2016 Final 4 appearance) I'd be hesitant to give it to the UAA, since 1. Tufts won the title the year before (3rd in a row for NESCAC) and 2. the UAA had one Final 4 appearance in 10 years at that time. However, after last year, where the UAA had two Final 4 teams and two Elite 8 teams, while the NESCAC had one Elite 8, one Sweet 16, and three 1st Round teams, I think the argument for the UAA is more credible. Still, I think the UAA has to win a title to convince some of the NESCAC folks (insert point here about Brandeis, a UAA side, winning the 1976 title, well before the UAA was established), but, based on the last 12 months and the great start that UAA teams have made this year, I'm willing to say that it appears to be the best conference this year.

As an aside, Messiah has more than twice the number of titles as all NESCAC teams combined. I don't view this as a slight to the NESCAC, but rather it speaks to the dynasty the Falcons have put together over the last 20 years. Absolutely incredible.

BLOOTS!!!!  Who's Messiah?

Last 10 years: Messiah
Last 5 years: Tufts

Last 10 Years: NESCAC
Last 5 Years-NESCAC

What's up Salad Dressing?

[Brother Flounder]

This may have been posted elsewhere, but if not, this game-winning Widener goal is worth watching: https://twitter.com/WidenerSports/status/1047864141921374209

What a Cracker!

[Brother Flounder]

At first I was just inclined to respond to BF's question with a meme (any ambiguity on his preferences should be erased by the pending trademark on "Giant Slayer Goal") but I'll bite.

Last 5 years:
NESCAC
Messiah (#1)
Tufts (#1A)

I will probably catch a lot of flak for denoting Tufts 1A, but I think I've given the Jumbos enough praise on these boards over the years, so pipe down.

Last 10 years:
NESCAC
Messiah

This year (conference): If we were asking this question last year (even considering Brandeis' 2016 Final 4 appearance) I'd be hesitant to give it to the UAA, since 1. Tufts won the title the year before (3rd in a row for NESCAC) and 2. the UAA had one Final 4 appearance in 10 years at that time. However, after last year, where the UAA had two Final 4 teams and two Elite 8 teams, while the NESCAC had one Elite 8, one Sweet 16, and three 1st Round teams, I think the argument for the UAA is more credible. Still, I think the UAA has to win a title to convince some of the NESCAC folks (insert point here about Brandeis, a UAA side, winning the 1976 title, well before the UAA was established), but, based on the last 12 months and the great start that UAA teams have made this year, I'm willing to say that it appears to be the best conference this year.

As an aside, Messiah has more than twice the number of titles as all NESCAC teams combined. I don't view this as a slight to the NESCAC, but rather it speaks to the dynasty the Falcons have put together over the last 20 years. Absolutely incredible.

I loved watching the Tufts/Brandeis games over the past several years.  Great competitive soccer...sometimes pretty and sometimes ugly but very even matches...

[PaulNewman]

Oh, I suppose I'm OK, Mr. Flounder.....it's really hard to walk away, isn't it?  That whole living through your kids thing grips like Fentanyl, and I am right there with ya at the front of the line.

[Brother Flounder]

Oh, I suppose I'm OK, Mr. Flounder.....it's really hard to walk away, isn't it?  That whole living through your kids thing grips like Fentanyl, and I am right there with ya at the front of the line.

Well, take it easy.... they have programs for that kind of addiction!

[PaulNewman]

Come on now Flounder...I thought you'd be cutting me a little slack given my consistently high praise for the Jumbos.  Best to 'meg, btw.

[blooter442]

I loved watching the Tufts/Brandeis games over the past several years.  Great competitive soccer...sometimes pretty and sometimes ugly but very even matches...

Me too. When they first played back in 2013 Tufts blew them away and I think Brandeis had a bone to pick the next year when Tufts came to town. That was an even game but I remember being so shocked when Brandeis scored with 11 minutes left (having gone 0-3 in its previous 3 NESCAC games without scoring) and at that point I knew they were going to win. That was one of the biggest wins in Brandeis' recent history. Since then there have been a number of back and forth games (Tufts leads the post-2010 series 4-3) and interestingly 2 of the 3 Brandeis wins have been on the road, while Tufts has won twice at each venue. And, excluding the first two, they've been one-goal games.

Definitely competitive, definitely chippy, but there's always grudging respect. That's how it should be IMHO.

[PaulNewman]

Time to start talking about Connecticut College more on the national level instead of just inside the NESCAC.  Impressive season going, and we'll have to see if the Camels can finish just as strong.

Carnegie Mellon and CWRU really hurt themselves today, losing at home.  Brandeis nipping CMU isn't a surprise, but the loss could be costly and certainly the win for Brandeis puts some major wind back in the Judges' sails. 

CWRU thrashed Kenyon about 10 days ago and then drew away with Brandeis.  A win against the Judges would have been huge, and now they've lost at home (and not close) to NYU.  CWRU has Wash U and Chicago at home next weekend and then finishes with three brutal away games....Rochester, Emory and CMU.

Just a few days ago CMU and CWRU looked like they might be the chalk in Great Lakes.  They have let Kenyon, OWU, Capital and John Carroll back in the door.

[jknezek]

W&L at Lynchburg 1-1 in first OT. Been a bit of a brutal game. 5 yellows and lots of fouls.

[Buck O.]

Time to start talking about Connecticut College more on the national level instead of just inside the NESCAC.  Impressive season going, and we'll have to see if the Camels can finish just as strong.

Massey currently has them rated #2.  Nationally.  Ahead of Tufts, Calvin and Messiah.  Behind only Chicago.

[Buck O.]

I loved watching the Tufts/Brandeis games over the past several years.  Great competitive soccer...sometimes pretty and sometimes ugly but very even matches...

Me too. When they first played back in 2013 Tufts blew them away and I think Brandeis had a bone to pick the next year when Tufts came to town. That was an even game but I remember being so shocked when Brandeis scored with 11 minutes left (having gone 0-3 in its previous 3 NESCAC games without scoring) and at that point I knew they were going to win. That was one of the biggest wins in Brandeis' recent history. Since then there have been a number of back and forth games (Tufts leads the post-2010 series 4-3) and interestingly 2 of the 3 Brandeis wins have been on the road, while Tufts has won twice at each venue. And, excluding the first two, they've been one-goal games.

Definitely competitive, definitely chippy, but there's always grudging respect. That's how it should be IMHO.

Did you know that Tufts and Brandeis conduct ID clinics jointly?  http://www.newenglandsoccerclinics.com/ 

[rudy]

Time to start talking about Connecticut College more on the national level instead of just inside the NESCAC.  Impressive season going, and we'll have to see if the Camels can finish just as strong.

Massey currently has them rated #2.  Nationally.  Ahead of Tufts, Calvin and Messiah.  Behind only Chicago.

Well Conn will be playing next 2 games against programs that have been the top of the NESCAC in terms of national recognition and results over the last 5 years. If they come out of these games with points then they will probably be given national level respect. Just because Massey algorithms put them ahead of Tufts, Calvin, and Messiah doesn't mean much. How many final 4 or national championship games have they been to? Until they consistently make it to multiple final 4s or better I don't think you can put them in the same category as these teams.  Beating Tufts and Amherst would put them in the conversation for this year certainly but still would want to see a deep run in the tournament

[PaulNewman]

In terms of Conn College I was only referring to this year.  And I think we all know that Conn has not been to Final Fours or won national titles.  There was no intention on my part to suggest even a slight equivalence with those other programs.  And you're correct, at this time next week Conn easily could be 10-2.  Amherst needs a good win in the worst way, and Conn no doubt will get Tufts' A game.  Still, though, for Conn, this is a remarkable season thus far, and almost as remarkable as if we were talking about Colby or Bates.

[Mid-Atlantic Fan]

MAF Top 25
1. Chicago
2. Messiah
3. Tufts
4. Calvin
5. St. Joe's Me
6. Lynchburg
7. CT College
8. Montclair St
9. Trinity
10. MW
11. CMU
12. Kenyon
13. Stevens
14. F&M
15. Loras
16. UW-Platteville
17. Lycoming
18. Cortland St
19. Norwich
20. Hope
21. Rochester
22. Emory
23. St. Norbert
24. Ithaca
25. PSU-Harrisburg

[Buck O.]

Time to start talking about Connecticut College more on the national level instead of just inside the NESCAC.  Impressive season going, and we'll have to see if the Camels can finish just as strong.

Massey currently has them rated #2.  Nationally.  Ahead of Tufts, Calvin and Messiah.  Behind only Chicago.

Well Conn will be playing next 2 games against programs that have been the top of the NESCAC in terms of national recognition and results over the last 5 years. If they come out of these games with points then they will probably be given national level respect. Just because Massey algorithms put them ahead of Tufts, Calvin, and Messiah doesn't mean much. How many final 4 or national championship games have they been to? Until they consistently make it to multiple final 4s or better I don't think you can put them in the same category as these teams.  Beating Tufts and Amherst would put them in the conversation for this year certainly but still would want to see a deep run in the tournament

It's Massey's rating.  Not mine. 

With that said, I place more stock in it than in the coaches' rankings.  The problem with the coaches' rankings is that the coaches can't have seen most of the teams.  So they're working with scores, just like Massey, but Massey can track all of those data more effectively than a coach who is focusing on other things.

And while I agree that Conn hasn't enjoyed the same level of success in the past as those other schools, I fail to see what that has to do with how good they are this year.