The Big Dance

[Ommadawn]

...losing to national champs twice in a row...

yup, i can relate to that feeling DucksFan ;-)

In descending order of confidence - i'd name both NYU & Case Western, who fielded young•ish lineups this season in the UAA and both impressed.  Brockport State made it to the 2nd round with a bunch of young talent, so look out for them from the SUNYAC (in addition to Cortland, Oneonta & next year's surprise - New Paltz). In the Liberty League there's St. Lawrence, but probably 2-3 other names that can make deep runs if they find consistency.

It will be an uphill climb for SLU, who graduate a stellar senior class that includes the starting GK, the starting CBs, and offensive talent that accounted for approximately 80% of the Saints' scoring.   

[stlawus]

SLU has gone through major talent turnover over the years and always finds ways to bounce back.  They had some of the best offensive players in program history from 2010-2013 and handled their graduation fine.  I'm confident Tosh keeps the program in the top echelon of the league.

[Ommadawn]

SLU has gone through major talent turnover over the years and always finds ways to bounce back.  They had some of the best offensive players in program history from 2010-2013 and handled their graduation fine.  I'm confident Tosh keeps the program in the top echelon of the league.

I agree 100%, but think that there's a mountain of difference between keeping "the program in the top echelon of the league" (SLU is ALWAYS my default favorite) and making a deep run in the NCAA tournament.

[daddyEzK]

Hi all, been a casual observer of the page and D3 soccer in general for the past few years, with this season over, deciding to actively post a little bit more (or as actively as I can with a busy work schedule  )...as you can hopefully tell by the name, I mainly support Stevens Tech, as I am from the area, and have made it to a few games in recent years (view from their field is incredible, highly recommend a trip). After losing to national champs twice in a row, and losing by 1 goal and giving both Tufts of 2018 and Messiah of 2017 a run for their money, the Ducks have got to be hungry to get back at it next year.Especially after watching Tufts roll through Amherst and Montclair in the rounds of 3 and 4, Ducks (who lasted 80 minutes at 0-0) will feel that playing Tufts on a bye was an unfair draw. Carrying out that theme of some teams poised to break out next year, anyone have any teams in mind? Other than Stevens, schools like Eastern, NYU, CT College, F&M, all seem candidates to try to break the status quo and reach the Final 4....let me know your guys thoughts, happy to be joining the page as a user.

Have enjoyed going to Hoboken a few times to see Haverford play the Ducks.  Haven't enjoyed the results, but like your stadium and appreciate how well your team plays. 

Haverford has won the centennial three times in the past four years, but only gets mentioned as afterthought on these boards after F&M and Hopkins.    Count them out at your own peril 

[Hopkins92]

Kind of nitpicky, but I don't think people put F&M over Haverford very much here. Obviously, this is just a gut feeling.

I never count out the Fords, from personal experience. ;-)

[Ejay]

Kind of nitpicky, but I don't think people put F&M over Haverford very much here. Obviously, this is just a gut feeling.

I never count out the Fords, from personal experience. ;-)

Agreed.  daddyEzK simply took offense that Haverford wasn't given the love he felt they deserved (understandable since his kid is on the team).  However, any "shade" given to Haverford was probably due in large part to having a new coach and losing 4 of their first 7 games.  I believe Haverford usually gets plenty of love, if there such a thing, though daddy is new to the boards this year so his experience is limited. Just my two cents.

[PaulNewman]

Hi all, been a casual observer of the page and D3 soccer in general for the past few years, with this season over, deciding to actively post a little bit more (or as actively as I can with a busy work schedule  )...as you can hopefully tell by the name, I mainly support Stevens Tech, as I am from the area, and have made it to a few games in recent years (view from their field is incredible, highly recommend a trip). After losing to national champs twice in a row, and losing by 1 goal and giving both Tufts of 2018 and Messiah of 2017 a run for their money, the Ducks have got to be hungry to get back at it next year.Especially after watching Tufts roll through Amherst and Montclair in the rounds of 3 and 4, Ducks (who lasted 80 minutes at 0-0) will feel that playing Tufts on a bye was an unfair draw. Carrying out that theme of some teams poised to break out next year, anyone have any teams in mind? Other than Stevens, schools like Eastern, NYU, CT College, F&M, all seem candidates to try to break the status quo and reach the Final 4....let me know your guys thoughts, happy to be joining the page as a user.

Have enjoyed going to Hoboken a few times to see Haverford play the Ducks.  Haven't enjoyed the results, but like your stadium and appreciate how well your team plays. 

Haverford has won the centennial three times in the past four years, but only gets mentioned as afterthought on these boards after F&M and Hopkins.    Count them out at your own peril

How in the world did you turn a post about Stevens into an opportunity to yet again squawk about Haverford being dissed???

Haverford has gotten a ton of love on this board over the past several years.  No need to keep obsessing about F&M who has gone to about 6-7 straight NCAA tournaments with multiple Elite 8 and Sweet 16 appearances.  We don't have to vote one over the other.

"Count them out at your own peril..."  Really?  Are you kidding?  What in the world does that mean?  Peril is now a thing in D3 soccer?

[DucksFan02]

Kind of nitpicky, but I don't think people put F&M over Haverford very much here. Obviously, this is just a gut feeling.

I never count out the Fords, from personal experience. ;-)

Stevens downed the Fords 3-1 this year, granted in an earlier game, with Haverford's goal coming on the last play of the game...presumably Stevens dumped their bench at this point? Additionally the Ducks lost 1-0 to F&M... In any case, appears that F&M more consistent in regular season out of conference + NCAA tourney whereas Haverford does better in CC tourney and regular season...correct me if wrong, on any of that, not a huge follower of the CC.

[diamondJOEY]

Need to get Loras back in the mix. Love when the duhawks are making a run in the tourney and their supporters come out.

[blue_jays]

Need to get Loras back in the mix. Love when the duhawks are making a run in the tourney and their supporters come out.

The Loras contingent was quieter this year than in any year I can remember. The lack of hubris was refreshing.

[Gregory Sager]

Need to get Loras back in the mix. Love when the duhawks are making a run in the tourney and their supporters come out.

The Loras contingent was quieter this year than in any year I can remember. The lack of hubris was refreshing.

Agreed.

[diamondJOEY]

Not a whole lot to cheer for this year. The ARC (IIAC) was not very exciting this year.  I cant wait for the North region to get some quality teams back into it.

[D3Grad]

I cant wait for the North region to get some quality teams back into it.

The North has been in it?  It just hasn't been Loras as previous years.  I personally have no interest in promoting Loras and it's "soccer" style.  It is disgraceful and quite distasteful to watch.  If they choose to put the ball on the ground and string more than 3 passes then I do change my stance on the program, but not until then. 

[daddyEzK]

Kind of nitpicky, but I don't think people put F&M over Haverford very much here. Obviously, this is just a gut feeling.

I never count out the Fords, from personal experience. ;-)

Stevens downed the Fords 3-1 this year, granted in an earlier game, with Haverford's goal coming on the last play of the game...presumably Stevens dumped their bench at this point? Additionally the Ducks lost 1-0 to F&M... In any case, appears that F&M more consistent in regular season out of conference + NCAA tourney whereas Haverford does better in CC tourney and regular season...correct me if wrong, on any of that, not a huge follower of the CC.

Thought Stevens played great that game and, based on that performance, I had high expectations for the Ducks for the season.   Both F&M and Haverford have traditionally played tough out of conference schedules, including teams like Stevens.  I believe it has helped both teams in the conference as the season progresses.

[diamondJOEY]

I cant wait for the North region to get some quality teams back into it.

The North has been in it?  It just hasn't been Loras as previous years.  I personally have no interest in promoting Loras and it's "soccer" style.  It is disgraceful and quite distasteful to watch.  If they choose to put the ball on the ground and string more than 3 passes then I do change my stance on the program, but not until then.

I meant that in the past 2-3 years it really has just been St. Thomas who looks dangerous enough to make a solid run. When the MIAC and IIAC are strong, its really exciting to watch. As to Loras' style of play, while it may be distasteful to watch, i dont see why people put it down so much. I think maybe the coaches have figured out that the rules are different from what you watch on tv. Theres unlimited subs, the clock stops...It creates a different sport with different strategy. With the amount of people you can play in a college match, why wouldnt you want to speed up the tempo and force people to run more, its not cheating, its taking advantage of the rules that are in play...just a thought