Game of the week for D3 men's soccer

[Coach Jeff]

I would like to see what each member feels the game of the week will be so we can watch and enjoy it from a differ point of view.  Not necessarily a top 25 matchup but maybe a cross town rivalry game for example the CODE red game W & L v Lynchburg or the marsh mellow game E-town v Messiah. 

Games between Monday, October 10 to Sunday, October 16.  Tell us the game and the reason we should watch.

My game to watch this week is Tuesday October 11 Western Connecticut at Drew, if Western wins this game it will make Western Connecticut prove this team is a contender for top 25 and NCAA tournament bid from the LEC.

[Kuiper]

@GregorySager will probably nominate this one, but just in case, the North Park (10-1) at North Central (10-0-3) game on Wednesday 10/12 is certainly one to watch from the North.  Not only is it a battle for supremacy in the CCIW, but it's basically North Central's chance to make its case for national attention in the rankings.  Plus, the two schools are only about 30 miles away from each other and so it's a chance for bragging rights and possibly a battle between a few kids who may have played against each other growing up (and not just in Chicago, since both schools have kids from Norway and Sweden).

[Coach Jeff]

Thanks will definitely be interested in that game.  It most likely will have '23 recruits interested in attending these schools watching as well.

[camosfan]

Williams v Wesleyan will be a hot contest.

[Mid-Atlantic Fan]

A lot of good matchups! And I am sure I missed some as well!

Gustavus-Adolphus vs Augsburg
Gettysburg vs Mary Wash
Dension vs Wabash
Catholic vs Wash College
Western Conn vs Drew
Lycoming vs Misericordia
UW-Platteville vs Luther
North Park vs North Central
Montclair vs Newark
Babson vs Conn College
CMU vs Chicago
Vassar vs Clarkson
Colorado vs Southwestern
Stevens vs Lycoming
Hamilton vs Bowdoin
Williams vs Wesleyan
St. Olaf vs Gustavus Adholphus
Newark vs Camden
ONU vs John Carroll
CNU vs St. Marys
NYU vs UR
CWRU vs Chicago

[Coach Jeff]

Williams v Wesleyan will be a hot contest.

Game time is Saturday October 15 at 3

[Coach Jeff]

A lot of good matchups! And I am sure I missed some as well!

Gustavus-Adolphus vs Augsburg
Gettysburg vs Mary Wash
Dension vs Wabash
Catholic vs Wash College
Western Conn vs Drew
Lycoming vs Misericordia
UW-Platteville vs Luther
North Park vs North Central
Montclair vs Newark
Babson vs Conn College
CMU vs Chicago
Vassar vs Clarkson
Colorado vs Southwestern
Stevens vs Lycoming
Hamilton vs Bowdoin
Williams vs Wesleyan
St. Olaf vs Gustavus Adholphus
Newark vs Camden
ONU vs John Carroll
CNU vs St. Marys
NYU vs UR
CWRU vs Chicago

If you had to pick one for the week which one would it be and why?  Add the game time and date.  Just trying to gain interest in D3 soccer.  No one will be able to catch all these games.

[Gregory Sager]

@GregorySager will probably nominate this one, but just in case, the North Park (10-1) at North Central (10-0-3) game on Wednesday 10/12 is certainly one to watch from the North.  Not only is it a battle for supremacy in the CCIW, but it's basically North Central's chance to make its case for national attention in the rankings.  Plus, the two schools are only about 30 miles away from each other and so it's a chance for bragging rights and possibly a battle between a few kids who may have played against each other growing up (and not just in Chicago, since both schools have kids from Norway and Sweden).

My impression is that NCC coach Enzo Fuschino is moving away from recruiting Scandinavians, realizing that North Central, like Augustana and Millikin, isn't able to get the pick of the litter from Sweden and Norway because North Park has a stranglehold on those two recruiting areas. Of NCC's three Scandinavians, senior Lukas Munchhausen was a regular starter as a freshman, but he hasn't started since; Herman Hesby, who was a starter last season, has only played in one game this year (he might be hurt, though); and William Hall, who played in ten games last season and started two, hasn't set foot on the pitch during live action at all this season.

Fuschino didn't bring in a single Scandinavian this year. Instead, he's turned to his native Italy, where he probably still has some good connections even though he's been in the States now for decades. He brought in four Italian freshmen this year, and two of them -- Jacopo De Collibus and Edoardo Bonifacio -- are starting, while a third, Matteo Innocenti, has played in every game and is averaging about 30 minutes per game off of the bench.

This game will most likely determine the CCIW championship; it will almost certainly decide who gets the #1 seed in the CCIW tournament, since even if the winner trips up and takes a loss subsequent to Wednesday, it will still enjoy the head-to-head advantage over Wednesday's loser. NPU has the most talent between the two teams, but NCC has two All-Americans in GK Sid Marquardt and CB Johnny Kraemer that make it very difficult to score against the Cardinals. NCC's defense can definitely be an equalizer against outstanding opponents; the catch is that Fuschino really doesn't schedule outstanding opponents, although the Cardinals have played three or four good ones and emerged with a result in each instance. North Park is the one outstanding opponent he can't duck before the postseason.

North Park realizes that the Cardinals are the biggest obstacle to claiming a fifth straight CCIW championship for the Vikings; North Central realizes that this is its chance to finally take down the neighborhood bully and become king of the hill for the first time since 1994. It should be a terrific game on Wednesday in Naperville.

[Coach Jeff]

@GregorySager will probably nominate this one, but just in case, the North Park (10-1) at North Central (10-0-3) game on Wednesday 10/12 is certainly one to watch from the North.  Not only is it a battle for supremacy in the CCIW, but it's basically North Central's chance to make its case for national attention in the rankings.  Plus, the two schools are only about 30 miles away from each other and so it's a chance for bragging rights and possibly a battle between a few kids who may have played against each other growing up (and not just in Chicago, since both schools have kids from Norway and Sweden).

My impression is that NCC coach Enzo Fuschino is moving away from recruiting Scandinavians, realizing that North Central, like Augustana and Millikin, isn't able to get the pick of the litter from Sweden and Norway because North Park has a stranglehold on those two recruiting areas. Of NCC's three Scandinavians, senior Lukas Munchhausen was a regular starter as a freshman, but he hasn't started since; Herman Hesby, who was a starter last season, has only played in one game this year (he might be hurt, though); and William Hall, who played in ten games last season and started two, hasn't set foot on the pitch during live action at all this season.

Fuschino didn't bring in a single Scandinavian this year. Instead, he's turned to his native Italy, where he probably still has some good connections even though he's been in the States now for decades. He brought in four Italian freshmen this year, and two of them -- Jacopo De Collibus and Edoardo Bonifacio -- are starting, while a third, Matteo Innocenti, has played in every game and is averaging about 30 minutes per game off of the bench.

This game will most likely determine the CCIW championship; it will almost certainly decide who gets the #1 seed in the CCIW tournament, since even if the winner trips up and takes a loss subsequent to Wednesday, it will still enjoy the head-to-head advantage over Wednesday's loser. NPU has the most talent between the two teams, but NCC has two All-Americans in GK Sid Marquardt and CB Johnny Kraemer that make it very difficult to score against the Cardinals. NCC's defense can definitely be an equalizer against outstanding opponents; the catch is that Fuschino really doesn't schedule outstanding opponents, although the Cardinals have played three or four good ones and emerged with a result in each instance. North Park is the one outstanding opponent he can't duck before the postseason.

North Park realizes that the Cardinals are the biggest obstacle to claiming a fifth straight CCIW championship for the Vikings; North Central realizes that this is its chance to finally take down the neighborhood bully and become king of the hill for the first time since 1994. It should be a terrific game on Wednesday in Naperville.

That information makes this game even more interesting to me.  Thanks

[PaulNewman]

Coach Jeff, could you tell us all a bit about your background, team affiliations, whether you're really a Coach or not, etc?

[Mid-Atlantic Fan]

A lot of good matchups! And I am sure I missed some as well!

Gustavus-Adolphus vs Augsburg
Gettysburg vs Mary Wash
Dension vs Wabash
Catholic vs Wash College
Western Conn vs Drew
Lycoming vs Misericordia
UW-Platteville vs Luther
North Park vs North Central
Montclair vs Newark
Babson vs Conn College
CMU vs Chicago
Vassar vs Clarkson
Colorado vs Southwestern
Stevens vs Lycoming
Hamilton vs Bowdoin
Williams vs Wesleyan
St. Olaf vs Gustavus Adholphus
Newark vs Camden
ONU vs John Carroll
CNU vs St. Marys
NYU vs UR
CWRU vs Chicago

If you had to pick one for the week which one would it be and why?  Add the game time and date.  Just trying to gain interest in D3 soccer.  No one will be able to catch all these games.

That's a tough one...I'll go by day to narrow it down

Tuesday
UW-Platteville vs Luther

Both leading their respective conferences and both teams a little unknown (at least to me). Can UWP compete with CNU in conference and steal a bid or is the record inflated by an average SOS? UWP with 8 straight wins and haven't lost in their last 10. Both losses were opening weekend against 2 strong teams in MSOE and UW-EC.

Luther more recently has been successful and an NCAA tournament team. Battled Chicago to the end earlier in the year and held a 1-0 lead at halftime of the game before losing 2-1 in the 88th minute. Shots were dead even in this game and Luther held an advantage on corners 7-5. This has probably been Chicago's most difficult game of the year given the circumstances (although some would argue Calvin or NP too).

Should be a fun game to watch!

Wednesday
North Park vs North Central

North Park with another strong start to the year and their only blemish is a loss to #1 Chicago. North Central still undefeated and this is a battle for the top seed in the CCIW. North Central has been the thorn in North Park's side the last 4 or 5 years and it has grown into a nice rivalry. Excited to tune into this one!

Friday
CMU vs Chicago

Big conference matchup and will show how "real" CMU is this year.

Saturday
Hamilton vs Bowdoin

Massive game in the NESCAC. Hamilton still without a loss but coming off back to back ties against 2 teams near the bottom of the league. Will they bounce back or continue to drop points? For Bowdoin, a win could put them in the driver seat for a playoff spot. Coming off a nice result by drawing at Amherst-can they keep the momentum going? They finish with Tufts and won't want to bank on needing points in that game to get into the conference playoffs.

Sunday
NYU vs Rochester

Make or break game for both these teams. A win here keeps them alive in conference and for an at-large bid, but a loss may very well end the NCAA tournament hopes.

[Coach Jeff]

Coach Jeff, could you tell us all a bit about your background, team affiliations, whether you're really a Coach or not, etc?

Sure thing I am 52 and I played on the team and graduated from Geneva College '92(NAIA at the time) with a degree in secondary Mathematics.  Coached Soccer at all levels.  Two different high schools in PA and Club teams.  I also was a coach at Susquehanna University for 7 years in the late 90's.  During this time I have had many opportunities to coach at college soccer camps for instance Susquehanna, Messiah and the Naval Academy.  Over the years I have worked with many great coaches during these camps.  My 4 sons have had been coached at the camps by Coach Dave Brandt, Coach Brad McCarty, Coach Brett Faro, Coach Derek Potteiger, Coach Mike Dreeves, Coach Gary Dunda, Coach Jake DeClute, Coach Roger Mast and many more.  I have learned a lot from these coaches and enjoy the opportunity D3 soccer has given my two oldest sons.  Trevor Leitzel played for 2 season at Grove City and my second son Stefan is currently playing for the Messiah Falcons.  If you would like to know any other information please ask.  Hope this is helpful.

[camosfan]

Did you ever work at Wagner's "ID 500" ,best camp I ever took my kids?

[Coach Jeff]

No but my sons were both recruited by his replacement Coach Jeremy Payne who is now at Whitworth in Washington.

[Gregory Sager]

Wednesday
North Park vs North Central

North Park with another strong start to the year and their only blemish is a loss to #1 Chicago. North Central still undefeated and this is a battle for the top seed in the CCIW. North Central has been the thorn in North Park's side the last 4 or 5 years and it has grown into a nice rivalry. Excited to tune into this one!

Actually, North Central hasn't "been the thorn in North Park's side the last four or five years." NPU has beaten NCC the last six times that they've met (including the CCIW tourney), outscoring the Cardinals 19-5 over that stretch. North Central's last win over the Vikings was back in 2015.

Perhaps you meant it the other way around. It's not uncommon for non-CCIW folks to mix up the league's two schools with "North" in their names.

I can't speak for North Central, but for North Park it's not the big soccer rivalry. That is, and will most likely always be, Wheaton, both because Wheaton has been the bête noire of the Vikings on the soccer pitch since North Park inaugurated varsity men's soccer back in 1981, and because Wheaton is North Park's traditional rival in everything (whether Wheaton knows it or not ). And the NPU/Carthage rivalry has been a fierce and chippy one over the years as well. But I can definitely see an NPU/NCC rivalry blooming, because Enzo Fuschino has rebuilt what is now a very solid program out there in the western suburbs that had long been moribund. He basically built up UW-Platteville (his last coaching stop prior to North Central) out of nothing as well. Right now, with Wheaton and Carthage both struggling to find their footing again (each hired a former D1 head coach within the past year with that in mind), North Central has emerged as NPU's main challenger for CCIW hegemony.