Mid-Atlantic Region

[SierraFD3soccer]

Another huge game is the Messiah v. Stevenson at Stevenson on Saturday. It is for 1st place in the MAC Commonwealth with both teams tied and both on a 3 win streak.

Looking ahead, both teams play the 3rd and 4th place teams in the conf. So, sort of playoffs before playoffs. IMO, both teams need to win 2 of 3 remaining games to assure a playoff slot.

Exciting times.

[Mr_November]

Another huge game is the Messiah v. Stevenson at Stevenson on Saturday. It is for 1st place in the MAC Commonwealth with both teams tied and both on a 3 win streak.

Looking ahead, both teams play the 3rd and 4th place teams in the conf. So, sort of playoffs before playoffs. IMO, both teams need to win 2 of 3 remaining games to assure a playoff slot.

Exciting times.

Stevenson's dynamic duo up front:

#9 SR Gianfranco Vitella - 11G 8A
#10 SR Ellis Amo - 8G 4A

[Hopkins92]

Hop scores early and holds on against the Muhles for a 1-0 win at Homewood.
With just the Wash vs. Ursinus game left, the CC is extremely tight heading into the final weekend.

Dickinson - 16 pts (A tie next weekend clinches #1 seed
Muhles - 13 pts (A win could squeak into a share of the top on points, I don't feel like looking up the tie-breaker)
G-burg
Hop
Fords - 12 points (No idea, again, on what the tie-break situation is)
Wash - 10 pts (But they are playing right now, so they could jump ahead of all the 12 pt teams tonight)
WMd  - 10 pts (I guess they have a chance... Maybe? I don't feel like figuring it out)
Swat -  7 pts
F&M - 5 pts (bizarro world)
Bears - 3 pts (Sigh.)
 

[Hopkins92]

I will say, Devils play the Muhles and Hop plays at Ursinus on Friday.

The three teams in contention can put some real pressure on the other teams with by getting results ahead of Saturday's slate.

That Dickinson - Muhlenburg game is a doozy... For a lot of years, that has been the Dips and Jays... Fun to see another two teams duke it out for the one seed.

[SierraFD3soccer]

You are being very, very polite as to F&M. Under Dan Wagner, F&M's worst season ever over the last 23 years. Currently 3-10-3 (1-5-2 in conf.). Even when he started 24 years ago, F&M did not lose 10 games in a season.  F&M won 10 or more games straight over the last 13 years and 21 of 23 seasons they won at least 8 games. 

When you only score 16 goals in 16 games so far (11 taking away the 5-0 game against Alvernia which was also the only game they scored more than one goal) and 5 goals in the Cent. Conf, you aren't going to be successful. Many years, F&M relied on tough defense and winning really close games. Not so much this year. A lot reasons they didn't score.

Can they be competitive in the near future? Ehh, I would say no right now. They started the year with 25 players as opposed to 30 or so. 5 seniors who saw a lot of time. Not a great sign. I would say that they have step down their schedule of playing top teams in the beginning of the year and play local PA/MD teams. Could get some momentum going into the conf. schedule. I see 2 or 3 players along with the goalkeeping that will play big parts next year.

Hop is playing well now. Definitely think they have win the conf. tourn. to make it to the NCAA's. Dickinson and Muhls have not been scoring at all so they have to figure that out. F&M could be spoiler by winning or tying McDaniel qual. for the tourn. Who knows.

Dickinson (16 pt) v. Muhls (13) Friday night
Hop (12) v. Ursinus (eliminated)
F&M (eliminated) v. McD (10) McD in 7th and have to win
Swat (eliminated) v. Ford (12) Huge, huge rivalry so Swat will definitely work to upset.
Gettysburg (12) v. WC (13)

Going to be a crazy last 5 games.

Have not checked the NPI, but, if Dickinson wins the tourn, it could be the only team to qual from the CC to the NCAAs. Otherwise, CC may only have 2 teams qualify which I think will the max. Big step down for the CC. Still think, that without OT, teams should get 4 pts for wins!

 

[NEPAFAN]

I notice Messiah is going to finish with a winning record in the regular season. Have they found a groove?

[eaglesoccerdad]

I notice Messiah is going to finish with a winning record in the regular season. Have they found a groove?

they have found a groove in beating the weak teams of the MACC. Best win is 1-0 over NPI 121 Stevenson.

[Mr_November]

I notice Messiah is going to finish with a winning record in the regular season. Have they found a groove?

they have found a groove in beating the weak teams of the MACC. Best win is 1-0 over NPI 121 Stevenson.

I think you could say that (relative to the season they are having) Messiah have found a groove, of sorts. Are they playing a particularly convincing brand of soccer? Not necessarily. But they are getting results in-conference. Play-offs will be interesting. Hard to beat a team twice, like Stevenson and York.

Also, on a different note, Eastern smashed Albright 5-0 yesterday. Could Eastern sneak a spot in the MAC Commonwealth play-offs? They'll need a positive result in their last game and a negative York result.

[NEPAFAN]

Dumb question time. What are the OT rules for conference playoffs? Are they universal?