2023 D3 Men's Soccer National Perspective

[Coach Jeff]

Congratulations to the four OAC teams who played tonight.  The intensity of both OAC semis was outstanding with both going 110 minutes and to PKs.  All four walk away with a "ranked" draw fwiw.  The defending up and down and all over the fields over 110 minutes is what impressed me the most.   All of those very talented teams being held scoreless is phenomenal.  Otterbein and ONU move on but JCU and Mt Union were just as good.  In all seriousness, the OAC has got something going with their top 5-6 schools, and tonight's semis imo were as good as you will see from any conference in the country.

Wondering your thoughts on JCU and Mt Union are the both dancing, one or are they both on the bubble???  At my son HS game was unable to catch any of the games.

Just my gut reaction, personal opinion...I think JCU is pretty safe and Mt Union may be on the bubble.  Biggest concern is whether 7 teams could get in Region 7 which I think would be unprecedented (but it's also the first time I've seen all of them deserving).  Everything is so close in Region 7 it's really hard to say...and hard to say who else might drop...and that's before considering Denison who may enter the final rankings.  All that said, and without looking at numbers this late, compare Mt Union with Carleton, Lynchburg, LVC, etc.

My thoughts PN was the same for JCU and Mt. Union.  IMO I just think Mt. Union's early season schedule is going to be what keeps them on the bubble.

[PaulNewman]

PN I would rather have the committee take a lesson from Kant and put on their Veil of ignorance.

To be fair, Immanuel would not be a bad person to have on the cmte...although I have heard he was a diehard, 3rd generation Borussia Dortmund fan.

[PaulNewman]

For those interested... scroll down to page 12 for the regional cmtes and chairs of each who generally represent the national cmtes...

https://ncaaorg.s3.amazonaws.com/championships/sports/soccer/d3/common/2023-24D3XSO_PreChampsManual.pdf

[Nsno9]

In some interesting news from the MIAA, Olivet lost in their last regular season match to Calvin 10-1. After this shellacking, they managed to turn things around and upset Trine and Hope, the 2 and 3 seeds respectively, in the tournament and have earned themselves a chance to avenge their 9-goal defeat tonight against Calvin. Maybe one of the more surprising conference finalists in a while?

[PaulNewman]

Congrats to Western Connecticut....the long wait is over...heading to the NCAA tournament.

[stlawus]

Good effort from Rowan but Montclair State likely secures first weekend hosting duties. 

[paclassic89]

Couldn't contain Lukovic

[Dark Knight]

In some interesting news from the MIAA, Olivet lost in their last regular season match to Calvin 10-1. After this shellacking, they managed to turn things around and upset Trine and Hope, the 2 and 3 seeds respectively, in the tournament and have earned themselves a chance to avenge their 9-goal defeat tonight against Calvin. Maybe one of the more surprising conference finalists in a while?

Apparently their strategy was to rest their starters while playing Calvin, and try to win the MIAA tournament. They got pretty close! They played Calvin again today in the tournament final and lost 1-0.

[Ejay]

Couldn't contain Lukovic

I was speaking with an NJAC coach this past week and mentioned Lukovic. His response... "he's a man playing against boys". Incredible career (54 goals in 57 games) and still has another year left. He'll likely finish with about 80 goals in 80 games. Crazy to think he was a CDM in HS and "only" scored a total of 30 goals in 3 years.

[SimpleCoach]

Good effort from Rowan but Montclair State likely secures first weekend hosting duties.

Think this was a big win for Montclair going into the NCAA's.  For all the talent, they have often come up short of where I think they should be at, and this year seems a bit different.

SC.

[Another Mom]

Massey rankings.

Guessing they have predictive value for upcoming matches. But I am a little irritated that teams W&L beat are still ranked higher than they are. As are teams that didn't make the tournament,  let alone advance to the 3rd round. While this year's team is not W&L's strongest, I am going to say we don't get no respect!

[PaulNewman]

Massey rankings.

Guessing they have predictive value for upcoming matches. But I am a little irritated that teams W&L beat are still ranked higher than they are. As are teams that didn't make the tournament,  let alone advance to the 3rd round. While this year's team is not W&L's strongest, I am going to say we don't get no respect!

Another Mom, please do not waste energy feeling irritated or being distracted by Massey.  You indeed are in the Sweet 16!  Congratulations to W&L, your son, and you, and best of luck this coming weekend.

I'm so glad you posted under the bright lights of a national thread.  Your days of you and W&L being relegated to the darkness of a regional thread are over.

[SKUD]

Wanted to thank all the top contributors on this board for entertaining us all year.  Hopeful I have another year in the stands cheering but doubtful.  Let's savor these last weeks of the season! 

[d4_Pace]

For people who don't want to deal with more NESCAC related content I'm gonna move over here and ask what people's thoughts are on why the UAA isn't better. Obviously Chicago is elite but beyond that the conference constantly disappoints in the tournament. Brandeis used to be solid but has fallen off a cliff. All of the advantages talked about the NESCAC teams apply equally to these schools so what accounts for the difference?

[SKUD]

Not sure where to start on the UAA.  So many issues from poor locations, poor facilities, poor coaching, horrible travel and many schools where the academics are so competitive that an athlete doesn't want to balance both.  Emory should have an advantage of ver the other schools in most of f these categories.