2022 D3 Men's Soccer National Perspective

[Dark Knight]

I counted 28 ties out of 138 scores yesterday. That's 20% ties.

No doubt that's more than last year, but not tooo outrageous...

[Gregory Sager]

North Park prevails in a sloppy affair in the northwest corner of the Buckeye State, 3-2, over Ohio Northern. Hard to get a really good read, given that the game was played in a total deluge. In fact, kudos to ONU for the very nice drainage system at Kerscher Stadium; no issues with puddling or hydroplaning whatsoever, despite the fact that the rain never stopped and really came down very hard for much of the game.

NPU showed that it is still working in a bunch of new players, as well as a couple of guys who saw little or no varsity playing time last season. The Vikings clearly aren't on the same page as much as they need to be. On the plus side, in addition to maintaining the technical standards that is expected of Vikings teams, this team shows nice quickness and a flair for creativity on the attack that, if anything, exceeds last season's NPU edition. The Polar Bears were dogged, and took advantage of whatever breaks came their way to put forward some nice attacks, but they were both outgunned and, no doubt, a little tired from having to play their third contest in four days. (What was their coach thinking when he put together the schedule?)

Take the W, get on that nice dry bus, and head home to the Windy City.

[PaulNewman]

I did not expect to see Stevens up 3-0 on F&M.

Montclair draws with Catholic.

Denison earns a draw at Brandeis.  I didn't get to watch much but seems like the Big Red more than held their own, so even though we don't have a feel yet for where Brandeis may land in the UAA gauntlet a very good showing for Denison nonetheless. 

GAC outlasted St. Norbert. 

Wash U @ Rose Hulman was postponed due to weather.

RIT drew with Marietta for a second draw in two games.  Not the start I think some were looking for.

Swat last I saw was up 3-0 late against Rutgers-Camden...and seems the latter has really dipped since being very good for at least several years in a row.

[midwest]

Re Denison @ Brandeis -- unlike some years where the team came away with a draw but relied heavily on its defense to hold back relentless attacks, this seemed much more balanced play. Denison attacked well, had some good chances and did not seem off-balance as had often been the case in the past. Coach Bianco is making his mark on the program, for sure.

[PaulNewman]

Re Denison @ Brandeis -- unlike some years where the team came away with a draw but relied heavily on its defense to hold back relentless attacks, this seemed much more balanced play. Denison attacked well, had some good chances and did not seem off-balance as had often been the case in the past. Coach Bianco is making his mark on the program, for sure.

Agreed.  You described the difference perfectly.  Playing much better overall soccer with some attacking flair and competence.  Plus, the players and coach are very hungry for success.  A juggernaut is brewing.

[PaulNewman]

I forgot Hopkins drawing today with Lycoming 1-1 with both goals coming within a minute of one another.  Interesting how often that happens.  No one can score for the other 88 minutes but then both could score within a minute.

I also forgot to mention the Messiah draw with Lynchburg.  Imo Lynchburg played pretty well with the Falcons in the 1st half and gradually began to tire in the second.  Messiah clearly the stronger team but as a sort-of-neutral I thought a draw was mostly fair.  Found myself mildly annoyed with the extent of McDonald's celebration so Lynchburg getting one in the final minute felt just.

[BaboNation]

First time posting on this board (longtime Babson follower).

It's very early, and the team hasn't entered the iron of the schedule, but this year's edition has the *potential* to be the best since the '91 National Semi team.  They'll get tested plenty over the next month (Brandeis, Williams, Amherst, Tufts, et al) but I'm impressed by the overall depth, vets (jrs. srs. and grads), and production from new D1 xfers.  And last year's UMass xfer Rainford has made a noticeably large improvement in his game.  There are plenty of forwards that will command attention.

Can't wait for the historically #1 rivalry game against Brandeis.  I just wish is was late in the season like it used to be.

Still there are concerns:
I'm still nervous about the back line and their ability to contain speed on the wings and the goalie has largely been untested.
They certainly need to work on defending set pieces which burned them twice against Rutgers-Newark (who impressed me).

[PaulNewman]

First time posting on this board (longtime Babson follower).

It's very early, and the team hasn't entered the iron of the schedule, but this year's edition has the *potential* to be the best since the '91 National Semi team.  They'll get tested plenty over the next month (Brandeis, Williams, Amherst, Tufts, et al) but I'm impressed by the overall depth, vets (jrs. srs. and grads), and production from new D1 xfers.  And last year's UMass xfer Rainford has made a noticeably large improvement in his game.  There are plenty of forwards that will command attention.

Can't wait for the historically #1 rivalry game against Brandeis.  I just wish is was late in the season like it used to be.

Still there are concerns:
I'm still nervous about the back line and their ability to contain speed on the wings and the goalie has largely been untested.
They certainly need to work on defending set pieces which burned them twice against Rutgers-Newark (who impressed me).

I haven't seen the Beavers yet but definitely off to a great start.  MIT has disappointed thus far, Wheaton (MA) is not the Wheaton of past years, and Springfield looks weak.  Coast Guard?  WPI? 

And the one team you left out of your gauntlet list just happens to be the defending national champs....

At Brandeis
Williams
At Tufts
Amherst
At Conn Coll

[BaboNation]

First time posting on this board (longtime Babson follower).

It's very early, and the team hasn't entered the iron of the schedule, but this year's edition has the *potential* to be the best since the '91 National Semi team.  They'll get tested plenty over the next month (Brandeis, Williams, Amherst, Tufts, et al) but I'm impressed by the overall depth, vets (jrs. srs. and grads), and production from new D1 xfers.  And last year's UMass xfer Rainford has made a noticeably large improvement in his game.  There are plenty of forwards that will command attention.

Can't wait for the historically #1 rivalry game against Brandeis.  I just wish is was late in the season like it used to be.

Still there are concerns:
I'm still nervous about the back line and their ability to contain speed on the wings and the goalie has largely been untested.
They certainly need to work on defending set pieces which burned them twice against Rutgers-Newark (who impressed me).

I haven't seen the Beavers yet but definitely off to a great start.  MIT has disappointed thus far, Wheaton (MA) is not the Wheaton of past years, and Springfield looks weak.  Coast Guard?  WPI? 

And the one team you left out of your gauntlet list just happens to be the defending national champs....

At Brandeis
Williams
At Tufts
Amherst
At Conn Coll

Yeah, I knew Conn is on the schedule.  I was just focusing on September.  If they come out of the month at something like 6-1-2 I'll still think they are serious contenders.

[PaulNewman]

The Trinity vs Rowan game was very enjoyable to watch.  Two very good teams.  A lot of goals.  Rowan's third goal was a wonder-strike to level at 3-3...and Meese's cross from the right side with a very short backswing under 30 secs was special despite the Rowan GK managing to punch it out.  All that said, why do NJAC teams have to be so...well....NJAC?  As I write that I'm thinking the question is as silly as asking why fish swim.

[camosfan]

 And last year's UMass xfer Rainford has made a noticeably large improvement in his game.  There are plenty of forwards that will command attention.

that #14  leftwinger really lift their game, in the match against Rutgers-Newark, they have a tough schedule plays the top of NESCAC, should help their national campaign.

[blooter442]

Yeah, I knew Conn is on the schedule.  I was just focusing on September.  If they come out of the month at something like 6-1-2 I'll still think they are serious contenders.

Longtime 'Deis booster, great couple of results for Babson to start with – I guess I've always known the Brandeis-Babson games to be in September but wasn't around for the '91 et al teams (2011-present).

Without knowing more it sounds like this could be the year that the Beavers make some noise nationally once again...IIRC the last time they went beyond the first weekend was the Sweet 16 in 2011. They have seemed to play better on the road vs. at home in the postseason (NEWMAC and NCAA) as most of their conference titles in recent years have been on the road, but at some point if the team is stacked you'll be able to perform anywhere. Sounds like there is a bit more technical quality/speed than the days with Anderson as the 9 and the team focused on slinging balls in from the side/over the top. Should be a good one on Saturday. Agreed that if they get out of September relatively unscathed they'll be favorites for the NEWMAC and maybe more.

[Mr.Right]

This Link to D3Sports.com Conference Realignment should help everyone:

Salve Regina headed to Newmac and Univ of Hartford to replace Salve in the CCC in 2023.

https://www.d3sports.com/notables/conference-shuffle

[BaboNation]

Yeah, I knew Conn is on the schedule.  I was just focusing on September.  If they come out of the month at something like 6-1-2 I'll still think they are serious contenders.

Longtime 'Deis booster, great couple of results for Babson to start with – I guess I've always known the Brandeis-Babson games to be in September but wasn't around for the '91 et al teams (2011-present).

Without knowing more it sounds like this could be the year that the Beavers make some noise nationally once again...IIRC the last time they went beyond the first weekend was the Sweet 16 in 2011. They have seemed to play better on the road vs. at home in the postseason (NEWMAC and NCAA) as most of their conference titles in recent years have been on the road, but at some point if the team is stacked you'll be able to perform anywhere. Sounds like there is a bit more technical quality/speed than the days with Anderson as the 9 and the team focused on slinging balls in from the side/over the top. Should be a good one on Saturday. Agreed that if they get out of September relatively unscathed they'll be favorites for the NEWMAC and maybe more.

Yeah, once the NEWMAC was formed the non-conference games tended to be played earlier.  Til then Brandeis-Babson was typically the last Saturday, which was even better because both teams were in top form.
It was a different era for sure.  I have so much respect for former coach Coven.

The '91 team had a stellar All-American goalie (Webber), lightning quick off his line and one of the all-time great scorers (Chris Connors), but like Eric Anderson '13 there wasn't as strong threats from the rest of the cast, so you could mark the star and often shut down the offense.  The '91 team also had a coup in key leaders Terry Jackson who was the son of the Wesleyan coach at the time and Erik Isbrandtsen who died on 9/11.

This team feels deeper and stronger.

[Another Mom]

Washington and Lee play again today, at NC Wesleyan.  I would say the team is a work in progress,  and it will be interesting to see what happens today. Massey gives the edge to NC Wesleyan.