Great Lakes Region Navigation Channel

[PaulNewman]

Well, Kenyon has clawed its way back to .500...a long way to go and still missing a couple of real difference makers to support Duratovic, Dujakovich, Ramirez, and the two very good, experienced CBs.  Still don't know about Martinez and whether he is out for the season or will be back relatively soon.  He would make a difference by himself.  Duratovic is gonna need to play 75 min and Dujakovich 80 at least until Wall figures out his rotations.  A couple of stalwarts from last year are not playing well and need to pick it up to avoid being liabilities.  One thing that has not changed yet with Wall is the Owls giving up loads of free kicks.  Fortunately none were super-close but several were close enough for Gaulmin or Morgan to score.  St Olaf may drift from the convo for a spell but they should be fine.  I think Kenyon benefited today from the Oles being exhausted.  Chasing a game for 65 minutes with 10 men on Roy Rike can do that to you.  St Olaf was competitive and won the stats battle (in part because of being down 1-0 and then 2-0), but they also looked like a team that was ready to get back home.

This might be the most competitive year with the largest number of teams in Great Lakes in a long time....JCU, CWRU, ONU, OWU, Denison, Kenyon...at least a couple more should emerge out of Otterbein, Rose Hulman, DePauw and/or Wabash, CMU, etc.

[PaulNewman]

Good for Kenyon. OWU had a similar bounce-back beating the same two teams. We'll know a lot more about OWU after this week- playing ONU and JCU on Wed and Fri, respectively. Then, they play Otterbein on the following Wed.

Yep, the next two weeks or so should tell us a lot about the pecking order between those four schools mentioned...along with CWRU.  OWU does have the advantage of getting ONU and JCU and home, and also don't have the Chicago/North Park double dip to worry about like ONU and JCU. 

[SpacemanSpiff]

Well, Kenyon has clawed its way back to .500...a long way to go and still missing a couple of real difference makers to support Duratovic, Dujakovich, Ramirez, and the two very good, experienced CBs.  Still don't know about Martinez and whether he is out for the season or will be back relatively soon.  He would make a difference by himself.  Duratovic is gonna need to play 75 min and Dujakovich 80 at least until Wall figures out his rotations.  A couple of stalwarts from last year are not playing well and need to pick it up to avoid being liabilities.  One thing that has not changed yet with Wall is the Owls giving up loads of free kicks.  Fortunately none were super-close but several were close enough for Gaulmin or Morgan to score.  St Olaf may drift from the convo for a spell but they should be fine.  I think Kenyon benefited today from the Oles being exhausted.  Chasing a game for 65 minutes with 10 men on Roy Rike can do that to you.  St Olaf was competitive and won the stats battle (in part because of being down 1-0 and then 2-0), but they also looked like a team that was ready to get back home.

This might be the most competitive year with the largest number of teams in Great Lakes in a long time....JCU, CWRU, ONU, OWU, Denison, Kenyon...at least a couple more should emerge out of Otterbein, Rose Hulman, DePauw and/or Wabash, CMU, etc.

Dujakovich is really learning the rhythm of the game as a more traditional center midfielder than the role he played in the past. He is looking like an early NCAC offensive POTY candidate imo, singlehandedly drives the team forward at times while still having an understanding of tempo. He and Ramirez are a physically dominant midfield too, perfect complement to Martinez when he returns. The backline is also looking much more settled now. Lantz brings some much needed speed as a wide back that can get involved in the attack and still cover the ground defensively.

I thought Wall did a good job managing minutes this weekend starting on Friday ahead of the short turnaround. Will get easier when the schedule settles into a regular midweek-weekend pattern, but this team still has depth despite the 14 players graduating since last season.

[Domino1195]

It's not parity in the GL - it's mediocrity. Observations based on a few games - second week in - but some teams have fundamental issues. Issues that should have been beaten out of players by U12.

Like playing the ball in the direction you're facing; letting the ball do the work; don't play into pressure. Also - some real poor fundamental skill - shanked kicks; passes directly to opposition. I've turned games off because they were so poorly played. Excessive dribbling without awareness of any teammate, lethargic/ineptness in marking. There are a few GL excelling; but there are many more going through the motions.

Still too many teams I haven't seen yet, but now having some comparative results, AQ considered:

Maybe 2 teams from the NCAC and OAC - but would not be surprised that 3 is the number. JCU and OWU looking like conference champs - if they win the AQ - that could reduce at-large options for the second place teams.  Case is legit - Vatne is on my AA watch.

The three other conferences get one bid and there is NO team standing out at this moment - Alfred undefeated, PSU-B having a troubled start. Heartland up for grabs, maybe Franciscan in the PAC.


But as a lifelong player, ref and fan: there's some real garbage being played out here right now.

[PaulNewman]

Well, Kenyon has clawed its way back to .500...a long way to go and still missing a couple of real difference makers to support Duratovic, Dujakovich, Ramirez, and the two very good, experienced CBs.  Still don't know about Martinez and whether he is out for the season or will be back relatively soon.  He would make a difference by himself.  Duratovic is gonna need to play 75 min and Dujakovich 80 at least until Wall figures out his rotations.  A couple of stalwarts from last year are not playing well and need to pick it up to avoid being liabilities.  One thing that has not changed yet with Wall is the Owls giving up loads of free kicks.  Fortunately none were super-close but several were close enough for Gaulmin or Morgan to score.  St Olaf may drift from the convo for a spell but they should be fine.  I think Kenyon benefited today from the Oles being exhausted.  Chasing a game for 65 minutes with 10 men on Roy Rike can do that to you.  St Olaf was competitive and won the stats battle (in part because of being down 1-0 and then 2-0), but they also looked like a team that was ready to get back home.

This might be the most competitive year with the largest number of teams in Great Lakes in a long time....JCU, CWRU, ONU, OWU, Denison, Kenyon...at least a couple more should emerge out of Otterbein, Rose Hulman, DePauw and/or Wabash, CMU, etc.

Dujakovich is really learning the rhythm of the game as a more traditional center midfielder than the role he played in the past. He is looking like an early NCAC offensive POTY candidate imo, singlehandedly drives the team forward at times while still having an understanding of tempo. He and Ramirez are a physically dominant midfield too, perfect complement to Martinez when he returns. The backline is also looking much more settled now. Lantz brings some much needed speed as a wide back that can get involved in the attack and still cover the ground defensively.

I thought Wall did a good job managing minutes this weekend starting on Friday ahead of the short turnaround. Will get easier when the schedule settles into a regular midweek-weekend pattern, but this team still has depth despite the 14 players graduating since last season.

Welcome Spaceman!  Nice to have another Kenyon friend on the board.  Last year a guy who said he played in the 80s or 90s made a cameo with an excellent post and a semi-promise to continue participating and then we never heard from him again.

You mentioned when Martinez comes back....does that mean he is coming back?  Any intel here would be great.

And presuming you would like to preserve anonymity, can you at least peg yourself to 2007-2010, 2011-2014, 2015-2018, 2019 to present?

If Martinez is returning then that should give Kenyon a plus midfield presuming some luck going forward on the injury front.  Still need to find another offensive threat up front to complement Duratovic.

[Domino1195]

Gorgeous fall day here in central Ohio. And some key games that might start separating the real contenders in the region from the rest.

Early start at OWU, hosting ONU. Thanks , BTW, as JCU and Case start at 7:30 - I can get both games in! Given the fall weather and OWU's field , which seems to be always wet with evening dew - footing could be an issue.  If both teams play to their potential this could be a classic grind. I've only seen OWU vs Calvin so I can't give a proper assessment. Have seen ONU a couple times - pretty typical style of play as in the past. One thing they do that can cause issues is their tendency to try to turn into pressure vs playing the ball to a teammate facing up field. If OWU plays direct balls over the back line, making defenders face their goal, they could force turnovers.

JCU and Case should also be a grind. Two stifling defenses - could easily see a 0-0 draw.

Important game for DePauw and RH in Terre Haute. DePauw coming off a disappointing lose at Millikin, blowing a 3-1 lead with about 20 minutes left in the game. RH is an enigma, as are most of the usual Heartland leaders. And very quietly Wabash is putting together a potential strong SOS.

Perennial AMCC conference champ and PAC top three team - PSU-B and Grove City - off to troubled starts, meet tonight. As with the DePauw-RH game, could be a defining moment for either team.

[Gregory Sager]

Important game for DePauw and RH in Terre Haute. DePauw coming off a disappointing lose at Millikin, blowing a 3-1 lead with about 20 minutes left in the game.

It was much worse than that. DePauw held that 3-1 lead going into the 87th minute of the game. Millikin scored three goals in the final 3:48, including the game-winner with a whopping 1.1 seconds left on the clock. That's the kind of loss that can haunt a team for a long time -- especially since Millikin was picked to finish in a last-place tie in the CCIW.

[PaulNewman]

Interesting when recaps aren't quite so easy to find after a blemish.

Surely Kenyon is gonna post the goal by Miko Warshaw somewhere....right?  If anyone comes across it please post.


The JCU at OWU game Saturday night might be the best game of the year so far.  Should be a fantastic match.  Let's go Bishops!!!

[PaulNewman]

Imagine this conference (for soccer only)....and yes I know this would never happen although we are in an era of crazy re-alignments...

Capital
Denison
DePauw
John Carroll
Kenyon
Mt Union
Ohio Northern
Ohio Wesleyan
Otterbein
Rose Hulman
Wabash

Could be the OIAC...

[Gregory Sager]

It's funny to see the contrasting perspectives that fans of different sports bring to the d3boards.com universe. Here's a fan of an NCAC soccer program suggesting that it might be a cool thing to see OAC teams (including Mount Union) realigned in a superleague alongside NCAC teams ... while, meanwhile, over on the football boards, NCAC football fans have a habit of insinuating that the knuckles of Mount Union football players must be heavily scarred from being dragged on the ground all of the time.

[PaulNewman]

Well, look who is on the cover of the current 2023 OWU media guide...

https://owu_ftp.sidearmsports.com/custompages/files/ms/2023/ms23.pdf

I mentioned this on the SC show.  I couldn't find a clip yet but I'm sure it's out there somewhere of Wall heroics in Sweet 16 vs ONU, coming from 2-0 down at the half to win 3-2, and march on to a national title with Wall NPOY.

Here's a line from the 11-18-11 recap...

Wall rang up the game-winner with a run along the left end line, beating 3 Polar Bear defenders before burying a shot into the right side of the net with 4:09 left in the game.

[PaulNewman]

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

Anyway, for perspective on a 30+ year stretch and then the last 10 years, I think this is helpful.

PREVIOUS NCAC REGULAR-SEASON LEADERS
Year Champion(s) (Record) Runner-Up (Record) OWU
1984 Ohio Wesleyan (5-0-1) Denison (4-1-1) —
1985 Denison (6-0-0) Ohio Wesleyan (5-1-0) —
1986 Ohio Wesleyan (6-0-0) Wooster (5-1-0) —
1987 Ohio Wesleyan (6-0-0) Oberlin (4-2-0) —
1988 Ohio Wesleyan (5-0-1) Wooster (4-1-1) —
1989 Wooster (8-0-0) Ohio Wesleyan (6-2-0) —
1990 Kenyon (8-0-0) Ohio Wesleyan (7-1-0) —
1991 Ohio Wesleyan (8-0-0) Kenyon (6-2-0) —
1992 OWU, Kenyon (7-1-0) Wooster (6-2-0) —
1993 Kenyon (6-0-2), Witt (7-1) Ohio Wesleyan (6-1-1) —
1994 Ohio Wesleyan (8-0-0) Kenyon (7-1-0) —
1995 Ohio Wesleyan (7-0-1) Kenyon (6-1-1) —
1996 Kenyon (7-0-1) Wittenberg (7-1-0) —
1997 Kenyon (8-0-0) OWU, Wittenberg (6-2-0) —
1998 Ohio Wesleyan (7-1-0) Denison (6-2-0) —
1999 Ohio Wesleyan (9-0-0) Allegheny (6-1-2) —
2000 Ohio Wesleyan (9-0-0) Earlham (6-2-1) —
2001 Ohio Wesleyan (8-1-0) Denison (7-2-0) —
2002 Wooster (7-0-2) Allegheny (7-2-0) T4th (5-3-1)
2003 Denison, Wooster (8-1) Ohio Wesleyan (7-2-0) —
2004 OWU, Wooster (8-1-0) Denison (7-2-0) —
2005 Ohio Wesleyan (9-0-0) Oberlin (6-2-1) —
2006 Ohio Wesleyan (7-0-2) Denison (7-1-1) —
2007 Kenyon (7-1-1) Ohio Wesleyan (7-2-0) —
2008 Ohio Wesleyan (9-0-0) Hiram, Wittenberg (6-3-0) —
2009 Ohio Wesleyan (9-0-0) Denison (6-1-2) —
2010 Ohio Wesleyan (7-0-1) Kenyon (6-1-1) —
2011 Ohio Wesleyan (9-0-0) DePauw (8-1-0) —
2012 Ohio Wesleyan (7-1-1) DePauw (6-1-2) —
2013 Ohio Wesleyan (7-0-2) Kenyon (6-0-3) —
2014 Ohio Wesleyan (8-0-1) Kenyon (7-1-1) —
2015 Kenyon (8-1-0) Ohio Wesleyan (7-1-1) —
2016 Kenyon (8-1-0) Oberlin (7-2-0) 5th (5-2-2)
2017 Kenyon (9-0-0) Ohio Wesleyan (7-1-1) —
2018 Kenyon (8-0-1) Ohio Wesleyan (6-1-2) —
2019 Kenyon (7-0-2) Ohio Wesleyan (7-1-1) —
2020 season canceled
2021 Kenyon (9-0-0) Ohio Wesleyan (8-1-0) —
2022 Kenyon (7-0-1) Ohio Wesleyan (6-0-2)

[Gregory Sager]

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

I concede. North Park's is only 41 pages long.

Maybe after the season I'll add some picture pages to it to pad it out further.

[PaulNewman]

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

I concede. North Park's is only 41 pages long.

Maybe after the season I'll add some picture pages to it to pad it out further.

For soccer only?  And is the font tiny, lol?

[Domino1195]

OWU vs ONU was a well-played and very entertaining game. The only goal came on a penalty kick for OWU in the first half. OWU dominated the first 20 minutes of the game and had to have at least 90% of the possession. ONU came on strong in the second half and probably had the better opportunities to score. But generally, the teams looked evenly matched. The only negative was an injury to one of our star players when an ONU player shoved him in the back, knocking him to the ground and injuring his shoulder.  For privacy reasons, I won't say more about the injury. The ONU player appropriately received a yellow card for the violation.

Was there as well as totally agree with your assessment. My concern was about the style of play - very direct - either from long balls or dribblers receiving the ball and just going balls to the wall forward. By the time attackers looked up they'd see they've dribbled into pressure - surrounded by 3-4 defenders. The energy in this game certainly was a factor, influencing player decisions. Compare this to the JCU-Case game - tons of possession and patience- but intensity once each time got into the attacking 3rd.  Case is very legit - looking forward to their UAA games.

It should be mentioned that the officiating crew at OWU had a high tolerance for shenanigans - lots of shirt pulling on both sides. But when #9 took the elbow to the mouth, drawing blood, and nothing was called . . . ?? #9 had the ONU defender trapped in the corner against the flag, AR1 inches - I mean inches away - player drops to the ground, play continues for another 30 seconds - then the officials decide to check on the player?

Paul - +1 for your suggestion for an Ohio soccer conference. The MAC has different members for soccer and pointy ball - but that's d1. When I was still reffing there was a proposal to spread HS soccer games over 4 days: girls playing Mon-We'd; boys Tues-Th. This to address the extreme shortage of officials. HS AD's - many of whom were knuckle dragged themselves - only cared about 3 things: pointy ball, pointy ball and fudging academic records of pointy ball players!