SLU Men's Soccer Thread

[Gremio14]

On 9/28/2023 at 4:20 PM, courtside said:

SLU 1 Missouri State 1

Hard fought draw. 4-3-2-1 for SLU. 4-2-3-1 for Missouri State, who credit to them, tweaked their formation multiple times during the game, and they were able to get a 5th player forward.

Peck was able to get forward on a set piece for an eventual goal. Yari gave SLU some challeges in the midfield. Denton almost had one off of a set piece in the 2nd. And Barea was good as expected. SLU waa able to get one early as Diego was able to get forward and finish a clear, on service from Redmond. And pretty rock solid back 4 for SLU, again.

3rd straight top 25 or better caliber opponent, and 3rd straight 4-3-2-1 with similar personnel and alternating keepers for SLU. 2 wins and a draw.

SLU RPI is now at 34.

 

 

 

Missouri State is good, really good.  They moved the ball around as well as any college team I’ve seen this year.  If they find a way to correct their unfortunate finishing…..look out….                                   Also, our GK’s are not receiving enough Kudos.  They’ve both been fantastic in the several games I’ve watched.  I understand completely why Kalish plays both of them.

Finally, did Moore receive a red shirt, or are we holding out hope he recovers and plays this year?

[courtside]

46 minutes ago, Gremio14 said:

Missouri State is good, really good.  They moved the ball around as well as any college team I’ve seen this year.  If they find a way to correct their unfortunate finishing…..look out….                                   Also, our GK’s are not receiving enough Kudos.  They’ve both been fantastic in the several games I’ve watched.  I understand completely why Kalish plays both of them.

Finally, did Moore receive a red shirt, or are we holding out hope he recovers and plays this year?

Yep. Missouri State is very good, very experienced. Early in the season, they shut out Maryland on the road, and they held the Terps to just 2 shots. That gained them national attention. They have some challenging games coming up too, with Memphis, UIC, and Western Michigan. That will help their RPI. With results in those games, they will be top 10 nationally. I think someone else asked previously but they take 2-4 International recruiting trips a year.

It will fluctuate a little bit, but as of today, SLU has the 8th toughest schedule nationally. They know who is good and who is projected to be good that season when making the schedule. (Both programs are good at this, and they also schedule based on style of play too) The league is also more solid on the Men’s side. Another thing in Men’s Soccer is that good non-conference games are sprinkled in later in the season during conference time. 

Two good keepers sharing time. Hart had a strong Summer Ball season too. SLU has a long history of great keepers. Recent alum Patrick Schulte is being considered for the U.S. U23 team and the Olympics. He of course helped lead Columbus 2 to the MLS Next Pro Title. Then he won the starting position on their MLS team and he’s been their number one ever since. Carlos Tofern came up big several times last year too. 

SLU found Abonnel at an NAIA school. International players often know little about American College Soccer, and/or care about different things than some domestic players.

SLU redshirts players annually for injury reasons and playing time/development reasons. They strongly believe in the redshirt. If Marcos is unable to play, he’ll redshirt, which is likely. Mason Hart is a good example of the success of the SLU redshirt player development system.

 

 

[OkieBilliken]

How the hell is Fordham up to #10 in RPI?  I think we are the best team they played and we beat them.  

[courtside]

18 hours ago, OkieBilliken said:

How the hell is Fordham up to #10 in RPI?  I think we are the best team they played and we beat them.  

Fordham has just one loss this season thus far, to SLU. They have 3 top 50 or so wins and a 3-3 draw with Georgetown, a top 5 RPI team. And that’s good for the league, including SLU. Part of being in the Atlantic 10 is rooting for the non-conference success of other A10 teams when your team isn’t playing them. 

[OkieBilliken]

I wasn’t really rooting against them.  I just didn’t think they looked like a Top 10 team.  I don’t see their pedigree.  They beat Penn and tied Georgetown.  Oh well.  Go Rams I guess.  

[CenHudDude]

2 hours ago, OkieBilliken said:

I wasn’t really rooting against them.  I just didn’t think they looked like a Top 10 team.  I don’t see their pedigree.  They beat Penn and tied Georgetown.  Oh well.  Go Rams I guess.  

Go Rams of The Bronx( not to be confused with the Rams of Kingston or Rams of Richmond).

[courtside]

14 hours ago, OkieBilliken said:

I wasn’t really rooting against them.  I just didn’t think they looked like a Top 10 team.  I don’t see their pedigree.  They beat Penn and tied Georgetown.  Oh well.  Go Rams I guess.  

How many times have you seen them play? Their RPI was 10. (now 11) And you asked how the received that. St. Francis, Penn, Loyola MD, Georgetown. Add to that SLU and Davidson who have strong league RPI’s. One loss to these teams combined and zero 200 bottom tier RPI opponents. Hofstra, Duquesne, Princeton, Loyola Chi are their remaining better RPI games. 

Fordham’s ranking in the polls is closer to just in or just out of the top 25, which is roughly where they are at this time.

Pedigree in 2023 or pedigree historically? I believe you mean short term as in this season. But pedigree also implies historical, past, ancestors etc…the latter, which doesn’t matter unless you are having a historical discussion about soccer.

Fordham has 4 NCAA Tourney appearances this past decade, including an NCAA Quarterfinal. That’s more appearances in the same time frame than SLU. And while perhaps that is eye opening to some, that doesn’t matter this season.

The better teams in Men’s College Soccer is a mix of traditional and non-traditional soccer schools. Some of SLU’s better recent incoming transfers have come from Campbell, Central Arkansas, the Bonnies, Fordham, Mid -American Christian, Albany. And some of those many decades ago soccer powers like Philadelphia Textile, changed their name twice and moved to D-2. Some others have long term staying power or they are a mix of different up and down eras.

SLU for example schedules non-conference games based on who they believe will be good that upcoming season. Right now, SLU has an RPI of 17. All 6 of SLU’s non-conference opponents so far are RPI top 100. (as of course was Fordham)

In the non-conference, Go Fordham, there’s no guessing about it. Rooting for teams gets a little more complex when it’s a game within the league or a game between two common opponents. But rooting for league teams in non-conference play isn’t.

 

 

[courtside]

SLU 2 GW Revolutionaries 0

in Berkley, Washington D.C.

4-3-2-1 for SLU.

Lots of first half build up and pressure, resulted in an early goal and several other chances. Copploa aide of the box laid it off to Flynn, service to Anderson for the first goal. 

In the 2nd, a give and go far left side same group, shot blasted off of the defender’s arm for the PK for Buendia.

The win, combined with other results, moves SLU to the top of the A10 standings. 

SLU has given up just two goals in its last six games since tweaking both formations and personnel.

RPI is 23. 

 

 

 

 

[wgstl]

Sounds like aj palazzolo is retiring.

no clue how to post IG posts but it sounds like a retirement post 

[Lord Elrond]

Nice win, 1-0 over LaSalle, defensively SLU did great, allowed only 3 shots by the Explorers, none on goal, and only 2 corner kicks, so Jeremi Anbonnel gets a shutout without having to make a save. Meanwhile, the Billikens were generating tons of chances offensively, including 22 shots and 18 corner kicks, but only 5 of them were on goal, and the goal came after a LaSalle player was sent off on a red card in the 85th minute. By the way, I learned a new aspect of Dr Janet Oberle’s  job responsibilities, apparently after a player gets a red card, she gets the job of escorting them back to the locker room. With 2 red cards by LaSalle, she was getting her exercise tonight. 

[courtside]

On 10/5/2023 at 6:42 PM, wgstl said:

Sounds like aj palazzolo is retiring.

no clue how to post IG posts but it sounds like a retirement post 

AJ would still be playing if he had better knees. Key contributor on 2 College Cup Final Fours, and an NCAA Quarterfinal. Played several different positions very well. 

 

[courtside]

SLU 1 La Salle 0

Buendia from the right side of the 18, chipped to Konincks inside the 5 for the aerial finish. 

As is often the case, shots on goal aren’t often the best or most dangerous scoring chances in a game.  SLU applied heavy pressure most of the game, and eventually finished inside the 18 for another win. 22 shots to 3. 18 corners. Lots and lots of pressure. Forcing fouls, free kicks in the final half and third, deep throw ins, etc...because of that pressure, and build up.

SLU hasn’t lost in its last 7 games since it tweaked its formation and personnel. They have given up just two total goals during that time. 

4-3-2-1. 

First place in the A10. 

RPI is 19.

 

[courtside]

On 10/2/2023 at 9:00 AM, courtside said:

Yep. Missouri State is very good, very experienced. Early in the season, they shut out Maryland on the road, and they held the Terps to just 2 shots. That gained them national attention. They have some challenging games coming up too, with Memphis, UIC, and Western Michigan. That will help their RPI. With results in those games, they will be top 10 nationally. I think someone else asked previously but they take 2-4 International recruiting trips a year.

It will fluctuate a little bit, but as of today, SLU has the 8th toughest schedule nationally. They know who is good and who is projected to be good that season when making the schedule. (Both programs are good at this, and they also schedule based on style of play too) The league is also more solid on the Men’s side. Another thing in Men’s Soccer is that good non-conference games are sprinkled in later in the season during conference time. 

Two good keepers sharing time. Hart had a strong Summer Ball season too. SLU has a long history of great keepers. Recent alum Patrick Schulte is being considered for the U.S. U23 team and the Olympics. He of course helped lead Columbus 2 to the MLS Next Pro Title. Then he won the starting position on their MLS team and he’s been their number one ever since. Carlos Tofern came up big several times last year too. 

SLU found Abonnel at an NAIA school. International players often know little about American College Soccer, and/or care about different things than some domestic players.

SLU redshirts players annually for injury reasons and playing time/development reasons. They strongly believe in the redshirt. If Marcos is unable to play, he’ll redshirt, which is likely. Mason Hart is a good example of the success of the SLU redshirt player development system.

 

 

Patrick Schulte’s invite to the 23 player camp roster in Phoenix for the U.S. Men’s Soccer Olympic Team. (He also played with the USYNT at other age groups). They will play Mexico and Japan in the next week. Well earned:

https://www.ussoccer.com/stories/2023/10/23-players-called-to-us-olympic-mens-soccer-team-training-camp

[SLUBALLS]

Back in TDS's Top 25:  https://www.topdrawersoccer.com/college-soccer-national-rankings/men

Previous game:  it was a joy to watch Seth Anderson completely own the left flank and watching at field level was even more entertaining.  They had no answer for him as he used speed, timely feints and misdirection to get balls screaming across the box time and time again.  Well, actually LaSalle did find an answer....take him out and get a couple red cards.

Flynn was also a constant threat on the right side.  

[courtside]

On 10/9/2023 at 11:11 AM, SLUBALLS said:

Back in TDS's Top 25:  https://www.topdrawersoccer.com/college-soccer-national-rankings/men

Previous game:  it was a joy to watch Seth Anderson completely own the left flank and watching at field level was even more entertaining.  They had no answer for him as he used speed, timely feints and misdirection to get balls screaming across the box time and time again.  Well, actually LaSalle did find an answer....take him out and get a couple red cards.

Flynn was also a constant threat on the right side.  

Yep we had SLU Men 21 this week and SLU Women 14.

SLU Men are 25th in the United Soccer Coaches poll this week, and, they have the most votes of any team outside of the College Soccer News rankings.

SLU RPI is 21 headed into tonight's game.

 

 

[courtside]

SLU 3 Central Arkansas 1

SLU is now 6-0-2 since they tweaked formations and personnel.

Player development, training, trying differrent things is the fun part of the challenge of problem solving. Putting players in the best positions to maximize success.

4-3-2-1 for SLU.

Alternating games w/2 good keepers

L2R

Abonnel

Redmon, Floriani, Konincks, Flynn

Townsend, Johnson, Buendia (Sullivan)

Anderson, Leatherman (TD, KK, JM)

Coppola (Wrobel)

Embracing the team strength of defense via formation and personnel, has helped SLU defend at a high level especially in the middle of the field. And that stability has brought improved comfort and confidence to the attacking side of the ball in recent games. Tues was a good combination of pressure, transition, and quicker possession distribution and combination play.

Dovidaitis and Komodi have received some attacking wing opportunities off of the bench the past 2 games. And they have taken advantage. Sullivan slowly getting more time at dmid.

Pressure, set piece corner clear to Buendia top of the box for the 18 yard finish, far corner bins. Seth 1v1 service side of the box to Coppola for the chest deflection goal. Diego long ball aerial clear flicked on by Wrobel to Komodi in space, back to Wrobel for the 2v1  finish. Several other point blank chances for SLU. UCA used a few midfield long balls in space for pace players in the final third for the bulk of their limited offfense and eventual goal.

SLU RPI is 19 after Tuesday.

 

[OkieBilliken]

Last nights game was an absolute blast to watch.   UCA was aggressive and SLU's counter attack in the second half was exhilarating.   UCA came in with a pretty crappy record, but they clearly have some skilled players up front.     I guess this point may not matter in the long run, but SLU men's soccer attendance is one of the highest in the NCAA, but if you watch our games on ESPN+ you would think we have about 12 people in the stands and three people randomly walking around.   We need to get a damn handheld camera as part of the mix where you can see the stadium side of our venue once in a while.   

[Taj79]

SLU's website listed attendance as 330 last night.  Seating capacity is listed as 6,050.  Seems like a disconnect based on your statement vis-a-vis my interpretation of it.  Did up the goal scoring average some.

[billikenfan05]

.

[billikenfan05]

14 minutes ago, Taj79 said:

SLU's website listed attendance as 330 last night.  Seating capacity is listed as 6,050.  Seems like a disconnect based on your statement vis-a-vis my interpretation of it.  Did up the goal scoring average some.

1/5th of scotch for breakfast? 

[OkieBilliken]

23 minutes ago, Taj79 said:

SLU's website listed attendance as 330 last night.  Seating capacity is listed as 6,050.  Seems like a disconnect based on your statement vis-a-vis my interpretation of it.  Did up the goal scoring average some.

We are averaging over 2,000 fans per game, in the Top Ten in the country.   

[billiken_roy]

a billiken goal was on espn's top ten this morning.   that's the most i know about billiken soccer.  

[Taj79]

@OkieBilliken: Butler 678.   Oral Roberts 587.   Fordham 6457 (homecoming).  Mo State 1166.  Rhode Island 1228.  La Salle 782.  Central Arkansas 330.  Total is 11,228 or 1604 per game.  If you throw out the aberration and draw of the homecoming game, it's 4771 or 795 per game.  If you count the Bronze Boot game 8574 (which shows SLU as the home team in that contest), you bounce up to 2475 per game.   That is a very wide range of numbers, accounting-wise.

But I'll concede your point.

[OkieBilliken]

2 minutes ago, Taj79 said:

@OkieBilliken: Butler 678.   Oral Roberts 587.   Fordham 6457 (homecoming).  Mo State 1166.  Rhode Island 1228.  La Salle 782.  Central Arkansas 330.  Total is 11,228 or 1604 per game.  If you throw out the aberration and draw of the homecoming game, it's 4771 or 795 per game.  If you count the Bronze Boot game 8574 (which shows SLU as the home team in that contest), you bounce up to 2475 per game.   That is a very wide range of numbers, accounting-wise.

But I'll concede your point.

Last night was the lowest match of the year, but in normal home game a half full, or 2/3 full grandstand looks alot more impressive than 5 students with a drum and 1 waiving a flag, in front of a completely empty grandstand.    In the end it doesnt matter much, but we have a great gameday environment for soccer, but you wouldn't know it if you watched us on our school-produced broadcast.  

[billikenfan05]

2 minutes ago, OkieBilliken said:

Last night was the lowest match of the year, but in normal home game a half full, or 2/3 full grandstand looks alot more impressive than 5 students with a drum and 1 waiving a flag, in front of a completely empty grandstand.    In the end it doesnt matter much, but we have a great gameday environment for soccer, but you wouldn't know it if you watched us on our school-produced broadcast.  

It really would be nice if they could figure out an efficient way to broadcast from the other side. Would probably require at least one scissor lift and a sh*t ton of cable.