2019 D3 Men's Soccer National Perspective

[PaulNewman]

Yeah, I can't find it, either.  If a mod happens to read this, where did Zinn's column go?

Also, regarding H-S:  Massey has them at #49.

You can still find it by searching "Zinn's Contenders" in the search box.

https://d3soccer.com/columns/men-zinns-contenders/2019-1_Mid-September

That works well when you can remember the full name of the column!  It didn't work so well when I typed in "Zinn," which gave me a lot of links related to Howard Zinn (who didn't have much to say about D3 soccer, AFAIK).

I did the same thing, and that was after I couldn't find him anywhere where columnists and their columns usually are found.  I started wondering about something juicy and conspiratorial, like Shapiro wanted it shut down for whatever reason.

[blooter442]

That works well when you can remember the full name of the column!  It didn't work so well when I typed in "Zinn," which gave me a lot of links related to Howard Zinn (who didn't have much to say about D3 soccer, AFAIK).

Fair enough. At first, I thought that the search function worked well, compared to many websites' Google widgets, which do seemingly nothing as far as helping with internal searches — I get a pile of irrelevant results with them usually; then I realized that I did know the column name and that's probably why I found it easily. That is pretty odd that it's not there, though. I'll drop a line to the relevant overlords (I have no posting superpowers, and I'm fine with that).

I did the same thing, and that was after I couldn't find him anywhere where columnists and their columns usually are found.  I started wondering about something juicy and conspiratorial, like Shapiro wanted it shut down for whatever reason.

Not sure how relevant this is but it's what I thought of when I read this and I'm going to leave it here anyway.

[Christan Shirk]

Yeah, I can't find it, either.  If a mod happens to read this, where did Zinn's column go?

Also, regarding H-S:  Massey has them at #49.

You can still find it by searching "Zinn's Contenders" in the search box.

https://d3soccer.com/columns/men-zinns-contenders/2019-1_Mid-September

That works well when you can remember the full name of the column!  It didn't work so well when I typed in "Zinn," which gave me a lot of links related to Howard Zinn (who didn't have much to say about D3 soccer, AFAIK).

I did the same thing, and that was after I couldn't find him anywhere where columnists and their columns usually are found.  I started wondering about something juicy and conspiratorial, like Shapiro wanted it shut down for whatever reason.

Sorry, about that guys!  No conspiracy unless the Managing Editor is hiding something from me!  I will make sure that Zinn's Contenders get's its column homepage/archive published.  If it depends on me it might not happen today--wife's 40th birthday and three kids with soccer practices tonight--but it will be up soon.

[NokeAlum15]

What am I missing in yesterday's USC rankings?  Noke ranked #4 in South Atlantic, which I'm fine with.  But to have Oglethorpe (who Noke beat 2-0 on Sunday) receiving more votes than Roanoke?

Something seems off there.

[Ron Boerger]

[...]
And we now know that Trinity is in the midst of their worst slump since the mid-90's, so some of the shine on that victory is lost.

Possibly worth noting that Trinity(TX) finally made a change in goal prior to last weekend's game against Dallas, a side that defeated them once in both 2018 and 2017, and won 6-0.   Makes a difference when your keeper stops most of his shots, and this was the first clean sheet of the year.  The six goals also were as many as the team had scored combined in the first five games of the season.   

Unfortunately, the schedule for the rest of the regular season consists solely of SCAC opponents, so we won't be able to see if things are really back on track until the playoffs, should Trinity qualify for them. 

[PaulNewman]

Big win for Calvin over Chicago.  I only saw the last 15 minutes or so and missed what happened for the red card for Calvin.  I will say that I was very surprised to see so much gamesmanship from the Knights.  Fake, dramatic falls to draw fouls and free kicks not deserved.  Chicago had a game tying goal negated by an offsides call.  Very competitive match as these two schools have had some intense matches and took turns knocking each other out of the NCAA tourney.  I don't know why I'm always so surprised about how competitive Calvin can be (some kind of weird double standard?), but they definitely compete like crazy and don't let the complimentary words from Souders fool ya.

[EastCoastSoccer]

A tale of two halves. Calvin definitely got the better of the play from the Maroons in the first half, but the Chicago side came back and gave it to them in the second half. Two interesting calls on Calvin's second goal and the Maroons goal that was called back late in the second half. The second Calvin goal looked surely to be offside, but no call. On the goal called back for the Maroons, it looked as if the maroon player just beat the Calvin defender to the ball.

Without a doubt, these two teams will make a deep run in the tournament. Two top five teams for sure with a great rivalry. It will be interesting to see where they end up meeting one another again.

[Domino1195]

Buff St loses in OT - but their tying goal with one second left in regulation is what kids dream about. The link below takes you to their video page - move ahead till 30 seconds left in second half

https://potsdambears.com/sports/2015/9/3/MSOC_0903151230.aspx

[Gregory Sager]

A bicycle-kick goal from the edge of the box with one second left? That's pretty cool.

[Ejay]

1:59 into the video for those looking.

[Ron Boerger]

With tonight's 4-0 win over Texas Lutheran, Trinity(TX) coach Paul McGinlay reached 500 wins in less time than anyone in NCAA men's soccer history (all divisions), per the school.

[WUPHF]

1:59 into the video for those looking.

Or, the easy way: https://twitter.com/i/status/1177799253403602944

[PaulNewman]

Tufts looks bored to me.  As I've said I like how Bates is trending and the Bobcats have a chance to make some noise in the next couple of seasons.  I would think this is the year they develop some confidence, realize they can compete with the top NESCAC sides, and then begin next year with higher expectations.  I'm sure Tufts will be fine....the Jumbos are waiting for November and Shapiro no doubt will shake things up if he thinks his team needs a bit of a wake-up call.

Big win for Middlebury.  They needed a win like that to believe that they should be considered real contenders. 

Can someone familiar with Mary Washington and Catholic provide some color on those teams?

Piggybacking on posts in the Mid Atlantic and GL threads, JCU ran into the kind of team that I see them having trouble beating in a NCAA sectional.  We all knew Messiah would be good and get better, especially with players returning from injuries, and while I think the Falcons will be contenders I don't see them as overwhelmingly dynamic and dangerous as in past years.  I don't think the gap between Messiah and some of the teams JCU has squeaked by is as big as suggested in the GL thread.  First, who knows what happens if JCU gets to the half 0-0 as they should have done with an error gifting Messiah a goal which gave the Falcons an edge for the rest of the contest.  I have touted JCU and they clearly are top of GL at least for now, but I don't think the GL has any teams that are among the 6-8 squads most likely to reach the Final Four.  But I'm not sure anyone can fairly rate how good teams like Rochester and Kenyon will be or could be based on their second games of the season.  I mean Kenyon had one blowout game versus lightweight NAIA side Ohio Christian and then faced JCU in Don Shula Stadium with a very new and inexperienced team far from having any identity (and the game still could have gone either way with the Lords having the lead twice).  JCU is very good and their run so far has been fantastic and they have a high floor, but I'm not sure how high their ceiling is.  Can JCU make a run to a a Sweet 16 or even an Elite 8?  Absolutely.  But I wouldn't peg them to reach the Final Four presuming they have to get by a team like Messiah, Calvin, Tufts, Amherst, Rowan, Hopkins, Chicago, W&L, etc (teams with explosive offenses).  I haven't watched every JCU game, but they seem very reliant on set pieces to score.  Messiah really limited free kick chances and for the most part kept Turritin out of danger areas.

So Tufts remains a very clear #1.  I suppose Amherst has solidified the #2 position for now.  And after that?  It's got to be Calvin.  I know it's not JCU or Kenyon.  Messiah has top 5 potential but I don't think they are there just yet.  I like Chicago and Rowan (although Rowan let Montclair equalize late).  Hopkins and F&M are chugging along.  And I really like W&L as my sleeper pick (quietly having an outstanding season).

[jknezek]

Tufts looks bored to me.  As I've said I like how Bates is trending and the Bobcats have a chance to make some noise in the next couple of seasons.  I would think this is the year they develop some confidence, realize they can compete with the top NESCAC sides, and then begin next year with higher expectations.  I'm sure Tufts will be fine....the Jumbos are waiting for November and Shapiro no doubt will shake things up if he thinks his team needs a bit of a wake-up call.

Big win for Middlebury.  They needed a win like that to believe that they should be considered real contenders. 

Can someone familiar with Mary Washington and Catholic provide some color on those teams?

Piggybacking on posts in the Mid Atlantic and GL threads, JCU ran into the kind of team that I see them having trouble beating in a NCAA sectional.  We all knew Messiah would be good and get better, especially with players returning from injuries, and while I think the Falcons will be contenders I don't see them as overwhelmingly dynamic and dangerous as in past years.  I don't think the gap between Messiah and some of the teams JCU has squeaked by is as big as suggested in the GL thread.  First, who knows what happens if JCU gets to the half 0-0 as they should have done with an error gifting Messiah a goal which gave the Falcons an edge for the rest of the contest.  I have touted JCU and they clearly are top of GL at least for now, but I don't think the GL has any teams that are among the 6-8 squads most likely to reach the Final Four.  But I'm not sure anyone can fairly rate how good teams like Rochester and Kenyon will be or could be based on their second games of the season.  I mean Kenyon had one blowout game versus lightweight NAIA side Ohio Christian and then faced JCU in Don Shula Stadium with a very new and inexperienced team far from having any identity (and the game still could have gone either way with the Lords having the lead twice).  JCU is very good and their run so far has been fantastic and they have a high floor, but I'm not sure how high their ceiling is.  Can JCU make a run to a a Sweet 16 or even an Elite 8?  Absolutely.  But I wouldn't peg them to reach the Final Four presuming they have to get by a team like Messiah, Calvin, Tufts, Amherst, Rowan, Hopkins, Chicago, W&L, etc (teams with explosive offenses).  I haven't watched every JCU game, but they seem very reliant on set pieces to score.  Messiah really limited free kick chances and for the most part kept Turritin out of danger areas.

So Tufts remains a very clear #1.  I suppose Amherst has solidified the #2 position for now.  And after that?  It's got to be Calvin.  I know it's not JCU or Kenyon.  Messiah has top 5 potential but I don't think they are there just yet.  I like Chicago and Rowan (although Rowan let Montclair equalize late).  Hopkins and F&M are chugging along.  And I really like W&L as my sleeper pick (quietly having an outstanding season).

As a W&L alum I agree they are having a good season so far. However, they are still not on that top tier in my opinion. They are a very complete team where everyone is good, but they are missing that transcendent difference maker that is generally a hallmark of the top tier teams. I think they will have a very solid season and depending on match ups could progress a few rounds in the tournament, but I don't expect they can consistently compete yet with the true elites.

This is the same feeling I've had for the last 4, maybe 5, seasons. And it's one I'm not particularly sad about. W&L was always something of a sleeping giant and Coach Singleton has woken them. I would be very upset if he moved on after the progress he has made. But breaking into that final tier, let alone staying there, is extremely difficult. I'm very pleased with them being a top 25 team, and I think they deserve that right now. But top 5 or 8? Eh... it's a stretch.

Still, I expect them to do well in the ODAC season, with hosting both Lynchburg and Roanoke on the horizon.Those teams are no slouches and the ODAC conference season should be interesting this year with 3 very good teams. Unfortunately after those 3, there appears to be almost no middle class to the ODAC...

[Mid-Atlantic Fan]

Tufts looks bored to me.  As I've said I like how Bates is trending and the Bobcats have a chance to make some noise in the next couple of seasons.  I would think this is the year they develop some confidence, realize they can compete with the top NESCAC sides, and then begin next year with higher expectations.  I'm sure Tufts will be fine....the Jumbos are waiting for November and Shapiro no doubt will shake things up if he thinks his team needs a bit of a wake-up call.

Big win for Middlebury.  They needed a win like that to believe that they should be considered real contenders. 

Can someone familiar with Mary Washington and Catholic provide some color on those teams?

Piggybacking on posts in the Mid Atlantic and GL threads, JCU ran into the kind of team that I see them having trouble beating in a NCAA sectional.  We all knew Messiah would be good and get better, especially with players returning from injuries, and while I think the Falcons will be contenders I don't see them as overwhelmingly dynamic and dangerous as in past years.  I don't think the gap between Messiah and some of the teams JCU has squeaked by is as big as suggested in the GL thread.  First, who knows what happens if JCU gets to the half 0-0 as they should have done with an error gifting Messiah a goal which gave the Falcons an edge for the rest of the contest.  I have touted JCU and they clearly are top of GL at least for now, but I don't think the GL has any teams that are among the 6-8 squads most likely to reach the Final Four.  But I'm not sure anyone can fairly rate how good teams like Rochester and Kenyon will be or could be based on their second games of the season.  I mean Kenyon had one blowout game versus lightweight NAIA side Ohio Christian and then faced JCU in Don Shula Stadium with a very new and inexperienced team far from having any identity (and the game still could have gone either way with the Lords having the lead twice).  JCU is very good and their run so far has been fantastic and they have a high floor, but I'm not sure how high their ceiling is.  Can JCU make a run to a a Sweet 16 or even an Elite 8?  Absolutely.  But I wouldn't peg them to reach the Final Four presuming they have to get by a team like Messiah, Calvin, Tufts, Amherst, Rowan, Hopkins, Chicago, W&L, etc (teams with explosive offenses).  I haven't watched every JCU game, but they seem very reliant on set pieces to score.  Messiah really limited free kick chances and for the most part kept Turritin out of danger areas.

So Tufts remains a very clear #1.  I suppose Amherst has solidified the #2 position for now.  And after that?  It's got to be Calvin.  I know it's not JCU or Kenyon.  Messiah has top 5 potential but I don't think they are there just yet.  I like Chicago and Rowan (although Rowan let Montclair equalize late).  Hopkins and F&M are chugging along.  And I really like W&L as my sleeper pick (quietly having an outstanding season).

Catholic is favored to win the Landmark this year and are off to a nice start in non-conference action. I have seen them play a couple times and they are strong from front to back and seem to have decent depth. I am interested to see how they do against Etown and Drew as those will be the more telling conference games for them. They just beat Scranton on the road the other day to open up conference, whom is a favorite to make the conference playoffs as well, so they seem to be full steam ahead. They are 8-1-1 with nice results against Lycoming, Mary Washington, Dickinson, and Lynchburg. Eastern, Drew, and Etown all left to play.