Week Nine .... and I am back!

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Current Leaderboard as of 21 October 2024

Saturday Games

Connecticut Col. (7-1-4) @ Williams (8-2-2)

Ejay’s View - Williams is still in the hunt for a 2 seed in the NESCAC but they host a CT team they haven’t defeated since 2013. 

SimpleCoach Ramble – Williams is known to be a very good defensive team.  But don’t be fooled, Connecticut is one heck of a defensive team having only conceded 4 goals this season.  Will also say that Connecticut seems to have found a rhythm in the goals department, scoring 6 goals in the last two games.

WPI (8-3-4) @ Coast Guard (10-3-1)

Ejay’s View - WPI, last year’s #1 seed in the NEWMAC, are currently 1 pt out of a playoff spot. Coast Guard are 3 pts behind league leaders Babson, who they have yet to play. This is another big game with massive playoff implications.

SimpleCoach Ramble –  Killer loss to Springfield for WPI as it is trying to make the playoffs.  Big game at home against Clark that could give it some breathing room.  Coast Guard will make it tough on WPI and will go after it.

Stevens (6-3-3) @ Lebanon Valley (8-4-2)   

Ejay’s View - The two best teams in the MAC Freedom face off as 6-3-3 Stevens travel to take on 8-4-2 Lebanon Valley. This is a match-up of last year’s championship game that Stevens won 1-0. But LVC hasn’t lost at home yet this year so….

SimpleCoach Ramble – Not sure how to read this Stevens team.  Think they should be doing better but cant seem to get some momentum.  LVC is showing they can find the back of the net.  Remind me of Eau Claire and the determination to get on the attack.

Juniata (8-2-5) @ Moravian (8-2-4)

Ejay’s View - The top 2 teams in the Landmark face off in Bethlehem as surprise leader Juniata (undefeated in conference play) take on a Moravian team whose only two loses this year were 1-goal games to Muhlenberg and Montclair.  

SimpleCoach Ramble – Great to see these two teams taking the lead in the Landmark.  Both teams average two goals a game.  Both teams have to be thinking that they can host the tournament….

Va. Wesleyan (10-2-3) @ Wash. & Lee (8-3-3)

Ejay’s View - Big game in the ODAC as 3rd place VA Wesleyan takes on a W&L team that bends, but doesn’t break as they still haven’t lost since September 9th. 

SimpleCoach Ramble – Huge game.  W&L needs this game after tying Shenandoah and Lynchburg.  VA Wesleyan just tied Bridgewater and will be looking at this game as a way to consolidate their ranking.

Mount Union (11-3-1) @ Ohio Northern (10-2-3)

Ejay’s View - Mount Union sits atop the OAC at 5-0, while ONU is the only other undefeated team in conference play at 4-0-1. Huge game for both teams as they fight for a 1-2 seed.

SimpleCoach Ramble – Go Raiders.

John Carroll (10-3-2) @ Wilmington (OH) (11-1-3)

Ejay’s View - The other huge game in the OAC features the 3rd place teams John Carroll and Wilmington, who are both 4-1 and also in the hunt for a 1-2 seed. 

SimpleCoach Ramble – Both are looking to this game to gain some traction … and positioning in the OAC.  Wilmington is playing well after a rough 2023.  And John Carroll continues to run the gauntlet of a schedule.  AND… this will be the last season for John Carroll in the OAC.

Geneva (11-0-3) @ Waynesburg (7-4-1)

Ejay’s View - Not only is Geneva 11-0-3 and 1 of 7 undefeated teams remaining in D3 soccer, they haven’t conceded a goal in their last 10 games. Waynesburg State, I gotta be honest, I know nothing about them, but Wikipedia does mention their 1939 football team played in the first televised football game against Fordham University.

SimpleCoach Ramble – I did a Fields of Dreams at Waynesburg ….. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7eOmqDxmRMY … and from Geneva … https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GI_R6vASthE&t=31s . I like both places

Adrian (11-0-2) @ Hope (11-1-2)

Ejay’s View - Adrian had 6 wins total in the previous 4 years, including a 1-13-2 season last year. This year, they’re 11-0-2 and are 1 of only 7 undefeated teams remaining in all of D3 soccer. They travel to take on an 11-1-2 Hope team whose only loss was a 2-1 defeat to ONU on 9/6.

SimpleCoach Ramble – I think Hope is the favorite here as they have the experience and the history behind them. This is not new to them. Adrian is getting to higher altitudes and this game will be the test for them to see if they can stay there.

 Jeffrey Docking, Adrian President - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1fucnBDA0Fg&t=297s

Charlie Miles, Adrian Head Coach - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tXHnsTdaZjE

Sunday Games

Trinity (TX) (12-0-2) @ Colorado Col. (11-1-2)

Ejay’s View - Huge Top 20 match-up as Trinity and Colorado College battle for the @1 seed in the SCAC. Trinity are on a 12 game winning streak and have scored 46 goals in that span. CC are on a 7 game winning streak in which they’ve conceded 0 goals. WOW!

SimpleCoach Ramble – Intrigued about this one.  Think both teams must impose their game on the other as soon as possible.  An early goal can make all the difference.  I do think this will end up being a shootout.