UAA soccer 2021

D3_Slack · September 11, 2021, 10:34:05 AM

Starting a thread for all things UAA soccer. Early season results indicate the league has a chance to be extremely competitive. I'm new to following the league (know a lot about the NESCAC) and look forward to learning and sharing info. Thanks to all for any/all contributions.

blooter442 · September 11, 2021, 01:37:35 PM

Quote from: D3_Slack on September 11, 2021, 10:34:05 AM
Starting a thread for all things UAA soccer. Early season results indicate the league has a chance to be extremely competitive. I'm new to following the league (know a lot about the NESCAC) and look forward to learning and sharing info. Thanks to all for any/all contributions.

The fact that there was no season last year has added to the uncertainty, IMHO — Chicago has basically run things the last four years, the longest streak since Carnegie put together a five-year streak (including 1 co-championship with Chicago) between 2000 and 2004. Based solely on gut, I'm guessing it's Chicago's to lose until I am proven wrong. Definitely do see other teams being competitive — I was surprised to see Carnegie pull out a win over John Carroll and I saw Rochester beat Cortland in the opening weekend, two good results based on reputations alone. Brandeis is very young this year but has some potential once they gel. In terms of early-season tests, will be eager to see the results of NYU-Montclair, WashU-North Park, Emory-Calvin, and Case-Kenyon in the near future, as I imagine I'll have a better grip on how strong the teams are after.

D3_Slack · September 13, 2021, 10:42:27 AM

https://uaasports.info/sports/msoc/2021-22/releases/washunorthpark

Looking at early season results it seems there's a bunch of very tough teams in the UAA. WashU with a big Top 20 win last week. Conference play should be very interesting across the board.

WUPHF · September 13, 2021, 02:48:53 PM

Agreed! I commented in the preseason that I was glad Washington University was in the 4-game home cycle this season with Emory, NYU, Brandeis, and Chicago traveling to St. Louis and I am. But Rochester, Carnegie Mellon and Case Western on the road... Clearly there will be no easy games.

D3_Slack · September 21, 2021, 10:31:33 AM

For some reason the national poll for this week is not out yet but appears that 7 of 8 of the UAA teams are represented in the Top 10 regional rankings (see below). Excited to see how this conference season shakes out. I think it's going to be a week to week dog fight.
-Rochester #1 in Region III
-NYU #2 in Region IV
-Emory #3 Region VI
-Carnegie Mellon #8 VII
-Case Western #10 VII
-UChicago #2 VIII
-Wash U #6 VIII

WUPHF · September 30, 2021, 09:42:02 AM

Big games this weekend to kick-off UAA play.

Emory hosts Chicago
Rochester hosts Washington University
Case Western Reserve hosts NYU
Carnegie Mellon hosts Brandeis

I watched Chicago defeat Calvin 2-0 last night, a good result for the Maroons, and the other teams play throughout the last few weeks. My sample size is limited, but I see no favorites at this point.

D3_Slack · September 30, 2021, 10:07:13 AM

I've tried to watch as many UAA teams play as I can the last couple weeks. My guess as to order of finish based on what I've seen (knowing there will be injuries which impact games, upsets, etc.):
1. Chicago
2. NYU
3. Rochester
4. CMU
5. Emory
6. Wash U
7. Case
8. Brandeis

WUPHF · September 30, 2021, 11:29:44 AM

If Washington University finishes outside the Top 4, I'll buy you a beer.

blue_jays · September 30, 2021, 12:40:34 PM

Quote from: WUPHF on September 30, 2021, 11:29:44 AM
If Washington University finishes outside the Top 4, I'll buy you a beer.

Agreed on this one, WashU looks legit and I think will finish in the top 3. It's a total coin flip this year IMO of who wins it. If UChicago could score, I would put them as the favorite. But goals have proven hard to come by, so I wouldn't be surprised by any team's ascension to the top this year.

D3_Slack · September 30, 2021, 01:54:56 PM

Very new to how the NCAA committee selects the field. Would love to hear from those that are experienced and have an interest in the UAA. How many teams do you think make the tourney from this conference?

College Soccer Observer · September 30, 2021, 02:04:43 PM

Way too early to tell. One team will qualify automatically, and the others will be compared against other teams in their regions. Because most of the UAA is so spread out, they are mostly in different regions from each other. Could be a very high number, or it could be low. UAA got two teams (Chicago and Rochester) in 2019. Based on their body of work thus far, I would say Chicago is a good bet for an at large if they don't win the conference.

blue_jays · September 30, 2021, 02:44:22 PM

Quote from: D3_Slack on September 30, 2021, 01:54:56 PM
Very new to how the NCAA committee selects the field. Would love to hear from those that are experienced and have an interest in the UAA. How many teams do you think make the tourney from this conference?

I remember one year when 5 teams made the tournament, so if they avoid beating the hell out of each other, you could definitely see 3-4 this year.

WUPHF · September 30, 2021, 03:11:07 PM

Quote from: blue_jays on September 30, 2021, 02:44:22 PM
I remember one year when 5 teams made the tournament, so if they avoid beating the hell out of each other, you could definitely see 3-4 this year.

Yes, in 2016, Chicago, Rochester, Carnegie Mellon, Brandeis and Washington University made the tournament.

That was a fun season too as the Women had three teams in the Final Four.

WUPHF · September 30, 2021, 03:12:04 PM

Quote from: blue_jays on September 30, 2021, 12:40:34 PM
Agreed on this one, WashU looks legit and I think will finish in the top 3. It's a total coin flip this year IMO of who wins it. If UChicago could score, I would put them as the favorite. But goals have proven hard to come by, so I wouldn't be surprised by any team's ascension to the top this year.

Agree with all of the above.

Hopkins92 · September 30, 2021, 03:54:19 PM

I was always a little bummed that Hopkins moved on from UAA and that they (I don't think) ever participated in it with their soccer teams. I mean I get it... $$$ We used to travel to away games in two large vans, with freshmen at times having to sit on the damn floor.

While I was there, we traveled to Pittsburgh to play Carnegie and that was a great experience.

Question: Is it still so dark there for night games? We played on a rainy night, but I'll never forget how gloomy and shadowy the field was.