Ohio Athletic Conference

CrusaderNation · October 18, 2012, 06:54:29 AM

I saw a little of the JCU v BW game online and I felt that your streaks could have deserved better. But, for a team in transition with a new coach I go back to what I've said from the beginning... they are a much improved soccer team and continue to play better each time.

As for the stars... well... consistency has been the issue and continues to be so. It appears it might be a bit of an issue for the cross town neighbors as well losing at home to Wilmington. (Although Wilmington is very streaky) Regardless, somehow, someway if the Purple and White can win the next three games they will be the OAC Regular Season Champions. A true feat considering the loss of two key players before the start fo the season and starting five freshman.

We will see!

woacfan · October 18, 2012, 06:54:11 PM

I'd like to see the Blue Streaks move up a spot - at least get past Mt. Union. before playoff time.
However, their schedule is tough. They still play Wilmington and ONU.

The Otterbein loss was a surprise to me. I knew Wilmington was pretty good, but Otterbein always seems to pick up steam as the season progresses. Anyone have any insights into that game?

I think the Otterbein loss confirms that the only way to the NCAA this year is to win the conference tourney.

CrusaderNation · October 19, 2012, 10:25:40 AM

The Otterbein loss was only a surprise in terms of they had been fairly consistent till then. Wilmington is a pretty good attacking team, but, their defending has not been a strength and I thought Otterbein would score.

What it really confirms is what I said earlier, the OAC is average this year. Does not mean they will be next year, but, where as last year there were some dominant teams scoring multiple goals per game and beating people soundly that is not the case this year. All of the OAC teams are about the same time time around so we honestly do not deserve more than the AQ.

However, on the upside that means the OAC Tournament should be very competitive as there is no telling which OAC team will show up on which day!!!

woacfan · October 20, 2012, 07:34:28 PM

What a bizarre weekend!!!

JCU and ONU play to a draw. ONU threw everything but the kitchen sink at the Streaks Keeper. The Polar Bears had a 34 to 6 shot advantage over the Blue Streaks. One game or less seperates the second through seventh place teams and only 3 points seperates them. One might lament the lack of a standout team, but for sheer excitement the last two regular season games will mean the world for most of the conference!

And Crusader Nation, what in the heck happened in the Capital game? 5 yellow cards to the Crusaders in the second half and one to B-W? Sounds crazy!

CrusaderNation · October 20, 2012, 10:29:02 PM

You can read the game stats in Berea as you might... but... when you see Capital with 19 fouls (which is far from the norm if you look at every OAC box score for the Crusaders) and four yellow cards in the second half (when CAP has a total of six yellow cards for the entire season) compared to just 9 fouls and 1 card for BW... one can draw their own conclusions. The physicality of BW made it difficult to play but the extrenal factors around the game made it impossible to come out with a different result.

With the Capital result this evening the regular season title goes back to Westerville and it looks like it will just depend on the day and the field to decide who will represent the OAC at the NCAA's this year!!!

woacfan · October 20, 2012, 11:16:43 PM

Such a diplomat! Last week I thought one of B-Ws players was trying out for the swim team. That ref eventually caught on and carded her late in the game. Don't know if that was a factor today. A loss is a lot harder to take when you feel like you are playing two teams! Sorry to hear about it.

Otterbein is in and the next six will be sorted out next week.

woacfan · October 24, 2012, 07:39:46 AM

Muskingum at Capital tonight. A win puts Capital in third and drops JCU to fourth. Of this weekend's competitions, JCU v. Wilmington looms large. That game has the potential for the biggest swing in position, and will be the difference between JCU hosting, or traveling to someone else for the first round of the playoffs.

Looks like Otterbein and B-W earn the bye, although a Capital win tonight and Saturday, tied in with a B-W loss on Saturday would give Capital the 2nd seed. Capital may catch a break if Otterbein rests its starters on Saturday. Also, Marietta is half a game behind Heidelberg for a playoff spot. They might give B-W a game if they are not sharp.

JCU doesn't play until late, so they will know what they need to do by game time.

woacfan · October 25, 2012, 07:15:38 PM

Crusader, it looks like Capital is still going to be okay for the playoffs. The Streaks a little less secure. I tried to figure out the scenarios and gave up. Do you have any thoughts on this weekend's action?

CrusaderNation · October 26, 2012, 10:05:30 AM

Yes, Capital is in with their win over Muskingum. It was a well played half, probably the best of the year, so, maybe there is hope!

In terms of the other scenarios here is what I can figure:

You are correct JC v. Wil carries the most affect.
Right now Wilmington and Mount Union both sit at 12 points - ONU at 13 points - JC at 15 points - BW & Cap at 16 points

You assume ONU will beat Musk and if so they will sit at 16 points

If......
JC beats or ties Wilmington then Wilmington is eliminated and their position depends on or game with Ott as JC will have 18 points

If Wlmington beats JC things get weird because (wth wins) both Mount Union and Wilmington will both have 15 points and so will JC.... What makes it worse is that Wilmington bat JC, JC beat MU and MU besat Wilmington

The way I read the OAC rules the tie breakers would make it (but this is not set in stone because as with many things in the conference it is muddled to say the least) 1. Otterbein 2. or 3. BW & Cap 4. ONU 5. Wilmington (they beat OTT & BW) 6. JC (they tied BW but MU lost to BW)

I am not beting my life on the result of the tie breakkers, but, that is the way I read it!

woacfan · October 26, 2012, 08:29:27 PM

Thank you for your excellent analysis. It actually gave me headache figuring it all out. The bottom line is the Streaks need to win to ensure their post-season.

woacfan · October 27, 2012, 03:45:54 PM

Blue Streaks -- A win and they are third
A loss they are out
A tie and they travel

Wilmington A win and they are in
A loss and they are out

Winning is the only realistic option for them now!

woacfan · October 27, 2012, 11:36:52 PM

Apparently I got it all wrong earlier today-----

Ohio Northern hosts Wilmington and Capital hosts my Streaks.
Ugh! A win would have made things so much easier for the Streaks!

This is a team that loves drama. They took it to overtime in rotten conditions, but lost on the golden goal (one of my least favorite rules of college soccer). They lost number 3 of their 4 starting defenders in the 8th minute of the game.

Winner of Crusaders v. Blue Streaks plays for the honor of facing B-W Wednesday.

ONU and Wilmington winner plays Otterbein.

Poor Mount Union is eliminated on tie breakers despite a fine season.

woacfan · October 29, 2012, 05:35:20 PM

JCU beats Capital on PKs on a very windy day in suburban Columbus.
Very even on both sides. The team with the wind at their back usually had the run of play.
All Capital in the first half, all JCU in the second.

JCU goalie superb on PKs.

Hate to see the Crusaders go out this way. In some ways, an unfortunate result. The wind definitely played a role in the game.

However, extremely happy for my Blue Streaks!!!! On to B-W!!!!!

CrusaderNation · October 29, 2012, 06:11:17 PM

Congratulations to your Blue Streaks. It proved just not to be Capital's day when they missed a penalty kick in regulation that would have won it, missed several other opportunities to finish with just the keeper ahead of them and then only made 2 penalty kicks during the shootout! However, credit certainly goes to Mike and his kids as they fought all the way throgh and made their own opportunities... all the best againstBW!

woacfan · October 29, 2012, 10:03:41 PM

It wasn't the most beautiful game, but your Crusaders played valiently under adverse conditons. I read the Capital post-game report on their website- your coach summed it up-- seems like the Crusaders just had some bad breaks.

Now the Streaks move on to play B-W. One concern has to be the physicality and the diving. Hopefully, the officials don't buy into it. It almost cost the Streaks in the last meeting, and it seemed to hurt Capital in their match with them.

In the other bracket, Ohio Northern dispatched Wilmington with little trouble. They win the honor of travelling to Otterbein to face a team that seems to be on a roll. That should be a great game. The Polar Bears fell short of their pre-season expectations, but their form was great to finish out the season.