Well, well, well....Regular season play starts tomorrow and I'm all jacked up on Mountain Dew.
Any early predictions for the season? I'll go out on a limb here and say it will be Wartburg vs. Loras in the final yet again.
Cheers y'all.
Not much of a limb, but I'd have to agree.
Non conference Wheaton and Loras could be an early indicator if either team lost much since last year.
;D Let the games begin
Well some interesting results from games I either attended, watched or keep track on.
What happened to Luther? Bad day or is Olaf finally clicking?
Maybe the same for Wartburg??, but getting a tie in games they should win was pretty common last year. Better than a loss.
Loras pulls one out late, again much like last year.
Rest of the conference, nothing much of a surprise although Simpson needed OT to get the win.
Upcoming weekend should be telling with respect to how the "big 3" finish.
I particularly can't wait for the Loras Wheaton game coming up.
So to recap the first week in the IIAC ...
Luther falls 4-0 to St. Olaf and then comes back to beat UW-Superior 7-1
Loras tops UW-Oshkosh 2-1 and St. Olaf 2-0
Wartburg draws with Macalester 3-3, bests Webster 4-1, and falls to UW-Superior 7-1.
Whoa. For Luther and Wartburg, chalk this up to early season blunders?
Wartburg only lost 1-0 to UW-Superior, not 7-1.
My apologies. Mistyped.
Well after week 1 looks like co-favorites for the IIAC are going in different directions.
Loras always seems to prevail :)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N-3Qn7Wqk6E
I think that was last year.
Seniors aren't coming back to play again are they?
Yes. You are spot on there Harry. Just trying to get these Loras clowns fired up ;)
Well these Loras clowns just clown stomped #2 Wheaton in a convincing 2-0 fashion.
So let's recap: Wartburg ties a mediocre Macalester allowing 3 goals and gets blanked by an equally middle of the road UW-Superior. All while Loras takes down not 1, but 2 regional perennial power houses and goose eggs a nationally runner up who supposedly is better this year. Mmmm humble pie.
It's early Kickin 95..it's early. See you October 10th.
Quote from: Sir Victor on September 09, 2015, 11:53:51 AM
It's early Kickin 95..it's early. See you October 10th.
I was just doing as you asked, getting fired up and the banter going ;D
A Du Hawk isn't even a real animal. Boom. Roasted. ;D
Quote from: Sir Victor on September 09, 2015, 01:59:10 PM
A Du Hawk isn't even a real animal. Boom. Roasted. ;D
Didn't know that was a prerequisite? There actually is a hawk that makes it nest on campus every year and can be seen flying around during matches quite often. I have henceforth title it the DuHawk!
I'm not an expert in your conference, but this banter is fun to read.
To weigh in, I am impressed with Loras so far. But it is early.
Yes, it is early, but...
Johnny R was out last year both time Loras faced Wartburg.
Johnny is back and not missing a beat.
His speed and engine will create problems for Wartburg.
From what I've seen last year and the few minutes I watched this year of Wartburg, I don't see them being able to contain him.
And even if they do, they still have Bradely and Simon to contend with let alone other guys who have already stepped up not named Rummelhart, Simon or Bradley.
The DUHAWK is the most majestic creature known to man.
John Boy and The Big Brit are great players that teams have to keep an eye on. Anyone who has been close to the Loras soccer program knows that all problems are created by the SWARM!!!! When a bunch of Iowans are running full speed at you, bad things start to happen. Rothert and Pucci have the formula.
Pucci... Pucci....Pucci...Pucci ::)
Nil, Nil with the Johnnies?
Caught the score late last night (I confess, I'm a hugh Oregon football fan), but what happened for those of you who saw the game?
For some reason regardless of the Johnnie's record or position in the MIAC they seem to play Loras tougher than any of the rest of the northerners.
Two posts for SJU.
St. Johns plays very similar to Loras and maybe that's why they've been successful against Loras? The game was all kick ball and was a slug fest, not pretty but as seen with Loras it works. Maybe fighting fire with fire is the way to beat/tame Loras?
Wartburg saga continues, split results in CO; 3-0 over Dallas, 1-3 to Colorado College.
Looking like Loras might be the only IIAC representative to the Big Dance unless someone not named Loras can get the AQ bid.
Wartburg appears to be back in good form (fingers crossed) and sweep the IIAC Men's Soccer awards.
Loras receives it's first losses of the season from Deauw and Westen Illinois. No Rummelhart against Western either. Injury?
Wartburg beat who this weekend?
Thank you.
I'm thinking it was more or less just to get rested, both he and Bradley did not play. Both have had injuries and I'm assuming surgeries. Packing 17, 18+ matches along with routine training sessions in from mid August until end November is very demanding on an athlete, rest and recovery are vital. Especially with the type of injuries Alex and Johnny had, the best rehab is just to take the day off. Smart move by Rothert, he's going to need both players as close to 100% as possible heading into October.
Well with IIAC conference play starting tomorrow, I thought we could get some predictions going for our first round of conference play.
Games:
Coe vs. Luther
Central vs. Buena Vista
Wartburg vs. Dubuque
Simpson vs. Loras.
I'll start.
Coe vs. Luther ------------->0-3
Central vs. Buena Vista ----> 2-1
Wartburg vs. Dubuque ------> 2-0
Simpson vs. Loras ------------> 3-1
What do all of you think? Interested to hear your scores.
Cheers.
-Henry
Quote from: Cheesehead Henry on September 25, 2015, 11:59:22 PM
Well with IIAC conference play starting tomorrow, I thought we could get some predictions going for our first round of conference play.
Games:
Coe vs. Luther
Central vs. Buena Vista
Wartburg vs. Dubuque
Simpson vs. Loras.
I'll start.
Coe vs. Luther ------------->0-3
Central vs. Buena Vista ----> 2-1
Wartburg vs. Dubuque ------> 2-0
Simpson vs. Loras ------------> 3-1
What do all of you think? Interested to hear your scores.
Cheers.
-Henry
I think your picks are pretty accurate except for the Loras v Simpson tilt. I don't see Loras losing to anyone in the IIAC and especially not Simpson 3-1.
Loras 4-0 Simpson.
Ah! My mistake. Loras over Simpson 3-1. Not the other way around.
Kickin, I agree with your statement except for one thing.
IF Wartburg can manage to go undefeated from here on up to the Loras game, that game, I think becomes do or die for them.
A win over Loras may be their only chance to get back into the national spollight/top 25.
Wartburg loses that game, they will pretty much have to win the AQ and that would have to be done in the RockBowl.
And I know it happened last year, but lighting never strikes twice in the same place. :)
Sir Victor, I watched part of the Wartburg-Dubuque game.
I"d hardly calll that back in good form.
PK/Foul in the box with less than 30 sec til the half and then a miscommunication or lack of communication with keeper leads to second goal.
Very inconsisten team right now that needs to figure it out real quick or they may finish no better than .500 in conference.
Harry,
I agree. Very troubling result on Saturday no doubt about it. Though UD always seems to give Wartburg fits, you cannot drop points and get shutout in the first conference game of the season. I don't know what's going on with my squad man!
Humbly,
Sir Victor
In case you want to see highlights of the Wartburg @ Dubuque game, here you go...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GVLWOtJJiz0 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GVLWOtJJiz0)
Oh good for you...
Well I'm back on board the Wartburg bandwagon after falling off and being run over a couple of games ago. Big game to say the least this weekend against Loras..It's always interesting to see Loras play away from the Rock Bowl.
If any Loras fans want to buy me a beer..I'll see you at The Foot.
-Sir Victor
Quote from: Sir Victor on October 06, 2015, 04:52:56 PM
Oh good for you...
Well I'm back on board the Wartburg bandwagon after falling off and being run over a couple of games ago. Big game to say the least this weekend against Loras..It's always interesting to see Loras play away from the Rock Bowl.
If any Loras fans want to buy me a beer..I'll see you at The Foot.
-Sir Victor
Obviously you're going to be pro-Wartburg biased, but what do you think is going to be the score of the game on Saturday?
I'll have to run it into the simulator a couple thousand times and get back to you Henry.
Hugh game 2NIGHT
Loras at Wartburg.
Two predictions based upon which Wartburg team shows up.
The Wartburg team that lost to UD, UW-S and CC: Loras 2 -0 in dominanting fashion
The Wartburg team (although they really haven't beaten anyone worth mentioning) that plays to their potential: Wartburg 2-1 over Loras.
Too bad Loras isn't hosting this game where they could provide a quality live stream. Oh well. At least the conference tournament championship will be in the Rock Bowl.
And now it appears as though things are working. Good to see Loras got an early goal.
Loras takes care of the Knights 2-0. Wartburg was very fast and technical, but couldn't finish. Loras made some nice passes and finished better than I have seen lately. Loras played to their strengths and exposed tje Achilles heel of Wartburg, their back line. Ref was constantly out of position due to the speed of play and both teams suffered because of it. Lots of cards and frustration on both sides. Scary to think Loras has the ability to improve and can still beat a tight team like Wartburg.
Kickin
A few points to ponder.
I think it's more an inability to finish than Wartburg's backline.
I didn't really see much flat out speed and technical either.
I ddi see lot's of poor touchs and passing from most of their mids and fowards.
I indicated in an earlier post that Wartburg's inability or inconsistency (especiallly against very good teams) to finish would be their downfall.
I think they were very quick and had more team speed than Loras. Possession was in favor of the Knights and I thought their passing was pretty good. Finishing was not a strong point for sure, but they might have been trying too hard to find a great spot in the goal instead of just on goal. They had a few near misses and quite a few no where on the radar shots. Set pieces were also not used wisely and squandered a few good opportunities.
Alright, I've got a few things.
1. Alex Bradley looked very, very good. I was definitely impressed with him after not being able to see him much last year due to his injury.
2. I didn't think Wartburg's backline was weak; however, I was unimpressed with the amount of 50/50 balls Wartburg won and I think that often put their backline in a tough spot.
3. Hoping to see a rematch in the Conference final. Such a great rivalry to watch.
OK KICKIN, after wathcing the highlights on the Loras website, you have a point, those goals really do make the back line look suspect.
Poor defensive execution on both. I haven't seen so many defenders dive in feet first. Both goals could have been prevented with better defense.
Also, why do guys (see this in pro ranks as well) hope to convince the AR the guy is offside after they get beat for a goal?
Protesting for offsides is unfortunately what kids see done when they are young and it becomes part of the game. Kind of the same as every single tackle that is or sometimes isn't called a foul is vehemently protested as a "CARD". Wide receivers want pass interference and backs want offsides, unfortunately engrained intonthe culture.
No shocker here, Loras steamrolls through Coe, 4-nil, improving to 4-0-0 in the conference.
At the beginning of the year if you would've told me that the regular season title could come down to the final day between Loras and UD, I'm not sure if I would've believed you.
Dubuque hasn't exactly been a push over the past 5 years. There was a tie for a regular season title and a 24-12-1 conference record over that period. Loras is really the only elite team. Luther and Wartburg have history, but the last 5 years shows UD is fairly even with those 2 schools in chasing after Loras.
Last 5 years
Loras 33-3-1 (4 titles)
Luther 26-10-1 (2 titles)
Wartburg 25-10-2 (2 titles)
Dubuque 24-12-1 (1 title)
Well things got a bit more interesting after UD drops a 0-3 game to Luther.
I don't think this will impact the standings in the conference too much but more so in the region.
Loras should win out as should Wartburg.
Luther and UD have to both play Loras as well as more difficult opponents and could be looking at dropping 2 or 3 more games each.
If so, that would push UD further down the regional rankings and maybe Wartburg in the top 5??
Poor Buena Vista...
They're so bad.
Quote from: Sir Victor on October 16, 2015, 05:24:18 PM
Poor Buena Vista...
They're so bad.
OR IS WARTBURG JUST BACK ON TRACK?!?! WE COMINNNN
Loras spanking Luther 5-0. Have all seniors including keeper on now for senior night.
Well now 5-1 off a terrible PK awarded. Luther grabs a jersey than flops down and gets a call. There goes the Loras conference shut out they were going for.
Simpson beats Coe 3-0.
Wartburg beats Central 3-0.
Loras obliterates Luther 5-1.
Dubuque beats BV 4-0.
Nothing terribly shocking here, except perhaps the Loras/Luther matchup. I figured Loras would win, but sheesh, not by that scoreline. Any thoughts?
Senior night for the DuHawks and Jorge Simon went out with a bang scoring on 2 set pieces. Beautifully placed shots. Irwin has a nasty volley, Moore shows great poise with a well placed one timer from way out of the air, and Gordon just blasts a shot so hard the keeper couldn't even handle it, just deflects it in to the back of the net. Luther had speed, but no organization front to back.
Best win of the day for me beside Iowa smashing Northwestern was watching Sparty shut those big yappers at the "Big House" with a jaw dropping last play!
Just glad my badgers got that win today as well. The cheesehead in me is coming out again, i suppose!
It's that time of year again and the boys over at Loras are starting to click..... Scary thoughts for everyone else!
Sir Victor, ......and Wartburg is back from where?
Dispatched two of the bottom teams in IIAC.
Olaf outplayed them I think, both team had chances.
Wartburg controlling OT and then they sub in and it's over.
Don't understand the need to sub in at that pont??
Oh, Wartburg needs the AQ now for sure.
Pretty disappointing for a team that was picked (along withLoras) to win the conference.
Thanks for showing up Luther ...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-5Su8QoqtLY
SMH.... :(
Tuesday will be fun. Always nice to see the conference title come down to the last game. Even better to see cross town rivals duking it out.
Just saw Wartburg dropped another one over the weekend.
Looking back on their 6 loses, outscored 1-10.
Truley a Jekyl and Hyde team, score 2+ goals/game average on the weaker teams they defeated, but can't score on the majority of quality opponents.
I must say I'm a little surprised with this as they were pre-season top 20 as well as picked to win the conference along with Loras.
Loras has clearly separated, but again they are the DuHawks!!
As others have said on this topic, Loras getting ready to make a run.
Loras takes home another IIAC Crown with a 2-1 victory over UD on a cold and rainy Spartans pitch. The score and the stats show 2 different matches. Loras dominated shots and SOG as well as corners. The Duhawks walk through the conference undefeated with a 28-2 goal differential and 1 of those goals against was a PK when they were already up 5-0 on Luther. Let's hope they can continue through the IIAC Tourney with the same fire! Nice job lads! !
Looks like Simpson rolled over BV 7-0 tonight as well, in addition to Wartburg beating Luther 1-0. Shocker of the night (for me) would be Coe beating Central 1-0 to earn a spot in the conference tourney! This tourney is lining up to be a good-looking one!
Wartburg shuffles their starting 11 and comes up with a win against a regionally-ranked opponent.
Waiting until the 86th minute to have a defender score on a cross from a sub.
Rematch with Simpson awaits (4th/5th seed).
Henry, I agree with the Coe ove Central, surprising result.
Here are my predictions:
Luther over Coe
Simpson and Wartburg is a push depending on which Wartburg team shows up, Simpson has been playing well and considering they are home, I go Simpson over Wartburg.
Luther over UD; Loras over Simpson
Suprise, surprise, Loras over UD, Loras gets the AQ and the only IIAC representation in the NCAA tourny (unfortanetly as UD, Luther and Wartburg all at some point in the season may have received an at large [in addition to Loras] but the season and teams have been too inconsistent).
Dubuque beats Luther 1-0
Loras beats Simpson 3-0
UD travels 0.7 miles over to Loras on Saturday for the tourney title.
Just announced ... Loras vs. ud on Friday night for the IIAC Tournament Championship. Kickoff at 7 p.m.
Quote from: Puerco Espin on November 05, 2015, 03:11:50 PM
Just announced ... Loras vs. ud on Friday night for the IIAC Tournament Championship. Kickoff at 7 p.m.
Why the change to Friday?
Quote from: KICKIN95 on November 05, 2015, 04:07:46 PM
Quote from: Puerco Espin on November 05, 2015, 03:11:50 PM
Just announced ... Loras vs. ud on Friday night for the IIAC Tournament Championship. Kickoff at 7 p.m.
Why the change to Friday?
Could the conference possibly want soccer to have their own day to crown a champion? If Dubuque beats Coe on Saturday they would be conference champs in football. Maybe the conference wanted both sports to have a day of celebration?
The change has to deal with Rothert coaching both sports and being able to be at both locations for the men's and women's championship matches.
UD is appealing the change in schedule. IIAC conference call in an hour to vote.
IIAC turns down UD's appeal. UD-Loras championship game will be Friday night in the Rock Bowl.
Curious as to what ud's case for appeal could have been ... missing class time couldn't have been an issue. Maybe something about moving the game up a day? But that wouldn't give one team an advantage over the other since they both played on Wednesday night.
Anyways......predictions?
2-0 Loras.
Duhawks march onto NCAA Tournament.
My prediction for the Championship match is Loras 3-1 UD. A sketchy PK will be given out to UD at some point in this match.
Loras over UD 1-0. Total domination by the Duhawks. This should have been a 5 or 6 to 0 match but Loras had trouble finishing some easy sitters and breakaways. 99% sure they will be hosting first round after tonight's win.
I thought Peterson (GK) was especially good for Loras. While he didn't see a whole lot of action, he came up with some huge stops. His save in the second half off a free kick from Gonzalo Hernandez kept UD from leveling. Additionally, his ability to go up and grab throw-ins, crosses, etc. prevented UD from having real success in the air.
I agree with you, KICKIN, that Loras NEEDS to find a touch to get them another goal if they want to make a run in the NCAAs. While the shutout is impressive for the defense, this one should have easily been 3-nil.
Boy, I've been traveling the past few weeks and not had a chance to visit the boards.
Congrats to Loras for the AQ, hopefully a deep run in the NCAA Tourny.
My second favorite IIAC team, Wartburg had a disappointing year.
I have no worries about Loras next year putting a similar or better product on the field.
With Wartburg lossing 6 seniors who were significant contributors the past few years, they may be in for a bumpy season next year.
Only time will tell. Go Duhawks!!