2025 D3 Men's Soccer National Perspective

[BlueJay95]

They said on the broadcast that it hadn't happened since 1987. I still think Messiah is quite formidable and will be reckoned with by season's end. Some of the freshmen were quite impressive v Rowan.

[Freddyfud]

They said on the broadcast that it hadn't happened since 1987. I still think Messiah is quite formidable and will be reckoned with by season's end. Some of the freshmen were quite impressive v Rowan.

If not this year then I agree within the next year or two for the same reason.  The results may not be in their favor and maybe the execution is a step or two short so far.  But they still move with purpose and deliberation and are fun to watch.

[Freddyfud]

Not sure where to post this so happy to move if there is a better spot.  Only watched a handful of games so the sample size is small and can be taken with a grain of salt accordingly.  Here goes...

Should we expect the quality of play this year overall to be significantly less than last year?  If so is this the result of the extra year eligibility expiration?

[SierraFD3soccer]

Not sure where to post this so happy to move if there is a better spot.  Only watched a handful of games so the sample size is small and can be taken with a grain of salt accordingly.  Here goes...

Should we expect the quality of play this year overall to be significantly less than last year?  If so is this the result of the extra year eligibility expiration?

Good question and maybe too early to tell. D3 with the D1 roster limitations may get better, but may take a while. Plus bringing in int'l players which will only increase imo may impact quality. 

[eaglesoccerdad]

I think maybe we do not know who the really good teams are yet. I think of few of the legacy teams of the past couple of years are in transition somewhat due to the rolling off of 5th year players. The start of the year is always a bit rough with the integration of new players as coaches figure out their rotations.

[Kuiper]

If you've wanted to watch Babson, but didn't because of the Flo Sports paywall, this is your chance.  They are down in Atlanta playing two games at Oglethorpe. 

HALF:  Covenant 2 - Babson 0

Whoever said that Covenant is a team to keep an eye on was right.  They scored in the 2nd and 19th minutes of the first half and have given Babson a hill to climb in the second half.

UPDATE:  Covenant 2 - Babson 1

Babson cuts the deficit in half on a corner kick to the front post in the 52nd minute.  It looked like it might have been an own goal because the Covenant player at the post took a swing at it and it went in, but I couldn't be sure from the stream.

[70th minute] Babson growing into the game.  Covenant's GK or defense has had to make several emergency actions on balls slipped through to a Babson striker in the box 1 v. 1 with the keeper.

UPDATE Covenant 2 - Babson 2

Babson gets the equalizer on another corner as a Babson player beats the Covenant GK to a second header in the 83rd minute.  In that instance, I think the GK tried to make a basket catch when he could have claimed the ball by going up with his arms outstretched.  Not sure what he was thinking.  At 6'4", you're basically forfeiting your natural advantage with a basket catch in traffic. 

FINAL:  Covenant 2 - Babson 2

Babson comes back to snag a tie.  I thought Covenant got panicky way too early and often toward the end, especially after Babson tied it up.  It's one thing to just boot the ball up the field, but they were booting the ball up in the air with no one on them and not clearing it with still minutes left and the Babson offense in the Covenant defensive third.  On the other hand, #8 for Covenant, Henry Parker, collected a ball nicely toward the end and very expertly rinsed several Babson players with a bunch of savvy moves and body positioning to secure a dangerous free kick.  Parker had a goal and an assist in this game and looks dangerous.  He's listed as from NY, but apparently played several years in Spain in pro academies and looks the part.

[Kuiper]

Interesting result between #2 ranked Rowan and Scranton.  Scranton got the very early goal in the 3rd minute and then held off Rowan until it got the tying goal in the 72nd minute.  Rowan couldn't find the winner in the last 19 minutes of the 1-1 tie.

After a schedule starting with NYU, Franklin & Marshall, Gettysburg, Messiah and Cortland to start the season, I'm not sure Rowan would have predicted Scranton would be the first team to take points from them this season.  Scranton is 2-0-2 and looking tough.

[Ejay]

Interesting result between #2 ranked Rowan and Scranton.  Scranton got the very early goal in the 3rd minute and then held off Rowan until it got the tying goal in the 72nd minute.  Rowan couldn't find the winner in the last 19 minutes of the 1-1 tie.

After a schedule starting with NYU, Franklin & Marshall, Gettysburg, Messiah and Cortland to start the season, I'm not sure Rowan would have predicted Scranton would be the first team to take points from them this season.  Scranton is 2-0-2 and looking tough.

Combined record of NYU, F&M, Messiah... 1-12. Who would have thought 

[SKUD]

Messiah Men's Soccer might need divine intervention — unless the Messiah's suiting up, it's going to be a long season.

[SierraFD3soccer]

17 goals let up over 5 games wow. 3.4 goals per game. Last year Messiah only gave up 17 goals over 22 games.

F&M isn't solved but played well enough to win the Boot over Etown. FYI, last 5 years, F&M won 4 by 1-0 and last year it was 0-0.

Messiah gets Etown on Wednesday.

W&L is also winless 0-2-3, but play Regent next weekend so that should change.