Liberty League 2024

[Stryker]

With less than a month before training camps start, I figured I'd take an early look at the impact of graduation on the Liberty League teams for the upcoming year. Since this will be the last year for players to use their COVID eligibility, there is some uncertainty as to which 2023 seniors will return for a final 5th year and how that they will impact their team's season. Plus, there is no way to account how the incoming class will impact the upcoming season. Nonetheless, there is still a significant gap between the top 3 teams and the rest of the League. I will list the teams in order of the League rankings in 2023.

1. William Smith (6-0-3 LL, 14-1-4 overall) William Smith won the Liberty League championship 1-0 over RIT last year, winning its 15th championship in the last 16 years. The team scored 46 goals with a 2.42 goal per game average while giving up only 9 goals for a 0.47 goal per game average. The team lost in the 2d round of the NCAA playoffs. However, there will be some turnover of key players this year. William Smith is losing 4 graduate students that were impact players (Berg sisters, Dimenna & Faso) and losing at least 2 key contributors from last year's 8 seniors (Blakely-Armitage and Van der put).Those 6 players were responsible for 50% of the team's goals and assists last season. In addition, it is unclear whether Ava Ruppersberger, their top scorer from last year, will use her COVID eligibility. If Ruppersberg doesn't return, the team will have lost 70% of their offense from last season. Either way, players will have to step up to fill the gaps created by the leaving players. Fortunately, the core of their strong defense will be returning. William Smith also has the advantage of a big bench, drawing from the returning players on their main team as well as players from their developmental team. Plus who knows what talent lies in the incoming freshman class. But while winning the Liberty League last year, the gap between William Smith and its League challengers was much closer than prior years. That may be a trend that continues next year.
Early Projection: Frontrunner for League Champion

2. RIT (5-0-4 LL,9-6-5 overall) RIT had a slow start last season, losing 4 of their first 6 games while the team adjusted to the transfer of the prior year's top scorer. However, after posting a 1-1 tie against William Smith, RIT rebounded in the remainder of the season to reach the Liberty League finals and to go toe-to-toe with William Smith before losing 1-0. The team lost in the 2d round of the NCAA playoffs. The team scored 30 goals with a 1.50 goal per game average while giving up only 20 goals for a 1.00 goal per game average. RIT is returning its top 5 scorers from last year with another impact player expected to return from injury. Overall, the core of the team was not affected by graduation and should be expected to challenge for the League championship next year.
Early Projection: Challenger for Championship

3. Ithaca (5-1-3 LL,10-3-4 overall) Ithaca had a strong season last year, losing only to Cortland and William Smith in the regular season and losing 4-2 to RIT in the League semi-finals.The team lost in the 2d round of the NCAA playoffs. The team scored 34 goals with a 2.00 goal per game average while giving up only 10 goals for a 0.59 goal per game average. Ithaca has published its 2024 roster and is returning all of its scorers from last year's squad as well as its key defenders. Ithaca should be expected to challenge for a League championship next year.
Early Projection: Challenger for Championship

4. Clarkson (5-4 LL, 11-5-2 overall) Clarkson had a good season last year, advancing to the League playoffs but losing in the first round. The team scored 32 goals with a 1.78 goal per game average while giving up 12 goals for a 0.67 goal per game average. The team had 8 seniors on last year's squad and it is unclear how many may return. However, the team is definitely returning its top 4 scorers. Last year, Clarkson started the year strong in all offensive categories but the quality of their opponents clearly contributed to that since their shot attempts and goals dropped off as they faced the stronger Liberty League opponents. Expect them to be middle of the pack next year and compete for a playoff spot.
Early Projection: Playoff Contender

5. RPI (3-4-2 LL, 9-5-4 overall) RPI had a good season last year, advancing to the League playoffs before losing in the semi-final round. RPI had 1 grad student and 11 seniors on last year's team. Their top 4 scorers were seniors but have their COVID elibility. If they choose not to return, the upcoming season may be more challenging. Also expect them to be middle of the pack next year and compete for a playoff spot.
Early Projection: Playoff Contender

6. St. Lawrence (3-4-2 LL, 7-7-4 overall) St. Lawrence had a young offense last year, with 7 of its 8 top scorers being either 1st or 2d year students. However, its top scorer only recorded 4 goals and everyone else scored 2 goals or less. St. Lawrence was unable to score a goal in 7 of their 9 Liberty League games, only scoring 2 goals against Bard and 1 goal against Vassar. With an additional year of seasoning, the offense may get stronger and the team may make some improvement in the standings. However, absent an improvement in scoring for their League games, they may be facing another tough year.
Early Projection: Playoff Contender

7. Vassar (2-2-5 LL, 8-4-5 overall) Vassar is in the same spot as St. Lawrence except that it had 8 seniors on last year's squad and it is unclear how many may return. Vassar is definitely returning its top 5 scorers, who were all underclassmen. Unfortunately, Vassar was unable to score a goal in 7 of their 9 Liberty League games, only scoring 2 goals against Skidmore and 1 goal against Clarkson. With an additional year of seasoning, the offense may get stronger and the team may make some improvement in the standings. Absent an improvement in scoring for their League games, they may be facing another tough year.
Early Projection: Playoff Contender

8. Union (2-5-2 LL, 6-8-3 overall) Union had 6 seniors on its roster last year and it is unclear how many are returning. Fortunately, its top 6 scorers will be returning. This team had a little more success scoring against its League opponents than the 2 teams above them in the standings and should compete for a League playoff spot.
Early Projection: Playoff Contender

9.Skidmore (1-4-4 LL, 6-4-6 overall) Skidmore had an inconsistent season last year while pulling off ties against William Smith, RIT and several other League opponents. It had 7 seniors on last year's roster and it is unclear how many are returning. 2 of its top scorers were seniors. Depending on who returns, the team could improve and have a chance to compete for the playoffs.
Early Projection: Playoff Contender

10. Bard (0-8-1 LL, 4-10-1 overall). The perennial last place team showed some improvement last season with the highlight being the 0-0 tie against Vassar. Their top 5 scorers are returning underclassmen and hope springs eternal.
Early Projection: Improved but out of Playoffs

Feel free to share your thoughts and any information regarding additions to any of the above teams.

[Sps]

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