ODAC

[VASoccer11]

Can anyone explain Roanoke's complete slide from being nationally ranked to losing 7 games in a row. Were they never that good or just have had a rough stretch?

Ive not watched the games, so only going off objective information.

-Lost 6 in a row (not 7)
-3 losses are to W&L and Mary Washington (no shame in dropping those to two top programs)
-In the averett and bridgetwater games they outshot both teams a combined 36-7 (12-3 in shots on target). Soccer is one of the few sports where you can be really good and lose and really bad and win on any given day. It comes down to being better than the other team in big moments and thats what averett and bridgewater did.
-Shenandoah has played alot of good teams close and seems to have just gotten the better of them on the day
-In the six game losing streak, theyve been outscored 10-1.

Said all this to say, the ball just appears to not be going in the back of the net right now. Again without watching hard to say where the issues are. I watched a few games early and they appeared to be a strong side.

[Freddyfud]

Can anyone explain Roanoke's complete slide from being nationally ranked to losing 7 games in a row. Were they never that good or just have had a rough stretch?

While it is never about one player, their leading scorer missed 5 of these games. No doubt this did not help.

If it can be scientifically proven post 53 above jinxed them I will dejectedly quit this forum.

[Freddyfud]

Things are getting interesting in the ODAC after all of the top 6 teams won tonight except Lynchburg who fell to Hampden Sydney.  Maybe a surprise is Bridgewater College who is tied with W&L at the top of the table.  Looking ahead Bridgewater has a tough conference schedule remaining.  Their last 3 games are VA Wesleyan, Hampden Sydney and W&L.

[jknezek]

Things are getting interesting in the ODAC after all of the top 6 teams won tonight except Lynchburg who fell to Hampden Sydney.  Maybe a surprise is Bridgewater College who is tied with W&L at the top of the table.  Looking ahead Bridgewater has a tough conference schedule remaining.  Their last 3 games are VA Wesleyan, Hampden Sydney and W&L.

Since I haven't watched the games it's hard to tell, but the ODAC has a lot of good teams, but not a great one. The unbalanced schedule allows a lot of teams a chac to pickup wins. Tournament looks like a crapshoot. I think W&L might have the best talent, but goals are hard to come by. Lynchburg and H-SC are right there. I have my doubts about Bridgewater due to the schedule, Roanoke died.

It's going to come down to who can punch a few in at the right time. Despite thinking W&L has the most talent, I think H-SC might get those goals this year. Especially if they can find a way to get home field.

[Another Mom]

W&L is playing well but almost all their goals have come from set pieces. They cannot score in the run of play to save their lives! (OK, hyperbole, but only slightly off). They remind me a bit of the team from last year.

[jknezek]

W&L is averaging one shot per game less and .2 goals per game less than last year. Take out the game against Reagent and it would look a lot worse. 25% (41) of the Generals' shots and 33% (7) of their goals came in that travesty of a match.

There just isn't any offense. The saving grace is the defense. They've only given up 8, and only Mary Washington scored 2 in a game. They are stingy, but you have to knock more in. Can't play with fire every game.