Midwest Roundup - Week 7

By D3soccer.com Contributor

We are just a few weeks away from postseason play! The 2018 season has been flying by. Let’s take a look around the Midwest as we approach the final weeks of the regular season and first release of the important NCAA Regional Rankings.

OHIO

Kenyon (11-1-1 / 5-0-0) have picked up five wins in five conference games to lead the NCAC standings at the midway point. The Lords have outscored opponents 17-2 in that stretch, which includes three straight shutouts. Mark your calendar for a big showdown this week against perennial powerhouse Ohio Wesleyan (10-2-1 / 4-0-1).

Capital (10-3-0 / 4-1-0) sit atop the leaderboard in the OAC, alongside John Carroll (8-4-1 / 4-1-0). The Crusaders beat the Blue Streaks 1-0 at home before dropping their only conference game to Mount Union (10-2-0 / 3-2-0). It is looking like it will be a tight race to finish in the OAC, with in addition to those three teams you have Ohio Northern (10-4-1 / 3-2-0) and Otterbein (6-5-0 / 3-2-0) making strides.

MICHIGAN

Calvin (12-1-0 / 4-0-0) have not allowed a goal in MIAA action, outscoring opponents 24-0 in their five wins. Most impressively, the conference leaders have already knocked off each of the three teams sitting below them – Trine (10-2-1 / 3-1-0), Adrian (6-6-0 / 3-1-0) and Hope (11-1-1 / 2-1-1). With four teams set to make the postseason tournament, the Knights look like the heavy favorites.

KENTUCKY

Spalding (11-2-1 / 4-0-1) sits atop the leaderboard in the SLIAC after rattling off four straight wins. The Golden Eagles have been bagging a lot of goals during that stretch, which includes shutout wins of 11-0 and 6-0 over conference foes. Looking ahead, matchups against Webster (11-2-1 / 3-0-1) and Principia (4-4-0 / 2-2-0) on the road this week will define their season.

INDIANA

Hanover (8-5-0 / 5-0-0) have won six straight games, including their opening five contests in the HCAC. The Panthers have beaten four in-state foes during that run, with W’s over Manchester (5-8-1 / 3-2-0), Rose-Hulman (7-5-1 / 4-1-0), Franklin (3-11-0 / 1-4-0) and Earlham (2-10-0 / 1-4-0). A matchup with last year’s champ Transylvania (5-4-3 / 3-1-1) will set them up for a push to the regular season title.

ILLINOIS

North Park (11-2-0 / 4-1-0) are currently leading the CCIW. Despite opening conference play with a 3-0 loss to Millikin (8-4-0 / 3-1-0), the Vikings have rebounded with four straight victories, including a 3-0 home win against Carthage (8-7-0 / 4-1-0), who shares the top of the conference leaderboard. After a non-conference match against UW-Whitewater, their regular season fate will be decided with three straight conference tilts.

Knox (11-3-1 / 6-1-0) have been putting together an impressive season, winning eleven of their last twelve games, which includes four straight in conference. Their only MWC loss is to St. Norbert (13-0-1 / 6-0-0), who has inched ahead of them in the conference standings. The Prairie Fire must win their final two conference games to have a hope at the regular season crown.

MISSOURI

Webster (11-2-1 / 3-0-1) have not lost in conference play after grinding out a 0-0 draw this past week with Greenville (11-3-1 / 3-1-1). The Gorloks have relied on a staunch defense, having only allowed 3 total goals all season. A home matchup this week with conference leaders Spalding will be another big test for the group.

IOWA

Simpson (9-4-2 / 4-1-1) and Wartburg (8-5-1 / 4-1-1) are tied for first in the ARC, with Loras (9-2-0 / 4-1-0) and Central (7-6-0 / 4-1-0) just a point behind but with a game in-hand. So far, it’s been a revolving door of this team beating that team to push for top spot. With Luther (10-3-1 / 3-1-1) sitting just outside the top four with less than a handful of games to play, expect a battle between these five Iowa teams over the final two weeks of the regular season.

It is definitely crunch time! As the postseason layout begins to take shape, we’re looking forward to watching teams from the Midwest make their final pushes of the regular season. We will see you next week for a recap of action around these states.

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