Go WEST young man (and NORTH)

[Kuiper]

Colorado College 2 - Texas Lutheran 1

Big win (and weekend) for Colorado College, which beat Southwestern on Friday (and St. Thomas last Sunday).  They always have an advantage at home with their altitude and the travel, but they still had to take care of business.  They started fast with an early goal and then finished with a goal midway through the second half that proved to be the winner.  I don't know if this would have made a difference on the goals, but I do think Texas Lutheran was missing its senior GK Noel Pena, who is out because of the head butt and red card in the St. Thomas game.  Not only is he an underrated shot stopper for his height, but he just has a lot of experience organizing his defense.  His replacement is a freshman who is still likely feeling the pressure of how the St. Thomas game ended. 

Colorado College moves to 9-2-1 overall and 4-0 in the conference, while Texas Lutheran drops to 12-2 and 3-2 in the SCAC.  Trinity's game at Colorado College next Friday will be huge for both teams. 

[Kuiper]

St. Thomas 6 - Dallas 1

This result was not surprising given the talent differential.  What was noteworthy was that Tay Aleman was once again not playing.  Neither was Diego Garcia (the player who should have gotten the red card in the bad challenge on the TLU player, but it was instead mistakenly given to one of his teammates until corrected after the game).  I don't know why Aleman was out.  He only received a yellow in the TLU game and it's not like St. Thomas sat all of the players who received yellows in that game.  Maybe he was disciplined by the school for something that occurred afterward or maybe he quit when the coach was removed.  Garcia has missed the last two games, possibly because he was given an automatic two game suspension for his red card tackle, but I wonder if he got something far longer for that tackle.  Both players are still listed on the roster, but so are the coaches (who I suppose could have been suspended rather than removed entirely).  I guess we'll have to wait until next Friday's game against Centenary (LA) to find out the status of everyone. 

[College Soccer Observer]

The suspension from the NCAA for the tackle was 1 game.Anything additional came from the achool or conference.

[Ron Boerger]

One thing Trinity and Southwestern will *not* miss when they leave the SCAC for the SAA in a couple of years are those trips to Colorado Springs.  The altitude is a *huge* advantage for their teams - Trinity just had a dual swim meet with them and I can't imagine how hard it is to gasp for air when you're not accustomed to breathing at 7000'. 

[SKUD]

One thing Trinity and Southwestern will *not* miss when they leave the SCAC for the SAA in a couple of years are those trips to Colorado Springs.  The altitude is a *huge* advantage for their teams - Trinity just had a dual swim meet with them and I can't imagine how hard it is to gasp for air when you're not accustomed to breathing at 7000'.

6,033 and you make more out of this than it actually is.

[PaulNewman]

One thing Trinity and Southwestern will *not* miss when they leave the SCAC for the SAA in a couple of years are those trips to Colorado Springs.  The altitude is a *huge* advantage for their teams - Trinity just had a dual swim meet with them and I can't imagine how hard it is to gasp for air when you're not accustomed to breathing at 7000'.

6,033 and you make more out of this than it actually is.

Can you elaborate on your view on this?  And why so aggressive over the past week or so?

[Kuiper]

A few games of note in the Northwest Conference

Pacific Lutheran 3 - Whitman 1

After losing to Pacific Lutheran and Whitworth earlier this year, Whitman has been flirting with the upper tier of the NWC for awhile, going unbeaten for the six games prior to today, including a 2-2 tie at Willamette.    This game was closer than the 6-0 loss it suffered to PLU back in Tacoma, but home field still didn't equal a victory.  Pacific Lutheran is now 9-1-4 and 8-0-2 in the NWC and has created some separation from its closest NWC rivals, having beaten the Whits twice and Willamette once. 

Puget Sound 1 - Whitworth 1

Not a good weekend for Whitworth after a loss to PLU and a tie to Puget Sound.  Whitworth is now 6 points behind PLU in the NWC, which doesn't have a conference tourney.

One Whitworth player who deserves recognition, however, is Chula Vista, CA native Cole Friesen.  He scored Whitworth's lone goal today, which was actually a down day for him.  It broke his string of six straight multiple goal games in a row.  He now has an impressive 19 goals and 3 assists in 14 games this season.  He still is behind Amir Luckovic of Montclair State, who has 23 goals after a brace against The College of New Jersey and a PK against Amherst this weekend, but Friesen jumps ahead of Enrique Gonzalez of Aurora and Ermin Mackic of Purchase, for second place in the DIII men's soccer golden boot race (as does Oscar Horowitz of F&M, who is just behind Friesen in third with 18 goals after his 4 goal game ("quadruple?") against Johns Hopkins yesterday).

[SKUD]

One thing Trinity and Southwestern will *not* miss when they leave the SCAC for the SAA in a couple of years are those trips to Colorado Springs.  The altitude is a *huge* advantage for their teams - Trinity just had a dual swim meet with them and I can't imagine how hard it is to gasp for air when you're not accustomed to breathing at 7000'.

6,033 and you make more out of this than it actually is.

Can you elaborate on your view on this?  And why so aggressive over the past week or so?

1.There will always be some who have issues at altitude  There are things coaches and trainers can do to reduce the risk of AMS and fatigue that a Coaching staff must do.  At 6k vs 7k or higher the symptoms and risks are not as great.
2. Personal experience of living and visiting there often and working out when I am there as I come from sea level

As far as aggressive-I went back and looked at my last 15 posts; Maybe 6-8 compliments, a few jokes, and some predictions.  Yes I have seen MSU and Amherst play many times and think my choice of words was appropriate.   Yes I made fun of your sleeper and would own it if you were correct.  In addition I do think I asked for peace and a new thread if people wanted to aggressively chirp and be mean to YOU.  So was question about aggression a compliment?  If not let's take it private.  Thanks

[jaysoccer]

I will preface this with I have a son on another SCAC team. But that said it is shameful how the SCAC has(n't) handled the TLU-UST debacle. It is hard for me to fathom that the mandatory minimum is the ok punishment. That will serve as ZERO deterrent or point of accountability.

Interestingly UST players displayed posters with messages about needing their coaches back and that they support their coaches. (I understand the sentiment from college aged kids) but again not a good look particularly by the administration of UST. And the fact UST itself hasn't said anything publicly is just another black eye.

Pollyanna-ish I know, but we should expect more from D3 soccer and its conferences/schools

[Hopkins92]

The altitude thing isn't some uniform, one size fits all type of a deal. I've spent a fair amount of time in CO the last 5 years or so and I can say you ABSOLUTELY are going to feel it when you get to 8k and up... some folks rather dramatically when you get to 10k. (Technically, altitude sickness is possible with some folks at 6500 feet. But that's not really the same as shortness of breath.)

It'll really get the uninitiated when you go from, say, 6k up a to place like Pike's Peak (14k) in a car. Or the drive through Rocky Mountain NP... You go from Estes entrance (7k) up to the peaks at 14k. That'll get just about anybody slightly woozy.

[Kuiper]

We've talked about the altitude advantage for Colorado College last year.  It's also a long travel day for opponents and weather, turbulence, and delays can be a factor in the Rockies too.  Maybe the beautiful mountain views from the field are distracting.  Whatever it is (and it's probably a combination of things), Colorado College's home record over the last decade or so has been very good.  And they often play strong teams at home, including strong non-conference teams.  This year, four of their five home wins have come against teams with winning records -- Christopher Newport, UC Santa Cruz, Southwestern, Texas Lutheran -- and three of the four have been regionally ranked.  Only home loss was to Pacific Lutheran, which is 9-1-4 and regionally ranked too. 

2023:  5-1 (so far)
2022:  4-0-1
2021:  6-1-1
2019:  9-0
2018:  7-2-1
2017:  4-1-2
2016:  8-1
2015:  9-1-1
2014:  10-2
2013:  6-2-2
2012:  9-0-1

[SKUD]

And a time zone change for most of those teams too.  Good stuff as always Kuiper

[Kuiper]

Games of interest to me in Region X Wed-Thurs:

Wednesday, 10/18

Cal Tech @ Chapman

Cal Tech is currently tied for 5th in the SCIAC with Chapman.  The two teams played a week ago at Cal Tech and they tied 2-2.  Both need a win here to try to position themselves to sneak into the SCIAC conference tournament (which would be the first time ever for Cal Tech).

Occidental @ Cal Lutheran

Both teams are on two game winless streaks (Oxy has had two losses in a row and Cal Lu two ties in a row).  They are both currently in playoff position at #2 and #4, respectively, but Cal Lu could drop out if one of Cal Tech or Chapman wins their game and Cal Lu loses and Oxy could drop from #2 to #3 if Claremont-Mudd-Scripps beats Whittier, but could jump ahead of Redlands if it wins and Redlands loses.

CMS @ Whittier

As I said above, a CMS victory and an Oxy loss would allow CMS to vault up to #2 in the SCIAC.  Whittier is in last and has lost 4 in a row, so they may be obliging.

La Verne @ Redlands

Redlands is on a 4 game winning streak and in first place in the SCIAC.  It needs to win to stay ahead of Oxy.  Redlands beat La Verne a week ago, but it was a 2-1 win and La Verne has proven a tougher out than expected.

Whitworth @ Whitman

The Battle of the Whits is always a big game regardless of whether it has Northwest Conference implications.  This year, however, it does have those implications.  If either team wants to have any chance of catching Pacific Lutheran, they have to win this game (and hope PLU stumbles).

Thursday 10/19

Mary Hardin-Baylor @ Hardin-Simmons

#1 v. #2 in the American Southwest Conference.  Both are unbeaten, although Hardin-Simmons has one tie and is 5 points back of MHB.  Both are coming in off of winning streaks (2 for MHB and 3 for H-S).  Both teams have games remaining against Concordia TX, which is the third place team in the ASC right now.  If MHB can win in Abilene, they take control of the ASC.  If they lose, they open the door not only to H-S, but to Concordia and even UT Dallas.

[BTXCru18]

Games of interest to me in Region X Wed-Thurs:

Wednesday, 10/18

Cal Tech @ Chapman

Cal Tech is currently tied for 5th in the SCIAC with Chapman.  The two teams played a week ago at Cal Tech and they tied 2-2.  Both need a win here to try to position themselves to sneak into the SCIAC conference tournament (which would be the first time ever for Cal Tech).

Occidental @ Cal Lutheran

Both teams are on two game winless streaks (Oxy has had two losses in a row and Cal Lu two ties in a row).  They are both currently in playoff position at #2 and #4, respectively, but Cal Lu could drop out if one of Cal Tech or Chapman wins their game and Cal Lu loses and Oxy could drop from #2 to #3 if Claremont-Mudd-Scripps beats Whittier, but could jump ahead of Redlands if it wins and Redlands loses.

CMS @ Whittier

As I said above, a CMS victory and an Oxy loss would allow CMS to vault up to #2 in the SCIAC.  Whittier is in last and has lost 4 in a row, so they may be obliging.

La Verne @ Redlands

Redlands is on a 4 game winning streak and in first place in the SCIAC.  It needs to win to stay ahead of Oxy.  Redlands beat La Verne a week ago, but it was a 2-1 win and La Verne has proven a tougher out than expected.

Whitworth @ Whitman

The Battle of the Whits is always a big game regardless of whether it has Northwest Conference implications.  This year, however, it does have those implications.  If either team wants to have any chance of catching Pacific Lutheran, they have to win this game (and hope PLU stumbles).

Thursday 10/19

Mary Hardin-Baylor @ Hardin-Simmons

#1 v. #2 in the American Southwest Conference.  Both are unbeaten, although Hardin-Simmons has one tie and is 5 points back of MHB.  Both are coming in off of winning streaks (2 for MHB and 3 for H-S).  Both teams have games remaining against Concordia TX, which is the third place team in the ASC right now.  If MHB can win in Abilene, they take control of the ASC.  If they lose, they open the door not only to H-S, but to Concordia and even UT Dallas.

UMHB @ HSU features a reunion of longtime UMHB head coach Brad Bankhead, who went into administration at UMHB then left to coach again at his alma mater. His longtime assistant, Ben Allen, now in his second season as the head coach at UMHB. First season back at the helm in Abilene, for Bankhead. Always a lot riding on this matchup and a big rivalry given the Hardin name and both having Baptist roots, but this year's contest will be extra special.

[Kuiper]

Games of interest to me in Region X Wed-Thurs:

Wednesday, 10/18

Cal Tech @ Chapman

Cal Tech is currently tied for 5th in the SCIAC with Chapman.  The two teams played a week ago at Cal Tech and they tied 2-2.  Both need a win here to try to position themselves to sneak into the SCIAC conference tournament (which would be the first time ever for Cal Tech).

Occidental @ Cal Lutheran

Both teams are on two game winless streaks (Oxy has had two losses in a row and Cal Lu two ties in a row).  They are both currently in playoff position at #2 and #4, respectively, but Cal Lu could drop out if one of Cal Tech or Chapman wins their game and Cal Lu loses and Oxy could drop from #2 to #3 if Claremont-Mudd-Scripps beats Whittier, but could jump ahead of Redlands if it wins and Redlands loses.

CMS @ Whittier

As I said above, a CMS victory and an Oxy loss would allow CMS to vault up to #2 in the SCIAC.  Whittier is in last and has lost 4 in a row, so they may be obliging.

La Verne @ Redlands

Redlands is on a 4 game winning streak and in first place in the SCIAC.  It needs to win to stay ahead of Oxy.  Redlands beat La Verne a week ago, but it was a 2-1 win and La Verne has proven a tougher out than expected.

Whitworth @ Whitman

The Battle of the Whits is always a big game regardless of whether it has Northwest Conference implications.  This year, however, it does have those implications.  If either team wants to have any chance of catching Pacific Lutheran, they have to win this game (and hope PLU stumbles).

Thursday 10/19

Mary Hardin-Baylor @ Hardin-Simmons

#1 v. #2 in the American Southwest Conference.  Both are unbeaten, although Hardin-Simmons has one tie and is 5 points back of MHB.  Both are coming in off of winning streaks (2 for MHB and 3 for H-S).  Both teams have games remaining against Concordia TX, which is the third place team in the ASC right now.  If MHB can win in Abilene, they take control of the ASC.  If they lose, they open the door not only to H-S, but to Concordia and even UT Dallas.

UMHB @ HSU features a reunion of longtime UMHB head coach Brad Bankhead, who went into administration at UMHB then left to coach again at his alma mater. His longtime assistant, Ben Allen, now in his second season as the head coach at UMHB. First season back at the helm in Abilene, for Bankhead. Always a lot riding on this matchup and a big rivalry given the Hardin name and both having Baptist roots, but this year's contest will be extra special.

Very true!  I forgot to mention that connection with Bankhead.  That only adds to the "Hardin" rivalry.