Massey at his best. Predicted OSU to beat MD 37-14. Point spread ended OSU -17. If you took MD you're extremely pissed and feel hard done. If you watch Massey you stayed away from this one.

Quote from: Rcjh2245 on October 01, 2023, 02:39:40 AM
Mom post, so take it for what it's worth. I have a Jr. Kenyon player, and a freshman OWU player. Marinating on this week - OWU v. Kenyon on Wednesday. Going to be elated and deflated at the same time. Play your best boys.

One of my son's teammates had a brother who played for Otterbein - he at Capital. Their mom had a custom sweatshirt made - half purple, half red with Capbein printed on the front. She paced the entire game when we played them.

No surprises in the early games. Strengths and weaknesses previous discussed were all evident in these games.

Concur with OAC alum: not really going to pay attention to the three lesser conferences until their respective conference tourneys.

Seems playing a tougher NC schedule may have prepared Grove City better for conference play - their 3-0 win over Franciscan, who most likely represents their most significant challenge for a NCAA bid. A rematch in the conference tourney final would be a neutral's wish.

It's between RHIT and Hanover, both played a challenging NC schedule, probably for the AQ. I've seen Hanover a couple times - 1 goal losses at Kenyon and OWU, at home versus Otterbein. Bounced back in conference play after their collapse vs Otterbein. Set piece goals seem to be their Achilles heel.

OAC: MTU and JCU - first and second. MTU's back four are maybe the strongest in the conference - at a minimum equal to JCU. JCU with a ridiculously difficult NC should start 3-0 before facing ONU away. The MTU game is Oct 25 at MTU - must see tv!  MTU got the win at Wooster - not a great field so they didn't look sharp. Luckily all but two OAC teams play on turf, which better suits their game. I'm concerned about their keeper's decisions - the Wooster goal - it wasn't necessary for him to leave the 6 - didn't get the ball - goal. There are going to be a few 1 goal wins amongst the top 4 OAC teams - can't afford mistakes like this in the big games.

Otterbein and ONU- 3rd and 4th. Bein's come  from behind victories against Hanover and Denison, tying Wash & Lee after being down 2-0 and 3-2, show their level of compete, especially late in games (after 70 minutes). The Denison game was like watching a tennis match between two players engaged in baseline to baseline volleys. This game went back and forth from 18 to 18 with little being allowed by either defense once entering the 18. A vicious OG - hard cross off the face of an Otterbein - gave Denison the lead; a PK and goal off a corner with 30 seconds left for Otterbein's win. Both teams very strong across the back - nothing either keeper could do about the three goals.  Wednesday's game at ONU for a third place showdown.

ONU also had a difficult NC schedule against what might turn out to be 5-6 ranked teams by season's end. They have all three top contenders at home this year, beginning with MTU this Saturday. Both ONU or Otterbein have a realistic chance to finish second.

Capital - fifth at best. They have an above average keeper - the Case final score could have been 3 or 4-0 if it weren't for him. Talented players but no real cohesion when attacking. Injuries to senior backs has forced a couple of freshman to start - including one at CB who's played very well. They may nick a point that they probably didn't deserve, but if they continue to show up 20 minutes late to every game it will be a long season. See OWU result for the kind of beating they'll get vs JCU, ONU and possibly MTU if they're not ready by the opening whistle.

NCAC: that OWU performance at Capital was a complete and thorough ass kicking. From jump street. If they play that way in conference they will finish with maybe one loss. Their talent on offense is the best in the NCAC; there are teams like Denison that play great defense and are opportunistic on offense, but I haven't seen a team in the NCAC who can attack like they can. But as we saw in the JCU game their defense can let them down. But on an average day they have attacking prowess, the grit to grind out tougher games. Start the season off with a bang at Kenyon, end the season at home vs Denison.

Denison probably 2nd. Only saw them once vs Otterbein, saw Kenyon twice. Edge to Denison on defense and technical skill. Kenyon lost a lot of talent from last year's side, and quite honestly this year's team is not as skilled. Shanked kicks, poor passing - much sloppier than any Kenyon side I've seen in the past 9 years.  Not sure about the 4th place team but the bottom three should be Oberlin, Hiram and Wittenberg, leaving DePauw, Wabash and Wooster to duke it out. Wooster is a feisty team - gave MTU and Case spells of tough play before eventually making crucial defensive errors.

Conference play - here we come

Might consider Reddit for something that would have more visibility. I participate in MLS and Columbus Crew boards - very active

Caught a few games Sat, even those that were almost impossible to watch.

Such as Otterbein at Hanover. Hanover's video has always been a challenge as the camera is set in the next county. Sat's broadcast featured a monochrome feed - ranging from a light lime green to chartreuse. It was during this time that Hanover was awarded a PK and a RC issued to the Bein player. I rewatched the sequence several times and can't figure out what the card was for. The defender appeared to fall forward towards the attacker, no contact, attacker got the shot off. After the CR signaled for the PK, he gave the card and the player truly looked dumbfounded. All I can surmise is his hand touched the ball - extremely harsh card if so - or he said something. Hanover converts and takes a 1-0 lead into halftime.  Second half - if you didn't know which team was playing a man down you'd assume it was Hanover. Otterbein had several spells of total ball control and equalized off a set piece, getting the game winner a few minutes later. Great comeback win, playing 70 minutes a man down.

Similarly Capital went down 1-0 at half, scoring twice in the second half for the win. Cap was missing their leading point man, Kossoudji, and a starting CB, using a freshman and sophomore in their stead - both showed very well. 

Commented on JCU elsewhere but a great game to watch. It might sting a bit to drop two straight but I don't think JCU has any fundamental issues to address. The OAC appears to me at least: MTU and JCU battling out for 1st and 2nd; Bein, Cap and ONU (another game plagued by broadcast issues - never aired due to technical difficulties) fight for the next three spots. Then there's the rest . . .

NCAC: Denison played Case fairly evenly for the portions of the game I saw. They and OWU look like the only "sure" teams for the NCAC tourney - the other two up for grabs. I have not seen Kenyon since the Hanover game, but they were not impressive then. Compared to past teams this year's squad was less technically competent, it does not have the dominant midfield I've seen in years past. I may attend the first half of tomorrow's game - Cap hosting OWU is the priority. Everything can change come conference play.

Also saw Mt. Aloysius vs Alfred - which appear to be the front runners for the AMCC regular season title. Alfred's second minute goal off a corner lasted almost 60 minutes until a PK for MTA ties it up. With exactly 17 minutes to play #10 for MTA hits a golaso bomb from 25+ yards - from the right side to the upper corner, left post. Dipping, crushed - a beauty.  Got chippy to be sure - not a fan of the CR's mgmt style - lots of stoppages to "talk" to players. Rabbit ears got the best of him as he gave a YC and a RC to Alfred after the game ended.

PAC - Grove City already 2-0 in conference play, significant win vs contender Franciscan. Conference play for most everyone else begins Sat. Got Cap/OWU tomorrow; Denison at Bein Wednesday- weather for Wednesday looks very dicey. Haven't had rain for two weeks out here so I guess we're due. I will say driving a golf ball 270+ yards on bowling alley fairways has been fun; trying to land a wedge on concrete greens - not so much.

Quote from: calvin_grad on September 23, 2023, 08:09:51 PM
Calvin defeats JCU 5-3. Was not able to attend or watch, so don't have many details. I know JCU has a lot of weapons on offense, so their 3 goals doesn't surprise me, although 1 was an own goal. Nice to see Calvin's offense wake up a bit.

I believe the video is still available on their You Tube channel. Watched the whole thing - pretty entertaining game - all 5 Calvin goals are worth seeing - I don't think the JCU keeper could have done a thing differently to stop them. Maybe his defenders stepping to the ball quicker - but those bangers from outside the 18 were golasos.

Schedule makers - games between or after big games against lesser competition- MTU meet Hiram. Two wins against nationally ranked programs - leader scorer out because of dumb RC - a game, on paper, that MTU should run away with. Hiram - they  look at this game as a statement for their underperforming team. MTU can't let up, but if this was a betting proposition, depending on the spread/odds - might MTU be over valued?

Denison gets no favors - away at Case. Case off their first loss of the year - emotions high for them - will Denison have the intensity after the JCU game? Away? I'll say this - if Denison gets a result against Bianco's former team - bet the house against them next game.

PS: Poe facing his former team - didn't go so well.

Capital quietly winning games - one loss at Case 1-0; not indicative of play as Case dominated play , but a statement about Cap's keeper. Defense was horrid in the Franciscan game, Vante could have had 3 in the Case/Cap game if it weren't for Cap's keeper. Cap home vs DePauw tomorrow , OWU midweek. Cap can score - defense has to be sharper.

OWU struggling - yes they have won games but they're not pretty. At Wilmington tomorrow- the OAC split with a top 5 and bottom 5; Wilmington on the bubble. OWU is not playing team ball; individuals loosely connected . The Pete Maravich of D3 soccer up top - never saw a shot he won't take, of course oblivious to teammates nearby. They will win games but long term - maybe third in the NCAC.

Aww Medaille - going to miss you!

Wow! Great result - was at the Columbus Crew game, watching several college games at the same time. Turned your game off with 14 minutes to go. At least I know where to start watching again.
And while I was dismissive of MTA being ranked over Denison, they did draw against CMU tonight 1-1 - away. Less a fan of CMU than convinced MTA is legit. But they very well may win the AQ from the AMCC. But Denison - one down, two to go.

UAA results appear to be less impressive than in past years. Saw Rochester just get by St. John Fisher; Wash U losing again, NYU struggling. Wonder if their SoS will be as strong?

That's how it was for the 30 years I reffed. A foul takes place on the field, during play (ball is live) against an opponent who is a player. Now - it changed to where fouls can be called against non player opponents: example - a substitute, substituted player or bench personnel leaves the bench and tackles an opponent on a breakaway, inside the 18. LOTG now allow a PK to be awarded. I believe.

Watched the entire match - very entertaining for a neutral! First half saw the teams stay in their structure, sparring and jabbing like the initial rounds of a boxing match. Each team scores off a set piece - beautifully taken DFK from 22yds, curving around the wall for MTU. Header off a DFK cross to back post - Case player found himself wide open for an uncontested header.

Both teams used a 4-2-3-1, with the ball side winger pushing up to pressure the ball once Case approached midfield. As expected MTU sat in and waited for a counter. Case pushed the issue offensively but could find no room to shoot.

Second half things opened up a bit. I thought MTU looked tired - physically and emotionally. Can't blame them with back to back games vs ranked opponents. But they lost a bit of poise also - getting 4 of their 5 YC after the 60th minute. Double YC to goal scoring silly - sitting on a YC removes his shirt after scoring the winner for a second YC. Case was having much more success breaking through MTU's midfield - combining many times to bypass defenders (ball watching or just tired). But MTU's back 4 are a fortress - limiting Case to one or two dangerous chances and stuffing everything else.

Notice to all who play MTU: set pieces are essential to their attack. Scoring once, hitting the crossbar and post on two other corners. Two of their three goals vs Bethany off set pieces. You've been warned.

One other oddity I need to research was the dead ball YC against MTU -61st minute. During a MTU throw in an MTU player pushed/struck - could have been another color if ref was so inclined - a Case player. After the card Case was awarded the throw even though play never restarted. The year after I retired from reffing a bunch of crazy changes were made - namely that non players could commit fouls. So maybe this restart last night is part of the new rules?

Today's GL and national rankings will add a little spice to tonight's matchup at Mt. Union. I thought Case had the better of play at JCU - by the slightest of margins - but their attempts in the attacking third were dangerous. MTU off a very emotional win, Case ranked below MTU - would not be surprised to see Case win. I expect MTU to come out defensively, their two back lines of 4 compact, forwards not pressing across midfield. They will wait for counter opportunities. Case will be given a lot of the ball - let's see what they can do with it.

Mt. Aloysius (3-1-2) ranked 8 is comical. Denison at 5-0-1, off what has to be a disappointing draw at Franklin, is not ranked but MTA is??  MTA with CMU tomorrow, Denison at JCU.

Been using Massey for years for college bball mostly - but for those who bet on sports - Massey is a good tool to spot odds/lines that may be inflated.