Using the men’s soccer team ratings, I have put together a projection of the national tournament. Check out who is playing who, and let me know what you think the rankings should be… right now…
| 1 | Northland International University |
| 8 | Clearwater Christian College |
Notes: Brutal first round match up, if this is what happens. I believe that Clearwater will eventually move up into the 4-5 seed range, but the computer, as of right now, is not convinced this is the same Clearwater we have expected to see in years past.
| 4 | Ohio Christian University |
| 5 | North Central University |
Notes: Ohio Christian University ranked this low is brutal for Northland. I think they will eventually move above Manhattan, but for now, Ohio is ranked here. North Central is an up and coming team this year, and I actually like this spot for them.
| 2 | Moody Bible Institute |
| 7 | Lancaster Bible College |
Notes: Lancaster is an interesting team. They seem to be coming together late in the season, which makes ranking them very difficult (Kind of the opposite of Manhattan). Moody should not worry too much here, but Lancaster is a well-organized team.
| 3 | Manhattan Christian College |
| 6 | Ozark Christian College |
Notes: Ozark is the big question mark. The coaches don’t like them, but the computer does like them. What do you think? Manhattan is on a downward spiral right now, therefore we will see where they bottom out.
At first glance, these projections may reflect what should be, but in reality an absolute impossibility. You haven’t factored in Moody’s school policy: If they don’t win their regional tournament, they won’t attend nationals (they don’t accept the wildcard). If they do win regionals, they will obviously be ranked over Northland.
This is a great point. Thank you sir.
I think this greatly benefits NIU. If they can finally get over the hump and beat Moody at regionals, then they don’t have to deal with them again. It makes that regional championship game ultra important.
I think another reality which really benefits NIU is that the regionals are played in the Great White North, where it’s already the dead of winter by the standards of us southern boys! Of course, that can turn around and bite them if the weather happens to be very hot in Kissimmee.
I guess Dad is right
No way Moody arent going to be no1 now!!!
MCC didn’t really played any team of the caliber of Providence nor NIU their entire season and both of those games were really physical and fun to watch .MCC has picked up their level of commitment since those defeats and i heard their main players encouraging and lifting the younger players on the team , this is a very young but talented team and i wouldn’t be surprised if they become the cinderella team at the end of this season the 3 time Ntl champion has a lot to show and the best is still to come.
Lancaster can not go….they need 2 wins and will not be doing so. The school has a self imposed rule that will keep them from reping the east. So that means you will see BBC or Valley Forge reping the east.
Don’t be shocked to see OCU fumble again this year and Crown ends up in Kissimmee
Let’s not get crazy here… OCU may not be the juggernaut team of yore, but they are still BY FAR the best team to come out of the Mid-East. OCU’s worst game is still better than Crown’s best game.
Hmmm last night johnson 1 ocu 0??? today crown, who knows what might happen next weekend. It looks to me like OCU is missing some great players from last couple of years maybe the coach didn’t know what he really had on that back line and it made his life easy.
I’m surely eating my own words. I cannot believe that OCU lost a regional game. Though I still find it improbable that any team can reduplicate that performance Johnson when it comes to elimination soccer.
If I heard correctly, Johnson lost by a goal in double overtime against OCU. What do you guys make of that? OCU lost their edge or did Johnson get better (or both?)