Midwest Roundup - Week 6

By D3soccer.com Contributor

With just three full weeks remaining in most teams’ regular seasons, the 2016 fall season is heating up. Each and every game counts for something at this stage as teams are fighting to be at the top of their conference standings. Across the Midwest, the action has not disappointed. Let’s take a look around each of the states and examine some of the top performing team.

INDIANA

Hanover continues its incredible run of form, winning their sixth straight game to go to 10-2-0 overall and a perfect 3-0-0 in the HCAC. In midweek, the Panthers knocked off Franklin before shutting out Anderson over the weekend. Enrico Franchini has 9 goals and 7 assists, while freshman goalkeeper Chris Brashear has stepped in to pick up two straight shutouts.

MISSOURI

Despite suffering their first defeat of the season this past weekend, Washington U. has had an incredible six weeks to start the year, going 7-1-1 overall. The Bears lost to Emory on Saturday, and Coach Joe Clarke’s team will need to rebound quickly with upcoming UAA games versus New York University and Brandeis. Their balanced attack and stingy defense should help them bounce back.

OHIO

The Yeomen of Oberlin have continued their hot streak, going undefeated in their past ten games and starting 3-0-0 in the NCAC. A 2-1 overtime win over Wabash this past week, in addition to an out-of-conference win against Case Western, has Coach Blake New’s team off to their best start in years. At 10-1-1, they will have a big test versus Kenyon coming up this week.

Capital hasn’t lost since opening day and is also 10-1-1 overall. After picking up a huge 5-0 win over Wilmington earlier in the week, the Crusaders came from behind and tied Ohio Northern in a 2-2 game at home. Coach Alan Yost’s team is led by a pair of seniors in Cheyn Roux, who has 6 goals on the season, and Alexander Basiakos, who has 5 goals including both in the ONU tie.

ILLINOIS

North Park is a perfect 5-0-0 in the CCIW after picking up wins against Illinois Wesleyan and Augustana on the road this past week. Coach John Born’s side have allowed just three goals during their current six game winning streak, bringing their overall record to 9-2-1. Sophomore Gianfranco DeCarne paces the team with 6 goals and 8 assists.

KENTUCKY

Make it five wins in a row for Spalding who has started play in the SLIAC undefeated with four straight wins. The Golden Eagles came from behind to beat Principia by a 3-2 score this weekend before Joey Lesher’s goal helped them grind out a 1-0 result at Blackburn. For SU, five players have scored three goals or more through the first twelve games.

TENNESSEE

Six consecutive wins for Maryville (Tenn.) puts them at the top of the table in the USA South. The Scots have scored a whopping 31 goals during that stretch—enough for 5.2 GPG—and are led by Caleb Lucas’ impressive tally of 15 goals and 8 assists. With a 4.0 GPG average over the entire season thus far, don’t expect Maryville to slow down any time soon.

As we approach mid-October, it is make or break time for each and every team around the country. By this time next week, we can expect the postseason conference tournaments to be taking shape and teams to be making their final pushes towards a regular season title.

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