2018 Season - National Perspective

[Mid-Atlantic Fan]

MAF Top 25 (9/10)
1. Chicago (3-0-1)
2. Messiah (3-0-1)
3. Calvin (4-0-0)
4. Lynchburg (4-0-0)
5. Mary Washington (5-0-0)
6. Amherst (2-0-0)
7. Tufts (2-0-0)
8. F&M (4-0-0)
9. St. Joe's (Maine) (5-0-0)
10. Emory (4-0-0)
11. Trinity (2-0-1)
12. St. Thomas (4-0-0)
13. OWU (3-0-0)
14. Rochester (3-0-0)
15. Loras (2-0-0)
16. Kenyon (3-0-1)
17. St. Lawrence (3-0-1)
18. CMU (3-0-1)
19. Hopkins (4-1-0)
20. Stevens (4-1-0)
21. St Marys (Md) (3-0-2)
22. Cortland St (2-0-2)
23. Wheaton (Ill) (1-0-1)
24. Hope (4-0-0)
25.  Luther (5-0-0)
RV: Dickinson, Lycoming, Centre, Clarkson, TCNJ, St. Norbert, Occidental, WPI, Buff St, DePauw, Capital, RIT, Hamilton, CT College, Williams, Ithaca, William Patterson

Otterbein drops out completely ? Transylvania road win, Oberlin appears to be in trouble. Going to
the Thomas More game tonight. We shall see

I am sure I missed many more teams that could have been on the list this early. 

[Mr.Right]

Big fan of Dickinson introducing their starters to AC/DC's Hells Bells against Messiah...

I won't take no prisoners, won't spare no lives
Nobody's putting up a fight
I got my bell, I'm gonna take you to hell
I'm gonna get you, Satan get you...


Got a chuckle outta me....anyhow Dickinson has some size lets see how they do against the reigning champs

[Mr.Right]

1-0 Messiah on a nice run by #11 Nick West. Speed, composure and a left foot was what that goal was all about. Nice run down the left flank. Pretty weak defending by Dickinson as there was a dive-in, missed tackle and not reading the play develop. As typing Messiah gets a 2nd goal...So much for Bon Scott...

[blooter442]

Big fan of Dickinson introducing their starters to AC/DC's Hells Bells against Messiah...

I won't take no prisoners, won't spare no lives
Nobody's putting up a fight
I got my bell, I'm gonna take you to hell
I'm gonna get you, Satan get you...


Got a chuckle outta me....anyhow Dickinson has some size lets see how they do against the reigning champs

I didn't see anything remarkable about it...then I considered the opposition. I'm sure it wasn't intentional, but that is kind of funny.

[Flying Weasel]

They are the Red Devils, so it's fitting.

[Falconer]

Let's face it. The Devils could really use some smoke and deception tonight. On the other end, West just got number 3. His second hat trick this season. Who was that ingoramus who said that moving him out of the wing was a suspect move? 

I don't know whether the Falcons have ever had a player lead the nation in goals, but at this moment that's where West is sitting. Certainly I don't recall any Falcon player even approximately like him, in terms of his mental and physical skill set. David McClellan many years ago was highly mobile and could initiate a scoring play from anywhere--and Kasiguran sometimes made him look even better, with how-could-he-do-that passes. But, DMac didn't have West's wheels, not that anyone else did either. If West doesn't miss a long stretch with an injury, his numbers could be really scary.

[D3soccerwatcher]

Grove City College beat Oberlin 2-1 yesterday.  Grove City remains undefeated at 3-0-2.

[Shooter McGavin]

Little late but here's my best crack at the Top 25 right now!

Shooter's 25
1. Chicago (7-0-1)
2. Messiah (5-0-1)
3. Trinity (4-0-1)
4. Tufts (5-0-0)
5. Calvin (7-0-0)
6. Kenyon (6-0-1)
7. Rochester (6-0-0)
8. St. Joe's Maine (8-0-0)
9. CMU (5-0-1)
10. Lynchburg (5-0-1)
11. F&M (6-0-1)
12. Emory (7-0-0)
13. MW (6-0-1)
14. St. Norbert (6-0-1)
15. Ithaca (6-0-1)
16. Luther (7-1-0)
17. MHB (6-0-0)
18. North Park (6-1-0)
19. Cortland St (5-0-2)
20. Amherst (2-1-0)
21. TCNJ (7-1-0)
22. CMS (7-0-0)
23. Stevens (7-1-1)
24. Hope (7-0-0)
25. CT College (6-0-0)

RV (No order): Hopkins, Lycoming, CWRU, Rowan, Drew, Salisbury, Oneonta St, Buff St, Mt. Union, St. Lawrence, Williams, PSU-Harrisburg, Ramapo, Montclair, St. Mary's, Roanoke, J&W, WPI, Springfield, Middlebury, Babson, NYU, RIT, Skidmore, Clarkson, Grove City, DePauw, Capital, Spalding, Webster, MSOE, Wheaton (Ill), UWP, Loras, Macalester, Gustavus Adolphus, St. John's, Redlands, Tx Tyler, Willamette, Southwestern 

[blue_jays]

Little late but here's my best crack at the Top 25 right now!

Shooter's 25
1. Chicago (7-0-1)
2. Messiah (5-0-1)
3. Trinity (4-0-1)
4. Tufts (5-0-0)
5. Calvin (7-0-0)
6. Kenyon (6-0-1)
7. Rochester (6-0-0)
8. St. Joe's Maine (8-0-0)
9. CMU (5-0-1)
10. Lynchburg (5-0-1)
11. F&M (6-0-1)
12. Emory (7-0-0)
13. MW (6-0-1)
14. St. Norbert (6-0-1)
15. Ithaca (6-0-1)
16. Luther (7-1-0)
17. MHB (6-0-0)
18. North Park (6-1-0)
19. Cortland St (5-0-2)
20. Amherst (2-1-0)
21. TCNJ (7-1-0)
22. CMS (7-0-0)
23. Stevens (7-1-1)
24. Hope (7-0-0)
25. CT College (6-0-0)

RV (No order): Hopkins, Lycoming, CWRU, Rowan, Drew, Salisbury, Oneonta St, Buff St, Mt. Union, St. Lawrence, Williams, PSU-Harrisburg, Ramapo, Montclair, St. Mary's, Roanoke, J&W, WPI, Springfield, Middlebury, Babson, NYU, RIT, Skidmore, Clarkson, Grove City, DePauw, Capital, Spalding, Webster, MSOE, Wheaton (Ill), UWP, Loras, Macalester, Gustavus Adolphus, St. John's, Redlands, Tx Tyler, Willamette, Southwestern

St. Norbert's ranking mystifies me. They beat two CCIW teams having down years. They somehow tied winless Carroll, who just gave up 7 goals in the first half versus Chicago. Not seeing it.

[rudy]

Chicago vs Calvin looks to be the game of the week early in the season. If either team dominates it would be telling but I expect an even game

[Mr.Right]

Messiah v York 0-0 2nd Half just underway....York holding their own with a solid GK..They have what looks to be a stud striker up top...As typing Messiah stud striker Nick West rips a 25 yard set piece into the net. Pretty sweet rip but York GK might have done better to get his hand to that ball. Still a nasty strike

[Mr.Right]

York hits the crossbar...Messiah GK way off his line...York starting to threaten net still down 1-0 to Messiah with about 15 minutes left

[PaulNewman]

Watching Tufts vs Brandeis.  Of course game may turn around but hard to see how Brandeis is gonna break down the Jumbos.  Also trying to figure out how to describe these last few Tufts teams and just how strong this program has become.  Maybe a mixture of one of the best Amherst squads, a very top Final Four level NJAC team, with a dash of Messiah but just a dash.  Extremely athletic, huge team and also loads of speed in enough places.  Tremendous depth which will always come into play in the final 20 minutes and OT periods.  Tufts to me looks like a Division 1 defense with good to very good D3 offense.  They will almost never not be in a game, regardless of whether Amherst, Chicago, Messiah, Calvin, Trinity of whoever is on the other side.  Will always have at least a 50/50 chance in Elite 8 or Final Four games because they just do not break down....maintain compact shape, close very fast, and when needed big enough and chippy enough to win a game that way.  Given the overall talent level one can wonder why they don't score more goals, but they seem to make a choice that you're not going to score with confidence that eventually they will get one (or two).  Will not be surprising to see Tufts go very, very deep in the tournament yet again.  A Final Four involving Tufts, Chicago, Messiah and Calvin/Emory/NPU would be a treat.  At a minimum Tufts is on par with Messiah as the top program in the country.

[NESCAC43]

Just watched the CMU/Grove City game... wow CMU is impressive. Off the ball movement is incredible. Shows the experience these UAA teams gain from playing their tough schedule. I believe Grove City was receiving votes for top 25 (correct me if I'm wrong) but CMU just marched in there and wiped the floor with them. Looking forward to the CMU/Chicago game in a few weeks as I anticipate those will be the top UAA teams this year along with Emory.

[PaulNewman]

Very good early season game with Chicago nipping Calvin at Calvin 1-0.  These two teams may very well meet again.  Chicago had to hold on a little more than I expected, but Calvin is gritty in addition to being really good.  Have to say I was surprised at the Calvin GK's antics.  Referees should not allow that nonsense...and then it's rewarded and so continues as Lopez missed on the PK.  I'm sure Souders will have a word with him regarding Calvin sportsmanship.

Vegter is the best player in the country.  Full stop.