Ohio Athletic Conference

CrusaderNation · October 03, 2012, 07:06:15 PM

It is a very fair statement to say that it was a game of two halves. In terms of legitimate chances both teams were challenged. However, both teams can take something away from the game to work on.

Can't say I agree with the GK assessment. Not sure if I would say either one played at an All-Conference level, but, that is just my take.

IN terms of the other games I would refer you back to the stats about opponents posted earlier. Although some teams have good out of conference records that does not mean they have progressed to a level where they can compete with Otterbein and ONU. It is a safe bet to say those two teams will be the ones to beat this year!

woacfan · October 03, 2012, 11:19:13 PM

Otterbein proved your point this evening. They beat JCU 2-0.
Blue Streaks controlled the ball between the eighteens, but were abysmal on each end. They gave up way too many corners and took way too few shots.

They are usually the ones to beat!!!haha!

And BIG PS...Capital stuns ONU tonight!!!! Maybe Capital is the team to beat afterall!
Details...we need details! What happened?

CrusaderNation · October 04, 2012, 07:45:31 AM

As much as I wish Capital were the team to beat I am afraid that is not so. It was a great game for the Capital in terms of heart, effort and fight. Two well deserved goals during about a 20 minute run of play for the Crusaders. But, the consistency of ONU or Otterbein still looks to be the ones who will ultimately end up on top. However, as everyone knows... "in sports on any given night"... and this happened to be the first night since 2008 that Capital topped ONU.

Elsewhere the Heidelberg - Wilmington score again showed that early results do not consistency make. Wilmington has a very potent attack, but, it takes more than that to be in the ONU - OTT conversation.

So, the story continues!

woacfan · October 07, 2012, 08:55:50 PM

Streaks beat Marietta. Wednesday they play Mount Union, who got off to a lightning start. Should be an interesting game. The Streaks have run hot and cold this year. Mount Union was handled by ONU, but beat Wilmington and Marietta.

And despite my friend from Capital's assessment, the Crusaders are undefeated and ONU is staggering--- they lost this weekend to a scappy B-W team.

Otterbein spanked Muskingum 5 to 0. Right now I would say Otterbein is the team to beat and Capital and B-W are teams to watch in the stretch run. I wouldn't count my Streaks out either, but they need to play more consistent ball.

CrusaderNation · October 08, 2012, 10:22:28 AM

It appears I may have been mistaken in terms of the regular season title.. at least in terms of ONU. I still believe they have the consistency for the tournament title, but, we will see. As for Otterbein I think Tuesday will be the telling factor. If they go up to ONU, and win there, I do not think there is any doubt they are in the drivers seat. If not, it still might be interesting to see how things play out.... and for Capital. Well, when you start five or six freshman every game you are bound to stumble just because freshman have freshman like games. Especially without Ells, Geiger or Phillips to fall back on with all of them gone for the year. That said, it is always nice to be in the conversation!

Keep the faith in your Blue Streaks. Mike has them playing much better soccer than in past years. They can still have a say if things go right for them. Any time you are playing good soccer you just need a lucky bounce!

woacfan · October 08, 2012, 11:54:58 AM

I agree. Mike has done a great job in organizing them on the field. Their midfield is SOLID.
He has a young squad too, and some of them have to grow into their positions. They are playing some pretty ball, which makes even the losses a little more tolerable.

I shudder to think what the Crusaders will be like next year! Out of the teams that I've seen, they looked the best. Its hard to express all my thoughts here, but the loss to Otterbein was the result of mental errors, not domination. Otterbein played its best game on each end of the field, while JCU controlled the midfield. Of course, the scoring and stopping scores is what matters. I agree Otterbein is the favorite, especially if they beat ONU (who will be fighting like h*** to avoid another conference loss), but don't count your young team out.

Any thoughts on B-W? They've improved a lot over the past two seasons.

CrusaderNation · October 08, 2012, 12:27:42 PM

BW is big and athletic and this year they have a GK that is capable of keeping them in games.... that is the real difference. That also makes them dangerous if a team allows them to play to that strength. If a team keeps the ball and stays on the ground with it then they will have a much more difficult time... thus some of their interesting results. But, they are very capable of beating anyone in the conference on any given day.

CrusaderNation · October 09, 2012, 06:32:43 PM

Well... it appears confirmed that Otterbein is the team to beat. A 2-1 win at ONU puts ONU at 3 straight losses and leaves Otterbein unblemished. With BW putting a thrashing on Heidelberg they seem to be the next in line who might be able to challenge Otterbein in the tournament. It is going to be a tough tournament for someone to go to Otterbein and steal away a win! Still a long way to go, but, don't see them faltering as they are really consistent right now. In terms of the game tonight it will be interesting to see how the MU vs. JCU game goes. Maybe MU will still play a role in stumping Otterbein? But, first comes the Blue Streaks!

woacfan · October 09, 2012, 09:10:34 PM

JCU 3, MU 1- Streaks seemed to dominate. The game was a cross-bar and a post away from 5 to 1. This looks like the total game the Streaks needed. It was a dominating performance. Now they need consistency.

I think you are right Crusader Nation, B-W is going to be tough. They are a very physical team. If you can, go to the JCU archive and look at the photos from the playoff gamelast season. They look more like football photos than soccer. https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc7/405708_10150573328707356_1537518870_n.jpg and https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/396658_10150573329482356_645064942_n.jpg

I love those pics. Kinda gives you the flavor of the OAC...total destruction! There were a lot of uncalled fouls in that game. Some teams have a little more finesse than B-W, but they are very gritty.

Looks like an exciting home stretch in the OAC. I would put 10/27 on my calendar as the Crusaders look like the last, best chance to stop the Cardinals from running the table.

CrusaderNation · October 10, 2012, 10:41:27 AM

Capital will certainly have more finesse and soccer savvy than BW but BW they will certainly have more bite... that is a certainty. But, none of that matters unless the Crusaders hold home court tonight against Wilmington and Saturday vs. Mt. Union!

Congrats to the Blue Streaks!

woacfan · October 13, 2012, 10:17:01 PM

The scores from today.....

Oct. 13

Muskingum 0 John Carroll 3

Heidelberg 0 Otterbein 5

Marietta 0 Ohio Northern 5

Mount Union 2 Capital 1

Baldwin Wallace 0 Wilmington (Ohio) 2

It looks like Otterbein alone on top of the OAC and the slimmest of differences for positions 2 through 5. JCU and Capital are at 3-1-1 while B-W and Wilmington are at 3-2. ONU tells the conference they're not dead yet by thrashing Marietta.

As for the JCU game, the Streaks looked good again as their reliable midfielder opened the scoring for them. Then their speedy forward finished them off with two more. The 3-0 final is deceptive as the Streaks played their subs through the second half. They look stronger every week. Two tough challenges this week with B-W followed up by ONU. Look for Ohio Northern to make a strong end of season run. Its shaping up to be another wild season in the OAC.

Can anyone knock off the Cardinals?

CrusaderNation · October 15, 2012, 12:58:32 PM

Unfortunately what the statistics show is that overall the OAC is average this year. Without the consistency for more teams in terms of better scheduling and better results it is kind of a crap shoot. Even the team leading the pack is doing so in a workman like manner and does not have any outstanding results. So, at this rate it looks like it will be a 1 trick pony (Otterbein has been my guess) for the OAC in the NCAA Tournament this year.

woacfan · October 15, 2012, 04:26:05 PM

Crusader Nation,

I agree in part with your assessment. I concur that only one OAC team will make it through to the NCAAs- the winner of the OAC tournament, but think its far from decided at this point. Last year at this time ONU was all but annointed champion and we know how that turned out.

I also think by the time the tournament plays out, Otterbein may deserve an at-large invite, but probably won't get one. Looking around at all the conferences, not just the OAC, it seems that there is a lot of uncertainty this season with many of the usual suspects stuggling this year.

Arguably, this season is down a bit in terms of quality from the OAC teams as compared to last season, but I think the OAC is ascendant in women's soccer generally. There are three strong programs and three other programs that are getting stronger. I've also noticed the crowds at the games are getting a little better- its not just parents and a few bored students in the stands this year (at least at the Blue Streaks games).

In terms of overall quality, I am not sure that the OAC is as far behind the other conferences as the "statistics" might suggest. In any event, I don't think the results of this season are a "given" yet. I do think Otterbein has a leg up on the rest of the league for regular season champs, and their deep, grassy field is hard on visitors, but anything is possible at playoff time.

Besides, when you live on the Great Lakes you always root for the underdog!

Here's to a great finish...

CrusaderNation · October 17, 2012, 09:22:04 AM

I agree with rooting for the underdog... there is something endearing about cheering for the one not supposed to come out on top and fulfilling about watching them maximize their potential and win when no one gives them a chance.... maybe there will be a spot for my Crusaders afterall

woacfan · October 17, 2012, 09:49:22 PM

Wilmington beats Otterbein. JCU and BW play to a tie and Capital pounds Marietta. The stars may be aligning for you Crusader Nation!

I can speak a little on the JCU v. BW game. Very physical game. I thought the streaks were up to the challenge. Both teams had their chances. Unfortunately, for a team trying to move up, the tie hurts. It means the Streaks will have to pull one out at Ohio Northern this weekend!