2021 Game Notes

[WUPHF]

Trine v Webster
Webster University
Bias? – I make a killer trine to soak my Thanksgiving Turkey, and I use the dictionary.

   Webster has a killer soccer stadium.

These are amazing.

Please keep them coming.

Webster tried to build a soccer stadium on land owned by the neighboring seminary, but the neighbors see that land as theirs and convinced City Hall to say no.

They currently play at a stadium built by Anheuser-Busch and leased from one of the local soccer clubs.  The stadium used to be home to a number of semi-professional and professional teams as well as Division I Saint Louis University.

[SimpleCoach]

Last one for 6 September.  Have a good evening.

Mary Hardin Baylor v Franklin and Marshall (#12 in D3Soccer Top 25)
Franklin and Marshall
Bias? – I know Mary Hardin Baylor has a very good football program and F&M has the stadium of one.

   Slow pace of the game.
   In general, the farther the pass, the greater the likelihood of being challenged for it.
   MHB is slow to step to the ball but may be the issue as F&M not sure what to do with the ball when they have someone holding them up.
   MHB has some skillful ball handlers who love the ball too much.
   This is a game between the 22's.  Defending very intelligently, both teams.  Especially for guys up top, there is little to no room.
   MHB drops off and almost baits the long ball from F&M.  Two defensive lines are tight.
   How many times do you try to beat a man 1 on 1 on the dribble and lose the ball, before you decide to try something else?  I can see the F&M right mid (#66), making a meal of some players, but he is being defended very well.
   MHB switches sides very effectively.
   Shot from an F&M player for 25 yards out.  Yakita? Big time shot, and a big time save from the MHB Keeper.
   MHB really not making the F&M back line sweat.  This is where if I were the F&M coach,  I would have my center back step higher into the midfield, see if we can't pin them back.  But no, I am not said coach.
   Another reason why I love this game..... #66 just ate up two defenders and drew a foul right at the 18 for F&M.  And the keeper makes a big time save again.
   F&M is starting to make some head way  in getting to goal.
   MHB starting to give too much respect to the F&M midfielders who have tons of space to turn and choose their passes without pressure.  18 left in the half.
   F&M falls back and defends well.  Not as organized and compact as Ohio Wesleyan (Game I watched a few days ago...), but pretty comparable.
   F&M #45 is talented.  But does love the ball too much.
   Only issue with F&M is in the transition where I don't think the midfield does a good job of becoming options for defenders with the ball.  But this may just be a legs thing.... Two games in three days.
   Couple of minutes of a bit of chaotic play.  F&M is now slowing it down.  No rush.
   MHB is letting F&M bring the ball to their 40 before they start to really defend. 
   #6, F&M right back can run with the ball 30 yards, before an MHB midfielder fronting him.
   Think this unsettles F&M because there is not a lot of space for F&M to go after.
   Back to some chaotic play... 8 minutes to half.
   F&M primarily attacks down the right-hand side.  #6, if he were more ambitious could get some goals.
   MHB has too many bodies back and is just looking for some type of break on the attack.  F&M has the run of play but can't break down the cluttered back line.  This is the time where I would be calling for patience.
   And F&M needs to move the ball side to side higher up the field and try to get MHB to stretch out a bit.  Otherwise, they are waiting on a mistake for the game winner.  F&M will score off a set piece.
   MHB goalkeeper is the man of the first half.
   Think this is going to half.  Think that's it. Done.

[Gregory Sager]

I'm really enjoying these observations.

[Ron Boerger]

I'm really enjoying these observations.

Ditto.

Looks like UMHB (picked fifth in the American Southwest) is having a decent start, losing at Messiah 0-1 in 2OT and hanging with F&M at their place before also falling 0-1.  I'd love to hear SimpleCoach's observations on UMHB-Trinity TX on the 17th.

[SimpleCoach]

Maine Maritime v Bates
Bates College – Russell Street Track and Field
Bias? – I love the beach but I have never stayed in that famous motel.

   Another narrow track field, but it is grass, so that's good.
   This Bates' first game of the season.
   4th minutes.  Floated through ball to speedy forward who outpaces Maine Maritime and slots it past the keepers left.  Maine Maritime 0, Bates 1.
   Really until that point, think both teams were just feeling each other out.  This Bates definitely more aggressive going forward, but the game has been pretty clunky.
   Bates plays a 3-5-2.
   Bates does a better job connecting.  Maine Maritime struggling to get anything going past midfield.
   Maine Maritime struggles to keep up defensively when Bates moves the ball quickly.  Problem for Bates is that they seem to be missing that final/killer ball.
   Bates right now is definitely the better team.
   Well played in the attack for Bates.  Pick a bad Maine Maritime pass in their half.  Center back who won the ball carries it 20 yeards and sends an outside mid to the races to the endline.  Mid takes a good solid touch to deliver a great ball on the ground to the PK spot and Bates players buries it far post.  Maine Maritime 0, Bates 2. 12th minute.
   Think I am done with this one.

[SimpleCoach]

Muhlenberg College v Centenary College
Centenary College – J.E. Reeves Turf Field
Bias? – Son did a soccer camp where he broke his foot.

   Lot of yelling from the benches....
   Muhlenberg definitely bringing more energy than Centenary
   Its early but both teams struggling to connect past midfield.  Too rushed.
   Will say centenary needs to impose itself on the game a bit, otherwise they could get run over by the Mules.
   On the attack Muhlenberg gets so high up almost like a single line of 6.  Defenders hang in midfield.  Gap of 30 yards, easy.  Centenary trying to take advantage of that with some quick breaks.
   Left wing for Muhlenberg is good, speedy, and has an idea.  Execution seems to be the issue for him right now.  Right decisions at the wrong time.  I can see him being a handful when he is in a Flow State.
   Centenary is really not good in the air.
   Centenary defending with 10.
   Muhlenberg slowly growing into the game.
   Muhlenberg just scored. Big switch to the far side from a defender who recovered the ball deep in Mule territory.  Take a touch and sends the ball almost over the touchline.  Outside mid makes it to it and puts the ball on the ground across the box, where the center forward dummies it for the wing who is sitting far post to bury it.  Amazed at how wide open he was.  #11?  Tall and lanky.
   Would have been harder to miss....
   Centenary tries to defend with a diamond of four, and three midfields, but positionally lack the discipline.  Too many guys just seem to float.
   Centenary coach is getting all fired up/frustrated.
   Centenary is sitting real deep.  Muhlenberg has ¾ of the field to themselves.
   Everyone makes some subs, not sure why for Muhlenberg.
   A good team would exploit the space between the Muhlenberg backs and midfields.  Not even sure if Centenary see it.
   Muhlenberg really over complicating the attack.  Think everyone may think they can score a goal this game.  Very undisciplined and wasteful with the ball.
   Like they are playing a 4-1-5. 
   Muhlenberg launching shots from every which angle and distance.  Looking for the glory goal before half.
   Wonderful through ball, perfectly weighted, across the run of play to forward making a diagonal run.  Ball on the ground, easy touch and slots it far post to the left of the keeper.
   Muhlenberg player who initially won the ball, did so between two Centenary players, starting from being on the ground, at midfield.  That's where the goal was allowed....
   Don't see much changing, so am out of this one.
   And just as I am wrapping up, Muhlenberg buries a third.  Absolutely peach of a through ball to the far side from #32 to player on far side who is able to bury the ball one time from 12 yards out.  That was perhaps the best pass I have seen for a goal in all the games I have watched.  Muhlenberg 3, Centenary 0.

[SimpleCoach]

Amherst College (#2 D3Soccer Ranking) v Norwich University
Norwich University
Bias? – I am anti-bias.

   Seems to be a popular approach to corners and dead balls a distance from the box.  Pack everyone in the box and just lump it in.  Can't tell you how many times I have seen this.  If I were a coach, I would definitely be drawing up new approaches to both attaching and defending for this.
   Amherst seems to have the better of the play.  Norwich has some pretty big guys in the midfield and forward line.
   Amherst defends well with numbers and seems organized.
   Amherst has skill on the ball.  And long balls are actually passes.  Don't seem to go long for 50/50 balls.
   Both teams rush the ball.
   Right back for Amherst has a tough job marking #10, but is doing a masterful job.
   Neither team seems to be risking much.  Not taking chances.  Making sure they have numbers back.
   Amherst #10 just threaded a ball between defenders, that was probably the best pass I have seen that did not end up in the goal.  Ball between left center back and left back for a forward running on the outside.  Takes a touch and keeper comes up with a big save.  That's the sort of pass that makes defending so hard.  Perfect weight.
   Meanwhile down at the other end, foul at the 18 that #10 from Norwich takes advantage of and buries a free kick.  Amherst 0, Norwich 1.  15 left in the half.
   Amherst wingers can deliver real good balls into the box.  Can be real dangerous.
   Think Norwich has Amherst a little bit in a panic as things are not working out the way they want them to.   Players react with frustration.
   When they don't panic, Amherst does move the ball well on the attack.  Just need to be quicker to catch Norwich out of position.
   Even though they are down, and probably not playing their best, I can see why they are #2 in the country.
   #18 from Norwich is a handful.
   1:46 Amherst gets a ball behind the defense with the left back lagging.  Ball is settled by the center forward #8, who settles and scores to tie it 1-1.
   Halftime.  Will try Tufts.  Hope they fixed their streaming issues.
   Second half.
   Amherst breaks out quick and is very thoughtful.  Breaking out from the back four midfields all stepped and got the ball forward.  Ended up in a shot wide.  Very impressive
   Amherst half time adjustments, play quicker into space has seemingly made a difference.  Norwich just chasing at this point.  Both teams are completely different than in the first half.
    #10 from Norwich has been figured out.  Has the same step over move that looks good but yields nothing.
   Difference between teams like Amherst and the rest, its not only that they have the skill and the ideas, they understand where everyone should be on the field.  So when they make a pass into space, the do so knowing their team mate should be there.  That's different level stuff.
   Norwich is up against the ropes.  Norwich keeper has come up big a few times this half to keep it level.
   Amherst center forward stays between the hash marks and doesn't leave that space.  Keeps one of the center backs busy at all times, and is a nuisance for any play that comes through them.
   Amherst almost scored by inches on a sequence of passes that did not come off the ground.  For someone like me, its such a refreshing team to watch.
   Amherst has a guy who does a very good flip throw.  Whips the ball in to center of the box.    Tough for Norwich to deal with.
   Norwich has everyone back inside the 30 yard line... this is Norwich field has gridiron lines.
   If Norwich gets out of this game with a point, game ball should go to their keeper.  Another fantastic save on an over the wall dead ball shot for 18 out.
   Norwich panics when it wins the ball. Amherst knocks it when they get the ball.
   Just based on the second half, Amherst deserves the game.  Don't think Norwich has done anything remotely close to the Amherst goal.
   Lots of teams could learn from watching Amherst.  They do a great job using space and do simple things like wide players staying wide.  Really stretch the field so that when they do win the ball,  the defensive posture of the other team is stretched leaving some gaping holes to take advantage of.
   Amherst on a flip throw, is headed from the near post to the back post for a goal.  On the throw the ball was whipped into the near post.  Wonder how much control the thrower has because he seems to have sent the ball in a number of ways changing it up based on a play, or how the forwards were lined up.  Amherst 2, Norwich 1. 12 minutes left.
   Amherst wins the ball and instead of messing with it, they look to make the simple pass or take the space if they have it.
   Norwich is more mindless when they win the ball.  Kick and hope.
   Little chippy at the end.  With 3 minutes now Norwich seems to be having a sense of urgency.  But still not getting anywhere.
   Amherst just took minute and half off the clock just by possession.
   And game over.  Amherst 2, Norwich 1.

[SimpleCoach]

Montclair State v. Hunter College
MSU Soccer Park (Where Red Bull II play their home games)
Bias? – Know a number of players on MSU.

   MSG starting eleven with almost half, freshman.
   Have head good things about Montclair.  Expecting a lot.
   #12, Owen Murphy comes for a family of formidable soccer players, including his dad.
   Hunter looking to press high.  Same with MSU.  MSU more effective, however.
   MSU has dead ball plays that are very effective. 
   MSU on the front foot.  Hunter having trouble getting the ball.
   Hunter looking to counter quick when they can.  MSU doesn't make it easy however.
   Hunter doesn't have depth defensively giving tons of space for MSU runners.
   MSU just trying to pick their spots for the killer ball.
   MSU is high press all over the field, don't give Hunter the opportunity to breath.
   Ball out to the far side for a winger, who drops it back.  One touch pass to a forward who turns and hits the ball far post.  MSU 1, Hunter 0.
   Hunter just turns the ball over because of the press.  Anything that does get through MSU have a solid back line that breaks it all up.
   MSU drops back to have 5 defenders and two midfielders.  3 forwards stay high.
   More goals will come for MSU.  What they do defensively high up the field is much more impressive than when they actually have control of the ball. Really just trying to get it wide then drive it into the middle.
   MSU with a goal from a corner.  Ball driven into the box... keeper seems frozen, and player running through the box heads it into the back of the net.
   Think I am done with this one.  20 minutes left in the half.
   Don't rank Montclair as high as some of the other teams I watched, but I can see them making a deep run in post season.
   I'm out.

[Ejay]

   Don't rank Montclair as high as some of the other teams I watched, but I can see them making a deep run in post season.

They're not pretty, but are effective.  And they have a lot of talent, much of it young too.  I think anything less than Sweet16 would be a disappointment.

[SimpleCoach]

Ok.  Tried ranking all the teams I watched.  The bottom end proved to be impossible so just ranked the top 25.  Again, like my game notes, this has nothing to do with anything other than what I watched, and what I was impressed with.  Certainly not Massey, or the D3Soccer Top 25.  Take it for what you will.

Will say, there is a pretty big drop off from Muhlenberg to Ohio Northern.  And another drop from Willamette to Washington & Lee.

1   Amherst
2   Ohio Wesleyan
3   Calvin
4   Franklin & Marshall
5   Montclair State
6   Hope
7   Muhlenberg
8   Ohio Northern
9   Haverford
10   Emory
11   Stockton
12   Willamette
13   Washington & Lee
14   Plattsburgh
15   Mount Union
16   Clarkson
17   Trine
18   Catholic
19   Mary Hardin Baylor
20   Rutgers-Newark
21   Cabrini
22   Bates
23   Cairn
24   Eastern Connecticut
25   Marymount

[Centennial1]

Gotta come out of my ivory tower to congratulate SimpleCoach on this thread. Great stuff. I've watched many of the same matches and have very few quibbles with your rankings. I would take a second look at Montclair. From what I've seen, they look capable of playing against the lump-it-in-and-smash style which is effective at this level (I'm looking at you, Amherst), as well as the ability to roll the ball around crisply. I saw a speed and purpose to their passing and movement off the ball that made me a believer. I also like that you rated Hope, despite succumbing to a bigger, faster OWU: they play a good brand of football. Haverford will fall in future rankings: I don't see the organization to last a full 90 against strong opposition.

Zero connections to any of the above: just observations. Again, keep it up, SC!

[SimpleCoach]

Thanks @Centennial1.  Appreciate the comments.

I am sure this will change over time.  Some of the games, like the Montclair game, I don't think were good indicators of how they could play.  Wasn't much of challenge for them.  I know a number of players on the team and expect a lot out of them. 

Re: Haverford, apparently you are correct in that assessment.  Think it  was against Cabrini and I watched the first half where they played well, but not effective in front of goal.  And apparently they fell apart in the second half.   I will be circling around especially as I try to watch the more competitive and meaningful games.

Thanks again.

[SimpleCoach]

John Carroll University v Carnegie Mellon University
Carnegie Mellon
Bias? – Played against both schools and played against Hector Marinaro. 

   Looks like a cool little stadium that Carnegie Mellon has in the middle of campus...
   28 Minutes left in the half, JCU wins a ball (CMU Players were calling for a foul) and goes on the attack just beyond midfield on the right side.  Classic 3v2 and JCU played it like the drill.  Ball to the outside, who passed it central, and when the defenders collapsed, passed it out wide where the player one time the ball into the back of the net.
   And 30 seconds later, JCU called for a handball in the box.  CMU converts to the left of the keeper who guessed the wrong way. 27 Minutes left in the first half.
   JCU you looks to play quickly and get the ball wide.  They compete for every 50/50 ball, challenge for everything.
   CMU is trying to play out of the pressure.  They are playing too narrow to make it easier.  Caught too many times without passing options because the defenders are right there.
   JCU forcing CMU to chase the ball by effectively switching it side to side.  CMU not nearly as effective on the press as JCU.
   CMU just looks uncomfortable handling the ball.
   Even on goal JCU forces CMU to hit it long invariably creating a 50/50.  JCU man marks very effectively.
   JCU keeps pressing on the attack. 
   Since the PK about 10 minutes earlier, CMU has not really gotten close to JCU goal.
   JCU press is the most impressive part of their game.  Probably the best I have seen.
   JCU has a lot of movement off the ball, and try to maintain possession when they do win it.
   Both teams play very narrow.  Forcing the ball into tight spaces, and don't use the width.  This plays into JCUs game plan.
   Bad passes and poor decisions hurt both teams.  Could see something dangerous happening because of it.
   With 4 left in the half, CMU looking like it is starting to get comfortable in dealing with the press.
   Halftime
   4 minutes in, corner for JCU.  Ball goes back post at the 18, JCU rips the ball that deflects and hits the back of the net.  John Carroll 2, Carnegie Mellon 1.
   JCU continues with the press, CMU continues to try to deal with it.
   32 minutes in, foul about 40 out.  Poor free kick that is cleared by JCU back to the player who took the free kick.  Takes a touch and puts it back in to the same spot at the 18.... Poorly kicked again.  Same player misjudges the ball and it goes under his foot, and bounces to a forward who buries the ball from 6.    John Carroll 2, Carnegie Mellon 2.
   CMU seems to have gotten inspired by the goal and are taking it to JCU which seems to going from de Mas a Menos.  Starting to play with confidence.
   Pressing is great, but need to have the soccer.  At some point the legs don't work as well, and with 26 left in the half, that seems to be happening to JCU.  And their soccer has a lot to be desired.  Sequence of 5 plays in JCU half where they played poor balls that were recovered by CMU.
   JCU is now hoofing the ball forward from out of the back, seemingly to have given up on working the ball. 
   This game will be decided on a defensive error.
   Theory.  High pressure only works for half of the game.  Humans are not physically able to maintain the pressure for 90 minutes.
   JCU constantly breaking down whatever plays they can generate because they make a bad pass.
   Meanwhile CMU is being more intelligent with the ball.
   15 left, JCU just made a sub of 8 players.
   CMU is better this half.  JCU brain has shut down at this point.  11 left in the half.
   Bad touch leads to a turnover at midfield for CMU.  Pass to winger who lets the ball go passed him and leaves the defender in his wake.  Slots a forward with a pass in the box.  About 10 yards in, on left side from the goal, forward opens his hips and with his right peg hits a ball far post side netting.  Peach of a goal!  John Carroll 2, Carnegie Mellon 3.  8 minutes left.
   Dare I say that goal was well deserved.
   JCU is trying but can't connect the right passes, and CMU is committed to winning.
   Final.  John Carroll 2, Carnegie Mellon 3

[SimpleCoach]

Based on the game last night, revising my Top... 27

1   Amherst
2   Ohio Wesleyan
3   Calvin
4   Franklin & Marshall
5   Montclair State
6   Hope
7   Muhlenberg
8   Carnegie Mellon
9   Ohio Northern
10   Haverford
11   Emory
12   Stockton
13   Willamette
14   Washington & Lee
15   Plattsburgh
16   John Carroll
17   Mount Union
18   Clarkson
19   Trine
20   Catholic
21   Mary Hardin Baylor
22   Rutgers-Newark
23   Cabrini
24   Bates
25   Cairn
26   Eastern Connecticut
27   Marymount

[Ejay]

Based on the game last night, revising my Top... 27

1   Amherst
2   Ohio Wesleyan
3   Calvin
4   Franklin & Marshall
5   Montclair State
6   Hope
7   Muhlenberg
8   Carnegie Mellon
9   Ohio Northern
10   Haverford

This weekend's action for SimpleCoach's Top 10...

1   Amherst  - @ Bowdoin. Haven't lost to Bowdoin since 2008. Can't imagine things change this weekend.
2   Ohio Wesleyan – Hosting Muskingum and Grove City in The Fred Meyers Invitational. Muskingum's been pounded this season by CMU and Denison by a combined score of 12-1. Should be an easy victory.  Grove City will be a better game but having to face Kenyon the previous day won't help their cause.
3   Calvin – Hosts Aurora (2-0) and Carthage (2-0-1) this weekend. Decent test, but I see two victories for the Knights 
4   Franklin & Marshall – Host long-time rival Elizabethtown (2-0) in the Battle for the Smith-Herr Boot, which is an actual Bronze boot that was originally worn by Al Hershey, a 2-time AA at Elizabethtown before later coaching both schools. F&M has won 2 of the last 3 meetings and has to be the favorite.
5   Montclair State – May finally get a game when they host NYU (1-0-1), but a win is still the likely outcome in this one.
6   Hope – Will join Calvin in going 2-0 against Aurora and Carthage this weekend.
7   Muhlenberg – Coming off an ECAC Championship in 2019, starting the year 2-0, and hosting Messiah at 7pm Saturday night.  Expecting a big crowd to see just what the Muhles have this year.  A draw would be a great, though unlikely result.
8   Carnegie Mellon – Great win Thursday over #20 John Carroll will give the Tartans plenty of confidence going into a rather easy game at Westminster (2-2) who they own a career record of 14-0-1 against.
9   Ohio Northern – Host Concordia (2-1) and NAIA foe Huntington (4-1) this weekend.  Unfortunate start to the season for ONU, having lost to #3 Calvin on a late game winner and then drawing with Hope in a tightly contested match. Two wins this weekend would put ONU on the right side of .500
10   Haverford – An uncharacteristic 0-2 start makes this weekend's jimmy Mills Tournament games vs. #15 Rowan (3-0) and Widener (1-2) all the more important. Look for the Fords to pick up their first win this weekend, but unfortunately a victory over Rowan seems unlikely.