IIAC 2013

Started by Puerco Espin, July 03, 2013, 12:38:32 AM

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Puerco Espin

What school's have reloaded? Should we expect to see some different outcomes in 2013?

You can't ignore the season the Duhawks put together last year. Sure they lost some 4-year starters, but Rothert & Co. have established a deep and dangerous squad. Every player except for any incoming freshman has game experience under their belt, including NCAA Tournament experience. A large majority of the core that was responsible for the team's run to the Final Four will be returning, including 2012 IIAC MVP Kevin Cavers and Dylan Milkent who was perfect in regular season IIAC play (0.00 GAA).

Interested to see what Tyler Neumann (Simpson) will accomplish this year after finishing with 12 goals, 9 assists, and a 2nd team all-conference selection.

For the Spartans, they return their #2 goal scorer in Cory Winkler (9G, 3A) and Brandon Wiley, who led the team in assists (8).

Wartburg returns their leading goal scorer and 3rd Team All-Conference Selection Zubeen Azari (8G, 3A).

Based purely on speculation, here is my prediction on how 2013 will finish in the IIAC:

1. Loras (7-0)
2. Wartburg (6-1)
3. Luther (5-2)
4. Central (4-3)
5. Dubuque (3-4)
6. Simpson (3-4)
7. Coe (1-6)
8. Buena Vista (0-7)
NCAA Final Four: 2007, 2008, 2012, 2013, 2015
NCAA Sweet 16: 2005, 2009, 2010, 2014
NCAA Tournament: 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015
IIAC Champions: 2003, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015

doolittledog

You didn't put Dubuque last???  You're growing soft in your old age ;)

Loras 7-0
Dubuque 6-1
Luther 5-2
Central 4-3
Wartburg 3-4
Simpson 2-5
Coe 1-6
BVU 0-7

At end of season it will be assumed Loras wins all the time, not because of superior coaching and players...but because they play on turf.  All IIAC schools with a dedicated soccer facility with a grass field will be converted in the spring to turf.  Loras then announces their return to Faber Field and it's grass surface.  All other IIAC schools reply with "D'oh"

Puerco Espin

What about the turf at BVU, Coe, Simpson, and Wartburg? Ironically, those "turf-clubs" are the bottom four of your prediction.
NCAA Final Four: 2007, 2008, 2012, 2013, 2015
NCAA Sweet 16: 2005, 2009, 2010, 2014
NCAA Tournament: 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015
IIAC Champions: 2003, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015

doolittledog

Last I knew BVU and Wartburg played on grass fields...not sharing the football field.  Only Coe, Simpson, and Loras played on turf shared with the football team. 

d3fan1

If you go on quality of fields Central would be #1. I think everyone who is being honest has to pick Loras on top. Other than Wheaton, they will be the best team in the region. After Loras it should be up for grabs. here goes my "homer" pick though:

1. Loras -clearly the best
2. Central - mediorcre year,but came on strong at the end of the year and scared Loras. Needs a scorer
3. Dubuque- Always a tough game.
4. Wartburg - great tradition, but not what they used to be.
5. Luther - Glory of a couple years ago will be hard to repeat
6. Simpson - always on the cusp of breaking through, never does.
7. Coe - they always have BV to beat up on.
8. BV - to bad BV no more Cornell.

Puerco Espin

@doolittledog I believe BVU got turf in 2011, but you are correct, Wartburg is still playing on grass.

@d3fan1 I've already got September 24 circled on my calendar and will be hoping to make the drive to Wheaton. Should be the game of the year for the Du's.
NCAA Final Four: 2007, 2008, 2012, 2013, 2015
NCAA Sweet 16: 2005, 2009, 2010, 2014
NCAA Tournament: 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015
IIAC Champions: 2003, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015

Madhatter5

Quote from: doolittledog on July 07, 2013, 09:44:40 AM

At end of season it will be assumed Loras wins all the time, not because of superior coaching and players...but because they play on turf.  All IIAC schools with a dedicated soccer facility with a grass field will be converted in the spring to turf.  Loras then announces their return to Faber Field and it's grass surface.  All other IIAC schools reply with "D'oh"

This made me laugh. Well said. Course if Loras played their games on Faber, games would have to be cancelled midway through the games due to injuries from the field/rock wall.

1. Loras - As long as their road schedule doesn't kill them.
2. Wartburg - Looks to be bringing back more players to aid in scoreing then any other
3. Dubuque - McDonald will be a lose for them but maybe their assit men will find someone else to kick the ball up to and run under
4. Central - Just never seem to have enough to keep them consistent throughout the year
5. Luther - Would have to come in under the radar with a wall of a goalie and defense to make a run at anything.
6. Simpson- Could be a toss up for them and Coe
7. Coe- Looked pretty good a couple of years ago with their freshmen and sophomores. Don't know if that will be enough
8. Buena Vista - Should start recruiting heavily from California or Minnesota. Even better would be from Brazil or Spain.....

Puerco Espin

Hearing that Loras will be the home to two DI transfers this fall. Tyler Cruikshank and Richard Lenke who played at Loyola (Chicago) in 2012. Cruikshank is a two-time all-state player from Marshalltown, Iowa where he also played 7 seasons for the Olympic Development Regional Team. Lenke is from Mount Prospect, Illinois and was all-conference his senior year.

Will be interesting to see how these two will fit into the already deep Loras roster.
NCAA Final Four: 2007, 2008, 2012, 2013, 2015
NCAA Sweet 16: 2005, 2009, 2010, 2014
NCAA Tournament: 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015
IIAC Champions: 2003, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015

KICKIN95

Quote from: d3fan1 on July 07, 2013, 09:20:14 PM
If you go on quality of fields Central would be #1. I think everyone who is being honest has to pick Loras on top. Other than Wheaton, they will be the best team in the region.:


You really think Wheaton is a better team than Loras?  I would love to see your reasoning behind that statement.  If it is rankings than I think you are reading the paper upside down, Loras is ranked #1 in the Region and #2 in the Nation (Wheaton isn't even ranked #1 in their own region).  If you want to look at the best indicator of how these two squads match up just take a gander at this: Since 2006 Loras has playing Wheaton on a regular basis meeting up 8 times,  Loras holds a 5-2-1 record in those 8 matches.  Every match was decided by 1 goal with the exception of Sept last year when the Duhawks handed the Thunder a 2-0 "how's your father" before giving them an exit stage left in the NCAA Tourney with a 2-1 victory.
Master of all things "DuHawk"

Puerco Espin

@KICKIN95 I do believe that the Loras vs Wheaton match could go either way. Wheaton (from what I have heard) returns 10/11 starters (GK graduated), so I would expect them to be just as they were last year. Now with that being said, do I believe Loras will come out on top, yes ... of course. I imagine that we are about to see the most talented and deep squad that Loras has ever fielded.
NCAA Final Four: 2007, 2008, 2012, 2013, 2015
NCAA Sweet 16: 2005, 2009, 2010, 2014
NCAA Tournament: 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015
IIAC Champions: 2003, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015

d3fan1

The history of the match-up between Loras and Wheaton won't have much bearing on this year's match. I am conflicted about who I want to come out on top! I will always be an IIAC fan, and I know Loras is one of the stongest teams in the nation, but I coached one of the better players from Wheaton and know what a competitor he is. He is the most amazing competitor I've ever been associated with. I saw them play 3 times last year and they are VERY talented! Since they have everyone back, it should be an unbelievable game. I've already marked it on the calendar and I will be there!

KICKIN95

I think last year's results have some bearing on this year for the simple fact that both teams are returning the lion's share of their starters.  I am by no means saying that Loras will come out and beat Wheaton 3-0, but I do believe Loras will win.  Both teams have great recruits coming in and you obviously have a personal tie to one of the new players making your allegiance to the IIAC difficult.  The Duhawks have done a very good job of reloading this year,  I am anxiously awaiting the 2013 kickoff and in particular the Wheaton match ( which is at Wheaton this year making it a touch more challenging).
Master of all things "DuHawk"

Madhatter5

Puerco, what are the reason's the two players are coming to play for Loras after starting at D1? Would like to see the skill level of the players before we crown them.

Loras schedule all around looks pretty difficult besides most their conference games. "Luckily" Wheaton falls between Carthage and UD.

I don't know about Rothert only having 7 home games though. Gonna have to get used to watching games online.

Puerco Espin

@Madhatter5 - One of the players is from Marshalltown, where a former Duhawk defensive stalwart hailed from. The other was good friends with the kid. Will they be All-Americans? No way to say this early...but I do think they'll play a significant role in this year's success for the Duhawks.

Would the Duhawks have it any other way? By actually taking advantage of their non-conference opportunities and playing difficult teams they are erasing any doubt that they play the best to earn their rankings.
NCAA Final Four: 2007, 2008, 2012, 2013, 2015
NCAA Sweet 16: 2005, 2009, 2010, 2014
NCAA Tournament: 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015
IIAC Champions: 2003, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015

Ambush004

Espin, who is in your own opinion going to be the underclassman leader for the duhawks. We all know their senior class has proven lethal. Whose next in line to take the reigns?