Early season must see games?

[Coach Jeff]

SC Looks like we have a entire conference of PAYWALL this season.  Landmark conference games are all pay to view on FLO...the universities are not making that much money to have the fans pay...thoughts?

[SimpleCoach]

SC Looks like we have a entire conference of PAYWALL this season.  Landmark conference games are all pay to view on FLO...the universities are not making that much money to have the fans pay...thoughts?

Well, unfortunately, I will NOT be watching neither.  I wont pay, but if they are playing non-conference, and are playing away, I will tune in if there is a game worth watching.  This weekend I believe Catholic is playing away at Cortland.  I wouldn't mind seeing that one.  But no, I won't pay. 

Honestly, not saying I am the end all be all about D3 Soccer, but I know the # of views I get for videos, and I can't believe they can make that much $ on subscriptions.  Maybe for the major sports?  I really don't know the business model for small schools though.  But I would think there is an opportunity cost to being behind a paywall.  Awareness, advertising etc..

Personally, I think it's a bad, but not saying its a bad decision for the schools.  I hope they are making tons of money and it's used for their athletic programs. But I am not so sure.

SC.

[Kuiper]

For all those looking to get on the "feel good" soccer team bandwagon, Cal Tech hosts a game today against NAIA side Hope Pacific at 4 pm Pacific/7 pm eastern.  Cal Tech is currently 2-0 for what I'm going to call their best start ever (although I can only verify that back to 2006).  According to Cal Tech's Sports Information department, last season's 4 wins was the second highest win total for the program in 30 years.  With 2 wins currently and Hope Pacific coming into the game with a 1-4-1 record, Cal Tech has a solid chance of starting the season 3-0.  Pretty good for a team that didn't win a single game between 2012 and 2016.  And you can watch the stream with NO paywall (who would pay? they average something like 25 fans a game, which must include the kids who came to the field to study because it was quieter than the library).  Plus, there's a decent chance there won't be any technical issues.  After all, it is Cal Tech.

[backheel18]

SC Looks like we have a entire conference of PAYWALL this season.  Landmark conference games are all pay to view on FLO...the universities are not making that much money to have the fans pay...thoughts?

I live in a Landmark town and was highly disappointed when I went to watch a match and hit a paywall. I haven't heard directly, but secondary sources say that schools are getting $$ from FLO which makes it worthwhile.  I don't have any interest in paying. I'll watch some away matches and attend the live matches that I can. I am hoping this is not the way forward for all conferences.

[Coach Jeff]

SC Looks like we have a entire conference of PAYWALL this season.  Landmark conference games are all pay to view on FLO...the universities are not making that much money to have the fans pay...thoughts?

I live in a Landmark town and was highly disappointed when I went to watch a match and hit a paywall. I haven't heard directly, but secondary sources say that schools are getting $$ from FLO which makes it worthwhile.  I don't have any interest in paying. I'll watch some away matches and attend the live matches that I can. I am hoping this is not the way forward for all conferences.

I find it very disappointing for recruits and their parents that want to watch games of the schools they might be interested in playing.  Sorry you are a recruit but not only will you have to pay to go school you also have to pay to watching your future team.  They can not be making that much money off of FLO....

[Domino1195]

The OAC mandated paid attendance starting this year. All schools using Hometown ticketing. App download available. As I attend games at several locations I inquired about season passes (available for individual schools - not for a single sport). Oh well . . .

[SierraFD3soccer]

I have not seen this mentioned and this may have been. Not sure which category this should be.  However, the Centennial Conf kicks off this weekend (just like many leagues). 

Muhlenberg (3-1) last years Cent. Conf. tournament champs play Johns Hopkins (2-1-2) runner up on this Saturday.  So big game for each.  Any loss in the conf, like other confs., means a lot. Muhls are scoring goals like last year so it should be a very good game in Baltimore.

[SierraFD3soccer]

One possible big ODAC game that may be overlooked is W&L playing Virg. Wesleyan on Wednesday.  VA Wes. is 6-0, might be soft, but still. Plus Va Wes. has not been known as a powerhouse. Other thing to consider for W&L is that they most likely are going to travel all the way across the state to play at 6 this Wednesday.

[Kuiper]

This isn't a "must-see" for any particular conference or for regional/national ranking purposes, but it's a curiosity because a D3 team will be playing a D1 team.  In recent years, Averett has played Davidson, Trine has played Indiana University, and Endicott has played Boston College.  All decent D3 programs, but not necessarily traditional powers and I don't think any of them have been ranked when their teams played the D1 team.

On Monday, here's your opportunity to see a highly-ranked D3 team play a D1 team.  Trinity University (4-0-1), which is currently ranked #15 (although that may drop some after the tie with Hardin-Simmons) is playing D1 Incarnate Word University, also of San Antonio, at 7 pm central.

Unlike any other recent D1 v. D3 game, this game will be played AT the D3 team's home.  Trinity's grass field is far superior for soccer to Incarnate Word's stadium field (in my opinion), which is an artificial turf football field that can be used for soccer.  Incarnate Word fans could out-number Trinity fans, though, since IW has many more San Antonio natives on its roster than Trinity does and their family and friends may show up in force.

[Midwest Fan]

Not sure "early season" is accurate still here, however, exciting matchup today with Carleton against St. Olaf at 4pm CT. Carleton is 9-0 and has not given up a goal since their first game on Sep. 1. Might not have had the hardest schedule, but definitely respectable and includes impressive shutout wins against Gustavus and North Central. St. Olaf on the other hand, looks to continue their success after having a tough start to the season (albeit against a tough set of opponents).

[camosfan]

Field seems narrow?