ODAC

VASoccer11 · October 12, 2025, 08:25:46 PM

Quote from: Garden12 on October 12, 2025, 10:07:27 AMCan 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 · October 12, 2025, 10:25:37 PM

Quote from: Garden12 on October 12, 2025, 10:07:27 AMCan 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 · October 15, 2025, 10:23:59 PM

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 · October 16, 2025, 08:46:18 AM

Quote from: Freddyfud on October 15, 2025, 10:23:59 PMThings 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 · October 16, 2025, 07:11:29 PM

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 · October 16, 2025, 07:53:20 PM

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.

Garden12 · October 17, 2025, 08:48:31 AM

From my perspective, W&L seems to have one of the best back lines in the country. They've played n extremely difficult SOS and have barely allowed any goals. If their attack was stronger I could see their junior cb being an all American (as all American status seems to follow team success for defenders)

jknezek · October 17, 2025, 09:32:54 AM

Yes. The defense is stout. But as Italy has proven time and again, soccer is way too capricious to win on defense alone.

Take out Reagent and W&L scored 14 goals in 12 games. There is no margin for error in that defense.

Another Mom · October 18, 2025, 08:50:34 PM

So, W&L scored 3 goals, all in the run of play today. Granted, their opponent was pretty weak, but -- progress!

Garden12 · October 19, 2025, 11:22:38 AM

It's looking very possible that 4 Odac teams make the NCAA tournament. I doubt that's happened in a very long time

jknezek · October 19, 2025, 11:27:48 AM

Quote from: Garden12 on October 19, 2025, 11:22:38 AMIt's looking very possible that 4 Odac teams make the NCAA tournament. I doubt that's happened in a very long time

Call me pessimistic. Bridgewater has a tough stretch. They re going to pickup o inflict blemishes on 3 of those 5. The tournament will add more for all but one. I could see 3 bids depending on how the season plays out. I think it comes down to Lynchburg and H-SC for the auto bid. W&L and Va Wes try and hang on for a third bid. Bridgewater looks like a paper tiger to me, and not enough SoS if they pick up the blemishes I think are coming.

Garden12 · October 19, 2025, 01:42:29 PM

Quote from: jknezek on October 19, 2025, 11:27:48 AM
Quote from: Garden12 on October 19, 2025, 11:22:38 AMIt's looking very possible that 4 Odac teams make the NCAA tournament. I doubt that's happened in a very long time

Call me pessimistic. Bridgewater has a tough stretch. They re going to pickup o inflict blemishes on 3 of those 5. The tournament will add more for all but one. I could see 3 bids depending on how the season plays out. I think it comes down to Lynchburg and H-SC for the auto bid. W&L and Va Wes try and hang on for a third bid. Bridgewater looks like a paper tiger to me, and not enough SoS if they pick up the blemishes I think are coming.

Looking at NPI, as long as W&L, HS, and VW finish relatively neutral, they'll all make the tournament. Can't say for sure whether that will happen but each team seems to have the ball in their court

kansas hokie · October 19, 2025, 08:00:12 PM

HSC win over Lynchburg this week will move them up in NPI from last week's 21 and drop Lynchburg down from 9, but both are in good position for bids. W&L and VW (and others) are not nearly as certain.

W&L still has Lynchburg and Bridgewater in last 3 games, both may be must wins for at-large since at-large means a loss in conference tourney. With so few games left, it's hard to feel confident in an at-large bid and still have two losses ahead. W&L was not at at-large bid last week.

VA Wesleyan is a bit higher last week in NPI and has an easier last three games with Bridgewater the toughest. That match could be an at-large elimination game. Getting multiple wins will also allow VA wesleyan to drop weak wins once they get to 10 wins (ties count as half wins).

Bridgewater is top of ODAC standings but much further down in NPI (57). Last three of VA Wesleyan, HSC, and W&L, lots of chances for good NPI wins there but no easy games.

At-large cut-off in NPI last year was 35 I believe. I think ODAC ends up with 3 bids but no idea who that third one will be.

SierraFD3soccer · October 21, 2025, 10:02:25 AM

Lots of great games this year and having 3 possible qualifications is big for the ODAC!

VASoccer11 · October 23, 2025, 07:02:39 AM

With Roanoke losing to lynchburg last night, they now need to win both of their remaining games to have a chance to make the conference tournament (and get some help from some others).

Seems like a huge outlier of a season in the history of their program but can anyone remember the last time the ODAC tournament didnt feature Roanoke College?

ODAC

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