To say that this is a surprise would be incorrect. To say that Ohio was the underdog is probably not true either, even though the poll on this website was in favor of NIU. In all honesty, I think most people would say that this game was a toss-up. After the podcast was over yesterday, Trent and I discussed the best result and worst result for each team. It was essentially the exact same, except reversed for each team.
Harris Continues to Shine
So what was the fallout of Ohio Christian University winning 2-1? Ohio is definitively the best team in the country.
Ohio has made a living off of the disrespect card, and now that card is gone. Ohio has stepped forward, in front of everyone else, and has said, “See this on my back? Yeah… it’s a target.”
Here is the thing, I don’t know if Ohio cares. Ohio has a confidence, that most people would say borderlines arrogance, but the thing about Ohio is… they don’t care what you think. They don’t care what the scorelines are, how they do it, or whatever… they just win games. They will win 1-0 against a terrible NCCAA DII team, and then win 2-1 in Michigan against Northland… yeah… frustrating, but they simply don’t care.
Now I am talking about their players and coaches, their fans seem to care a great deal what you think of them.
I am fascinated by Ohio, because they have not only set themselves up as the target, but they have set themselves up as the villain. Going forward from here, I don’t want you to start throwing spiritualized bombs at me for saying someone is the villain. I am simply saying that Ohio is “figuratively” the villain in the NCCAA DII.
Why?
Simple.
When you have an established order in any system in life, and a new element is introduced, and this new element upsets the established order, and everyone secretly knows this new element is better than you… what do you get? Villain. This is what Ohio Christian University is. They don’t care if you love them or hate them, but they are the new kids on the block, and these new kids have blue jersey’s, play attractive counter-attacking soccer, and oh yeah…they win games. They win in heartbreaking fashion. They make you think you have a chance, and then… boom… you look up and you are on the wrong end of the scoreboard.
How do they do this? How do they continually bend and not break? How do they let you think you are going to win the game and they beat you? They are tougher. It’s as simple as that. They are more confident and tougher than 99% of the teams out there.
There is one team that for some reason Ohio has not quite been able to overcome, and there is a simple reason for that as well. As much as Ohio owns Northland and Manhattan. Clearwater owns Ohio.
Ohio is very good, but to be great, they need to adopt a new mantra…
…beat Clearwater. The final step to glory.
Definitely agree with this, Cole. And I will be the first to admit I was wrong about the game today.
Was it counter attack again? Wish I could have seen the game. So much for “home field advantage” for NIU.
was a great game, Cole your description of the OCU mental fits my son to the T,, i might have quote parts of when im asked about Stu because you hit the nail on the head! only thing would have made today better would if his shot in the upper 90 was a half inch and didnt bounce out
Wish we could play Ohio in the regular season this year, guess we will have to wait until nationals!
Don’t get too crazy. I’m sure CCC has more to say about that.
if we do make it, I’m bringing the Pumpkin Festival with me
Woah! it’s Pumkin Show! unless you’re not talking the shindig that goes on in Circleville…
Could have easily been 3 to 1 ocu blew PK in the first half
Can someone please explain to me how a 2-1 victory is stunning?
chuck, first the team expected to win didn’t, also Northland hasn’t been scored on all season. ocu had one pk that niu keeper made a great save on, another shot made by in upper 90 that 99 times out of a hundered would have went in but it took a funny bounce, a open shot by Blamo that he just plain missed.. Nortland had some great chances too…but more important in last 2 meetings everyone said OCU was lucky, no one who seen this game will say that this time that alone will be stunning
oh and the one score NIU did get was a PK,,and i know I am bias but it was even a very questionable call..lol conplaining about ref now thats stunning LOL
Northland played well like always, but Ohio prove once again that they are no joke. Score could have easily been alot more on Ohios side. Couple of questionable calls and a great penalty save. Could have possibly had another penalty when Blam had already beaten the last defender and got taken down from behind just outside the 6. Overall, great game by both teams.
After reflecting on this I would say is OCU followers are not stunned. We did not go up north feeling like underdogs. I also wondering where you said “they will win 1-0 against a terrible nccaa d2 team”. Were you fugitive speaking?? Because I watch all there games and haven’t seen yet o.would call terrible and every brings thete A game when they come to play.
Sorry excuse all the typos. Did this on my not so Smart phone. On patio enjoying a nice fire and great Ohio evening.
How do you like the mobile site?
Cole
The mobile site is real easy to use, makes it easy to keep up with things on the road, thanks for the good work.
Carl
Greetings and congrats to both teams. Being Pres of OCU I was pleased with the win. Coach is a great coach and we have some great men on this team- but what has impressed me this year has been the spiritural leadership of these men on campus- Team Bible studies, first ones to respond to the altar in our Fall Revival- they are a team. I hated so bad to miss this game- but I was in a trauma center with my sister who had a blood clot on the brain unexpectedly- not thinking really about soccer- and these men were letting me know on facebook that they were listening and praying for me- now that is what I love about the OCU team. I want a championship for these men- but I want them to be Christian leaders more. Thanks men- you made my weekend in many ways.
Mark Smith, sorry to hear about your sister. However, concerning the game, I was appalled at the foul language throughout the game from the OCU players- three of them specifically. Even though i was on the sideline I heard numerous four letter words, and frankly I was embarrassed for the coaching staff and parents of OCU. Other than that it was a fun game to watch and congrats.
Wow! Really? You’re going to come across with language as something that defames someone’s character and should be a black mark against them? Sure, it may not be very becoming of them, being Christians, if your assertion be true at that. But Mark just make a statement of these men as leaders and them being led by the Spirit to a life in Christ. Their character has been spoken of well but how they’ve played and how they’ve acted. Language does not defame someone’s character unless it speaks heresy and other falsehoods. I suggest you save your embarrassment for something that truly matters, like your high horse.
Nathan, I really think you should guide your comments by the Scripture. Your evaluation of someone’s character is DEFINITELY influenced by their speech. “out of the heart the mouth speaks.” The Bible is clear that a person’s speech indicates their true character. I do not know the character of the men at OCU but your comments contradict Scripture so i felt the need to comment.
here are some other passages worth looking into:
Ephesians 4:29
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
Colossians 3:8
But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.
Titus 2:7-8
In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us.
James 1:26
If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless.
James 3:9-12
With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be. Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? My brothers, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.
Please take my comments in kindness and grace,
David Doran Jr.
Wow
David,
I appreciate your comments. My comments actually are guided by Scripture, but I have a different viewpoint on those Scriptures. While, yes, there is an application of those verses to use clean language, the direction of the Scripture is to use wholesome language (the Word, doctrine) that will be helpful in building up your brother in the truth. The filthy language is that which is defamatory or blasphemous towards our Lord and Savior. The soundness of speech is that your speech should be that of truth and the proper division of that truth so that we are shown to be the righteous sons of God that we are. We are to be vigilant and knowledgeable in our speech so that we do speak falsehoods that our flesh is so wont to do. The cursing is not, in my opinion, the use of foul language, but the use of false doctrines and accusations to those we know are our brothers.
Like I said, I’m not in disagreement that an application can be made, but I believe that the Holy Spirit’s main purpose in the deliverance of His word in those Scriptures is for that of purity in doctrine and the speaking of His truth in which the Spirit leads us.
Game Observer’s comments, whoever he may be, were meant to tear down the character of those whose character has been spoken of well on these boards. Rather than approaching the coach, the President or the players directly and in a private setting, he chose to make those comments anonymously, unspecifically and in a public forum without honest intent to build on the foundation of the Rock. He was casting a stone that need not be cast much less picked up, because, as is said in Galatians 6:1 – “Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.” We, in any fault, must understand that we would falter as our brother has. Understanding this is that spirit of meekness. But even then, was their fault in speaking blasphemies or false doctrine? No.
We are not called to judge others. Yet, we are all caught in that very same sin all the time. I praise God that, regardless of whether or not the OCU men used vulgar words, that we are called redeemed by His grace and that when we are all caught in that sin or others, that the judgment fell on Christ our Savior, with whom we will spend in eternity.
Thank you for the fellowship in His word
Nathan,
I appreciate your response. I readily agree with your comments concerning Anonymous comments on a blog which really have no desire for edification. The blogosphere provides a dangerous cover for “speech without consequences.”
I disagree with your interpretation of most of these passages but i am glad to see you’re interacting with them. Keep molding yourself by the Word!
Thanks for the response.
David Doran jr.
Game observer,
Its funny you have mentioned the language issue because I brought it up to the center ref before the game asking if he heard any type of language you are speaking of, then to let me know so I can deal with it appropriately. I communicated with him after the game and got “the all clear” signal stating he heard nothing of what you speak of.
I am sure there are slip ups from BOTH sides in the heat of the moment, but this is not the forum to bring this up. My email is attached, and so you can communicate via that instead of this public forum behind an obscure name.
I stand behind my players who played liked they worship on the field as they do in church, with all their heart. We fight constantly against such things and are held to a high standard.
BTW, I am the head coach of OCU.
I love the mobil site…but the scroll through stories takes io too much room lol
I like.
I felt like the team did very well this weekend. Not just in how they played, but how they acted. The perservered through some questionable calls and came out of it looking like champions. I did not hear this foul language that “game observer” is claiming. There were some complaining from both sides of the ball for different reasons, as you will see in any game/sport/level of play. But it did not get to the point of being foul. Please keep your baseless accusations to yourself and lets not tarnish the name of any team on the pitch. Let us focus on the spirit of the game and more importantly, focus on the Lord that brings is together to play this beautiful game.
I wouldn’t go as far to say “beautiful” game…. Now cricket..thats a beautiful game
I love it when you say random stuff like this…made me laugh.
Games like these are great for the NCCAA II. I wish there were more opportunities for these kinds of match-ups.
When I make my millions from writing the next cutting edge systematic theology textbook, I’m going to start a soccer travel fund to get more cross-regional games.
Think I can sell a NIU vs. CCC game in Florida in October for the good Wisconsin folks?
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAH Systematic Theology doesn’t sell…
(that was a joke)
I know