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 Author | Topic: Still Alive and Kicking (Read 447 times) |
sullivanfieldfan
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|  | Still Alive and Kicking
« Thread Started on Oct 27, 2009, 7:32pm » | |
The men's RPI was posted on the NCAA.com website yesterday. Fifteen! Fifteen for the LIONS! The NCAA says it uses the RPI as the determining factor for at large berths to the tournament. So those hard earned victories over Santa Barbara, San Diego State and Dartmouth are paying off for the Lions now. Five matches to go and we are still very much alive for post season play. At 7-7-1 overall and 2-4-1 in conference we may not have a realistic shot at the conference championship but if we play well the rest of the way we can get a berth.
Conversely UCSB is like five or six in the coaches poll but 48 in the RPI.
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sullivanfieldfan
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| | Re: Still Alive and Kicking
« Reply #1 on Oct 30, 2009, 7:03pm » | |
All five matches remaining are huge. The Lions need the equivalent of two wins and a tie to finish at .500 for the season. With their current RPI and finishing at .500 they should get a berth in the tournament. Anything less and their RPI doesn't matter, below .500, no berth period. The next two weeks are crucial for the Lions.
The first match is Sunday on the road against USF. The Dons and Conner Chinn will play tough. Remember, we beat them here 3-2 in overtime. To throw in a full measure of adversity, Rafael Baca doesn't get to play. He is suspended for a game after picking up his fifth yellow card. How is that fair you ask? I don't think so either, the standard is too arbitrary and the penalty too severe. But that's the deal. We still get to field eleven. Even accounting for injuries, I know we will have plenty of Lions ready and willing to step on the field. The Lions know what they need to do. Time to meet the challenge. Go Lions!
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wrschnicke
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| | Re: Still Alive and Kicking
« Reply #2 on Oct 30, 2009, 8:48pm » | |
His fifth yellow card was a fool hardy elbow to a defender from USD with no ball in the area last Sunday. I did not see the preceeding events but it looked like he was retaliating form some abuse by the defender. Baca's foul was obvious and unexplainable - a little more control please - we need you in the lineup!
Ah, the Latin temperament!
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sullivanfieldfan
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| | Re: Still Alive and Kicking
« Reply #3 on Oct 30, 2009, 11:23pm » | |
I missed the second half and the yellow card. Unfortunate that Rafey was goaded into retaliating knowing that he had four previous cards. Bad enough to lose the game, worse to lose our cool.
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sullivanfieldfan
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| | Re: Still Alive and Kicking
« Reply #4 on Nov 2, 2009, 12:30pm » | |
The loss away to the Dons 3-1 doesn't help but the real test for the Lions is this week at home. We need to defend our home field against the Zags and Pilots. Overall the team played well at USF, but a couple of serious mistakes on defense led to the 2-0 deficit. Coner Chinn had three goals, one a tap in, the second a give away, and the third a blast. All considering the Lion defense did well containing him. He is really a smart player with speed, touch, and a quick shot. Notwithstanding the three goals Sampson had an excellent game in goal, he had close to a dozen saves and kept us close when we could have been down by a bunch. The team fought hard the entire way and after Da Silva's goal had USF wondering again if the Lions were coming back. LMU almost pushed the tying goal over on a couple of chances but just couldn't get it over the goal line. Friday here at 2:30 against the Zags, the Lions have to prove it to the rest of the WCC they belong in the tournament.
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wrschnicke
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| | Re: Still Alive and Kicking
« Reply #5 on Nov 2, 2009, 8:05pm » | |
We have the best RPI in the WCC! 
Let's beat these other wimps! 
Actually, any team can probably beat any other WCC team any week but we should win these games at home. Would enhance our chances for a bid. Go lions and Baca control your emotions please. We need you! 
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wrschnicke
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| | Re: Still Alive and Kicking
« Reply #6 on Nov 6, 2009, 7:10pm » | |
Lions 2 Gonzaga 1.
But for the Gonzaga goalie, it might have been LMU 5, Gonzaga 1. 
We had constant offensive pressure with an amazing advantage on shots on goal and corners. But Gonzaga seemed to capitalize on their few opportunities. I arrived a bit late to the usual scenario, LMU 0 Opponent 1. Heard it was a bit of a fluke with the LMU goalie chasing the ball away from the net. Later in the first half, a Gonzaga attempt rebounded off the right post or it would have been 2-0 at the half. 
Relentless offensive pressure throughout the game carried the day with LMU seeming to control the ball most of the game. First score on a penalty kick when Baca was fouled inside the box. Later, a great shot by #9. Like I said, we could have had 5 goals today on headers and great offense but for the Gonzaga goalie who played a great game to keep the Zags in the game. One more win, then on to the NCAA tournament! Right?
The team looks good!
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sullivanfieldfan
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| | Re: Still Alive and Kicking
« Reply #7 on Nov 6, 2009, 7:13pm » | |
Well done Lions! Step one completed. Zags downed 2-1. Lions controlled most of the game and came away with the win. After dropping behind early when the Zags took advantage of a poor clearance the Lions fought back. The Lions tied it up on a penalty by Stefan Canty. Actually the keeper saved the penalty but Canty pounced on the rebound and cashed it in. In the second half the Lions peppered the Zag keeper with any number of fine chances but he turned several away with nice saves keeping them in the game. Artur Jozkowicz finally put one away streaking down the middle through traffic at full speed freezing the keeper and firing it home. There were several anxious moments in the last eight minutes as the Zags tried to get the momentum back and LMU tried to put the match away. Only a moment to celebrate though because we need another win Sunday against the Pilots just as bad as we needed this one. The Lions played with intensity today, they need to do the same again Sunday! GO LIONS!
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sullivanfieldfan
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| | Re: Still Alive and Kicking
« Reply #8 on Nov 6, 2009, 7:22pm » | |
We need to finish at 500 or above to be considered for an at large bid. So we need at least another win and a tie. Then as long as our RPI stays up we should be okay. Why not win the next three and there shouldn't be a problem.
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alert2
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| | Re: Still Alive and Kicking
« Reply #9 on Nov 6, 2009, 8:56pm » | |
Is this baca's last year? Would be nice to see the lions finally reach post season with our best player in sometime. *crosses fingers*
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wrschnicke
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| | Re: Still Alive and Kicking
« Reply #10 on Nov 7, 2009, 9:21am » | |
Baca is listed as a Junior on the roster.
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wrschnicke
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| | Re: Still Alive and Kicking
« Reply #11 on Nov 8, 2009, 8:02pm » | |
We beat Portland 1-0 with Seniors winning their honorary place in history of LMU soccer this afternoon at Sullivan Field. Great win!
Tough games coming up next weekend including a night game at Santa Clara on Friday and an early afternoon game at Saint Mary's on Sunday.  
We tied Santa Clara at home on two overtimes but lost to Saint Mary's at home. 
We need some well-earned key wins to extend the season. Go Lions!
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sullivanfieldfan
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| | Re: Still Alive and Kicking
« Reply #12 on Nov 8, 2009, 9:08pm » | |
The Lions won another one today after dominating play most of the way. The goal by Smith was a blast to the far post after he outran the defense on a great over the top pass from Canty. The Pilots came close to tying it up a couple of times but the Lions held them out. The current rotation seems to be working well for the Lions. LMU needs to finish on some of those other great chances to give us a cushion and an extended lead. I know that would at least lower the anxiety level of the Lion fans. From the previous meetings with Santa Clara and Saint Mary's, I think we are more than capable of winning both of these away matches next weekend. The Lions need to stay aggressive and focused on the task. Like you said Wrschnicke, "...any team can probably beat any other WCC any week..." The Lions need to be the team that wins next week. We still need a point to finish at 500. A win or two would be even better and that berth to the tournament will be ours. Keep playing tough, You know you can do it! Let's make it happen in Santa Clara friday! GO LIONS!
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duke
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| | Re: Still Alive and Kicking
« Reply #13 on Nov 14, 2009, 12:27pm » | |
Tragic misfortune and we get a draw at SC. Better than a loss I guess but we now have to win our finale to escape the bubble right? 
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sullivanfieldfan
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| | Re: Still Alive and Kicking
« Reply #14 on Nov 14, 2009, 2:25pm » | |
I think we are in with the tie but you never know. A loss against Saint Mary's would put us right at 500. I can't think our RPI would drop that much but winning against Saint Mary's would put us over the top for sure. We are obviously capable of beating them but I don't think we'll be under the pressure of a must win.
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