Schools that Should Be Better

[SimpleCoach]

All -

So after the conversation I had with @PaulNewman about programs that should be better than they are, I thought about asking the hive.  You all have insights into leagues/schools that I can't even fathom so...

What I am asking is that you list out schools that you think should be better than they are.  Could be a good team that you think should be better, or a program that has gone through a rough spell and you think should be better.  Not saying they have to be national champions....  Full disclosure is that I will probably do something on this in Around D3 or The New Show and use your  input.

Any questions, reach out.

Thanks in advance.

SC.

[Ejay]

I've often thought about this question many times over the years and have even brought it up a few times on the boards.  Schools that come to mind for me, in no particular order (after TCNJ)...

TCNJ - 42-38-12 ('16-21). Great state school in a great soccer state. Pretty campus, fantastic program history, plethora of majors and very strong graduate outcomes (i.e. you're getting a good job).

Denison - 39-39-10. I once heard this school described as a New England school in the Midwest. When Bianco was hired, I told my son this school would be a top 25 program within 3 years.  They're on that cusp, so maybe it's a bit premature to list them now. However that doesn't excuse their record in the last 5 years.

Union - 43-36-4. If you're not good enough to play D1 at Lafayette, Bucknell or Colgate, then Union should be your next stop.

Trinity (CT) - 17-54-5.  I have no idea why Trinity isn't better. I get the gauntlet they have to go through in the NESCAC, but surely you can win more than 3 games a year? I know Hartford isn't a dream location, but the school and facilities are beautiful.

Muhlenberg - 40-38-12. Gettysburg and Washington have found a way to be relevant, so why hasn't Muhlenberg? Is it the field? As discussed on another thread, the field and environment used to be great. They had a great tradition for many years, but that's all in the past.

[SierraFD3soccer]

Muhlenberg - 40-38-12. Gettysburg and Washington have found a way to be relevant, so why hasn't Muhlenberg? Is it the field? As discussed on another thread, the field and environment used to be great. They had a great tradition for many years, but that's all in the past.

As to Muhlenberg, IMO it has been in part the field (You could also include Haverford as well with its drop off - field is also horrendous).  However, rumor has it, it will have a turf field next year. Also despite recent issues, it is having a decent season with a lot of offense.  Leads the Cent. Conf. with most goals scored and (Sorry Hop) just tied (and could have won) Hopkins 2-2. Stay tuned, they play Gettysburg this weekend to possibly move up in the seeding for conf. championship. They play in the quarters and who knows.

[PaulNewman]

Bates (geographic challenge but incredible school that can pull from all over country)
Colby (same as above and the college in general has been on a tear upwards)
Trinity (CT)
ECSU
Hamilton (prior to this year)
Keene St
Plymouth St
Williams (relative to historical standard and not necessarily this year)


Clark
Gordon
Springfield
Wheaton (MA)


Hobart (too uneven)
Ithaca
RIT
Skidmore (generally decent/good but not great)
Union (up near the very top in the category along with Trinity)


Kean
RUC
TCNJ


Dickinson
Etown
Haverford
Muhlenberg
Salisbury
Scranton
Ursinus
York (PA)


Birmingham-So
Centre
Emory
Roanoke
Rhodes (not withstanding success this year)
Sewanee (see above)


Allegheny
Capital
CMU (consistently solid to good but should be better?)
DePauw
Grove City
Heidelberg
Mt Union (always pretty good but could be better)
Oberlin
Transy (usually solid but could be better?)
Wittenberg
Wooster


Hope
KZoo
Wheaton (Ill)


Carleton
Grinnell
Loras
Macalester
St John's
UW-W
Wartburg


Colorado Coll
Occidental (in general, not necessarily this year0
Southwestern
Whitman
Whitworth

[Ejay]

Muhlenberg - 40-38-12. Gettysburg and Washington have found a way to be relevant, so why hasn't Muhlenberg? Is it the field? As discussed on another thread, the field and environment used to be great. They had a great tradition for many years, but that's all in the past.

As to Muhlenberg, IMO it has been in part the field (You could also include Haverford as well with its drop off - field is also horrendous).  However, rumor has it, it will have a turf field next year. Also despite recent issues, it is having a decent season with a lot of offense.  Leads the Cent. Conf. with most goals scored and (Sorry Hop) just tied (and could have won) Hopkins 2-2. Stay tuned, they play Gettysburg this weekend to possibly move up in the seeding for conf. championship. They play in the quarters and who knows.

Muhlenberg won the CC 5x in a 10 year span in the 90s-00s. Since that time they've been average. Sure they may put together a good year every now again, but nothing sustainable. They're a .500 team and should be consistently better in my opinion.

[Ejay]

PN - curious as to your logic on Kean and RUC.

[Hopkins92]

I agree with Muhlenberg and Haverford. Not trying to get too hung up on their respective fields, but particularly Haverford, that field has deteriorated to an embarrassingly low level.

I'll throw a name that rarely gets discussed of late, from the Landmark Conference... Susquehanna. Ten years ago, this team went 18(!)-3-1 and made it out of the first weekend in the NCAA's with wins over Cabrini and Paywall U. before falling to Ohio Northern. This year, they are 2-11-2... Going back to 2017: 26-53-8.

It's a beautiful campus and a decent turf field. They just seem stuck in a rut.

[PaulNewman]

PN - curious as to your logic on Kean and RUC.

Yeah, I'm no Reg 4/5 expert.  RUC has had a couple of decent years but overall has fallen off from being a 2013 national finalist.

Kean had good year last year and I think made tournament one other year (lost 1st round UMass-Boston 3-0) in past decade but a lot of very mediocre (or worse) years.

[deutschfan]

Those schools with off the charts academics should be able to attract quality players both domestic and international.  I would include Swat whose record between 2015 and 2021 is 49-45-15, just about .500, and whose record this year is 6-6-4 with a finish near the bottom of Centennial in sight.   I would also add Pomona whose record since 2015 has been under .500.  Perhaps there should also be a thread for over-achievers.  How does a school like North Park become a bastion for D3 men's soccer--it is certainly not academics or location.

[camosfan]

Those schools with off the charts academics should be able to attract quality players both domestic and international.  I would include Swat whose record between 2015 and 2021 is 49-45-15, just about .500, and whose record this year is 6-6-4 with a finish near the bottom of Centennial in sight.   I would also add Pomona whose record since 2015 has been under .500.  Perhaps there should also be a thread for over-achievers.  How does a school like North Park become a bastion for D3 men's soccer--it is certainly not academics or location.

That school has 30+ on the roster from Sweden and Denmark, they have some feeder system!   

[camosfan]

Those schools with off the charts academics should be able to attract quality players both domestic and international.  I would include Swat whose record between 2015 and 2021 is 49-45-15, just about .500, and whose record this year is 6-6-4 with a finish near the bottom of Centennial in sight.   I would also add Pomona whose record since 2015 has been under .500.  Perhaps there should also be a thread for over-achievers.  How does a school like North Park become a bastion for D3 men's soccer--it is certainly not academics or location.

That school has 30+ on the roster from Sweden and Denmark, they have some feeder system!

CUNYAC schools should be better, while the academic programs vary in quality, they are very attractive cost wise.

[WUPHF]

Those schools with off the charts academics should be able to attract quality players both domestic and international. 

I am curious, are there examples of off the charts academics that recruit internationals well?  With students who would, in many cases, choose to pay tuition rather than staying home or going Division II?

[camosfan]

Those schools with off the charts academics should be able to attract quality players both domestic and international. 

I am curious, are there examples of off the charts academics that recruit internationals well?  With students who would, in many cases, choose to pay tuition rather than staying home or going Division II?

Amherst!

[Ejay]

PN - curious as to your logic on Kean and RUC.

Yeah, I'm no Reg 4/5 expert.  RUC has had a couple of decent years but overall has fallen off from being a 2013 national finalist.

Kean had good year last year and I think made tournament one other year (lost 1st round UMass-Boston 3-0) in past decade but a lot of very mediocre (or worse) years.

I don't see the appeal of Kean or RUC. Students looking to stay in-state are better served by TCNJ, Rowan and Montclair. The latter two are historically very good, and the former is on my list for should be good but isn't.  All other NJAC schools can have a good year (or few years) every now again, but I  wouldn't expect them to be consistently strong.

[Mr.Right]

How does one recruit to Camden,NJ? The 2013 team had a couple transfers from Rutgers did they not?