2023 D3 Men's Soccer National Perspective

[NEPAFAN]

Early scorelines that I find interesting:

MIT up 1-0 on Tufts at halftime (UPDATE) 

Second half - Tufts is now up 3-1 in the 76th minute

Cal Tech up 4-0 on Life Pacific at halftime. It's starting to look like three wins for the Beavers, which would be a historic start to the season and I think tied for the second best win total in 30 years (UPDATE) 

Second half - 4-1 with 18 minutes to go. 

Averett and Davidson (D1) 0-0 at halftime (UPDATE)

Second half - Davidson up 1-0 in the 73rd minute.  Davidson leads on shots 15-0, but Averett is still doing its best to keep the bus parked

Thank you +1

[SierraFD3soccer]

F&M 3-2 over Lebanon Valley.  Horowitz scored the game winner in the 87th minute. Not as dramatic as his 89th minute winner vs. Stevens, but still...

And Leb Valley led 2-1 pretty late.

Yup F&M scored on a banger from outside in the upper 90 where keeper could only stare. LVC then scored two very nice goals in the next 15. Both teams played so-so the rest of the half. Second half I don't think LVC had a shot.  F&M started to dominate in every part but the final 1/3rd. Tying goal was a phenomenal free kick that the keeper could only stare at. Winning goal was an experienced taller striker taking advantage of a smaller young keeper in the final minutes.

Not as crazy as the Stevens game but it would have been the first time in over 30 years LVC would have won.

One thing that has not been discussed recently is depth of benches. Despite being down 2-1 to a team that on paper they should be beating, F&M played 16 yes 16. Subs.  Couple played 8:min, one played 54 min. Only the keeper played 90. FYI F&M  played 9 subs against Stevens.

Coach obviously trusted his talent on his bench. If they went down 3-1 that might of changed. How many coaches do you all know who do this? FYI he did it despite the 2 water breaks.

Also, and this is only a theory, do you think playing a lot of subs early in the season where it is hot and where you're not sure of your team, will this pay off later when injuries mount, games get tighter and also closer together?  F&M does this all season.

As you all also, players can go seasons without playing. F&M definitely seems to be walking a tightrope while keeping the whole team engaged.

What are your thoughts?

[Kuiper]

Early scorelines that I find interesting:

MIT up 1-0 on Tufts at halftime (UPDATE) 

Second half - Tufts is now up 3-1 in the 76th minute

Cal Tech up 4-0 on Life Pacific at halftime. It's starting to look like three wins for the Beavers, which would be a historic start to the season and I think tied for the second best win total in 30 years (UPDATE) 

Second half - 4-1 with 18 minutes to go. 

Averett and Davidson (D1) 0-0 at halftime (UPDATE)

Second half - Davidson up 1-0 in the 73rd minute.  Davidson leads on shots 15-0, but Averett is still doing its best to keep the bus parked

So, my underdog specials are all finished.

MIT held tough with that opening goal, but ultimately ran out of steam in the second half and lost to Tufts 4-1.

Averett was kind of the same story.  They parked the bus as long as they could -- it's tough to withstand 19 shots when you only take 1 yourself -- and they lost 3-0 to D1 Davidson.  To Averett's credit, Davidson generally played its starters or at least regular rotation players.  Only one starter had less than 100 minutes in Davidson's first two games of the season and he had 80.  They did give two players their first minutes of the season, but every other player who played this game played decent minutes in their first two games against D1 sides Presbyterian and Virginia Tech.  This wasn't a case where Averett held out against Davidson's deep D1-ish bench players until the real D1 players came in and saved the day.

BUT . . . Cal Tech blew out Life Pacific 5-1 in what was probably their biggest margin of victory in school history.  A game that started with what appeared to be two people in the stands ended with at least 10-12, so word obviously got around campus.  To their credit, they played it cool at the end and didn't celebrate while their opponents were around.  They know how that feels.  Seriously, though, Cal Tech, which won two games in the SCIAC last year for the first time ever and tied eventual champion Chapman, is going to beat some teams in conference this year.  Right now, they sit atop the SCIAC standings with a 3-0 non-conference record. 

[Another Mom]

F&M 3-2 over Lebanon Valley.  Horowitz scored the game winner in the 87th minute. Not as dramatic as his 89th minute winner vs. Stevens, but still...

And Leb Valley led 2-1 pretty late.

Yup F&M scored on a banger from outside in the upper 90 where keeper could only stare. LVC then scored two very nice goals in the next 15. Both teams played so-so the rest of the half. Second half I don't think LVC had a shot.  F&M started to dominate in every part but the final 1/3rd. Tying goal was a phenomenal free kick that the keeper could only stare at. Winning goal was an experienced taller striker taking advantage of a smaller young keeper in the final minutes.

Not as crazy as the Stevens game but it would have been the first time in over 30 years LVC would have won.

One thing that has not been discussed recently is depth of benches. Despite being down 2-1 to a team that on paper they should be beating, F&M played 16 yes 16. Subs.  Couple played 8:min, one played 54 min. Only the keeper played 90. FYI F&M  played 9 subs against Stevens.

Coach obviously trusted his talent on his bench. If they went down 3-1 that might of changed. How many coaches do you all know who do this? FYI he did it despite the 2 water breaks.

Also, and this is only a theory, do you think playing a lot of subs early in the season where it is hot and where you're not sure of your team, will this pay off later when injuries mount, games get tighter and also closer together?  F&M does this all season.

As you all also, players can go seasons without playing. F&M definitely seems to be walking a tightrope while keeping the whole team engaged.

What are your thoughts?

I think it's always important to play subs. For team morale, for some experience if they have to replace injured players, to rest starters a bit so they don't get injured.

W&L's coach subs liberally with almost everyone getting minutes. He especially rotates virtually all freshmen subs into every game.

[paclassic89]

F&M 3-2 over Lebanon Valley.  Horowitz scored the game winner in the 87th minute. Not as dramatic as his 89th minute winner vs. Stevens, but still...

And Leb Valley led 2-1 pretty late.

Yup F&M scored on a banger from outside in the upper 90 where keeper could only stare. LVC then scored two very nice goals in the next 15. Both teams played so-so the rest of the half. Second half I don't think LVC had a shot.  F&M started to dominate in every part but the final 1/3rd. Tying goal was a phenomenal free kick that the keeper could only stare at. Winning goal was an experienced taller striker taking advantage of a smaller young keeper in the final minutes.

Not as crazy as the Stevens game but it would have been the first time in over 30 years LVC would have won.

One thing that has not been discussed recently is depth of benches. Despite being down 2-1 to a team that on paper they should be beating, F&M played 16 yes 16. Subs.  Couple played 8:min, one played 54 min. Only the keeper played 90. FYI F&M  played 9 subs against Stevens.

Coach obviously trusted his talent on his bench. If they went down 3-1 that might of changed. How many coaches do you all know who do this? FYI he did it despite the 2 water breaks.

Also, and this is only a theory, do you think playing a lot of subs early in the season where it is hot and where you're not sure of your team, will this pay off later when injuries mount, games get tighter and also closer together?  F&M does this all season.

As you all also, players can go seasons without playing. F&M definitely seems to be walking a tightrope while keeping the whole team engaged.

What are your thoughts?

Alright, I guess I'm going to get on here and defend the MAC a bit because someone is talking crazy.  LVC had 6 shots in the second half (not 0) to F&M's 8, including a couple of transition chances that they could have converted if they executed better.  Tying goal went through the middle of a jumping wall.  If the wall doesn't split up, that gets blocked.  Winning goal was a good heads up play against a Senior goalkeeper who was slow off his line but otherwise solid throughout the game.  Overall, I think a tie would have been a fair result on the balance of play, but credit to F&M for grinding out the win in their usual fashion.  Similar to the Stevens game where they were outplayed for large stretches but pulled it out

It was 96 degrees.  Both teams played a lot of subs.  Box score says F&M used 15, LVC 14.  So, I guess I know at least 1 other coach who does it,  LVC's.   

[Ejay]

No repeat undefeated season for Western CT.  They give up the lead 2x and lose at home to Drew in the 84th minute.

[Kuiper]

F&M 3-2 over Lebanon Valley.  Horowitz scored the game winner in the 87th minute. Not as dramatic as his 89th minute winner vs. Stevens, but still...

And Leb Valley led 2-1 pretty late.

Yup F&M scored on a banger from outside in the upper 90 where keeper could only stare. LVC then scored two very nice goals in the next 15. Both teams played so-so the rest of the half. Second half I don't think LVC had a shot.  F&M started to dominate in every part but the final 1/3rd. Tying goal was a phenomenal free kick that the keeper could only stare at. Winning goal was an experienced taller striker taking advantage of a smaller young keeper in the final minutes.

Not as crazy as the Stevens game but it would have been the first time in over 30 years LVC would have won.

One thing that has not been discussed recently is depth of benches. Despite being down 2-1 to a team that on paper they should be beating, F&M played 16 yes 16. Subs.  Couple played 8:min, one played 54 min. Only the keeper played 90. FYI F&M  played 9 subs against Stevens.

Coach obviously trusted his talent on his bench. If they went down 3-1 that might of changed. How many coaches do you all know who do this? FYI he did it despite the 2 water breaks.

Also, and this is only a theory, do you think playing a lot of subs early in the season where it is hot and where you're not sure of your team, will this pay off later when injuries mount, games get tighter and also closer together?  F&M does this all season.

As you all also, players can go seasons without playing. F&M definitely seems to be walking a tightrope while keeping the whole team engaged.

What are your thoughts?

I think it's always important to play subs. For team morale, for some experience if they have to replace injured players, to rest starters a bit so they don't get injured.

W&L's coach subs liberally with almost everyone getting minutes. He especially rotates virtually all freshmen subs into every game.

*Except goalkeepers.  This is the one exception even in programs that do liberally substitute. Not only do freshman GKs rarely get minutes at most schools, but they can go four years with virtually no minutes. 

[PaulNewman]

I'm still not sure how much quality of video and especially proximity to the field combined with camera angle impacts my impressions...The Wesleyan video (in spite of the football lines) I thought was excellent and I felt like I had a close to field level view but still high enough to get most of the field most of the time...and in that context I thought Wesleyan looked really good.  I didn't see the whole game so my impressions are based off of watching several 10-12 minute segments.  NYU was very competitive but despite their physicality they seem a little fragile and the body language doesn't always feel great.  Their superstar played 80 minutes and had zero shots according to the box score.  Speaking of physicality, the match was very physical and at times chippy.  I was shocked to see in the box score that the ref apparently only called 9 total fouls.  I wonder if that contributed to the game looking like it might get out of hand.  Wesleyan won 1-0 off a 2nd half PK.

[Another Mom]

Ah, yes, goalkeepers excepted, of course. W&L seems to have 4 gks, but really only the starting gk plays. Our keeper became the starter last year, which was his freshman year. What a tough position for the other keepers!

[SierraFD3soccer]

[/quote]

Alright, I guess I'm going to get on here and defend the MAC a bit because someone is talking crazy.  LVC had 6 shots in the second half (not 0) to F&M's 8, including a couple of transition chances that they could have converted if they executed better.  Tying goal went through the middle of a jumping wall.  If the wall doesn't split up, that gets blocked.  Winning goal was a good heads up play against a Senior goalkeeper who was slow off his line but otherwise solid throughout the game.  Overall, I think a tie would have been a fair result on the balance of play, but credit to F&M for grinding out the win in their usual fashion.  Similar to the Stevens game where they were outplayed for large stretches but pulled it out

It was 96 degrees.  Both teams played a lot of subs.  Box score says F&M used 15, LVC 14.  So, I guess I know at least 1 other coach who does it,  LVC's.
[/quote]

A lot of fair points there. As to LVC shots on goal, they did have 6 shots in the second half but none on goal after the 55th minute. Definitely wrong as to the year of LVC's keeper.  Agree that Stevens outplayed F&M for 70 odd minutes. Also agree that much of the first 45 min. LVC played well. Poor vision on my part in that the LVC wall broke apart. LVC probably deserved a tie, but also F&M hit a post in second half. Lot of luck on F&M's part in some ways. LVC is a good team and are playing a lot of good teams ahead. They should do well.   

One thing is that when a team is down 2-1 for 50 odd minutes (from when LVC made to 2-1 until F&M tied), I don't know if I would have the guts to play 16 subs which included all of their starters taken off at some point.  In some ways, LVC had more latitude to sub extensively with the lead. A lot of coaches from my experience ride or die with their top 15 or 16 players especially when they are down a goal. 

[PaulNewman]

PN's pretty useless trivia corner

Wesleyan has 5 players from Montclair, NJ.... Montclair St has 0.

Anyone with insight into Wesleyan's Montclair pipeline specifically and NJ in general?

[Hopkins92]

One of the best things that ever happened to me was a senior got my contact information as an incoming freshmen. He and his roommates (pillars of that team) had me come up to Baltimore in July for a workout.

I guess I impressed them enough that they started lobbying the coach to put me in from the jump. Took 3 games and not so great results for the guy to pull the trigger. I absolutely had pangs of guilt for GKs older than me, but... There's a certain mentality with keepers. We absolutely do not like rotations or subbing or any of that. I don't know why, but it's definitely a thing.

I was livid when, during my senior year, coach rotated me out a few halves to let the upcoming guy get some minutes. Irrational? Yes. Goalies are not known for rationality.

[Kuiper]

One of the best things that ever happened to me was a senior got my contact information as an incoming freshmen. He and his roommates (pillars of that team) had me come up to Baltimore in July for a workout.

I guess I impressed them enough that they started lobbying the coach to put me in from the jump. Took 3 games and not so great results for the guy to pull the trigger. I absolutely had pangs of guilt for GKs older than me, but... There's a certain mentality with keepers. We absolutely do not like rotations or subbing or any of that. I don't know why, but it's definitely a thing.

I was livid when, during my senior year, coach rotated me out a few halves to let the upcoming guy get some minutes. Irrational? Yes. Goalies are not known for rationality.

With a greater number of youth GKs competing for fewer spots in the top leagues, I think it's more common for strong GKs to rotate halves than it used to be, although they also can rotate games in that circumstance too.  If a coach does rotate halves, though, the GKs want it to be predictable and regular.  Coaches who play mind games with GKs because they think it will help them compete usually just don't really understand keepers.

[SierraFD3soccer]

One of the best things that ever happened to me was a senior got my contact information as an incoming freshmen. He and his roommates (pillars of that team) had me come up to Baltimore in July for a workout.

I guess I impressed them enough that they started lobbying the coach to put me in from the jump. Took 3 games and not so great results for the guy to pull the trigger. I absolutely had pangs of guilt for GKs older than me, but... There's a certain mentality with keepers. We absolutely do not like rotations or subbing or any of that. I don't know why, but it's definitely a thing.

I was livid when, during my senior year, coach rotated me out a few halves to let the upcoming guy get some minutes. Irrational? Yes. Goalies are not known for rationality.

With a greater number of youth GKs competing for fewer spots in the top leagues, I think it's more common for strong GKs to rotate halves than it used to be, although they also can rotate games in that circumstance too.  If a coach does rotate halves, though, the GKs want it to be predictable and regular.  Coaches who play mind games with GKs because they think it will help them compete usually just don't really understand keepers.

This is all my opinion and based on what I observed with my son's experience of being a full time keeper since U-11 so 12-13 years at high levels.

As to keepers today which may have been the same for Hopkins92, coach seem to often commit to one keeper for numerous reasons until injuries, conduct or just bad play. Ride or die attitudes which suits the starting keeper obviously.  Back ups (generally at least 2 or 3) have to work on their resiliency which is really tough especially when they get to college as they most likely were starters all their careers at clubs or high schools.  Keepers know a lot of emotions and often negative.  Starter gives up a soft goal or two and his college career could be over. Starter keeper, but a new shiny object  shows up as a freshman (or grad student for JHU)  at the school and coach loves this person and the previous starter sits perhaps for the rest of his college career. 

As to backup keepers, they have to wonder if their turn will ever come. Coaches from time to time will not tell a recruit that they little or no chance to see the field for their college career other than mop up time which in D3 can be rare. They go out every day and train hard and many end up leaving the team (I purposely do not want to say quit, because of their circumstances) as they want to spend their time doing something they believe is more productive.

Son when through some of this in his D1 college and club team.  Was starter in D1 school till a keeper from overseas joined the team. D1 is a whole different story as it involves scholarship money.  Started all 4years of HS and two years of D3 (missed three games with injuries). Overall, he made his luck by working hard every day to be ready for his opportunities. Had to develop resiliency and did not have anything given to him.

Son who I knew his opinion on this and I am guessing most keepers would absolutely hate splitting halves. Implies either both are equal which is pretty impossible or the coach did not faith in either. Confidence shown by coach means a whole lot to keepers. If the coach does not know keepers or isn't a good communicator then it can be brutal.  What some keepers can deal with is splitting games and after a period the best in the coach's opinion starts the rest of the season.

[PaulNewman]

^^^^^Great post.  Enjoyed reading it.