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One of these Teams Should Win the 2001 Division I Men’s Soccer Championship
Southern Methodist University - The Mustangs, winners of the Missouri Valley Conference regular season and conference tournament, finished the season a perfect 19-0-0. SMU made it to the College Cup last year for the first time in the history of the program .This year their goal from the get go has been to win the national title. The Mustangs had to go into overtime to win two of their three victories in the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament. They defeated both Vanderbilt and Creighton by a score of 2-1. The ability to win the close matches and to find a way to win when things are not clicking is the sign of a championship team. On the other hand, it could also be a sign that the Mustangs are feeling the pressure that goes with being the number one team in the country and being undefeated. Going through regular season play is certainly an accomplishment to be proud of. However, history has shown that going through regular season play without a defeat or a tie does not does not necessarily bode well for such teams when NCAA Tourney time comes around. Last year San Jose State entered the NCAA Tourney as the only team in the country without a loss (they did have a tie) but they made an early exit from the NCAA Tourney losing to Indiana University in the first round. However, the 2001 SMU team has a lot of positives including the fact that last year they were the first team from SMU to ever make it to the College Cup. That was a big barrier breaker and gives this team a level of experience and confidence that no other SMU team has ever had. SMU has a balanced and explosive attack and they are stronger defensively in 2001 than they were last year. SMU has scored 58 goals while allowing only ten. Look for SMU and St. John’s to face each other in the quarterfinals to determine who advances to the College Cup.
Virginia - The Cavaliers finished the year 17-1-1 and 6-0-0 in regular season play in the Atlantic Coast Conference. Their only loss of the year was a 1-0 loss to Clemson in the ACC Tournament final. In that game starting forward Ryan Gibbs and defender Jonathan Cole did not play due to injuries sustained in an earlier match. Although Virginia is a very talented team with many capable players, they are a much stronger team with Gibbs and Cole in the lineup. Regardless, the Cavaliers are a very balanced and well rounded team with an attack that is as difficult to contain as any in the country. Defensively they also are solid and can hold their own with anyone. The Cavaliers scored a total of 42 goals in 2001 and allowed only 11. Look for Virginia to face either Atlantic Coast Conference foe North Carolina or Wake Forest in the quarterfinals to determine who advance to the College Cup.
Stanford - The Cardinal enters the NCAA Tourney with a 16-1-1 overall record and a 6-1-1 record in Pacific 10 play. Stanford’s one loss and tie have come at the hands of the Bruins from UCLA. Stanford entered the 2001 season without six starters from the 2000 squad and with a new coaching staff. The Pacific 10 Coaches had the Cardinal in the number three slot in their conference pre-season poll. By all measures, Head Coach Bret Simon has had a very successful first year at the helm of the Stanford program. Stanford has tallied 47 goals this year. Forward Roger Levesque (10g, 8a) and midfielder Derek Shanahan (7g, 6 a) have had great years and have lead the Stanford attack. In 2000 the Stanford defense lead by keeper Adam Zapala gave up only 10 goals. So far this year the defense has allowed only eight goals against. Keeper Andrew Terris and defenders Todd Dunivant, Lee Morrison, Aaron Biddle, and Taylor Graham have been outstanding. Stanford plays the winner of the California vs. Santa Clara match. Stanford defeated California 4-0 and 2-0 when the two teams meet during the regular season. They defeated Santa Clara 1-0 when they faced each other in regular season play. Santa Clara could give Stanford a difficult match if they can penetrate their defense. Stanford is in a very competitive bracket. Stanford should meet St. Louis in the quarterfinals of the bracket to determine who advances to the College Cup. However, this is a tough bracket so don’t be surprised if either Stanford or Saint Louis does not make it to the quarterfinals. Washington is capable of defeating Stanford and Loyola (MD), Notre Dame, and Wisconsin-Milwaukee have the potential to upset St. Louis.
Indiana University - Last year proved once again that you should never ever, repeat never ever count the Indiana Hoosiers out when it comes to NCAA Tourney Time. They won three big games in NCAA Tourney action on the road last year including a win over number one ranked North Carolina in Chapel Hill to make it to the College Cup. Indiana won the regular season Big Ten Title in 2001 and the Big Ten Tournament Title. They enter NCAA Tourney play this year with an overall record of 14-3-1. Indiana lost to St. John’s 1-0, Portland 1-0, Notre Dame 1-0 and tied Princeton 1-1. The Hoosiers tallied 38 goals and allowed a mere 6. Keeper Colin Rogers and backs John Swann, Ryan Hammer, and Josh Rife have played excellent soccer all year for the Hoosiers. Look for that to continue during NCAA Tourney play. Pat Noonan (13g, 9a) and freshman Mike Ambersley (5g, 4a) have lead the Indiana attack. The Indiana defense is unlikely to yield many goals. Accordingly to defeat Indiana an opponent must halt their attack and maximize the few opportunities they are given to score. That requires a great deal of discipline and control. As previously indicated, all of the Indiana defeats in 2001 were by a 1-0 margin. Indiana’s bracket is another tough one as it includes Clemson, Furman, South Carolina, Connecticut and Rutgers. Indiana and Connecticut are likely to meet in the third round with the winner advancing to the quarterfinals to face either Clemson or South Carolina. Look for the winner of the Indiana vs. Connecticut match to be in Columbus, Ohio to play in the College Cup.
Clemson - The Tigers are 17-4-0 and are playing their best soccer of the year. They defeated Maryland, North Carolina, and Virginia to win the Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament last weekend. The wins over the Cavaliers and Tar Heels avenged defeats during the regular season. Clemson also lost early in the year to C.S. Fullerton 2-1 and to Georgia State 2-1. Clemson has scored 55 goals this year and allowed 16. The Tigers are a very solid and balanced team. They will face the winner of the Kentucky vs. Mercer game at Riggs Field. Kentucky could give the Tigers a difficult match but Clemson should prevail. Clemson is then likely to face either Furman or South Carolina. The Tigers defeated Furman 3-2 and South Carolina 2-1 when they meet during the regular season. Clemson will have the upper hand with both Furman and South Carolina but both are very good teams and both are capable of defeating Clemson if things fall their way. Look for Clemson to face either Connecticut or Indiana in the quarterfinals for the right to advance to the College Cup. Connecticut is no stranger to Riggs field in Clemson as they faced the Tigers their last year in the NCAA Tourney and came from behind to get a win that enabled them to advance to the College Cup. |
