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[PaulNewman]

My Little Giants would like to stay within screaming distance of that race.

Noted.  Win your next six or at least go 5-0-1 heading into the match with Denison.  One of the difficulties for Wabash is a traditionally low SoS (and I don't see a big bump this year) which means they basically need to win the NCAC AQ.  The Little Giants should schedule more like RHIT and Hanover.  They did make a trip South this year but not sure Berry and Birm-So (both solid programs) are gonna do much for them.

[Falconer]

The OWU media guide....50 pages in small font...is worth browsing.  I can't imagine any other program has anything close.  Maybe Messiah?

Well, Messiah has multiple documents of this type, and I'm honestly not sure which one(s) to count. Perhaps this one, called "The Men's Soccer Program Record Book," though it's accessed from a link called "Complete Program Guide." (https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/sidearm.nextgen.sites/messiah.sidearmsports.com/documents/2019/7/11/MSOC-Record_Book.pdf) It's 46 pages, and the only photo is on the front cover. Some related documents at https://gomessiah.com/sports/2012/1/9/MSOC_0109123659.aspx?path=msoc overlap a great deal with that one.

[Domino1195]

Mt. Union starts 8 seniors, soph keeper and two freshman. From their 4-4-2 they can play very defensively - medium to low block - or use a swarming midfield to win balls and get them wide to overlapping backs. Against Bethany, who employed a low block, they were challenged to attack more. Against Calvin they didn't push their forwards much past midfield, drawing Calvin across, dispossessing and launching a quick counter. The only other game I saw was at Franciscan where they dominated.  Their keeper's mistake vs Bethany cost them a goal - and that's the worst I've seen from them.  SoS may not be as strong as JCU, ONU or OWU but a win Tuesday at home vs Case would just about guarantee two ranked wins. They start OAC play away at ONU, have JCU at home later in the season.

Heartland - only three teams with winning records right now: Manchester, Anderson and Bluffton. Never in my history of writing about GL teams have I found these three leading this conference. This conference usually has one team make to regional rankings but that looks doubtful this year.

AMCC - perennial conference champ PSU-B in a rebuild year - or off to a crappy start? Two new conference members without a win so far - Wells even further away from western PA than Alfred St. No ranked team coming from this conference.

PAC - I guess it's Franciscan's title to lose? As with the previously mentioned conferences, would not expect any ranked teams here.

Which leaves the 8 ranked teams coming from the OAC, NCAC, and UAA reps - CWRU and CMU. Have seen Case three times, CMU once. CMU's non conference schedule is very pedestrian and other than JCU (a loss) their opponents SoS might be below .500. They will have to have a top 4 finish in UAA to be ranked. Case "should" be a top 3 GL team, played a much stronger NC schedule
, so it gets down to UAA results.

OAC - probably 2-3 ranked teams by the last regional rankings. Have not seen Otterbein - but the comeback against W&L caught my eye. I'm tipping MTU for a top two finish - ONU, Bein next two, Cap - and then you pick the 6th. I've no clue.

NCAC - 2-3 teams as well. Top 4 right now OWU, Kenyon, Wabash and Denison. While Denison is 5-0-1 their next three games are at JCU, CWRU and Otterbein! Yikes. we'll know a lot more about them in a week's time.  Wabash remaining NC games vs Hope and Ill Wesleyan (while 2-2 they did beat Wash U).
Kenyon - no real threats left before conference play and OWU has Bein home, Cap away. They did not look good on Sat and it appears they will be without a key starter (injured in the ONU game) for a while. Still too much individual play. JCU, Case and Mt. Union are a joy to watch if you like connected team play.

Commented to a fan that JCU wound restart play from their keeper's feet at least 20 times Sat. I think they achieved that in the first half. Whatever you do - do NOT create a drinking game based on the number of times they do that.

[JFPIV]

Wabash lose 2-1 Hanover.  Get the sense that I spoke that negative result into existence.  Big match against the Dutchmen this weekend.

[PaulNewman]

Wabash lose 2-1 Hanover.  Get the sense that I spoke that negative result into existence.  Big match against the Dutchmen this weekend.

Sorry about that.  I lost track and thought the game was today.  Stats looks pretty even.  Hanover also was desperate for a win after a brutal early schedule, and maybe the experience of playing some tougher competition was the difference.

[Domino1195]

Today's GL and national rankings will add a little spice to tonight's matchup at Mt. Union. I thought Case had the better of play at JCU - by the slightest of margins - but their attempts in the attacking third were dangerous. MTU off a very emotional win, Case ranked below MTU - would not be surprised to see Case win. I expect MTU to come out defensively, their two back lines of 4 compact, forwards not pressing across midfield. They will wait for counter opportunities. Case will be given a lot of the ball - let's see what they can do with it.

Mt. Aloysius (3-1-2) ranked 8 is comical. Denison at 5-0-1, off what has to be a disappointing draw at Franklin, is not ranked but MTA is??  MTA with CMU tomorrow, Denison at JCU.

[Domino1195]

Watched the entire match - very entertaining for a neutral! First half saw the teams stay in their structure, sparring and jabbing like the initial rounds of a boxing match. Each team scores off a set piece - beautifully taken DFK from 22yds, curving around the wall for MTU. Header off a DFK cross to back post - Case player found himself wide open for an uncontested header.

Both teams used a 4-2-3-1, with the ball side winger pushing up to pressure the ball once Case approached midfield. As expected MTU sat in and waited for a counter. Case pushed the issue offensively but could find no room to shoot.

Second half things opened up a bit. I thought MTU looked tired - physically and emotionally. Can't blame them with back to back games vs ranked opponents. But they lost a bit of poise also - getting 4 of their 5 YC after the 60th minute. Double YC to goal scoring silly - sitting on a YC removes his shirt after scoring the winner for a second YC. Case was having much more success breaking through MTU's midfield - combining many times to bypass defenders (ball watching or just tired). But MTU's back 4 are a fortress - limiting Case to one or two dangerous chances and stuffing everything else.

Notice to all who play MTU: set pieces are essential to their attack. Scoring once, hitting the crossbar and post on two other corners. Two of their three goals vs Bethany off set pieces. You've been warned.

One other oddity I need to research was the dead ball YC against MTU -61st minute. During a MTU throw in an MTU player pushed/struck - could have been another color if ref was so inclined - a Case player. After the card Case was awarded the throw even though play never restarted. The year after I retired from reffing a bunch of crazy changes were made - namely that non players could commit fouls. So maybe this restart last night is part of the new rules?

[Hopkins92]

Sorry, random pop-in... Your last paragraph... I'm confused. He switched the call on a throw-in after an off the ball kerfuffle? I can see putting the ball down for a free kick, but I don't think I've ever heard of a foul resulting in the reversal  of an out of bounds call.

Maybe I'm misreading/-understanding your post.

[College Soccer Observer]

This was 100% a screw up by the officials.  It should still have been a throw in for white because the misconduct occurred while the ball was not in play.

[Domino1195]

That's how it was for the 30 years I reffed. A foul takes place on the field, during play (ball is live) against an opponent who is a player. Now - it changed to where fouls can be called against non player opponents: example - a substitute, substituted player or bench personnel leaves the bench and tackles an opponent on a breakaway, inside the 18. LOTG now allow a PK to be awarded. I believe.

[midwest]

Denison beats JCU, 2-1 at JCU. Denison was down 0-1 much of the game, tied it up  with about 7 min left, then a minute later, there was an own goal as JCU defender tried to clear a cross.

[Domino1195]

Wow! Great result - was at the Columbus Crew game, watching several college games at the same time. Turned your game off with 14 minutes to go. At least I know where to start watching again.
And while I was dismissive of MTA being ranked over Denison, they did draw against CMU tonight 1-1 - away. Less a fan of CMU than convinced MTA is legit. But they very well may win the AQ from the AMCC. But Denison - one down, two to go.

[PaulNewman]

Want to add one thing about Denison-JCU.  The Big Red seemed to go a great job keeping Jaden Wright under wraps.  Barely noticed him, and then I can't recall if it was right after Denison scored or before but a long ball was sent into the box that looked very similar to the plays Wright scored with a contested header just out of reach of the GKs vs Kenyon and CMU, and he almost got the one I'm mentioning, but Prokos managed to go up with him and snag the ball at the top.  It really is impressive what Bianco has done with the Denison program in a short period of time.

[Domino1195]

Schedule makers - games between or after big games against lesser competition- MTU meet Hiram. Two wins against nationally ranked programs - leader scorer out because of dumb RC - a game, on paper, that MTU should run away with. Hiram - they  look at this game as a statement for their underperforming team. MTU can't let up, but if this was a betting proposition, depending on the spread/odds - might MTU be over valued?

Denison gets no favors - away at Case. Case off their first loss of the year - emotions high for them - will Denison have the intensity after the JCU game? Away? I'll say this - if Denison gets a result against Bianco's former team - bet the house against them next game.

PS: Poe facing his former team - didn't go so well.

Capital quietly winning games - one loss at Case 1-0; not indicative of play as Case dominated play , but a statement about Cap's keeper. Defense was horrid in the Franciscan game, Vante could have had 3 in the Case/Cap game if it weren't for Cap's keeper. Cap home vs DePauw tomorrow , OWU midweek. Cap can score - defense has to be sharper.

OWU struggling - yes they have won games but they're not pretty. At Wilmington tomorrow- the OAC split with a top 5 and bottom 5; Wilmington on the bubble. OWU is not playing team ball; individuals loosely connected . The Pete Maravich of D3 soccer up top - never saw a shot he won't take, of course oblivious to teammates nearby. They will win games but long term - maybe third in the NCAC.

[PaulNewman]

I'm gonna hide this sheepishly in the local thread....

Worst loss, at least in top 3, since at least 2013 for Kenyon.  Incredible.  Came from behind Trine twice to get even, then took the lead 3-2 either right before or shortly after Trine went down to 10 men.  18 minutes left, up 3-2, opponent down to 10 men.  Within minutes give up a 3rd goal to star forward Murphy to even at 3-3.  And then without a little 4 minutes left, Trine scores off a corner to go up 4-3.  Awful performance from the Owls, and some of the most key players made the same mistakes over and over, repeatedly trying to hold up the ball in vulnerable places and beat a defender who was nearly 50/50 with them already.  At least two and maybe three goals came from bad giveaways from a Owl trying to do too much that Trine very effectively turned into breaks and basically no one to beat except the GK.  Trine is a tough, proud team.  They had a fairly rough start with a good schedule but they're a pretty good team.  I can see thy'eve occasionally troubled Calvin.  Even when they went down to 10, everytime a Kenyon player received a ball or had ball and tried to dribble into space there were at least 4 and sometimes 5 Trine players surrounding him.  Very, very deflating loss for Kenyon.  Even with Trine being solid, Owls had no business losing that game.  Very strange that they ended up so opened up and vulnerable so frequently to cough up repeated breakaways.  Bottom line is that they did not adjust and don't have enough talent right now to overcome mediocre performance and making things too easy for the opposition.  Trine's Murphy with his hat-trick (and really should have had four but had one breakaway he just missed) imo put on one of the single most impressive performances I've seen on that field going back to Austin Juniet who starred for Thomas More before Thomas More left D3.