Any chance you went to NPU?

yeah, I graduated last year. I played my last 4 years with them. I was going to meet up with you at the Calvin vs. NPU game, but I couldnt seem to find you with that "depaul shirt" on.

i know i know, i was kidding, your picks favored NPU. Like i said before i was very impressed with NPUs play so those results would not shock me.

BC 3, @SNC 1

Beloit snaps SNC's MWC unbeaten streak at 28 since late 2003 season. Beloit outplayed the Knights and wanted it more. Congrats to them.

What's everyone's take on the MWC frontrunner now?

Gotta be LU! They took down LFC today like it was nothing. Beloit clearly got lucky today as they did when they visited LU. Props to Beloit as getting a win at SNC is very impressive and probably hasn't been done within the MWC in the last 5 years.

UW-Oshkosh and Wheaton played to a 1-1 tie last night at Wheaton. I arrived late to the game, and Wheaton was up 1-0. I was told it was a header off a cross on a counter attack, in the first 5 minutes or so. Wheaton held the lead but was pressed in their defensive third for a good majority of the match. UWO looked very strong, moving the ball all around the field with great control and speed. UWO outshot Wheaton 23-12, and without a doubt had the run of the play.

UWO's goal came on a great play coming from the right side of the field. The ball was played forward on the ground, dummied by one player, and then struck very well into the goal.

UWO looked very fast and skilled, and although they are young, they were very impressive. Wheaton pretty much only played a counter-attack game. They looked most dangerous when their goalie punted it long to isolate the forwards 1 on 1 or 2 on 2 with UWO defenders. Wheaton actually had one play in the overtime where the goalie punted it way up field and a long shot was taken, chipping the UWO keeper, bounced on the ground and off the cross bar. However, Wheaton was unable to build any kind of attack by possession. All in all, it was a good game, and I was very impressed by the young players for UWO.

In regards to the front runner in the MWC I'd say we have to wait til SNC plays again. They could bounce back and win another 28 or they could fall apart much like Arsenal did after their streak was broken. If indeed they do fall apart, look for LU and BC at the top. In regards to UWO, i'm excited for today's NP game.

For a game to watch this week: UW-Platteville vs UW-Whitewater. This may be one to silence some of the Platteville detractors.

North Park defeated Oshkosh 2-1 at Oshkosh

My predictions were pretty good this weekend,

I predicted Wheaton IL & UWO would be a 1-1 score (it was)
I predicted NPU would beat UWO 2-1 (they did)
I predicted NPU would beat Wartburg 2-1 (was 3-1 Wartburg)

Not too shabby. My Vikings are looking pretty good so far (9-1-1) (2-0 conference)

I was told that NPU was up 1-0 on Wartburg, but Wartburg had 3 really good counter attacks that disrupted NPU's defense. NPU was playing without Matt Bond, their best defender and starter.

Was anybody at that game? I would love to hear details on both teams.

NPUalum16,

My understanding is that Matt Bond broke a toe at Concorida-Wisconsin .

I think over the last few games they've been adjusting to playing without him, including a new defensive set.

Big loss and I can only assume he's out for the year.

Anyone see the UWO/NPU game today? Looks like it was close.

I was at the UWO/NP today. It was really a good game. NP dominated most of first half but UWO came out to play in the second half. If Oshkosh would have put their shots on frame I think we would have had a different outcome to the game.

From what I've heard, he'll be back soon. Shouldnt be a season ending injury

It's funny how no one is giving Grinnell any love after their 4-0 start. They still have games against Ripon (0-9) and Carroll (0-6-1), not to mention having Lake Forest, SNC, and Lawrence come to their place. They could conceivably be 7-0 or 6-0-1 going into a huge final weekend with LU and SNC.

As for Beloit being lucky, they were not. They outhustled SNC and earned the victory. They are a good team with three strong offensive players with a good conference record and an even better goals differential thus far. Their game with Lake Forest later this month will be huge for conference standings.

SNC plays at Ripon wednesday. We won't have long to see how SNC responds after suffering their first two-loss weekend in over 5 years.

You have to give Grinnell credit for a great start to the conference season, but as fast as one can say Grinnell could go 7-0, they could also easily lose to CC, LFU, SNC, and LU and be 5-4. I hope they keep playing well for the sake of the MWC, but we'll have to wait and see.

Got to the game this weekend. I have to commend Waverly soccer complex on a spectacular grass pitch!!!
Kibombo lived up to his name Sonic Boom!!!!
He got in behind the NPU's defense and scored all 3 goals. The game was controlled by NPU, what WC did was put 8 men back, clear the ball to the setup forward and send the ball anywhere to the open space behind the defense for Sonic BOOM to run on to. No defense can keep up with the kid when he hits the afterburners! Game plan for NPU was at fault for this game. 10 different times NPU got sucked into a too aggressive setup, meaning 7 NPU players waiting on the 20 for a cross or a corner kick that ended up with WC having an easy clear to the setup forward and a sprint to catch the Sonic Boom to the ball.

WC's remaing schedule does not look that strong, so they should go undefeated to the end. If any other college teams are scouting WC you better get it in your head now to spread the field and keep 5 men back, one to pressure the setup forward and the rest to mark and keep the ball away from the 5'2" Kibombo, otherwise you'll be hearing the Sonic BOOOOM!!!!

UW-Whitewater won easily 4-0. Platteville managed only one decent scoring opportunity. Whitewater was clearly the better team.

UWW 4-0 UWP

Not do you believe me that Plattville cannot play against good competition?

They have a cupcake schedule with 3 tough teams on it. UWW UWO and Loras. The rest they should beat easily. Who couldn't beat MSOE? Ripon? Maranatha Baptist( I thought this was an all girls school).

Can people now admit that UWP is a bad team? My U-15 girls classic team could have beaten some of the teams they were victorious against....

Give em credit for beating rochester.

credit? yeah right.

beating rochester, good job, it was a fluke.

there is no credit for UWP. They are a sub par DIII school that should be playing ju-co's.

They also lost to University of Dubuque. I love UD, their coach is incredible and doing a great job with that program and eventually will overtake the IIAC.

UWP is horrible.

It's too bad Dubuquehawk has lost objectivity and personal emnity is blatantly obvious. He (or she) pointedly has omitted the fact that for unexplained reasons UW-P has played without their coach and lost their last 4 games, starting with Whitewater (combined men and women). However, tonight (Sunday), the coach is back and so is the winning (women: 2-0 over North Central). Again, let's be objective and judge them AFTER the season. All the "I told you so's " lose their sting when we realized the losses are not on the Head Coach's back.

So their winning percentage with their head coach is somewhere between 80%-90%, and their record without him is 0%. What did he get suspended for?

I haven't lost objectivity in my post.

UWP has had their coach when they lost to UWW and University of Dubuque. It's easy to see what playing against poor competition can do to a team when they actually play decent squads. Every team that they have played, with the exception of Roch, has been poor competition. Now that they actually play decent teams, they are getting smoked.

If the coach is gone? then its time for the captains to step up. A smart coach rarely says anything during the half anyways, maybe ride the ref a little about close calls. Bianchi (UWP coach) doesn't get respect from his players anyways? so whats the difference?

I got a chance to see UWW play in this game for the first time in a while and they were impressive...stong all around and deep off the bench. Last time i saw them was in 03'. They had a strong outside midfielder who was a freshman...hispanic player very quick...he should be a senior on the team this year..any news on who he was and what happened to him?

SoccFan07, I want to say his name was Danny something. How's that for helpful?!? I believe he left the program after his freshman year. He was from the Chicago area, so I'm not sure if he transferred or just gave up college soccer. He was a very nice player though...smooth, quick and very creative. Wish I had more info for you....

SoccFan07/Jimmy_the_perv, I recall that player you talking about at UWW in '03. I heard that he could not afford the tuition and eventually took a scholarship to Western Ill and has been starting there in the back? He was a good player, based on what I have seen out of UWW he could certainly help them but they are not really missing him this year. They are strong at every position, and have depth everywhere. I have seen them play as of late and they appear to be getting stronger with each match, when it's all said and done they might prove to be the best in the Central this year?

P2k I am not going to disagree with you there. I watched them play against GAC in a 2-1 for GAC, in this game UWW showed good signs but didn't really play up to there ability. I am GAC alum and thought that GAC handled them pretty well for the most part, but I know a couple of players for UWW and they have the talent to make a nice run in the NCAA tournament.

I agree with P2k, Whitewater has been playing stronger as the year has gone on.
They have several players at different positions than when they played GAC and are now starting 2 Freshman every game who are both strong players.

Team is very deep and will be a tough out from here on. They have had trouble being consistant in scoring, always out shooting the opponant significantly, but not always showing on the score.

One of the freshman, Matt Gehn (sp?) is a great player for them and fits well with the way UWW plays.

By the way, did everyone see UWP won again? sweet win against another team that hasn't won a game!!! North Central- 0-13. Good job whoever said that UWP was legit. They will never be a good team, maybe they can play the UWP women's team? I'm sure the NCAA would allow that on their schedule? Seeing as their opponents, minus UWW, have a combined record of 19-2,343,340.....