IIAC 2013

[cciwrabblerouser]

KICKIN95 wrote:  You are nothing if not confident and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that, but just because your team is having an indisputably great season doesn't make them the better team.  OWU can attest to that, Messiah can attest to that, Loras can attest to that, in '07 they were 23-0-2 and lost in PK's to eventual champion Middlebury.

History does indeed make a difference.  I guarantee you that Messiah will have the benefit of "We've done this before.  We know we CAN do this.  We will find a way.  We will win."  That's powerful belief.  However...

Anything can happen in this sport.  Kickin95 talked about Middlebury, perhaps the unlikeliest champion in D-III soccer history.  In 2007, Middlebury did not score a single goal in two Final Four contests ... in 220 minutes, Midd never broke the plane.  Yet they took home the championship trophy by outperforming its opponents in PKs.

All this to say...  No one is handing Messiah the trophy.  The other three teams have something BIG to prove.  So it should be a great tournament

[lastguyoffthebench]

At this point Rutgers winning the Championship would be more of a one hit wonder than cementing a program, they don't have any history to back up this seasons success.

Well if Camden doesn't win the title, 0-1 in the final four definitely is better than 0-4...   That must suck to get there that much and fail because you were not prepared OR fail because you lost to a team that was better than you anyways. 

[lastguyoffthebench]

Now this I like. True animosity, alt accounts, name calling. Midwest'Clown', I like the cut of your jib, coming in here and ruffling some Duhawk feathers. Keep it up. Duhawkers, don't let this Jersey scum come in here and sully your thread!

I'm going to predict a close game, with RUC scoring early and holding on to win. From what little I've seen of Loras, they are fast, skilled, relatively direct attackers. York came into Camden a similarly athletic side, were very dangerous, but were unable to break through against a stout defense. The RUC counter is pretty lethal. The one reservation that I have is if they can connect on grass. They are very good at putting their opportunities on frame on home turf. Will a slightly choppy field reduce their accuracy in the final third? They will not get a lot of good chances against the Duhawks.

The type of grass in the stadium vs Camden's newer turf shouldn't be a factor.   Have you seen the photos... if only booze was allowed to be served at the stadium, I'd be in the beer garden....

[casualfan]

With the game being played on grass at Toyota Field in San Antonio, will that affect the Duhawks play? I seem to remember many of the Duhawk faithful saying this year's team was worse on grass. Have they overcome this problem or will it be a factor??

[lastguyoffthebench]

The grass looks very well maintained, doubt it will be a problem for either school.   

[Madhatter5]

The grass looks very well maintained, doubt it will be a problem for either school.

Agreed.

[PaulNewman]

lastguy, sorry, but 0-4 is definitely better than 0-1 when we're talking final four.  That means you made it to the final four 4 times.  Not even a close argument.

[KICKIN95]

Really you are calling me a liar? Very mature of you.  Read the original quote " if you've seen these teams out East they are on a different level."  He is stating that the teams out East are on a different level.   I have watched R-C play and they are a very good team, but to say that the teams out East are a different level? Come on. Did I say a Loras was a different level, nope never did, I just stated the facts. "Here is my history lesson, this is the NJACs 6th team reaching the FINAL FOUR.  The NJAC is hands down much better than the IIAC...  has any other team from the IIAC sniffed the final four?    (Well yes, Wartburg has been to the Elite 8 a few times, so that is within a "sniff" I would say).  So if I talk about a schools history it's garbage, but yet you turn around and wax poetic about the NJAC and their "history" the next sentence?  Top to bottom the NJAC is a better conference, now let me give you a bit of education in return.  How many teams did the NJAC get in this season (3), how many did the IIAC get in (3) well that's 3 each, hands down better, hmmm?  Well I am sure it is all because the North Region and Midwest in general is just so much easier and about 3 or 4 other excuses that you will rebut with.  So I would say that the top 2 maybe 3 teams in IIAC are on the same level as the NJAC's top 2-3 any given year, you go beyond that and I have no doubt the NJAC is stronger.   Transitive Properties in soccer doesn't really work, any team can get hot and score at any given time there are too many factors to contend with. 
I also think this semifinals match will be the "one to watch" and agree with you that the winner will come from this side.

[lastguyoffthebench]

It's called sarcasm, Kickin.... and I was laying it pretty thick.

[Madhatter5]

Another point that is not on a stat sheet is the fact that Loras came back from being down 1-0 in an Elite Eight game. That is a tall task to do.

[KICKIN95]

It's called sarcasm, Kickin.... and I was laying it pretty thick.

My bad for not picking it up, I am muti tasking right now.  Working, drinking coffee, and working. Better lay off the working and stick to the coffee!

[ldahoSoccer]

At this point Rutgers winning the Championship would be more of a one hit wonder than cementing a program, they don't have any history to back up this seasons success.

Well if Camden doesn't win the title, 0-1 in the final four definitely is better than 0-4...   That must suck to get there that much and fail because you were not prepared OR fail because you lost to a team that was better than you anyways.

Even if this was a joke, it was not accurate.  If Loras were to lose next Friday (which I do not think will happen), they would be 0-3-1.   

[lastguyoffthebench]

At this point Rutgers winning the Championship would be more of a one hit wonder than cementing a program, they don't have any history to back up this seasons success.

Well if Camden doesn't win the title, 0-1 in the final four definitely is better than 0-4...   That must suck to get there that much and fail because you were not prepared OR fail because you lost to a team that was better than you anyways.

Even if this was a joke, it was not accurate.  If Loras were to lose next Friday (which I do not think will happen), they would be 0-3-1.   

Haha, that it was.  Obviously a 4th final four is a great accomplishment by a program and or coaching staff.   For some/most, it's a once in a lifetime thing.     However, if it were to happen in the Championship, I believe it counts as a "Loss"  Ask Stevens Tech after the Messiah super sub came in and stopped 3 PKs in a row...

I am friends with a few of the staff on Rutgers-Camden, I think it's safe to say their goal is make sure Loras goes 0-4-1!

[ldahoSoccer]

At this point Rutgers winning the Championship would be more of a one hit wonder than cementing a program, they don't have any history to back up this seasons success.

Well if Camden doesn't win the title, 0-1 in the final four definitely is better than 0-4...   That must suck to get there that much and fail because you were not prepared OR fail because you lost to a team that was better than you anyways.

Even if this was a joke, it was not accurate.  If Loras were to lose next Friday (which I do not think will happen), they would be 0-3-1.   

Haha, that it was.  Obviously a 4th final four is a great accomplishment by a program and or coaching staff.   For some/most, it's a once in a lifetime thing.     However, if it were to happen in the Championship, I believe it counts as a "Loss"  Ask Stevens Tech after the Messiah super sub came in and stopped 3 PKs in a row...

I am friends with a few of the staff on Rutgers-Camden, I think it's safe to say their goal is make sure Loras goes 0-4-1!

I think you mean 0-3-1.  But anyways your substance is correct, it is a tie if you lose in PKs in the semifinals.  But it is a loss if you lose in PKs in the finals (as Stevens found out)...

[lastguyoffthebench]

Yes, that is correct, IdahoSoccer.   Long day...   

I remember watching all of those games on the live feed when Loras was there in 08.  Nick Blossey comes in and becomes a hero, yet the video isn't even on youtube or Messiahs site.  Also remember JD Binger becoming another hero during that run when he scored a goal vs CNU with about a minute or so left to force overtime...